texascavers Digest 6 Mar 2012 00:05:33 -0000 Issue 1510
Topics (messages 19667 through 19675):
Re: nice article on recent exploration in Phantom Springs Cave
19667 by: Ron Ralph
19668 by: Butch Fralia
Special Election Update
19669 by: Saj Zappitello
O-9 Well trip report - March 03, 2012
19670 by: David Ochel
UT Grotto Meeting - Wed March 7
19671 by: Gary Franklin
Green car technology for off-road underground transport :
19672 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
TSA Spring Convention is almost here! March 30-April 1st, Boerne, TX
19673 by: ellie watson
International Exploration Session at 2012 NSS Convention
19674 by: Mark Minton
Re: CRF March Barstow Speaker Series
19675 by: germanyj.aol.com
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--- Begin Message ---
And while we are nit-picking, it is not the Texas Speleological Society but
rather the TEXAS SPELEOLOGICAL SURVEY. There is no Texas Speleological
Society to my knowledge.
Ron Ralph, President
TSS
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Minton [mailto:mmin...@caver.net]
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2012 9:56 AM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com; bfra...@maverickgrotto.org
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] nice article on recent exploration in Phantom
Springs Cave
Agreed. Nice that the cave moved up in the long and deep
cave lists, although they must have been using an out-of-date deep
list, since at the old depth of 24 m it would have been nowhere near
65th, but rather less than 126th, the limit of the list at
<http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/tss/longdeep/tssdeepcaves.htm>.
Or maybe they meant 165th... The new depth of 72 m also puts them at
21st, not 14th as they claim. At least they got the length ranking right.
Mark
At 09:28 AM 3/4/2012, caverarch wrote:
>Fine article, indeed!
>
>Roger G. Moore
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jim Kennedy <jkenn...@batcon.org>
>To: CaveTex <texascavers@texascavers.com>; Allan Cobb
><a...@kihikihi.com>; Andy Gluesenkamp <a...@gluesenkamp.com>; Ann
>Scott <mayaca...@mail.utexas.edu>; Bill Russell
><whruss...@gmail.com>; Butch Fralia <cave...@att.net>; Carl Kunath
><carl.kun...@suddenlink.net>; David McKenzie
><david...@austin.rr.com>; James Reddell
><jreddell.ca...@mail.utexas.edu>; Jerry Atkinson
><jerryat...@aol.com>; Kevin Stafford <kwstaff...@juno.com>; Logan
>McNatt (work) <logan.mcn...@tpwd.state.tx.us>; Marvin Miller
><mlmil...@gvtc.com>; Peter Sprouse <pe...@zaraenvironmental.com>;
>Ron Ralph <ronra...@austin.rr.com>
>Sent: Sun, Mar 4, 2012 8:18 am
>Subject: [Texascavers] nice article on recent exploration in Phantom
>Springs Cave
>
>Courtesy of Tom Iliffe. See the next-to-last paragraph for updated
>long and deep stats.
>http://www.admfoundation.org/projects/phantom/phantomcave.html
>
>-- Jim
Please reply to mmin...@caver.net
Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org
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--- Begin Message ---
Good catch Ron.
I double checked the depth in the database to see if I'd messed up the depth
on the website. It's indeed 24m.
The last updates on the cave, I derived from Bill Tucker's Survey notes
plotted in Walls after instruction from David McKenzie on dive surveys in
Walls.
Butch Fralia
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Ralph [mailto:ronra...@austin.rr.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2012 10:05 AM
To: 'Mark Minton'; texascavers@texascavers.com; bfra...@maverickgrotto.org
Subject: RE: [Texascavers] nice article on recent exploration in Phantom
Springs Cave
And while we are nit-picking, it is not the Texas Speleological Society but
rather the TEXAS SPELEOLOGICAL SURVEY. There is no Texas Speleological
Society to my knowledge.
Ron Ralph, President
TSS
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Minton [mailto:mmin...@caver.net]
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2012 9:56 AM
To: texascavers@texascavers.com; bfra...@maverickgrotto.org
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] nice article on recent exploration in Phantom
Springs Cave
Agreed. Nice that the cave moved up in the long and deep
cave lists, although they must have been using an out-of-date deep
list, since at the old depth of 24 m it would have been nowhere near
65th, but rather less than 126th, the limit of the list at
<http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/tss/longdeep/tssdeepcaves.htm>.
