texascavers Digest 29 Mar 2011 12:48:31 -0000 Issue 1276
Topics (messages 17463 through 17474):
Re: Open Letter to the Members of the TSA
17463 by: Mark.Alman.L-3com.com
Calling breakfast cook volunteers
17464 by: Saj Zappitello
17467 by: Saj Zappitello
TCMA fund-raising auction this Saturday!
17465 by: Jim Kennedy
Re: cave-diving video
17466 by: David
Donation Reminder TCMA auction This Weekend!
17468 by: Saj Zappitello
an LED light review
17469 by: David
Seeking volunteer to transport and operate PA system for TSA convention
17470 by: Rod Goke
17473 by: Rod Goke
Bracketville and Kinney / Edwards County info
17471 by: David
Some days you just should sleep in ....
17472 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
Re: Punkin Cave trip report, 18-20 March
17474 by: Mark.Alman.L-3com.com
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--- Begin Message ---
I'll go ahead and add this item to the agenda for the business meeting
Saturday afternoon.
Correction, though: The total cost for printing and mailing will be in
the neighborhood of $8 to $9 per copy.
I think it best we have this discussion in a public forum and not begin
an online flame war., which benefits no one.
Thanks!
Mark and the TSA Board
From: Carl Kunath [mailto:carl.kun...@suddenlink.net]
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 12:02 AM
To: TexasCavers
Subject: [Texascavers] Open Letter to the Members of the TSA
Open Letter to the Members of the TSA
There is an issue of the Texas Caver now ready to print. It
is a very special issue to commemorate 50 years of publishing the Texas
Caver and is also a brief retrospective of the last 50+ years of Texas
caving. Appropriately, it is 50 pages; much of it in color. Several
dozen people have contributed to it in various ways. Distribution of
this issue will fulfill the TSA's moral debt to deliver the final issue
owed but never delivered to the 2005 TSA membership. At a past TSA
members meeting, the TSA voiced support for the publication of this
issue.
Here is a quote from the minutes of the October 21, 2007
members meeting:
"Jerry Atkinson/Carl Kunath have completed* the 50th anniversary issue
of The TEXAS CAVER. Mark Alman to handle printing and mailing of this
special issue. Allan Cobb stated that TCR would donate $300 towards
this special edition."
*Note: The word "completed" was incorrect. We were then
working to complete the issue. Now, after some delays, it is ready.
When told that it was ready for printing and after having pointed out
the practical and ethical considerations involved with producing this
issue, the present leadership of the TSA has refused to print it. Here
is a quote from the Chairman:
"Solicit "pre-orders" on CaveTex, in the TEXAS CAVER and at
the Convention in April for a price to be determined. Probably around
$10, including postage. If enough interest we would then order and mail
them."
When that plan was called into question, and the Chairman
was again reminded that this was something that was owed to the 2005 TSA
members and had been previously approved, there was a further response:
"But, if you insist on presenting why the TSA need [sic] to
spend over (now) $1500 (or 25% of our operating budget) for a six year
old newsletter that most people either know nothing or care nothing
about, I'll be sure to put it at the top of the agenda.
If you consider this a good use of TSA assets, go for it."
That is a bizarre and high-handed attitude, especially
considering the previous discussions. So, yes, Mr. Chairman, we are
going for it.
Were you a member of the TSA in 2005? If so, you paid
your membership dues with the expectation that some member benefits
would accrue.
What sort of member benefits are we thinking of? Sadly,
aside from bankrolling an annual convention, about the only thing that
TSA does for its dues-paying membership is to provide the Texas Caver.
At least it says that it will. In 2005 (and a few other years) the TSA
could not manage even that.
Aside from a "feel good" emotion when you sign up, a few
lightly administered projects, and the promise of a regular newsletter,
there are no other benefits to TSA membership. There is no welcoming
packet. You do not get a mission statement for the organization or any
sort of historic perspective as to why it exists. You do not get a copy
of the Constitution and By-Laws. You do not get a reduced rate to
attend a TSA function or to purchase branded merchandise-you pay the
same as any non-member. You do not get a complimentary issue of the
most current newsletter. You do not get a current membership list. You
do not even get a membership card. Yes, some of these things are
available on the TSA web site and you can download and print at your
time and expense. But, basically, anything you do after handing over
your dues money costs extra-except you get the Texas Caver. Supposedly.
