texascavers Digest 7 Sep 2010 15:55:24 -0000 Issue 1146
Topics (messages 15968 through 15980):
Gmail related
15968 by: David
15980 by: George-Paul Richmann
Carlbad Caverns elevators to be renovated :
15969 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
a cave related article
15970 by: David
TSA Request for officers for 2011
15971 by: Ron Ralph
Geologically Related
15972 by: Don Cooper
15973 by: germanyj.aol.com
15974 by: Bill Bentley
15975 by: Don Cooper
15976 by: Bill Bentley
Re: El Solitario, Big Bend Ranch State Park
15977 by: Logan McNatt
Solitario-Sierra Madera-Odessa Meteor Crater
15978 by: dirtdoc.comcast.net
THE Solitario
15979 by: dirtdoc.comcast.net
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
--- Begin Message ---
I am posting this because it could effect Cavetex postings for
you Gmail users.
Gmail is trying a new feature called "Priority Mailbox."
So if you don't like my post, you can click to put them in the low
priority box. Unfortunately that feature doesn't have a box to
vaporize my post immediately. You have to do that in your
filter menu.
I recommend everybody get a Gmail account ( unless you are one
of the many who despise Google ). Gmail works great on many
of the latest phones. [ It is easy on my new Motorola Rambler.]
This feature could potentially come in useful during a cave rescue
call-out. Someone could send out a mock post for cave rescue,
and then you could click on that to prioritize it. So the next time
there is a post for cave rescue it would be in your priority mail box.
David Locklear
( P.S. Sorry I couldn't make it to Cedar Park this weekend. I had
to work late Saturday night ).
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I believe that setting up Gmail this way would be a purely symptomatic
approach that doesn't attack the root cause.
Cheers,
GP
On Sun, Sep 5, 2010 at 12:04 AM, David <dlocklea...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I am posting this because it could effect Cavetex postings for
> you Gmail users.
>
> Gmail is trying a new feature called "Priority Mailbox."
>
> So if you don't like my post, you can click to put them in the low
> priority box. Unfortunately that feature doesn't have a box to
> vaporize my post immediately. You have to do that in your
> filter menu.
>
> I recommend everybody get a Gmail account ( unless you are one
> of the many who despise Google ). Gmail works great on many
> of the latest phones. [ It is easy on my new Motorola Rambler.]
>
> This feature could potentially come in useful during a cave rescue
> call-out. Someone could send out a mock post for cave rescue,
> and then you could click on that to prioritize it. So the next time
> there is a post for cave rescue it would be in your priority mail box.
>
> David Locklear
>
> ( P.S. Sorry I couldn't make it to Cedar Park this weekend. I had
> to work late Saturday night ).
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
> For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
>
>
--
George-Paul Richmann
(513) 490-3100
gprichm...@gmail.com
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
-- This might seem a bit of ho-hum information, but consider that the
workers will be retrofitting a steel framework that is located within a
754-foot deep shaft that is about 30 ft square WHILE some of the elevators and
counter weights are still zipping by ! Not work for the faint-hearted.
As an aside, we once transported a long ladder down into the cave back
in the 1980s to check a high lead, and due to the fact that it was too long
to fit in the elevators. I and another caver rode the ladder down to the
Lunch Room on top of one of the elevator cars. We had our caving lights on
and held on for dear life. It's not until you ride one of those cars down
that you really realize how fast they are dropping ! Watching the walls at
arms length zoom past at a blur was a bit unnerving. - Jerry.
.......................................................
Renovation planned for Cavern elevators
>From the Current-Argus
Posted: 09/03/2010 09:07:08 PM MDT
CARLSBAD — Carlsbad Caverns National Park is doing some renovation in the
name of safety.
On Sept. 13, a contract to replace most of the steel support beams in the
Caverns' primary elevator hoistway will commence. According to a press
release, the maintenance is required due to peeling lead-based paint and
damage
caused by corrosion on the 55-year-old steel framework.
