texascavers Digest 2 Dec 2010 15:13:18 -0000 Issue 1202
Topics (messages 16591 through 16620):
Re: conference prices
16591 by: George Veni
16601 by: Gill Edigar
16603 by: Diana Tomchick
16604 by: Geary Schindel
prices
16592 by: Mixon Bill
16593 by: tbsamsel.verizon.net
16596 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
16597 by: Allan B. Cobb
16598 by: John Brooks
16599 by: Don Arburn
16600 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
16602 by: Diana Tomchick
16611 by: Fofo
16612 by: tbsamsel.verizon.net
Golondrinas advice
16594 by: Mixon Bill
16605 by: Robert Burnett
Bats in Popular Mechanics, hummm
16595 by: Jon Cradit
Here is a cheap caving gathering
16606 by: David
Video of the Day
16607 by: David
caving trip to Oman
16608 by: Mixon Bill
Winter Tech helmet reminder
16609 by: George Veni
Science News: How a trickle can create a cavern
16610 by: Lee H. Skinner
Science News
16613 by: Mixon Bill
NOT Making it to Carlsbad
16614 by: dirtdoc.comcast.net
Honey Creek Cave, January 29, 2011...a trip just for fun!
16615 by: ellie :)
caving gear tips
16616 by: David
Mike Collins
16617 by: Gill Edigar
National Geographic & cavers
16618 by: Gill Edigar
16619 by: Robert B
party December 29
16620 by: Mixon Bill
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--- Begin Message ---
I'm working on the Sinkhole Conference below. To a certain degree, this is a
comparison of apples and oranges. The venues of professional conferences are
more expensive than the typical high school used for NSS conventions. Other
expenses occur, based on what participants need and expect of their
conferences, which are often not obvious and which further drive up the
price. Pointing to the cost of burning a CD ignores the effort and other
costs that go into producing its information, and the need to recoup some
minor conference costs without further increasing the registration price.
One key factor in karst conference fees is that these professional specialty
conferences attract only small numbers of people. This means that fixed
prices, like the cost of meeting rooms, are shared between usually 50-150
people, not several hundred to over a thousand like at NSS Conventions. This
significantly increases the per person registration price. Even if the
registration prices were substantially lower, it would not significantly
boost the number of registrants due to the specialized nature of the topics,
travel costs, limited vacation time, etc. Also, these meetings typically
have only a dozen or so people volunteering their time to work on them to
keep the costs as low as possible. Hundreds of people were available to help
with the ICS and many NSS conventions.
No one makes money off of these conferences. People work on them because
they believe these meetings contribute something positive to the science and
management of caves and karst. The financial goal is to not lose money, and
invest whatever is made back into the current conference or the next one.
George
-----Original Message-----
From: Fritz Holt [mailto:fh...@townandcountryins.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 08:30
To: 'Mixon Bill'; Cavers Texas
Subject: RE: [Texascavers] conference prices
ICS in Kerrville was not only a well planned success but a bargain as well
thanks to George and the many hard working volunteers.
Fritz
-----Original Message-----
From: Mixon Bill [mailto:bmixon...@austin.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 9:53 PM
To: Cavers Texas
Subject: [Texascavers] conference prices
Those of you who might be moved to complain about registration fees at
NSS conventions or were perhaps unhappy about the fee at the recent
International Congress hosted by the NSS ought to look at the
registration fees for some of the professional karst conferences just
posted by George Veni.
The "Carbonate Geochemistry: Reactions and Processes in Aquifers and
Reservoirs" next August in Montana will cost $425 dollars for early
registration, $600 later. It will last two and a half days. The
conference is organized by the Karst Waters Institute, a more or less
informal non-profit collection of karst scientists. They have the
nerve to brag about the low registration fee. And, no, it doesn't
include your housing. Maybe they're planning on inviting that woman
from Alaska (you know the one I mean) to give a $20,000 speech.
