texascavers Digest 14 Jun 2011 14:00:44 -0000 Issue 1333
Topics (messages 18034 through 18039):
PBSS Meeting for June 2011
18034 by: J. LaRue Thomas
Re: Headlamp question
18035 by: Mark Minton
18038 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
CACANP
18036 by: Karen Perry
UT Grotto meeting - Wed June 15
18037 by: Gary Franklin
picts of fire CACANP last night
18039 by: Karen Perry
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--- Begin Message ---
You are all invited to join us for the June meeting of the Permian Basin
Speleological Society!
We are meeting tomorrow, Tuesday (June 14th) at 7:00 p.m. at Murray's
Delicatessen in Midland, Texas. We have reports on our 5 Mouth dig, and our
Abyss trip, and maybe some Congress of Grottos discussion for the upcoming
meeting at Convention.
[The presentation to the Sibley Center of our $100+ dollars of caving books
we purchased from the NSS Library is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Sibley
Center]
Murray's is is located at 3211 West Wadley in Midland. We meet in the back
room.
Any and all are welcome! For further infomation about the Permian Basin
Speleological Society contact: Jacqui Thomas [email protected], or Bill
Bentley [email protected], or Patrick Ray [email protected]
PBSS web page:
http://www.caver.net/pbss/pbss.html
The Permian Basin Speleological Society was founded in October 1983 and was
chartered as the 300th grotto of the National Speleological Society on
January 18, 1984. The Permian Basin Speleological Society is an affiliated
grotto or Caving club with the Texas Speleological Association and the
Southwestern Region of the National Speleological Society and supports the
cave conservation ethics of the National Speleological Society.
National Speleological Society web page:
http://www.caves.org/
Texas Speleological Association web page:
http://www.cavetexas.org
Southwestern Region of the NSS web page:
http://www.caves.org/region/swr/
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Whatever kind of light you get, you'll definitely want to go
with LEDs. Incandescent just can't compete when it comes to
brightness and battery life. And for batteries, you can't beat
lithium ion. They are small, lightweight, long-lasting, very
reliable and much cheaper in the long run over disposable types. I
dislike waist-mounted battery packs with their respective cords, but
with lithium ion you can easily mount the battery on the helmet.
For my money, the Sten Light is the best available for
general caving. It is not a diving light, but it is definitely
waterproof enough to use on any normal trip, even in a wet cave like
Honey Creek. According to their web site it is waterproof to 8
meters, which is enough for anything most cavers will
encounter. I've worn mine on free dives a couple of meters deep with
no problem. The cord connector, while definitely not watertight, has
never been a problem for me. They're not cheap, but a very
worthwhile investment. They also have excellent customer service and
will usually repair any problem short of actual abuse for free.
Mark
At 04:54 PM 6/13/2011, Stefan Creaser wrote:
I second the durability of FX-2's; I've had mine for more than 15yrs
and it's still going strong. It's outlasted numerous helmet mounted
lights, though it is more robustly made (for caving).
Looks like you can still get old ones:
http://www.thecavingandclimbingshop.com/epages/BT3421.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3421/Categories/Caving_Equipment/Lighting%5B1%5D/SpeleoTechnics
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300555317667
Cheers,
Stefan
From: Josh Rubinstein [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 3:26 PM
To: Allan B. Cobb
Cc: Tim Stich; Don Arburn; Mallory Mayeux; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question
Allan,
I like my Sten Light too. It is not NOT a good waterproof
light. The battery contains circuitry. The plug connection between
the battery and the light is a portal for water. Not a good
combination. The risk can be lessen by coating the connection with
dielectric grease.
The light I use for exploring water caves is no longer available.
Speleo Technic FX2 was the brightest, least bulky and most robust
light of its day. Now the incandescent light powered by a NiCd
battery on a belt is still one of the most robust. Mine is a twenty
plus years old. If I have not killed, it is not for lack of
trying. I have surveyed with the head piece half filled with water
with no ill effect. But in this era of retina burning lasers, it is
no longer the bright light.
