[Texascavers] I got a ride!
Thanks Texas Caver List! See you’all at TCR (those who are able to go anyway) Sent from my iPhone ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Ride to TCR on Thursday?
Hey Cavers—Anyone going to TCR from Austin on Thursday morning have room for me, a case of Shiner, and my camping gear? I’ll spring for your gas and promise not to bore you with “there we was” stories (in less you want to hear them) Frank Binney 415-488-1200 text and mobile Sent from my iPhone ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Kirkwood history questions
Hey Cavers Here are a few questions for those with old school connections to the Center of The Caving Universe: 1. Who was the last caver to live at 1307 1/2 Kirkwood and when did they move out? 2. Who was the last caver to live in the Kirkwood neighborhood, and when did they move out? I'm working with Bill Mixon on a Kirkwood history piece for the AMCS Activities Newsletter, and with a panel of other cavers on a Kirkwood caver village presentation at this year¹s NSS Convention in Montana. Answers to the above questions, and any other Kirkwood info you could share, would be very helpful in filling in some blanks. Thanks, Frank Frank Binney Frank Binney & Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development 5277 State Highway 49 N, Bldg 25 Mariposa, CA 95338 415.488.1200 Mobile i...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Zoologist seeks work
Hey Cavers A friend of mine with a PhD in Zoology, an American citizen who is currently doing environmental resource assessment work for the Australian government, is moving to College Station for a year while her Australian husband takes advanced veterinary training at A She¹d like to find work while she¹s in Texasperchance in academia, museums, parks or any wildlife and public land related fields. Anyone have suggestions or contacts I could pass on to Sarah? Thanks, Frank Frank Binney Frank Binney & Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Adios TexasCavers List
I¹m unsubscribing from the Texas Cavers list and offer some parting thoughts: I¹ve really appreciated all the time, effort, and dollarsoften unsungthat Charles Goldsmith has put into keeping the list up and running all these many years. It¹s a real service to the caving community and I¹m amazed the list self-moderates as well as it does. My personal challenge is that I subscribe to a number of email lists; some work-related, others community-related or special interest-related (caving, birding, etc.). When someone on one of the lists starts over-posting off-topic emails, I have to weight the time cost and hassle of constantly deleting those posts against the value of staying subscribed. At one time the TexasCavers list provided the most convenient and timely wayif not the only way--to stay in touch with far-flung Texas caving friends and find out about recent discoveries and upcoming events. Now social mediain particular Facebookfulfills many of these needs. So I¹ll stay in touch with many of you via the various caving-related Facebook pages, and for those of you not on Facebook we can hopefully catch up in person at TCR or the NSS Convention. David Locklear has written some very entertaining posts over the years. I¹ve especially enjoyed the accounts of his Quixotic attempts to reach distant caving events or of his memories of caver encounters back in the day. Many of his more frequent posts, however, seem better suited to a personal Facebook feed or a non-caving listserv. Look forward to seeing many of you later this month in Ely, or in October at Paradise Canyon, Frank Frank Binney NSS 10816 Fellow i...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Can Locklear please restrain himself !!
Many, if not most of us, subscribe to CaveTex to keep up with caving and caver-related news. A number of cavers I know have, unfortunately, unsubscribed from the list because of the volume of off-topic spam from David Locklear. I¹m about to join them, as David¹s recent return to the list has flooded my inbox with list-inappropriate posts. Can those of you who like David please counsel him on list etiquette and suggest more appropriate venues for his off-topic posts? Thanks, Frank Binney NSS 10816 Fellow i...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Big Boy Medlin in Austin Sun
This is "caver culture² related: Back in the day, Austin cavers used to congregate for lunch at the ³caver table² in the Chuckwagon snack bar in the UT Student Union. We were occasionally joined by some of Austin¹s rising counterculture literati, including a very funny and talented Vietnam War vet named Big Boy Medlin. Big would occasionally attend parties at the Kirkwood Kaver house and other 1970s caver hangouts along with his fellow contributors to our beloved bi-weekly hippie newspaper The Austin Sun, including Jeff Nightbyrd, Michael Eakin, Bill Bentley and David Moriarty. Big and many other Austin writers and film people of that period eventually emigrated to LA, where he helped launch LA Weekly, co-wrote the screenplay for the movie ³Roadie², and became Head Writer at E! Entertainment Television. For today¹s younger cavers, who missed the opportunity to enjoy Big¹s writing in the long-gone print version of the Austin Sun, the publication has been re-launched this month as a website featuring contemporary contributions by Big, Bill Bentley, and Michael Ventura. Here¹s the link: http://www.austinsun.us As we used to say about new experiences to young caver wannabes at Kirkwood Kaver parties: ³Try it! You¹ll like it!² Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Old Caving Photo