Or maybe they meant 165th... The new depth of 72 m also puts them at
21st, not 14th as they claim. At least they got the length ranking right.
Mark
At 09:28 AM 3/4/2012, caverarch wrote:
>Fine article, indeed!
>
>Roger G. Moore
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jim Kennedy <jkenn...@batcon.org>
>To: CaveTex <texascavers@texascavers.com>; Allan Cobb
><a...@kihikihi.com>; Andy Gluesenkamp <a...@gluesenkamp.com>; Ann
>Scott <mayaca...@mail.utexas.edu>; Bill Russell
><whruss...@gmail.com>; Butch Fralia <cave...@att.net>; Carl Kunath
><carl.kun...@suddenlink.net>; David McKenzie
><david...@austin.rr.com>; James Reddell
><jreddell.ca...@mail.utexas.edu>; Jerry Atkinson
><jerryat...@aol.com>; Kevin Stafford <kwstaff...@juno.com>; Logan
>McNatt (work) <logan.mcn...@tpwd.state.tx.us>; Marvin Miller
><mlmil...@gvtc.com>; Peter Sprouse <pe...@zaraenvironmental.com>;
>Ron Ralph <ronra...@austin.rr.com>
>Sent: Sun, Mar 4, 2012 8:18 am
>Subject: [Texascavers] nice article on recent exploration in Phantom
>Springs Cave
>
>Courtesy of Tom Iliffe. See the next-to-last paragraph for updated
>long and deep stats.
>http://www.admfoundation.org/projects/phantom/phantomcave.html
>
>-- Jim
Please reply to mmin...@caver.net
Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Howdy Cavers,
Just a reminder that the TCMA Special Election is occurring right now
to fill the thirteenth director position created by the new bylaws.
You should have already received an email from
electioncl...@tcmacaves.org. Your candidates for this election are Jim
"Crash" Kennedy or the write-in candidate of your choice. Crash has
been an invaluable friend and volunteer for the TCMA for many years
and is currently the chair of the preserves committee. The deadline to
vote is March 12 at close-of-business. Thank you for your
participation in this election.
If you have not received your e-ballot email, please check your spam
box, also check that your membership is still current. If you still
have not received the e-ballot email, please contact the election
clerks at electioncl...@tcmacaves.org.
~Saj Zappitello
Chair, Nominations Committee
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Howdy,
This weekend saw a continuation of last month�s upstream re-survey in
O-9 Well. On Saturday, after having coffee with the ranching lessee,
Andrea Croskrey, Ben Hutchins, Heather Levy, David Ochel, and Seth
Spoelman started entering the cave around 11 am, with the objective to
close a ~400 m gap between the February surveys. This took about five
hours (less than expected) of surveying in mud, after which a tourist
trip downstream commenced. The last person was out of the cave around
8:30 pm. This leaves about 300 m of wet hands-and-knees (?) passage to
the upstream sump, plus a few leads of varying nature to be checked, for
upcoming re-survey trips. While not as windy as on the previous trip,
temperatures dropped below freezing on Saturday night.
Cheers,
David
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Howdy Caver,
You are cordially invited to attend the Underground Texas Grotto meeting
Wednesday March 7, 2012 from 7:45 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
2.48 Painter Hall University of Texas Campus (156 West 24th Street, Austin
TX 78712) http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/pai.html
For more information on UT Grotto activities, please see www.utgrotto.org
Ernie Garza will present the program for the evening - Proyecto Sierra
Mazateca
Ernie braved his way down south through the borderlands of Mexico to
participate in this exciting and ongoing caving project. Come hear of his
adventures as well as see his spectacular photography from deep in the
heart of Mexico. As always, guaranteed fun and fellowship with Austin
Texas Cavers.
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.
Interested
in sharing ? Contact me.
Sincerely,
Gary Franklin
UT Grotto Vice Chair & Program Organizer
512-585-6057
v...@utgrotto.org
"Ernie Garza" <txwo...@texas.net>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
(interesting video on the website -- GLA)
Nissan Leaf gives new meaning to "BlueGrass Underground" (Video)
The Nissan Leaf is helping BlueGrass and BlueGrass legend Del McCoury go
underground!