The one arranged for this coming January, "12th Multidisciplinary
Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts
of Karst," lasts three days and costs $495. There are a couple of
"short courses" offered at an additional charge that amounts to $50 an
hour ($250 or $375 dollars), which ought to buy you a private
instructor, but no doubt doesn't. The organizers have arranged a
special conference rate at the hotel of just $84 a night, plus 15%
tax. Extra copies of the proceedings CD, which will cost less than $1
per copy to make, are $25.
Admittedly, there are discounts for students.
Saving money was obviously not high on anybody's priority list.--Mixon
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I could be wrong, but it's been my observation that 'professionals'
attending a 'professional conference' usually--if certainly not in all
cases--have the major expenses of attending the conference paid for by
their employer: registration, lodging, transportation.
--Ediger
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Professionals who work for private industry will have their expenses paid by
the employer. Academicians will have to find the money in their research grants
(usually provided by a government agency). Students may have to scrounge to
find the money to attend meetings, though often there are student travel grants
that will partially cover the costs.
Diana
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Diana R. Tomchick
Associate Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214B
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
On Nov 30, 2010, at 3:16 PM, Gill Edigar wrote:
> I could be wrong, but it's been my observation that 'professionals'
> attending a 'professional conference' usually--if certainly not in all
> cases--have the major expenses of attending the conference paid for by
> their employer: registration, lodging, transportation.
> --Ediger
>
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________________________________
UT Southwestern Medical Center
The future of medicine, today.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Wait a minute, it depends upon the employer and conference and your position.
Some private firms will cover conference costs, other will not. And if you
work for a government agency, you may or may not have your costs covered, or
are limited to in state conferences, or one day conferences (no overnight
travel). In other cases, you will have to pay your own way and take vacation
time (which I have also done). It just depends.
Geary
-----Original Message-----
From: Diana Tomchick [mailto:diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 3:29 PM
To: Gill Edigar
Cc: George Veni; Cavers Texas
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] conference prices
Professionals who work for private industry will have their expenses paid by
the employer. Academicians will have to find the money in their research grants
(usually provided by a government agency). Students may have to scrounge to
find the money to attend meetings, though often there are student travel grants
that will partially cover the costs.
Diana
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Diana R. Tomchick
Associate Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214B
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
On Nov 30, 2010, at 3:16 PM, Gill Edigar wrote:
> I could be wrong, but it's been my observation that 'professionals'
> attending a 'professional conference' usually--if certainly not in all
> cases--have the major expenses of attending the conference paid for by
> their employer: registration, lodging, transportation.
> --Ediger
>
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________________________________
UT Southwestern Medical Center
The future of medicine, today.
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--- Begin Message ---
My point, of course, was that NSS conventions are good deals. But
still I can't imagine how anybody can spend $500 per person on a small
three-day conference. Well, maybe I can. Let the hotel handle
everything. Badges, $10 each (actual value 75¢). Registration desk,
$150 an hour. Security guard to make sure nobody sneaks in without a
badge, $50 an hour. Use of AV equipment, $200 an hour. Pay somebody
for the simple job of putting together the program book, $2000. Nobody
will think you're "professional" if you do anything yourself rather
than spending money. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
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Simple job of putting together the program book. Ha ha ha!
Not when the committee members are in quite different geographic locations and the papers are peer reviewed.
"You want that in what colour?"
Not to mention vegan, kosher, halal, and redneck menu options all approximating rubber chicken.
T
Nov 30, 2010 11:32:25 AM, bmixon...@austin.rr.com wrote:
My point, of course, was that NSS conventions are good deals. But
still I can't imagine how anybody can spend $500 per person on a small
three-day conference. Well, maybe I can. Let the hotel handle
everything. Badges, $10 each (actual value 75¢). Registration desk,
$150 an hour. Security guard to make sure nobody sneaks in without a
badge, $50 an hour. Use of AV equipment, $200 an hour. Pay somebody
for the simple job of putting together the program book, $2000. Nobody
will think you're "professional" if you do anything yourself rather
than spending money. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
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Hey Bill,
Don't forget the costs of bringing in a keynote speaker, publishing
proceedings, transportation, translators, nonrefundable deposits, etc. Nearly
every professional conference I have ever attended was organized and staffed by
volunteers and they still cost more than I wanted to pay.