Thanks for posting, Mark! Although I don¹t remember posing with those boy scout helmets and Butterfly lamp boxes, I do have many fond memories of that trip and the Cuetzalan area. The cavers pictured are: Top row: left to rightme (Frank Binney), you (Mark Minton), Lisa Wilk Bottom row: Norm Pace, Bill Liebman, Rick Rigg Frank Frank Binney Frank Binney & Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com On 6/20/16, 6:22 PM, "Texacavers on behalf of Mark Minton via Texascavers" <texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com on behalf of texascavers@texascavers.com> wrote: > Attached is a photo showing cavers in the Cuetzalan (Puebla, Mexico) >field house in 1980, about 35 years ago. Whom do you recognize? Of those >present, I think only a few are still caving at all, and maybe only one >actively. The same field house also served a Mexican scout troop and we >found their stash of caving gear: fiberglass helmets and Butterfly >carbide lamps. ¡Siempre Listo! > >Mark Minton >mminton@caver.net___ >Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com >Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: >http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ >http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Airman's River Video
Hey Justin and Galen Ditto what everyone else has said about the cool videos. I¹ll just add that I never wanted to return to Airmen¹s after an epic trip in 1971 when it was just grimy crawlinga conviction even stronger now that it¹s a miserable water crawl! Frank fr...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Free Shiner Beer
Every wonder why the Spoetzl Brewery donates free Shiner Beer to TCR and other Texas caver events? The short answer is that Bill Steele and Don Auburn ask them for it. The long answer is that in the early 1970s, Bill Russell funded my UT student film about the history of Shiner Beer. Shown to Texas legislators, the low-budget documentary built support for special legislation that made it possible for Spoetzl Brewery and later craft brewers to successfully compete with the mass market brands. The Shiner folks have been grateful ever since. For those cavers interested in viewing ³Last of the Little Breweries², it is now available as a private upload on Vimeo via the following link and password: https://vimeo.com/145422561 Password (all lower case): shinerbeer I recommend watching with a cold Shiner in hand. Prost! Frank Binney Frank Binney & Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Castleguard Cave movie
Working on the Casteleguard film with Sid Perou, Derek Ford, and the Canadian cavers ranks as one of the highpoints of my youthful salad days. I was a little disappointed with the final mix of the film¹s music track, however. If only they had used more kettle drums! (Not!) Frank Binney Frank Binney & Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com On 11/13/15, 5:37 PM, "Texascavers on behalf of Mixon Bill via Texascavers" <texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com on behalf of texascavers@texascavers.com> wrote: >Sid Perou's movie about Castleguard Cave in the Canadian Rockies is on >YouTube at >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lpa7I1SNu0 > >This was filmed (on actual film; remember that?) in 1973 and for a long >time was hard to find, because of some sort of rights problem that >precluded making videotapes of it. I think Frank Binney worked with Sid >on the film as sound recorder, although I think I've heard that the >voices recorded in the cave couldn't be used because they were all in >English, so, the cave being owned by Parks Canada, everything had to be >dubbed in both English and French. Maybe Frank can tell the tale. > >If up go to that URL, YouTube will also recommend a lot of other old >caving films by Sid Perou. -- Mixon > >A man cannot be too careful in his choice of enemies. > >You may "reply" to the address this message >(unless it's a TexasCavers list post) >came from, but for long-term use, save: >Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu >AMCS: a...@mexicancaves.org or sa...@mexicancaves.org > >___ >Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com >Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: >http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ >http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Knot-tying music video
While the featured knot in this novel music video by the Norwegian band Ylvis doesn¹t see frequent use in caving, perhaps the choreography will inspire some cavers to make their own version (maybe Highline ropes could be persuaded to sponsor it): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUHgGK-tImY Frank Binney Frank Binney & Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Caver seeks pre-TCR San Antonio lodging