What happens if the Caver is not produced? What happens
to the funds that are collected but not expended? Do the TSA members
get a refund? Hardly. Not even an apology. The funds remain in the
general treasury until such time as they are disbursed for the benefit
of the general membership. Hopefully.
If it is a money issue, how has TSA been spending its funds?
Is the TSA disbursing significant amounts of money in ways that are most
beneficial to its membership? How has TSA's money been spent over the
past 10 years? Here is a brief summary of the major expenses as noted
in the published minutes:
2004 $500 to produce Devil's Sinkhole posters. (How many have been
sold?)
2007 $1,000 to Honey Creek for entrance maintenance and improvements.
2007 The TSA convention lost $800 (Those in attendance were asked for
contributions to cover the shortfall.)
2008 Caver $2,128.29 over budget. Cost for the year was $5,201.05
(did include an extra issue).
2009 $7,855.38 donated to TCMA/Deep-Punkin (liquidated the
long-standing land fund).
2009 $2,200 donated to ICS to sponsor several non-USA people for ICS
attendance.
2009 $500 donated to the NSS Rapid Response to the WNS problem.
2009 $400 for Suunto repairs. (How were they damaged? How are they
used?)
2010 $750 for the TSA/TSS trailer.
2010 $500 donated to TCC for hosting the TSA convention.
2011 $150 donated to Government Canyon Karst Survey.
Without getting into a discussion of the relative
worthiness of those past expenditures, it appears that TSA is not
exactly hurting for money. Note that the TSA had $8,775.06 in the
treasury at the beginning of 2011.
The estimated cost to produce and mail the 50th
Anniversary issue is $7 per copy. There are approximately 175 members
who are owed that copy, so the obligated cost to the TSA would be $1,225
if all those 175 subscribers elected to receive a printed copy.
Doubtless, some members will choose to receive only a digital copy so
the actual cost would be something less.
The TSA will not provide an issue of the Caver for which
it is obligated and for which it already pocketed the money? Why would
the TSA balk at providing something that is of direct benefit to the
members even if the members had not already paid for this item? What is
wrong with this picture? Further, those who already paid for this issue
as part of their 2005 TSA dues are invited to pay another $10 if they
want it. Lovely! We cannot believe this actually represents the
desires of the TSA membership.
The TSA is in decline. There are fewer members now than
there were 40 years ago. There are a number of reasons for this but
among them must be a perceived lack of benefit for becoming a member.
Maybe it is time to have a hard look at the TSA. Is the TSA properly
member-oriented?
Please attend the coming TSA member's meeting Saturday
afternoon April 2, 2011 at the Brackettville convention. If you can't
be there, make your opinion known. Vote!
For a look at the cover of the Anniversary issue, visit
here:
http://pages.suddenlink.net/carl-kunath/50th_Anniversary_Cover.pdf
<http://pages.suddenlink.net/carl-kunath/50th_Anniversary_Cover.pdf>
===Carl Kunath & Jerry Atkinson
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The TCMA is once again planning to do a donation based breakfast as a
fundraiser at the TSA spring convention this weekend. We are looking for few
intrepid volunteers to help cook/serve/clean on Sunday morning. Please reply
to sajar...@gmail.com to let me know if you can help out!
Thanks,
~Saj
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Thanks everyone, I think we have enough volunteers. We'll see you this
weekend!
~Saj
On Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 10:01 AM, Saj Zappitello <sajar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The TCMA is once again planning to do a donation based breakfast as a
> fundraiser at the TSA spring convention this weekend. We are looking for few
> intrepid volunteers to help cook/serve/clean on Sunday morning. Please reply
> to sajar...@gmail.com to let me know if you can help out!
>
> Thanks,
> ~Saj
>
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--- Begin Message ---
Cavers!
Don't forget to attend the TSA Spring Convention in Brackettville this
weekend. Ellie has done a fantastic job of lining up the venue, Mallory
and Roger have a great slate of speakers to give us some wonderful
talks, and the usual hustle and bustle of vendors, salons (don't forget
your submissions!) and meetings will round out the weekend. But perhaps
the most entertaining time of all will be the annual TCMA fundraising
auction on Saturday evening, hosted by Yours Truly. As is coming to be
expected, I will be ably assisted by a couple of sexy caver women, and
we will all be in costume again. What costumes, you say? Well --- that
will be a surprise! But I would like to make three requests of
everyone. First, please donate outdoor gear, caving equipment, services
such as dinners, trips, or massages, and other similar items to the
auction. Second, please attend the Convention and Auction and bid on
stuff! All proceeds are going towards another cave acquisition for YOU!