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
a...@gluesenkamp.com
________________________________
From: Mixon Bill <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>
To: Cavers Texas <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Tue, November 30, 2010 11:31:56 AM
Subject: [Texascavers] prices
My point, of course, was that NSS conventions are good deals. But still I can't
imagine how anybody can spend $500 per person on a small three-day conference.
Well, maybe I can. Let the hotel handle everything. Badges, $10 each (actual
value 75¢). Registration desk, $150 an hour. Security guard to make sure nobody
sneaks in without a badge, $50 an hour. Use of AV equipment, $200 an hour. Pay
somebody for the simple job of putting together the program book, $2000. Nobody
will think you're "professional" if you do anything yourself rather than
spending money. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
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--- Begin Message ---
I'm attending the American Society of Hematology conference this weekend in
Orlando, Florida. The conference is three and a half days. Members register for
$450 and nonmembers pay $850. The conference has over 20,000 attendees from
more than 80 countries. I'm sure the logistics are a nightmare. They usually
have a dozen or so shuttle bus routes to hotels with 3 or 4 buses running each
route from 6AM to 10PM.
I really don't want to hear any complaints about the cost of TCR.
Allan
Sent from my iPhone
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Can we get shuttle buses for TCR next year?
"They usually have a dozen or so shuttle bus routes to hotels with 3 or 4 buses
running each route from 6AM to 10PM.
I really don't want to hear any complaints about the cost of TCR.
Allan"
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
No
Don's iPhone.
On Nov 30, 2010, at 2:31 PM, John Brooks <jpbrook...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Can we get shuttle buses for TCR next year?
>
>
>
> "They usually have a dozen or so shuttle bus routes to hotels with 3 or 4
> buses running each route from 6AM to 10PM.
> I really don't want to hear any complaints about the cost of TCR.
>
> Allan"
>
>
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Got 'em. They're called Power Wagons.
AGG
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
a...@gluesenkamp.com
________________________________
From: John Brooks <jpbrook...@sbcglobal.net>
To: Allan B. Cobb <a...@oztotl.com>
Cc: Cavers Texas <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Tue, November 30, 2010 2:31:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] prices
Can we get shuttle buses for TCR next year?
"They usually have a dozen or so shuttle bus routes to hotels with 3 or 4 buses
running each route from 6AM to 10PM.
I really don't want to hear any complaints about the cost of TCR.
Allan"
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Have you been to one of these meetings in the past? The Wikipedia web site
claims the conference gets 20,000 attendees, but there are only 15,000 ASH
members. It would appear that one of these numbers must be incorrect.
I'm not sure even the American Chemical Society, which has over 160,000
members, has 20,000 attendees at a national meeting (though they have two
meetings per year, as there isn't a convention site large enough for everyone
to meet just once per year).
Diana
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Diana R. Tomchick
Associate Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214B
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
On Nov 30, 2010, at 2:23 PM, Allan B. Cobb wrote:
> I'm attending the American Society of Hematology conference this weekend in
> Orlando, Florida. The conference is three and a half days. Members register
> for $450 and nonmembers pay $850. The conference has over 20,000 attendees
> from more than 80 countries. I'm sure the logistics are a nightmare. They
> usually have a dozen or so shuttle bus routes to hotels with 3 or 4 buses
> running each route from 6AM to 10PM.
>
> I really don't want to hear any complaints about the cost of TCR.
>
> Allan
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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________________________________
UT Southwestern Medical Center
The future of medicine, today.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
�Hola!
And for conferences organized for industry groups, the prices are even
worse, like for non-member advanced registration of $1300, increasing to
$1450 (members having about a $400 discount). These are usually
organized by specialized companies that handle everything -- and of
course, they make a living out of it, but most people attending have
their expenses paid by their companies.
