Folks, There will be a three day work weekend, trip leader training program, and general fun fest at the Deep and Punkin Nature Preserve near Carta Valley in Edwards County Texas. This will occur during the MLK weekend startung on Friday evening, January 18 and will conclude on Monday, January 21.
If you're interested in attending, please send me an email by Wednesday, January 16. Space is limited for the weekend so make sure that you reserve a space early. Since this will also be a trip leader training weekend, there will be training trips to both Deep and Punkin Cave and instructions on cabin operation. In addition, there will be some work pouring foundatiions for the back porch roof, denailing of boards (very theraputic), and cutting of cedar and cat claw. There will be some series Dutch Oven cooking, grilling, and swilling. We have also arranged for swiming in the water trough as well as general Tom Foolery. The trips are open to cavers and friends. You must have your own caving equipment to visit Deep Cave (Helmet, lights, gloves, pack, knee pads, etc.) If you want to enter Punkin Cave, this requires a 30 to 50 foot rappel. We recommend that you have your own vertical gear. This is not a vertical training trip, so if you are expecting to enter Punkin Cave, please be vertically proficient. However, this is an excellent novice vertical cave as long as you have a couple of experienced vertical cavers with you. We are asking for donations of $5 per person for the weekend to help defray costs to operate the cabin and property. We also ask that folks put in at least 3 hours during the work weekend helping work on the property. There is no drinking water on the property but there is non potable water for showers. It is a relatively premative site with limited space in the cabin so please be prepared to camp out. There are two community stoves and one oven for cooking in the cabin. Hope you can join us. Call or email with any questions. Geary Schindel, Preserve Manager Texas Cave Management Association 210-326-1576 cell