Thanks San Antonio cavers! I¹m now covered for Wednesday night. StefanSorry I can¹t chop stuff in Austin, but will help you and the other cooks with prep on site. NicoChopper pilot doesn¹t like the look of the canyon and various hard-to-see-from-the-air power lines at PC, so probably no quick hop over to the Salt Lick for BBQ lunch this year. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Paradise Canyon! Frank From: Texascavers <texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com> on behalf of Texas Cavers <Texascavers@texascavers.com> Reply-To: Texas Cavers <Texascavers@texascavers.com> Date: Monday, October 5, 2015 at 6:55 AM To: Texas Cavers <Texascavers@texascavers.com> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Caver seeks pre-TCR San Antonio lodging No chopper ride this year Frank? Nico On Sunday, October 4, 2015, Stefan Creaser via Texascavers <texascavers@texascavers.com> wrote: > Come to Austin and chop stuff for the w/e food. We have beds too > > -Stefan > (Chief cook someone else has claimed bottle washer) > > > From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com');> ] On > Behalf Of Frank Binney via Texascavers > Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 6:43 PM > To: Texas Cavers > Subject: [Texascavers] Caver seeks pre-TCR San Antonio lodging > > > Anybody on the west side of San Antonio have some sleeping bag floor space for > a visiting caver the night of Wednesday Oct 14th? I¹m flying in from > Hottubistan (Northern California) that afternoon, renting a car, and planning > on driving over to Paradise Canyon on Thursday. Would love to stay/visit with > a local caver(s) Wednesday night instead of the sterile Motel 6 option. > > Your expatriate Texan friend, > > Frank > > > > Frank Binney > > Frank Binney & Associates > > Interpretive Planning and Media Development > > P.O. Box 258 > > Woodacre, CA 94973 > > 415.488.1200 Voice > > 415.488.1500 Fax > > 415.999.0556 Mobile > > fr...@frankbinney.com <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','fr...@frankbinney.com');> > > > > > -- IMPORTANT NOTICE: The contents of this email and any attachments are > confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended > recipient, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the > contents to any other person, use it for any purpose, or store or copy the > information in any medium. Thank you. > > ARM Limited, Registered office 110 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NJ, > Registered in England & Wales, Company No: 2557590 > ARM Holdings plc, Registered office 110 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NJ, > Registered in England & Wales, Company No: 2548782 ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Caver seeks pre-TCR San Antonio lodging
Anybody on the west side of San Antonio have some sleeping bag floor space for a visiting caver the night of Wednesday Oct 14th? I¹m flying in from Hottubistan (Northern California) that afternoon, renting a car, and planning on driving over to Paradise Canyon on Thursday. Would love to stay/visit with a local caver(s) Wednesday night instead of the sterile Motel 6 option. Your expatriate Texan friend, Frank Frank Binney Frank Binney & Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Drone flying and caves
Not that it¹s much of an issue in Texas, but remember drone photography is prohibited in National Parks. A guy in Hawaii forgot about this rule yesterday and got tasered. http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Ranger-uses-stun-gun-on-man-operating- drone-over-6229716.php#photo-7886918 -Frank Binney On Apr 28, 2015, at 3:40 PM, Aimee Beveridge via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: I would not recommend flying the drone into Punkin Cave. Its swallow nesting season. From: Charles Goldsmith via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com To: Cavetex texascavers@texascavers.com Sent: Monday, April 27, 2015 12:34 PM Subject: [Texascavers] Drone flying and caves I had a couple of people approach me about drones and caving this weekend at the TSA convention. I did not get names from people, and anytime there is alcohol involved, I'm not going to remember who. If you are interested in drone flying and more specifically if you have a trip or project that can benefit from me assisting with my drone, contact me off-list. I'll gladly assist as I can for any projects. Where I can see the drone helping is with ridge walking, checking out high leads in caves (that have enough room for the drone to maneuver) and also checking out leads on cliff faces. It can potentially be used to check out pits before dropping into one, depending on the size/nature of the pit. While it does pretty good in wind, that's a factor that has to be taken into account, as well as obstacles. We'll also have to keep it away from any bats, since it's a bit noisy and we don't want to disturb them. It might be useful in scaring off other varmits to move them away from an entrance (snakes, etc). Charles Goldsmith wo...@justfamily.org ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com http://texascavers.com/ Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Soak your rope?
Thanks Chris, Jerry and Nancy for your quick and informative responses. I¹m a ³pre-soak your rope² believer now! -Frank Binney From: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Reply-To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 12:19 PM To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Soak your rope? its a really good way to avoid having a long rope soak and shrink itself on a cave trip as happened in Mexico when our brand new first drop rope lost 10 % (as advertised) of its length while we were cave camping. good news was that I headed out early, noticed how little rope was at the bottom of drop and had Don B add a safety onto it. scary news was: that knot was 60 feet in the air when the rest came out. nancy On Apr 14, 2015, at 1:55 PM, Frank Binney via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: Is soaking and drying a new caving rope prior to use now the recommended procedure? I don¹t remember this as a protocol from back in the day, but someone suggested presoaking to a young caver friend out here who recently bought 1200 ft of static rope for a Golondrinas trip. Perhaps it¹s a way to pre-shrink and/or stiffen the rope for easier ascending? -Frank Binney ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Soak your rope?