Take care,
- Fofo
On 30/11/10 12:23, Allan B. Cobb wrote:
I'm attending the American Society of Hematology conference this weekend in
Orlando, Florida. The conference is three and a half days. Members register for
$450 and nonmembers pay $850. The conference has over 20,000 attendees from
more than 80 countries. I'm sure the logistics are a nightmare. They usually
have a dozen or so shuttle bus routes to hotels with 3 or 4 buses running each
route from 6AM to 10PM.
I really don't want to hear any complaints about the cost of TCR.
Allan
Sent from my iPhone
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Best way to go to these conferences is work for a vendor. And find where the best hospitality rooms are. When I was going to remote sensing confabs, the Canajuns had the best hospitality rooms. Big spreads of salmon & beer. Yum.
T
Dec 1, 2010 01:47:24 PM, gonza...@msu.edu wrote:
¡Hola!
And for conferences organized for industry groups, the prices are even
worse, like for non-member advanced registration of $1300, increasing to
$1450 (members having about a $400 discount). These are usually
organized by specialized companies that handle everything -- and of
course, they make a living out of it, but most people attending have
their expenses paid by their companies.
Take care,
- Fofo
On 30/11/10 12:23, Allan B. Cobb wrote:
> I'm attending the American Society of Hematology conference this weekend in Orlando, Florida. The conference is three and a half days. Members register for $450 and nonmembers pay $850. The conference has over 20,000 attendees from more than 80 countries. I'm sure the logistics are a nightmare. They usually have a dozen or so shuttle bus routes to hotels with 3 or 4 buses running each route from 6AM to 10PM.
>
> I really don't want to hear any complaints about the cost of TCR.
>
> Allan
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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I've gotten a query about Golondrinas from Peter Ruplinger (ruplin...@ruplinger.com
):
Do you know anyone who has done Golondrinas?
I'm especially interested to know:
1. How long the shorter starter rope should be.
2. How long the main rope needs to be.
3. What time of year is best. Rain, etc.
4. Tips for techniques, such as best kind of rack, etc.
Thanks a million!
Peter
My response is below, but I certainly can't claim to be an expert. I'm
sure Peter would like to hear any corrections or amplifications. (Note
that he won't see replies to this list.) -- Mixon
I know a lot of people who have done it. I'll forward your query to
a list that will reach many of them. My guesses:
1. No need to hang into the pit more than, say, 15 feet, but of
course more needed for rigging. Probably a 50-foot rope plenty.
2. I think people usually buy a 1200-foot rope. That's sort of a
standard length. Since not a lot of people want to keep a
Golondrinas rope, it is often cut into shorter lengths and sold to
the participants afterward. Or if one wants the added adventure of
crossing knots....
3. I would guess late spring best, before the rainy season really
sets in, but after the days have gotten longer. Best to avoid spring-
break weeks if possible, because more likely to be competition at
the pit, and certainly avoid Easter week, when the pit is mobbed by
Mexican sightseers.
4. Use a full-size rack, not a mini-rack. Super-long rack, like used
on the long 2000+ ft drops at Yosemite, not necessary. Make sure
seat sling is comfortable. Even the rappel takes many people fifteen
minutes or more. For such a long, free climb, frog system a good bit
more strenuous than necessary. It's a ropewalker or Mitchell system
pit (with whatever additions needed to allow one to sit and rest). I
know people have done it with a figure-8 and prusik knots and lived,
but....
--Bill
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
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Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
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Bill, Just as a comment on Golondrinas. The latest issue (Dec.2010) of
Budget Travel has a full page back cover photo of Golondrinas placed by the
Mexico Tourism Dept. More information at www.visitmexico.com . Just shows
you how much has changed.
Rune
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mixon Bill" <bmixon...@austin.rr.com>
To: "Cavers Texas" <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 12:34 PM
Subject: [Texascavers] Golondrinas advice
I've gotten a query about Golondrinas from Peter Ruplinger
(ruplin...@ruplinger.com
):
Do you know anyone who has done Golondrinas?