Finally, wear a cowboy hat to the Auction! It's going to be a great
time!
Jim "Crash" Kennedy
TCMA Auctioneer
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Here is the same video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2hY6hfCGnI
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Howdy Cavers,
This is one last call for donations for the TCMA auction this weekend at
convention. As you start packing your truck, don't forget to throw in those
awesome items that you want your friends to buy to raise money for Texas
caves. The TCMA auction needs you... well, needs your most excellent stuff.
okaythanksbyeseeyousoon,
~Saj
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Yesterday, I purchased the product below at Home Depot:
http://imagethumbnails.milo.com/009/218/201/600/9218242_10844201_600.jpg
They have had it for a while, so this may not be news.
This is a very good purchase. This product is much more practical
than a Coleman gas lantern or propane lantern. It is more
practical than a fluorescent
lantern. And in some ways more practical than a flashlight.
I like it. It seems to be well constructed. The hexagonal ends
allow you to lay it flat in 5 different directions, but I think only 2
of those
are practical. This also keeps it from rolling like all the other
competition does.
It stands on its own, if you have a sturdy flat surface.
It only has an 800 mAh battery, but it is NiMH.
Since it is easily recharged, you can take it on road-trips and use
for a variety of things that require light.
It is not water resistant, but I bet it could be rigged with some
duct-tape to make it better.
It doesn't have a dimmer setting, which is the number one flaw to me.
It does have a night light, but that only works when
plugged in.
This would be an excellent light for cavern tour guides, especially
those doing lantern tours, like in Grutas de la Juxtlahuaca.
I am going to recommend this product.
I will keep this one, and might buy some more.
David Locklear
Ref:
http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Electrical-Tools-Accessories-Work-Lights/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg1Zbm8p/R-202532404/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=2
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I agreed to provide PA sound equipment for use during the presentations and auction at the TSA Convention in Brackettville next weekend (April 1--3), and I told Ellie that either I would operate it myself if I attend the convention or I would loan it to someone else to take to the convention if I don't attend. I'm not certain yet whether or not I will attend, but it is looking increasingly impractical for me to do so. Consequently, I'd like to find a volunteer who can transport the PA system from Austin to the convention and back and who can set it up and operate it there if I don't go. Some prior familiarity with PA sound equipment would be desirable, but the equipment is fairly easy to use, and I can meet with the volunteer in Austin beforehand to explain how to set it up and operate it. This involves audio equipment only, NOT video projectors or computers, since, presumably, other people are taking care of any video equipment needs. (I will, however, include an appropriate cable to let someone with a computer play computer sound through the PA system, in case anyone wants to do that.)
Please contact me directly if you can volunteer to do this.
Thanks,
Rod Goke
rod.g...@ieee.org
(512) 892-4186
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We already have a volunteer, Christopher Francke, who has agreed to do it. Thanks for the quick response.
Rod
-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Goke
Sent: Mar 29, 2011 12:23 AM
To: TexasCavers
Cc: Rod Goke , Jim Kennedy , Ellie
Subject: [Texascavers] Seeking volunteer to transport and operate PA system for TSA convention
I agreed to provide PA sound equipment for use during the presentations and auction at the TSA Convention in Brackettville next weekend (April 1--3), and I told Ellie that either I would operate it myself if I attend the convention or I would loan it to someone else to take to the convention if I don't attend. I'm not certain yet whether or not I will attend, but it is looking increasingly impractical for me to do so. Consequently, I'd like to find a volunteer who can transport the PA system from Austin to the convention and back and who can set it up and operate it there if I don't go. Some prior familiarity with PA sound equipment would be desirable, but the equipment is fairly easy to use, and I can meet with the volunteer in Austin beforehand to explain how to set it up and operate it. This involves audio equipment only, NOT video projectors or computers, since, presumably, other people are taking care of any video equipment needs. (I will, however, include an appropriate cable to let someone with a computer play computer sound through the PA system, in case anyone wants to do that.)
Please contact me directly if you can volunteer to do this.