"This is a very necessary project that will improve employee safety for the
elevator mechanics and significantly prolong the useful life of the
primary elevator system," said park Superintendent John Benjamin. "We regret
that
it will affect visitor use on busy days. We have scheduled the work for
the time of the year with the lowest visitation, and we have made extensive
contingency plans to lessen the adverse effects of the project."
The elevator system at the park provides transportation for visitors and
cargo to and from the main cavern, located 754 feet below the Visitor Center.
The system includes four elevators: a primary set that carry 16 passengers
each and a secondary set that carry eight passengers each.
Many factors, such as the difficulty of accessing the hoistway, the
presence of lead-based paint and the interest in public safety, raised the
recommendation to reinforce the structure with galvanized beams, from a team
of
National Park Service and industry experts. The contract to carry-out the
work was granted to White Construction Group of Castle Rock, Colo.
The repairs of the beams will take from mid-September to mid-May 2011, the
release said.
Management assistant Paula Bauer provided helpful tips on how to make your
visit as efficient as possible.
"We will try our best to direct and maintain a steady flow of visitors
exiting the cave ... the wait can be anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour
depending on the amount of visitors," she said. "We suggest coming earlier in
the day, because lines in the afternoon tend to be longer as people try to
leave. Staff members will be in the area to answer any questions and to keep
things running as smooth as possible while the construction takes place."
However, visitors are allowed to hike out to the cave's natural entrance
via a steep 1-mile route. Park officials suggest that anyone considering this
route needs to start the hike before mid-day, be wearing appropriate
footwear and be in good physical condition. It is an uphill climb, with an
elevation gain of about 800 feet over about one and a quarter miles. The
gradual
climb is not recommended for anyone who experiences problems with their
heart, breathing, knees, back or diabetes. Visitors with health concerns
should return to the surface by elevator.
_http://www.currentargus.com/ci_15988628_
(http://www.currentargus.com/ci_15988628)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Nature/2010/9/85293/
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Cavers:
It is once again time to consider running for office. The Texas
Speleological Association needs your hat in the ring for the 2010 election
at the Texas Caver Reunion. The positions are for one year and duties are
outlined below. Knowing your reluctance to volunteer for any position, I am
asking your friends (ha!) to suggest to me that you will be a fine
candidate. I will then contact you and ask if you will run and serve.
Our present officers (2010) are:
President - Mark Alman
Vice-President - Ellie Watson
Secretary - Denise Prendergast
Treasurer - Darla Bishop
This is the first call for nominations. Please respond with your thoughts on
possible candidates at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Ron Ralph, TSA Elections Committee Chair
September 6, 2010
512.280.9468 Home
512.797.3817 Cell
Duties of TSA Officers
Nominations for TSA officers are in progress. This page is an excerpt from
the TSA Constitution describing the duties of TSA Officers.
Article IV: Officers
A. The Executive Council consists of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary,
Treasurer and the Chair of each standing committee. Elected officers shall
take office on the first day of the New Year.
1. The Chairman, when present, shall preside over all TSA meetings.
2. The Vice-Chairman is responsible for meeting and program arrangements and
shall preside at TSA meeting is the absence of the Chairman.
3. The Secretary records the minutes of TSA meetings and maintains a current
list of members.
4. The Treasurer keeps track of TSA assets by maintaining adequate financial
records, including those for The Texas Caver. The Treasurer prepares a
budget for the fiscal year, maintains the membership database, and insures
the database is available electronically to the membership.
B. A vacancy in any elected office other than that of Chairman may be filled
by the Executive Council by appointing any full member in good standing or
by special election if so desired by the Executive Council.
C. The Vice-Chairman shall fill a vacancy in the office of Chairman.
D. Officers may be removed from their position by a three-quarters majority
vote at any Member Meeting.
NOTES: The vice chair has historically organized the TSA spring convention.
And the chairman is responsible for organizing the TSA business
meetings...ie preparing agendas, scheduling the meeting...keeping things
moving at the meetings....and being a "speleo-referee" to keep things civil.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Caldera or impact crater???
