texascavers Digest 16 Sep 2013 16:05:00 -0000 Issue 1845 Topics (messages 22693 through 22697):
Discovery Well Cave Preserve Insident 22693 by: Mike Walsh 22694 by: Don Cooper 22695 by: Leslie Bell Re: Solo Caving 22696 by: Louise Power Re: [SWR] Guadalupe Mountains National Park News Release - Storm Closure Update 22697 by: Diana Tomchick Administrivia: To subscribe to the digest, e-mail: <texascavers-digest-subscr...@texascavers.com> To unsubscribe from the digest, e-mail: <texascavers-digest-unsubscr...@texascavers.com> To post to the list, e-mail: <texascavers@texascavers.com> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
--- Begin Message ---This evening, September 15, the Texas Cave Conservancy had Christopher Francke and other cavers out at Discovery Well conducting GPS cave location for a cave report for the City of Cedar Park. They were also making night mammal observations for the report. Approximately one hour ago (7:00 PM) a vehicle ran off the road, through a fence and into the preserve. The cavers were able to open the locked gate into the property for the emergency vehicles and the police. They identified themselves and had the proper information to show that they were there with permission. Christopher Francke called TCC President Mike Walsh to report the incident. Walsh went out to the property, met with the Cedar Park Police and identified himself as the property manager for the city. Walsh informed them that the property was owned by the State of Texas, leased by the City of Cedar Park and that the caves were managed by the Texas Cave Conservancy. This situation shows how the Texas Cave Conservancy works with their clients to find Solutions to Cave Related Problems. Walsh has reported to Curt Randa, Cedar Park - Parks & Recreation Director that approximately forty feet of fence was taken out. There appeared to be no damage to Discovery Well Cave Preserve critical habitat area. A copy of this will be forwarded to the Austin U.S Fish & Wildlife. Mike Walsh - President Texas Cave Conservancy 512-249-2283
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--- Begin Message ---Well I'm sure we're all happy that all the officials were represented - all the i's being dotted and all the t's crossed and praise Jehovah that everyone was there legally - but what became of the person in the wayward vehicle? On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 9:08 PM, Mike Walsh <mikewaus...@austin.rr.com>wrote: > ** ** ** ** > > ** ** > > This evening, September 15, the Texas Cave Conservancy had > Christopher > Francke and other cavers out at Discovery Well conducting GPS cave > location for a cave report for the City of Cedar Park. They were also > making night mammal observations for the report. Approximately one hour > ago (7:00 PM) a vehicle ran off the road, through a fence and into the > preserve. The cavers were able to open the locked gate into the property > for the emergency vehicles and the police. They identified themselves and > had the proper information to show that they were there with permission. > Christopher Francke called TCC President Mike Walsh to report the > incident. Walsh went out to the property, met with the Cedar Park Police > and identified himself as the property manager for the city. Walsh > informed them that the property was owned by the State of ****Texas****, > leased by the City of Cedar Park and that the caves were managed by the > Texas Cave Conservancy.**** > > ** ** > > This situation shows how the Texas Cave Conservancy works with their > clients to find Solutions to Cave Related Problems. Walsh has reported to > Curt Randa, ****Cedar** **Park**** – Parks & Recreation Director that > approximately forty feet of fence was taken out. There appeared to be no > damage to Discovery Well Cave Preserve critical habitat area. A copy of > this will be forwarded to the Austin U.S Fish & Wildlife.**** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > Mike Walsh - ****President** **Texas** **Cave**** Conservancy**** > > ** ** > > 512-249-2283**** > > ** ** >
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--- Begin Message ---Luckily, she made it out with just a scratch. Amazing, considering her car was completely overturned. Leslie Bell ________________________________ From: Don Cooper <wavyca...@gmail.com> To: Mike Walsh <mikewaus...@austin.rr.com> Cc: "Cavers, Texas" <texascavers@texascavers.com> Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2013 9:17 PM Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Discovery Well Cave Preserve Insident Well I'm sure we're all happy that all the officials were represented - all the i's being dotted and all the t's crossed and praise Jehovah that everyone was there legally - but what became of the person in the wayward vehicle? On Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 9:08 PM, Mike Walsh <mikewaus...@austin.rr.com> wrote: > > This evening, September 15, the Texas Cave Conservancy had >Christopher Francke and other cavers out at Discovery Well conducting GPS cave location for a cave report for the City of Cedar Park. They were also making night mammal observations for the report. Approximately one hour ago (7:00 PM) a vehicle ran off the road, through a fence and into the preserve. The cavers were able to open the locked gate into the property for the emergency vehicles and the police. They identified themselves and had the proper information to show that they were there with permission. Christopher Francke called TCC President Mike Walsh to report the incident. Walsh went out to the property, met with the Cedar Park Police and identified himself as the property manager for the city. Walsh informed them that the property was owned by the State of Texas, leased by the City of Cedar Park and that the caves were managed by the Texas Cave Conservancy. > >This situation shows how the Texas Cave Conservancy works with their clients to find Solutions to Cave Related Problems. Walsh has reported to Curt Randa, Cedar Park – Parks & Recreation Director that approximately forty feet of fence was taken out. There appeared to be no damage to Discovery Well Cave Preserve critical habitat area. A copy of this will be forwarded to the Austin U.S Fish & Wildlife. > > > >Mike Walsh - President Texas Cave Conservancy > >512-249-2283 >