By _Adam Yamada-Hanff_ (http://www.torquenews.com/users/adam-yamada-hanff)
on Sun, 03/04/2012 - 18:22
Del McCoury and his band were shuttled by Nissan Leafs for a new season of
“Bluegrass Underground,” which airs on PBS and is sponsored by Nissan. The
location of the performance was Cumberland Caverns of Warren County, TN.
The stage for McCoury and the band, Cumberland Caverns, is more than 300
feet underground with a full TV production crew and a dozen other musical
acts and 500 of his closest friends. So this is truly and literally “Bluegrass
Underground!”
The video, lighting and sound gear required for this production can’t be
carried by-hand into the cave. Vehicles are needed to carry equipment down
into the caverns. For traveling into the constricted dirt passageway with
steep inclines off-road four-wheelers would be ideal, but pollute the air of
this unique environment and could do harm in the caves.
“Bringing combustible engines into the cave to get the gear and our artists
into the cave has been a problem,” said “Bluegrass Underground” producer
Todd Mayo. “Now we have a solution.”
That solution was obviously an all-electric car like the Nissan Leaf.
Mayo reminds us that it took 3 million years for nature to form the
Cumberland Caverns, and now that it is being filled with music, it is important
to be in harmony with the world down there.
The 100% all-electric Nissan Leaf is an answer because it emits no
emissions for the cave or the performers to absorb, and for the crew and
audience
to inhale. Carrying McCoury into the cave for his performance, the Leaf
traverses the rock passageways with only inches of clearance on each side and,
in spots, above. With an incredulous smile, McCoury describes his trip
underground as the strangest ride of his life and praised the Leaf's handling.
Sara Schaffer, a bassist for the David Mayfield Parade, had not ridden in
an electric car before, not to mention underground.
“It makes it a lot easier for all of us to breath which is cool, and I like
it better than the four wheelers because of the (lack of) noise,” said
Schaffer. “You could be slipping in and out with people not even noticing. It’
s really neat.”
McCoury has been performing since the 1960s and has sung countless times
before, but the Caverns provide a truly interesting experience for everyone
involved. Violet lights bathe the rock walls all around as the Del McCoury
Band performs its American roots style of music in a truly beautiful
setting.
“If you don’t want me,” sings McCoury, banjo and fiddle galloping in pace
with his old guitar, “I’ll dry my tears and move on.”
Cumberland Caverns once stored civil war gunpowder. Moonshiners have used
it, and now an electric car moves musicians and equipment in and out of this
historic monument.
And, earlier, as McCoury stepped out of the Nissan Leaf and marveled at the
ancient environment into which it brought him to perform, he had mused
about this unexpected experience, “Guess only my music stays the same.”
However, car and vehicle technologies do not!
_http://www.torquenews.com/1070/nissan-leaf-gives-new-meaning-bluegrass-unde
rground-video_
(http://www.torquenews.com/1070/nissan-leaf-gives-new-meaning-bluegrass-underground-video)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
*2012 TSA Spring Convention*
March 30-April 1st, 2012
Boerne, TX
http://www.cavetexas.org/events/TSASC/tsasc2012.html
Hello Texas Cavers!
The Texas Speleological Association's annual Spring Convention is less than
a month away and everyone is invited! The flowers will be blooming in full
force in the Texas Hill Country and it will be a great weekend to spend
together.
This is an annual, technical meeting with formal presentations from cavers
about cave sciences, exploration, project status and displays in the
Map/Photo Salon. The TSA, founded in 1956, has been bringing Texas
cavers together for over 50 years. Come and meet fellow cavers and project
leaders from around the state. This is a great chance to get involved with
ongoing projects and create future caving opportunities for all.
Presentations will be on Saturday, March 31st beginning around 9am and
Mallory Mayeux and Roger Moore already have a great lineup of presenters
selected. We will send out a program a week before convention if not
sooner.