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=terlingua&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Terlingua,+Brewster,+Texas&ll=29.452304,-103.793507&spn=0.110613,0.174923&t=h&z=13
-WaV
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
El Solitario:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4507_1437_06_08.pdf
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Cooper <wavyca...@gmail.com>
To: Cavers, Texas <Texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Mon, Sep 6, 2010 2:31 pm
Subject: [Texascavers] Geologically Related
Caldera or impact crater???
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=terlingua&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Terlingua,+Brewster,+Texas&ll=29.452304,-103.793507&spn=0.110613,0.174923&t=h&z=13
-WaV
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
November 2006, I hiked down into the heart of the Solatario... Interesting
place... I would like to go back and I may someday..
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: germa...@aol.com
To: wavyca...@gmail.com ; Texascavers@texascavers.com
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Geologically Related
El Solitario:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4507_1437_06_08.pdf
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Cooper <wavyca...@gmail.com>
To: Cavers, Texas <Texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Mon, Sep 6, 2010 2:31 pm
Subject: [Texascavers] Geologically Related
Caldera or impact crater???
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=terlingua&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Terlingua,+Brewster,+Texas&ll=29.452304,-103.793507&spn=0.110613,0.174923&t=h&z=13
-WaV
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Meteor Crater, near Odessa - first saw it in 1975 - I think it was before
the museum was built.
Not NEARLY as impressive.... and it's only supposed to be 50,000 yrs old.
Mother nature covers these inconvenient truths up pretty quickly, don't she?
There was a survey well drilled by the Army Corp of Engineers or somethin' a
long time ago. It was covered and gated, but there was a vent that you
could drop rocks into and listen for when they hit - I think it must have
been 100 to 150 feet deep.
On Mon, Sep 6, 2010 at 2:39 PM, <germa...@aol.com> wrote:
> El Solitario:
> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4507_1437_06_08.pdf
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don Cooper <wavyca...@gmail.com>
> To: Cavers, Texas <Texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Sent: Mon, Sep 6, 2010 2:31 pm
> Subject: [Texascavers] Geologically Related
>
> Caldera or impact crater???
>
>
> http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=terlingua&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Terlingua,+Brewster,+Texas&ll=29.452304,-103.793507&spn=0.110613,0.174923&t=h&z=13
>
> -WaV
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I was down that shaft in the mid 80's and I recall it was 175'. Hand dug with
shovels in the dirt... 8' X 10' I think...
Nasty place...(I will notb go back there.
http://www.caver.net/meteor.html
----- Original Message -----
From: Don Cooper
To: germa...@aol.com
Cc: Texascavers@texascavers.com
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 2:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Geologically Related
Meteor Crater, near Odessa - first saw it in 1975 - I think it was before the
museum was built.
Not NEARLY as impressive.... and it's only supposed to be 50,000 yrs old.
Mother nature covers these inconvenient truths up pretty quickly, don't she?
There was a survey well drilled by the Army Corp of Engineers or somethin' a
long time ago. It was covered and gated, but there was a vent that you could
drop rocks into and listen for when they hit - I think it must have been 100 to
150 feet deep.
On Mon, Sep 6, 2010 at 2:39 PM, <germa...@aol.com> wrote:
El Solitario:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4507_1437_06_08.pdf
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Cooper <wavyca...@gmail.com>
To: Cavers, Texas <Texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Mon, Sep 6, 2010 2:31 pm
Subject: [Texascavers] Geologically Related
Caldera or impact crater???
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=terlingua&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Terlingua,+Brewster,+Texas&ll=29.452304,-103.793507&spn=0.110613,0.174923&t=h&z=13
-WaV
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
For each of the last 7 years I've spent a month or more participating in an archeological survey along the existing and proposed trails at Big
Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP). We (the TPWD Archeology Survey Team) have surveyed 120 miles, stretching from the far northwest corner to the
southeast corner near Lajitas, and a whole lot in between. The actual distance we walked is probably over 240 miles, because we usually had to
walk in and back out, often several times.