I'm especially interested to know:
1. How long the shorter starter rope should be.
2. How long the main rope needs to be.
3. What time of year is best. Rain, etc.
4. Tips for techniques, such as best kind of rack, etc.
Thanks a million!
Peter
My response is below, but I certainly can't claim to be an expert. I'm
sure Peter would like to hear any corrections or amplifications. (Note
that he won't see replies to this list.) -- Mixon
I know a lot of people who have done it. I'll forward your query to
a list that will reach many of them. My guesses:
1. No need to hang into the pit more than, say, 15 feet, but of
course more needed for rigging. Probably a 50-foot rope plenty.
2. I think people usually buy a 1200-foot rope. That's sort of a
standard length. Since not a lot of people want to keep a
Golondrinas rope, it is often cut into shorter lengths and sold to
the participants afterward. Or if one wants the added adventure of
crossing knots....
3. I would guess late spring best, before the rainy season really
sets in, but after the days have gotten longer. Best to avoid spring-
break weeks if possible, because more likely to be competition at
the pit, and certainly avoid Easter week, when the pit is mobbed by
Mexican sightseers.
4. Use a full-size rack, not a mini-rack. Super-long rack, like used
on the long 2000+ ft drops at Yosemite, not necessary. Make sure
seat sling is comfortable. Even the rappel takes many people fifteen
minutes or more. For such a long, free climb, frog system a good bit
more strenuous than necessary. It's a ropewalker or Mitchell system
pit (with whatever additions needed to allow one to sit and rest). I
know people have done it with a figure-8 and prusik knots and lived,
but....
--Bill
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
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Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
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--- Begin Message ---
There is an article in the December 2010 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine on
WNS.
It is about the work that Greg Turner, Hazel Barton, and DeeAnn Reeder are
doing in a Pennsylvania.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
There is a remote chance that there will be an inexpensive caver
gathering in May on the weekend prior
to Memorial Day - May 19, 20 & 21, and held near Burton, Texas.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/2nd-Annual-East-Texas-Cavers-Cookout/126749377360713
The fun to cost ratio will be very high for this event.
The reason I say remote chance, is that the only momentum currently
going is that the event
has been successfully held before, and we have a slight head start
over last year, by having
a Facebook event page already set up. This Facebook page is
already further along than
last year's was during the event. Also, I have all the junk I had at
last year's event
in a storage unit about 8 miles away.
This event will be planned via Facebook, so the 3 or 4 of you that
plan to come who are not
on Facebook, will just have to use the old-fashioned e-mail.
Realistically, I don't expect the event to be much bigger than last
year, but I do hope it will
be more fun. One consideration is that with all the caving
activity planned for next spring,
it might be even harder for cavers to attend this event.
Anyways, mark your calendar: Camp Happy Hollow, May 19, 20 & 21, just in case.
The only thing that needs to be done soon, is sending the owner a
check to cover the deposit
and possibly the rental, so that he doesn't rent it to another group.
That is $ 300 for each, I think.
This is my first call to any Aggies in College Station that want to
help out, as the spot is only 45
minutes from campus.
Anyone interested in caves and bats, ( not just cavers ) are invited,
especially those that live
within a 3 hour drive of Burton, Texas; including especially any
Galveston cavers and any
independent cavers scattered across east Texas.
David Locklear
co-host of the event
281-995-8487
281-960-0687
P.S. Looking for another co-host
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbOxJ08xtHw&feature=player_embedded
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Entertaining article by John Pint of Guadalajara. Apologies if I've
posted this link before. -- Mixon
http://www.saudicaves.com/majoman/index.html
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
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For those planning to come to the Southwestern Region's Winter Tech meeting
in Carlsbad this weekend, this message is to confirm that the Saturday
evening party will not be held in NCKRI Headquarters. The building
inspection to create the final touch-up list was just scheduled for Friday,
so there is no chance we'll have our Certificate of Occupancy by Saturday.