Thanks,
Rod Goke
rod.g...@ieee.org
(512) 892-4186
---------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our website: http://texascavers.comTo unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscribe@texascavers.comFor additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
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Here are some pictures and info of the Brackettville area:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/3150629821_29684fc5e9_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3669787753_3287ef5c13_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3336698447_12c4d0fb1f_z.jpg?zz=1
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5253905297_d35e7b0dfb_b.jpg
http://www.texascaves.org/images/history_03.jpg
http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/tss/CaveMaps/mapimages/stuardbatcave.gif
http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-chicken-cafe-brackettville
Also,
for anyone itching to go to Acuna, I spent about an hour surfing the web to see
what the situation is like. As long as you go during the day to
the main tourist zone
and are not driving a vehicle that the bad guys want to steal, then
you should be o.k.
One frequent visitor recommended a bar called the Macarena. I don't know it.
It is said to be, "on Calle Madero, the main Mexican business street.
If you head over the
bridge, walk or drive down Hidalgo about five or six blocks, then go
one block left until
you hit the street called Madero."
David Locklear
Ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brackettville,_Texas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickapoo_Cavern
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinney_County
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Village
http://www.lapoliciaca.com/nota-roja/capturan-a-lider-de-banda-de-ladrones/
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Schoolboy in hospital after falling into a cave and being attacked by a
hibernating bear
By _Peter Allen_
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Peter+Allen)
Last updated at 1:11 AM on 28th March 2011
A schoolboy skier was recovering in hospital today after being attacked by
a bear in one of Europe’s biggest resorts.
The youngster, who has not yet been named, fell into a cave in Funäsdalen,
Sweden, while out on the slopes with his friends yesterday.
He landed next to a hibernating bear who immediately woke up and began
biting the boy.
‘It was a savage attack,’ said a local police spokesman.
‘The startled bear bit the boy on both legs, and ran his claws down his
back.
‘The boy was able to free himself, however, and ran away from the animal.
He was rushed to hospital in Ostersund where he was treated for very serious
injuries.’
The police spokesman said the bear was later located but was not shot
because he was not considered a further threat to civilians.
Funasdalen, which is the third largest ski area in Sweden, is becoming
increasingly popular with the British.
It is made up of 10 resorts, including Funasdalen itself, and offers more
than 24,000 hotel beds.
The resorts are particularly well known for their wildlife, with bears,
wolves and lynx all commonplace.
A spokesman for the hospital in Ostersund said the boy was today ‘
recovering well’.
_http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370420/Schoolboy-hospital-falling-
cave-attacked-hibernating-bear.html_
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370420/Schoolboy-hospital-falling-cave-attacked-hibernating-bear.html)
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Photos, anyone?
Thanks,
Mark
From: Jim Kennedy [mailto:jkenn...@batcon.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 12:24 PM
To: CaveTex
Subject: [Texascavers] Punkin Cave trip report, 18-20 March
Punkin Cave Survey Expedition #15, 18-20 March 2011
reported by Jim "Crash" Kennedy, expedition leader
[For general background on Punkin Cave and previous survey expeditions, please
refer to past postings on CaveTex. Feel free to re-distribute or print in
caving publications with appropriate credit.]
Introduction: Punkin Cave lies near the tiny community of Carta Valley in
Edwards County, Texas, and is currently the 14th longest cave in the state. It
is rapidly growing due to the dedicated efforts of a fairly small group of
cavers. We estimate that at least 1km passages remain unsurveyed, which, when
eventually completed, will place the cave firmly in the top 10 list of longest
caves in Texas. That is not bad for a long-neglected cave previously thought
to just be a large entrance room and some crawls! Following is a brief report
of the most recent trip.
After the wildly successful multi-day survey trip this past winter (28 December
through 1 January), it was clear to me that the massive 5-6 team survey
expeditions were no longer as effective as smaller trips with people intimately
familiar with certain parts of the cave. I planned this trip for a maximum of
12 surveyors, but in the end only had 10. This worked out fine, with three
teams tackling different areas of the cave, mopping up leads, and surveying
into virgin passage. I would still like to plan another multi-day expedition,
and am currently looking at the Easter weekend. The March expedition was made
up of 5 Punkin Cave veterans and 5 cavers new to the project, a nice mix. We
saw 3 species of bats hibernating in the cave, tri-colored bats (Perimyotis
subflavus), cave myotis (Myotis velifer), and Townsends big-eared bat
(Corynorhinus townsendii). I estimate probably 400-500 cave myotis, a few
dozen big-eared bats, and upwards of a thousand or so trikes in the entire cave
during the winter months.