BBRSP is the largest state park in Texas, with over 300,000 acres, about equal to all the other state parks combined. It's wild, rugged, and
primitive and you can get lost and in trouble real quick if you aren't prepared. I highly recommend it. I know some of you have been out
there, but there have been a lot of changes in the last couple of years, and now essentially the entire park is open to hiking. There are also
many miles of bicycling and equestrian trails, and you can always raft/kayak/canoe down the Rio Grande.
Check out the TPWD website at www.tpwd.state.tx.us and select "Find A Park" for
detailed information, maps, etc.
One of our list members, "dirtdoc", aka Dwight Deal, is a geologist and spent many years in the area before it was a park. He has some great
stories, including rafting the Rio Grande on the front edge of one of the biggest floods in recent history. And yes, he did it on purpose.
Ironically, although I've walked and driven along the outside edge of the Solitario, I've never made it into the interior. Yet. Hope to run
into some of y'all there some day.
LowGun
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 9/6/2010 4:11 PM, Bill Bentley wrote:
November 2006, I hiked down into the heart of the Solatario... Interesting
place... I would like to go back and I may someday..
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: germa...@aol.com
To: wavyca...@gmail.com ; Texascavers@texascavers.com
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Geologically Related
El Solitario:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4507_1437_06_08.pdf
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Solitario-Sierra Madera-Odessa Meteor Crater
Perhaps I missed a post or two, but there may be a bit of confusion. I have
visited all three.
The Solitario (which seems to have started this) is in the Big Bend, mostly on
Big Bend Ranch State Park. About 9 miles across, it is neither a caldera nor
an meteor crater. It's a volcanic feature, though (a huge laccolith that blew
it's top). The park sells an excellent geologic discussion of it, and the rest
of the geology of the park.
Odessa Meteor Crater . A meteor impact crater(astroblem). It looks like a
crater and is about 550 feet across. It is geologically very young - about
63,000 years old. Bill describes it well.
Sierra Madra - another astroblem on the north side of the Glass Mountains in
southern Pecos County. It is larger and older than the Odessa crater, younger
than 100 my (Cretaceous or younger). The center bounced back up and created a
jumble of broken rock that is more resistant to erosion than its surroundings
and now forms a central peak which sticks up about 800 feet. You can see it
from US 385 north of Marathon. It's been drilled down to undisturbed rocks
below it.
DirtDoc
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--- Begin Message ---
Follow up. This includes diagrams on how The Solitario was formed. Page
through it!
http://www.sunstar-solutions.com/sunstar/geology/BigBend/BigBendTX.htm
Geology of Big Bend Ranch State Park , Texas, 2005, Bureau of Economic Geology,
The University of Texas at Austin. Web page by Bruce Cornet, Ph.D., ...
The publication listed below, available from the UT Bureau of Economic Geology,
Austin, should you decide to get the whole thing, is really an excellent
introduction to physical geology using Big Bend Ranch State Park as a starting
point. Anyone with a general college-level education should be able to gain
greatly from it.
Geology of Big Bend Ranch State Park Texas by C. D. Henry. 72 p. 81 figs. 1
table 1 map 1998. GB0027 $19.95. This richly illustrated full-color guidebook
and accompanying plate depict the long diverse and dynamic geologic history of
Big Bend Ranch State Park. In it the author demonstrates how geology has
influenced the park's landscape water habitat and other features. This park the
largest in the Texas State Parks System lies in the rugged Big Bend region of
West Texas. Its primary attraction is the scenery: the mountains canyons
plateaus river and waterfalls. Every aspect of the natural landscape results
from geologic processes of rock formation and erosion such as mountain building
volcanism and faulting. To aid the reader having little knowledge of geology
the guidebook also provides a complete glossary of geologic terms. Visitors to
the park and general readers interested in Texas geology will find this
guidebook to be a valued companion when exploring the varied West Texas
landscape
DirtDoc
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