An alternate party location will be announced at Winter Tech.
I'll still be offering a tour of NCKRI Headquarters on Sunday morning at 9
a.m. As a reminder, technically the building is still a construction site so
you must bring and wear your helmets to get inside the building. And please
decon your helmets against WNS before coming (although I hope and assume
you'll have already done that immediately after your last caving trip!).
See you soon,
George
***************************
George Veni, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National Cave and Karst Research Institute
1400 Commerce Drive
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 USA
Office: 575-887-5517
Mobile: 210-863-5919
Fax: 413-383-2276
gv...@nckri.org
www.nckri.org
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Interesting speleogenesis article in Science News:
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/66827/description/Dissolving_a_puzzle
Lee Skinner
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Want to bet these guys haven't just rediscovered the wheel? Sounds to
me like they're saying that a passage suddenly starts growing faster
when it becomes large enough that flow in it is turbulent. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
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As many of you know,Mary and Dwigfht are in Terlingua at the moment and hoped
to make it to the Carlsbad regional on our way home to Denver.
That will not happen, due to delays in the construction efforts in Terlingua,
and other trivia. That's both why we love, and sometimes are frustrated, by
the realities of South Brewster County.
Regards to all. Hope we can see some of you in Bracketville in April with the
Texicans.
DirtDoc
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The Honey Creek January Tank Hauls will not be happening but on January
29th, 2011 the cave will be open as a THANKS to all who volunteered for the
tank hauls.
All are welcome to come out for a recreational/lead checkin day of caving at
Honey Creek Cave. There will be no organized trips so plan to team up with
someone who has been in the cave before because first-timers will not be
permitted to go on their own.
You will need a wetsuit for all sections of the cave and fins and a
flotation if doing the through trip.
Please contact me if you have questions and let me know if you plan on
coming out.
Ellie Watson
Bexar Grotto
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There appears to be quite a few videos on the web showing how to use
vertical gear. This was something we didn't have when I was learning
how to use gear, and we had to sometimes learn the hard way, meaning
by how not to do it.
Here is an example of a new video showing an ascender with a pivoting
handle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE1NwhMLptI
This idea is not new. Alejandro Villagomez used one like this in 1985
on a caving trip that I tagged along on, and caving vendors used to
carry that model he used.
But maybe they have improved on the idea?
David Locklear
caver in Fort Bend County
281-995-8487
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The 2010 Newsletter of the UT Jackson School of GeoSciences indicates
that a Michael B. Collins (67 years old) who received a BA in geology
in 1970 died in July. Can anybody confirm that he is the Mike Collins
who was a UT caver in the late '60s. He had a photo of a 'tigre' taken
at Sótano del Tigre, in El Abra, as they emerged from the cave.
--Ediger
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Toward the rear of the December 2010 National Geographic will be found
an article on bats and White Nose Syndrome in which Jim Kennedy is
quoted several times.
In the Letters section on page 8 of the same issue one can also find a
note by Jill Yager praising the NG's posthumous tribute to cave
diver/photographer Wes Skiles, which appeared in the August 2010
issue.
--Ediger
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Not only is Kennedy quoted, but it looks as if the whole article is
titled after him.
Not to be morbid of make light the seriousness of the situation, but the
photo showing the bats laying on what looks like dinner plates made me do a
double take. I thought maybe there was a going to be a new threat along with
WNS, edible bat parts, ""would you like yours laying on a square of cheese,
perhaps a dried carcass or head"". Hopefully humans are eating them yet.
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Advance notice; more info later:
WHEREAS The UT Grotto normally meets on the fifth Wednesday of any
month that has one, but the UT campus is completely closed down
between Christmas and New Years, and
WHEREAS Wednesday, December 29 happens to be the day I become a
septuagenarian,
THEREFORE there will be a party at my house that evening, sevenish
till it's over, for those who aren't off caving somewhere (yay!) or
visiting relatives (boo!).
More details later. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
All the world's a stage, but the play is badly cast.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: edi...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