Josh
On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 12:45 PM, Allan B. Cobb <[email protected]> wrote:
I am really fond of my Sten light. It is not cheap but it is
dependable, robust, and fairly water resistant.
In answer to Malory's original question, I used to use a Duo and it
worked well for me. I highly recommend the LED version. For casual
caving, it will work just fine.
Allan
From: Tim Stich
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 12:40 PM
To: Allan B. Cobb
Cc: Don Arburn ; Mallory Mayeux ; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question
I'm kind of curious as well about the best waterproof headlamp for
the money out there. For what I used them for these days, the cheap
ones work fine. But for caving I would want a much tougher light.
On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 11:35 AM, Allan B. Cobb <[email protected]> wrote:
Autolite Carbide Lamp!
-----Original Message----- From: Don Arburn
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 12:15 PM
To: Mallory Mayeux
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question
Wheatlamp!
Don's iPhone.
On Jun 13, 2011, at 12:15 PM, Mallory Mayeux <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello Cavers!
I am toying with the idea of purchasing a new headlamp and wanted
some opinions--is anyone using the Petzl Duo? If so, how do you like
it? For the money, is there something else you would recommend?
Mallory
Please reply to [email protected]
Permanent email address is [email protected]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I second everything that Mark said below about the StenLight. A dab of
dielectric grease on the connector seems to do the trick. Exceptional customer
service. They sent me a waterproof battery pack at one point but the thing is
pretty bulky compared to the standard pack and won't stay on the helmet using
the velcro they provide. I just strap it down like every other battery pack.
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]
________________________________
From: Mark Minton <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Mon, June 13, 2011 8:37:40 PM
Subject: RE: [Texascavers] Headlamp question
Whatever kind of light you get, you'll definitely want to go with LEDs.
Incandescent just can't compete when it comes to brightness and battery life.
And for batteries, you can't beat lithium ion. They are small, lightweight,
long-lasting, very reliable and much cheaper in the long run over disposable
types. I dislike waist-mounted battery packs with their respective cords, but
with lithium ion you can easily mount the battery on the helmet.
For my money, the Sten Light is the best available for general caving.
It is not a diving light, but it is definitely waterproof enough to use on any
normal trip, even in a wet cave like Honey Creek. According to their web site
it is waterproof to 8 meters, which is enough for anything most cavers will
encounter. I've worn mine on free dives a couple of meters deep with no
problem. The cord connector, while definitely not watertight, has never been a
problem for me. They're not cheap, but a very worthwhile investment. They
also
have excellent customer service and will usually repair any problem short of
actual abuse for free.
Mark
At 04:54 PM 6/13/2011, Stefan Creaser wrote:
> I second the durability of FX-2's; I've had mine for more than 15yrs and it's
>still going strong. It's outlasted numerous helmet mounted lights, though it
>is
>more robustly made (for caving).
>
> Looks like you can still get old ones:
>
>http://www.thecavingandclimbingshop.com/epages/BT3421.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3421/Categories/Caving_Equipment/Lighting%5B1%5D/SpeleoTechnics
>s
>
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300555317667
>
> Cheers,
> Stefan
>
> From: Josh Rubinstein [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 3:26 PM
> To: Allan B. Cobb
> Cc: Tim Stich; Don Arburn; Mallory Mayeux; [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question
>
> Allan,
>
> I like my Sten Light too. It is not NOT a good waterproof light. The
> battery
>contains circuitry. The plug connection between the battery and the light is
>a
>portal for water. Not a good combination. The risk can be lessen by coating
>the
>connection with dielectric grease.
>
> The light I use for exploring water caves is no longer available. Speleo
>Technic FX2 was the brightest, least bulky and most robust light of its day.