*FEES: *
* *
*Registration*
- $15.00 Individual Rate *per person*
- $10.00 Child Rate* per child* 12-16 years old
- $40.00 Family Rate (parents & children)
- Children 12 and under $free
*Camping*
- $5.00 Camping per person/per night camping (children under 16 camp
free)
*Facility for Saturday Meeting:* *Geneva School of Boerne *(113 Cascade
Caverns Rd, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015)
- Arial view of facility(park anywhere):
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzP7GaKdftjDY0NhYUxVYTJTNnlQNzFXZGE0azM4QQ
*Campground for Friday-Sunday: **Cascade Caverns** (*226 Cascade Caverns
Road, Boerne, Texas 78015) http://www.cascadecaverns.com/
- Full use of beautiful campground facilities for Sunday meetings,
auction, and meals
- Renovated showers/bathrooms
- No attack dogs permitted on campground and all pets must remain on
leash
- Free scheduled cave tour for all registered.
*Tentative Schedule (this is not finalized):
*
*Friday, March 30th*
*
- 5pm - Arrival & Registration at Cascade Caverns Campground
*
*Saturday, March 31st*
*
- 8am - Registration at Geneva School of Boerne
- 9am-5pm
- Presentations at Geneva School of Boerne
- 10pm - Deadline for entries into Map & Photo Salon at Geneva School of
Boerne
- 10am-4pm- regular scheduled tour of Cascade Caverns (Tours at 10am,
11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm)
- 12pm-1:30pm - Lunch on own, salon viewing in facility, visit vendors
outside of facility
- 5pm or directly after talks- TSA meeting at Geneva School of Boerne
- 7pm - Group Feed at Cascade Caverns Campground catered by Spinelli's
Vistro
- 8:30pm (or after everyone is good and fed)
- TCMA Auction
in Service Center at Cascade Caverns Campground
- The rest of the night: fun and hanging out, campfire at Cascade
Caverns Campground
*
*Sunday, April 1st*
*
- First thing-
Easter egg hunt for the kid
at Cascade Caverns Campground
- 8am - TCMA breakfast at Cascade Caverns Campground
- 9am- TCMA meeting at Cascade Caverns Campground
- 11am-4pm-regular scheduled tour of Cascade Caverns (Tours at 11am,
12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm)
- 2pm - Check-out
*
More fun details to come. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions.
See you soon!
Ellie Watson
TSA Vice Chair
509-899-0007
ellie.tho...@gmail.com
For Facebook users: https://www.facebook.com/events/312213962130706/
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
To anyone who has been caving outside of the United States:
We would like to extend the opportunity for you to present a
talk at the International Exploration session of the NSS Convention
to be held near Lewisburg, West Virginia, June 25-29, 2012. As
currently scheduled, International Exploration will take place all
day on Wednesday of Convention week. The length of time allotted to
a given talk is variable, depending upon both the amount of material
you have to present and the number of talks on the schedule, but
typically runs 15 to 30 minutes. Abstracts for presentations are due
by April 15, but please do not wait until the last minute, to ensure
that you get a spot. More information is available
here: <http://www.nss2012.com/information-for-organizers>. We
expect to have a strong showing for what should be a large and
exciting NSS Convention. We hope to hear from you soon!
Mark Minton and Yvonne Droms
2012 International Exploration Session Co-Chairs
Please reply to mmin...@caver.net
Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
This might be of interest to many on this list.
julia
-----Original Message-----
From: Colorado River Foundation <meli...@coloradoriver.org>
To: germanyj <germa...@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Mar 1, 2012 11:19 am
Subject: CRF March Barstow Speaker Series
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.
Share This:
About Us | Programs | Events | Donate | Contact Us | Volunteer
Half Full -- Half Empty?
A Candid Conversation of the Future of Water in Texas
The Barstow Speaker Series
hosted by the
Colorado River Foundation
Event Details
Thursday, March 22, 2012
8:00-8:30am Check-In & Breakfast Served
8:30-10:00am Presentation
at the
Four Seasons Hotel Austin
98 San Jacinto Boulevard
Tickets
Regular Non-Member - $40.00
CRF Tributary League Member - FREE
CRF River Society Member & Student - $20.00
To purchase tickets, please go to
http://coloradoriver.org/events/barstow-speaker-series, email
cont...@coloradoriver.org
or call 512-498-1587.
Proceeds benefit the Colorado River Foundation.
Distinguished Speaker Panel
Laura Huffman
Texas State Director, The Nature Conservancy
Laura J. Huffman assumed the role of Texas State Director of The Nature
Conservancy in June 2008. Mrs. Huffman heads a Texas staff of nearly 100
scientists, conservation experts, and support staff working at preserves and
projects across the state, including more than a dozen major freshwater
conservation projects of critical importance. A native of Austin, Texas, Mrs.