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--- Begin Message ---Was it 10 hours because you were having a good time or because you couldn't find your way out? From: ca...@caver.net To: texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 13:42:32 -0500 Subject: [Texascavers] Re: Solo Caving Done a whole bunch in Amazing Maze Cave back in the mid 80's. I was in my 20's and was going to live forever. Regular pack nothing out of the ordinary. Can't remember if I told anyone where I was going or not. Would not do it again... I teach and preach against it now... The longest solo trip in there was about 10 hours...Maybe longer ... Bill
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--- Begin Message ---Begin forwarded message: From: "Pierce, Karl" <karl_pie...@nps.gov<mailto:karl_pie...@nps.gov>> Subject: Guadalupe Mountains National Park News Release - Storm Closure Update Date: September 13, 2013 4:48:57 PM MDT To: undisclosed-recipients:; Bcc: <bels...@valornet.com<mailto:bels...@valornet.com>> National Park Service Guadalupe Mountains 400 Pine Canyon Drive U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Salt Flat, TX 79847 915-828-3251 phone 915-828-3269 fax Guadalupe Mountains News Release Release date: Immediate Contact(s): Karl M. Pierce Phone number: 432-940-2440 Email: karl_pie...@nps.gov<mailto:karl_pie...@nps.gov> Date: September 13, 2013 Release code: 13-08 Guadalupe Mountains National Park Storm Closure Update (Pine Springs, TX) Park Superintendent Dennis A. Vásquez announced that although most of the park areas closed by the recent storm will remain closed, the park is beginning to open some areas, as park staff is able to assess damage and begin effecting repairs from heavy rains and flooding. The Pine Springs Visitor Center remains open to provide information and assist visitors and motorists, and the Pine Springs Campground and the Pinery have reopened. Frijole Ranch Road is open as far as the corral, and visitors may hike from there to Smith Spring, from the west side only, and to Manzanita Spring. The Smith Spring Trail remains closed between Smith Spring and Manzanita Spring. The Guadalupe Peak Trail, the Horse Trail from Guadalupe Peak, the Pinery Trail and the first mile, only, of the Devil’s Hall Trail have reopened, as well. The Guadalupe Peak Backcountry Campground is also open. However, most trails still have loose rocks and uneven ground, and many require shallow water crossings, and hikers and backpackers should exercise extreme caution. The park hopes to open the Frijole Ranch Cultural History Museum tomorrow morning. McKittrick Canyon, Williams Ranch, the Salt Basin Dunes, Dog Canyon and all other ackcountry areas, unpaved roads and trails will remain closed, at least through the weekend, as water levels continue to recede and the park begins to dry out. “This was a very unusual event. Even people who have been here a long time cannot remember a rain event like this. The ground is still saturated in many areas, and creeks, arroyos, springs and seeps are still running, even though the water has receded. Williams Ranch Road and several trails have washed out areas, which will take time to repair. We are continuing to monitor and assess conditions, and will continue to open the closed areas of the park as soon as it is safe to do so. As always, our primary concern is for the safety of park visitors and staff,and for the protection of park resources,” said Vásquez. The Texas Department of Transportation reported that FM 1437, FM 2249 and FM1575, in the Dell City area, are now open. However, the New Mexico Department of Transportation is reporting that NM 137 to Dog Canyon will remain closed between mile marker 1 and mile marker 54 until early next week. There will be no access to Dog Canyon until that road re-opens. The National Weather Service reported that the Bowl recorded 12.41 inches of rain during a 24 hour period from September 11-12, while Dog Canyon recorded 9.50 inches, McKittrick Canyon recorded 7.32 inches and the Pinery recorded 5.12 inches. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet (http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu<http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/>) weather station, located near the park’s fire cache, registered 15.73 inches of rain between September 9 and 14, including 13.50 inches during a 24 hour period on September 12-13. Park information, including park conditions, closures or restrictions, weather and program information, may be found on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/GUMO/<http://www.nps.gov/GUMO/>, on the park’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Guadalupe.Mountains/<http://www.facebook.com/Guadalupe.Mountains/>, or by contacting the Pine Springs Visitor Center at (915) 828- 3251 x2124. The Pine Springs Visitor Center is open daily (except for Christmas) from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM. The McKittrick Canyon, Frijole Ranch House, Dog Canyon and Salt Basin Dunes (Dell City, TX) Visitor Contact Stations are open intermittently. Please call the Pine Springs Visitor Center at (915) 828-3251 x2124 to find out whether they are open. For Dog Canyon, call the Dog Canyon Visitor Contact Station/Ranger Station at (575) 981-2418. For the latest weather information for Guadalupe Mountains National Park, see http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TXZ258 or http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TXZ421. For the latest road information, call 511, or visit www.drivetexas.org/<http://www.drivetexas.org/> for Texas or http://nmroads.com/ for New Mexico. -NPS- EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™ The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. ________________________________ UT Southwestern Medical Center The future of medicine, today.Guadalupe Mountains National Park News Release - Park Storm Closure Update 07-13-2013.pdf
Description: Guadalupe Mountains National Park News Release - Park Storm Closure Update 07-13-2013.pdf
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