>Now the incandescent light powered by a NiCd battery on a belt is still one of
>the most robust. Mine is a twenty plus years old. If I have not killed, it
>is
>not for lack of trying. I have surveyed with the head piece half filled with
>water with no ill effect. But in this era of retina burning lasers, it is no
>longer the bright light.
>
> Josh
> On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 12:45 PM, Allan B. Cobb <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am really fond of my Sten light. It is not cheap but it is dependable,
>robust, and fairly water resistant.
>
> In answer to Malory's original question, I used to use a Duo and it worked
> well
>for me. I highly recommend the LED version. For casual caving, it will work
>just fine.
>
> Allan
>
> From: Tim Stich
> Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 12:40 PM
> To: Allan B. Cobb
> Cc: Don Arburn ; Mallory Mayeux ; [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question
>
> I'm kind of curious as well about the best waterproof headlamp for the money
>out there. For what I used them for these days, the cheap ones work fine. But
>for caving I would want a much tougher light.
> On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 11:35 AM, Allan B. Cobb <[email protected]> wrote:
> Autolite Carbide Lamp!
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Don Arburn
> Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 12:15 PM
> To: Mallory Mayeux
> Cc: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Headlamp question
>
> Wheatlamp!
>
> Don's iPhone.
>
> On Jun 13, 2011, at 12:15 PM, Mallory Mayeux <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello Cavers!
>
> I am toying with the idea of purchasing a new headlamp and wanted some
>opinions--is anyone using the Petzl Duo? If so, how do you like it? For the
>money, is there something else you would recommend?
>
> Mallory
Please reply to [email protected]
Permanent email address is [email protected]
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--- Begin Message ---
For those interested, we had to evacuate Carlsbad Caverns National Park due to
fire incroaching on the vistor center. The rangers where great, had everyone
out of the cave in 1 hour. The fire seems to have started along the scenic loop
road and is now in Rattlesnake & Lechuguilla Canyons and may have or is
expected to jump into Walnut Canyon. When I was leaving I could see the Flames
coming up the gully about 50 yards from the main road just before the loop road
turn-off. Tonight I can see the flames from my backyard, in town!
Please pray we get some rain! This will be the 6th major fire in the Guads
since the end of April. And to top it all off, y'all have our bats! We are only
seeing about 200 each night when it should be 250 to 350 THOUSAND!
Karen
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--- Begin Message ---
You are cordially invited to attend the Underground Texas Grotto meeting.
Wednesday June 15, 2011 from 7:45 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
University of Texas Campus in 2.48 Painter Hall (156 West 24th Street,
Austin TX 78712) http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/pai.html
Jason Gulley will be presenting the Program.
*Exploring Glacier Caves - Getting Cold to Understand How Glaciers Respond
to Warming*
Jason’s program will include his exploration of glacier caves in
Alaska, Svalbard,
and the Mount Everest Region of Nepal. His research study of these glaciers
contributes to a better understanding of how melt water flows from glacier
surfaces to their beds as well as the affect of how fast glaciers move. Please
join the inner sanctum of Austin Texas Cavers, and come out to visit with
friends from the extended caver community.
For information on Underground Texas Grotto activities, please see
www.utgrotto.org
Officer contact, trip reports, event calendar, and new caver training links
to beginner trips or vertical rope training are available.
Before the meeting, take advantage of Sao Paulo www.saopaulos.net for
happy hour specials. This area is the best place to park and meet folks
walking over to the meeting. Then after the official meeting, we continue
with the decades long tradition to reconvene for burgers, beer, and tall
tales of caving at Posse East. www.posse-east.com
The UT Grotto needs you, the caver with photos and a story to share about
your adventures, scientific research, or something else really cool. Contact
me.
Sincerely,
Gary Franklin
UT Grotto Vice Chair & Program Organizer
512-585-6057
[email protected]
CC: [email protected]
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--- Begin Message ---
Taken from front line on BLM land next to Jurnigan's Cave at top oil pad
Karen
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