As everyone was arriving Friday evening, I led a short trip to Deep Cave to the
Forest of Columns and Helictite Room. We got there right at dusk, and briefly
admired the bat emergence before rushing through the cave. We got to see at
least one tri-colored bat and a black scorpion up close before exiting.
Joining me were Yaz Avila, Lydia Hernandez, and Aubri Jenson. The next morning
we got up, had a fabulous breakfast, and broke into survey teams.
The first team, TEAM SUPERSTITION, went back to some leads left since 2006 near
the beginning of Superstition Maze. Some of these were obvious leads,
unsurveyed and passed up by many teams over the years heading deeper into the
cave. Matt Zappitello, a veteran of many Superstition surveys, ably led the
team to various leads, interpreting the old survey notes and setting stations.
David Ochel admirably sketched this complicated section, and Aubri Jenson
logged time with the Suuntos. There are still more leads to map in this area,
and everyone on the team indicated that they want to return some day. They put
in an eight-hour day, and made 21 survey shots, gaining an additional 61.11m of
passage (average of 2.91m per shot).
The second team, TEAM WEST MAZE, headed off to the large and growing section of
cave on the western side of the Entrance Room. Team leader Lee Jay Graves has
been working in this part of the cave for about 4 trips now, and continues to
discover large rooms and a butt-load of passages. This time he was assisted by
Justin Shaw in his first time at keeping survey book in Punkin, and Galen
Falgout and Angela Edwards scouting and setting stations. It was the first
Punkin survey trip for all three. They placed 23 stations in a remarkable 10
hour trip, adding 72.38m to the length of the cave. This is an average of
3.15m per shot. They extended the survey downwards a lot, to the new fourth
deepest point in the cave. There is a heck of lot more to do in this area, and
everyone is fired up for the next trip.
The third team, TEAM AREA 51, consisted of trip leader Crash and veterans
Yazmin Avila and Lydia Hernandez. They began their survey slowly, mopping up a
couple of small leads left from the December surveys off of Superstition Maze.
They connected back to the room near the Woost Woom (now named the Widdle Woom)
and another room east of that one (now called the West Woom). Finally stopped
by too-tight leads and the lack of a hammer, they went back through the Widdle
Woom to finish another lead left by Jim, Tone Garot, Jen Foote, and Lydia in
December. It quickly connected back to previously surveyed portions of
Superstition Maze. Poking around this section, they soon found large
unsurveyed virgin leads. They took a 45 minute break to retrieve the Disto
which was accidentally dropped down an impenetrable fissure (enlarged by
pounding on it with big rocks), then cranked up the MP3 player and started
reeling out long shots. The survey took them way out into a complex
multi-level area of previously unknown cave heading southwest, although it was
not apparent at the time. They soon heard voices from other surveyors.
Thinking it was Team Superstition, they were totally surprised to learn it was
Team West Maze! A major connection was made, crossing under the floor of the
Entrance Room. The connection was made to station WM51, and the inclination of
that shot was +51°, so the new section has now been named Area 51. Mopping up
some more leads (and gaining more footage) resulted in another connection being
made, this time near WM43. Lots and lots of leads are left in this area,
filling in a large blank spot on the map and making the plan view even more
complicated that it was before. 117.76m was surveyed in a whopping 33 shots,
for an average of 3.57m per shot.
Altogether, the three teams made 77 survey shots, averaging 3.26m per shot, and
increased the length of the cave by 251.25m. Punkin Cave is still the 14th
longest cave in Texas, with a current surveyed length of 3232.9m. The depth
has not changed since the discovery of Fifty Fathoms (62.4m, 28th deepest in
Texas), but downtrending leads in the West Maze give us hope for greater depth.
The people on this trip were awesome, hardworking, and a lot of fun to be
around. We had Movie Night on Friday, and ate very well, despite the power
company having a region-wide blackout on Saturday afternoon, forcing us to cook
an entire meal over the charcoal grill. Nevertheless, it turned out great!
Don Arburn and Gill Ediger stayed at the cabin the entire weekend working on
the plumbing, and they were able to have the showers running for us by the time
we exited the cave, even if they were cold and the pump was powered by the
generator on Don's welder! Thanks to all who attended, and I hope to see you
back on the next trip.
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