Huffman has long devoted substantial time to advancing environmental causes
such as projects to protect water-supply quality and public green spaces. As
deputy city manager for San Marcos from 1994 to 2002 and assistant city manager
for Austin from 2002 to 2008, she spearheaded key watershed protection and
economic development initiatives for both cities. Mrs. Huffman earned a Master
of Public Affairs degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor
of Science degree from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Becky Motal
General Manager, LCRA
Rebecca S. Motal became the Lower Colorado River Authority's 10th general
manager on July 2, 2011. She is the first female general manager in LCRA's
history. Motal first began working for LCRA in 1972 after receiving a
bachelor's degree in math from the University of Texas. She left to pursue a
law degree and worked as an environmental attorney before returning to LCRA in
1987. Motal returned to serve as manager of Economic and Financial Planning. In
2007, she was promoted to Executive Manager of External Affairs, where she
coordinated LCRA's activities with state and federal regulatory agencies. In
that position, Motal had oversight over local governmental affairs, public
affairs, customer service and corporate events. Motal, a Corpus Christi native,
has three degrees from the University of Texas at Austin: a Bachelor of Arts in
mathematics, a law degree, and a master's degree in business administration.
She is also on the Board of the Texas Public Power Association.
Andrew Sansom
Executive Director, Tecas River Systems Institute
Andrew Sansom is one of Texas’ leading conservationists. He is a former
Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Executive
Director of the Texas Nature Conservancy. For his commitment to the management
and protection of natural resources, Mr. Sansom is a recipient of the Chevron
Conservation Award, The Chuck Yeager Award from the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation, The Pugsley Medal from the National Park Foundation, the Seton
Award from the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and
the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nature Conservancy. He is a
Distinguished Alumnus of Austin College and Texas Tech University. Mr. Sansom
now serves as Research Professor of Geography and Executive Director of the
River Systems Institute at Texas State University where he coordinates
university policy and research related to freshwater resources, manages th e
headwaters of the San Marcos River; administers the most extensive freshwater
environmental education program in Texas; and supervises the training and
coordination of more than 1000 volunteer water monitors in rivers and streams
throughout the State.
Edward Vaughn
Chairman, Water Development Board
Edward Vaughan is an attorney in private practice. He serves as a director of
Security State Bank of Pearsall, a director of the Texas and Southwestern
Cattleraisers Association, a director of The Former Texas Rangers Foundation,
an advisory director of First State Bank of Uvalde, and an advisory director of
the Texas Agricultural Land Trust. Mr. Vaughan is a past president, chairman,
and director of the Texas Lyceum. A member of the Texas Water Development Board
since 2008, Mr.Vaughan was appointed chairman in December 2010. He serves as
the Board's representative on the Texas Bioenergy Policy Council. A frequent
speaker at continuing legal education seminars and related programs, Mr.
Vaughan holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and a law degree
from St. Mary's University. His term expires on December 31, 2013.
Moderated By
Evan Smith
CEO & Editor in Chief, The Texas Tribune
Evan Smith is the Editor in Chief and CEO of The Texas Tribune, a non-profit,
non-partisan digital news organization based in Austin. The Tribune's deep
coverage of Texas politics and public policy can found at its website,
texastribune.org; in the pages of the New York Times; and in newspapers and on
TV and radio stations across the state. In not quite two years in operation,
the Tribune has won two Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television
Digital News Association, a general excellence award from the Online News
Association and a Knight-Batten award for innovations in journalism. Before
co-founding the Tribune, Evan spent nearly 18 years at Texas Monthly, including
eight years as Editor and a year as President and Editor in Chief. On his
watch, Texas Monthly twice won the National Magazine Award for General
Excellence.
About the Barstow Speaker Series
Created by a generous gift from the Barstow Foundation, the goal of the Barstow
Speaker Series is to bring prominent business, community, and environmental
leaders to address members and friends of the Colorado River Foundation on a
variety of topics pertaining to environmental stewardship.
P.O. Box 50029, Austin, Texas 78763-0029
cont...@coloradoriver.org • 512.498.1587 •
www.coloradoriver.org
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