Is soaking and drying a new caving rope prior to use now the recommended procedure? I don¹t remember this as a protocol from back in the day, but someone suggested presoaking to a young caver friend out here who recently bought 1200 ft of static rope for a Golondrinas trip. Perhaps it¹s a way to pre-shrink and/or stiffen the rope for easier ascending? -Frank Binney ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] El Sotano del Barro jeep expedition
Apparently there¹s a group of 4x4 enthusiasts who are attempting to reach Sotano del Barro via jeep. Anyone know more about this? ³El Sotano² was a backpacking-only destination back in the day but I suppose there could have been some roadbuilding in the area over the past 43 years. Here are some links to news and video about the effort: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtDr0HTE_fY http://www.jeeperos.com/foros/showthread.php?t=109513 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHMhJRK7bM Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] reporters
My media relations prof at UCLA advised us to supply reporters with one-page ³fact sheets² along with any other relevant written background materials when we gave interviews. Over the years I¹ve found reporters appreciated that material as useful reference for their writing.If nothing else, it helped them spell the names correctly in the article. Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com From: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Reply-To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Monday, January 19, 2015 at 6:01 AM To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] reporters I was told during media training *not* to ask to review the interview before publication. I used to offer and no reporter ever took me up on it. I find that having a short list of perfectly-honed sound bites (relevant to the topic, of course) is a good strategy. They almost always pick them up so I am able to use them to craft the final product, to some extent. Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D. 700 Billie Brooks Drive Driftwood, Texas 78619 (512) 799-1095 a...@gluesenkamp.com From: George Veni via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com To: texascavers@texascavers.com texascavers@texascavers.com Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2015 2:22 PM Subject: Re: [Texascavers] reporters Heather and everyone, Many cavers have long held the positions: ·don¹t trust or talk to the media because they will screw up what you tell them, and ·we need the public to better understand caves to care about and help protect them. The problem is that we need the media to effectively educate the public so we can¹t afford to ignore or alienate them. Reporters are often rushed to meet deadlines, especially if they are trying to get in a story within 24 hours or less. Like for most of the public, caves are alien to reporters. They have a huge number of long-held stereotypes and mis-conceptions. One interview won¹t eliminate them all. Most are good people trying to sincerely do a good job, but they often mix-up their misconceptions with what they actually heard, especially if much of the interview is in a cave where they can¹t take many notes. I get interviewed frequently in my job. One thing I¹ve found to keep the printed word accurate is to essentially tell the reporter at the end of the interview: ³Thank you for interviewing me. I can tell you want to write a great report and I¹d like to help. A lot of what I¹ve told you and what you¹ve seen is completely new to you. A lot of it is complicated. I may not have been clear on some points and you could have misunderstood me on others. What is your deadline? Send me your draft article and I¹ll make myself available to quickly fact-check it and get it back to you ASAP to meet your deadline. That way we can be it is right.² I¹ve found that this works about 70% of the time, so most of my interviews turn out well. As for the other 30%, my worst experience was when a reporter misquoted me 15 times in 11 short paragraphs! Rather than berate her, I pointed out the errors, expressed sympathy for her position, and developed a good working relationship that has since benefited caves and karst. We are all ambassadors of caves and could be potentially interviewed. If you find yourself in that position, remember to keep the information simple to minimize confusion and mistakes, ask to review the draft article for technical accuracy, and after the article is printed to contact the reporter. If the article is good, thank the reporter. If there are problems, thank the reporter for what was right and discuss the problems in a sympathetic way. Make that reporter a better reporter for caves and karst. And if you are in position where you are likely to be interviewed again, then build a relationship with the reporter so you will each learn to go to each other when needed and can trust that the outcome will be good. George George Veni, Ph.D. Executive Director National Cave and Karst Research Institute 400-1 Cascades Avenue Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215 USA Office: 575-887-5517 Mobile: 210-863-5919 Fax: 575-887-5523 gv...@nckri.org www.nckri.org ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com http://texascavers.com/ Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] NSS video salon question
I¹m with Mallory on liking Abigail¹s Underground. Sure it¹s corny and not-very-well shot or scripted, but via the absurd device of a raggedy Ann puppet traveling through a cavethe video parodies many of the caver stereotypes familiar to all of us: the caver obsessed with scooping virgin booty, the old carbide caver stuck in the past, the obsessed digger who would rather dig a miserable crawl than explore available walking passage, etc. Frank fr...@frankbinney.com From: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Reply-To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 6:05 PM To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: [Texascavers] NSS video salon question Hello cavers! Can anyone point me in the right direction on where to find NSS video salon entries? I was wondering if the NSS had any sort of online database of low-res video clips. I've found on their website where entrants can check off a box to give the NSS permission to publish their entries but not where they're actually published. Also, if anyone went to the NSS convention this past summer and remembers a particular video that I'm looking for--it featured a little Raggedy-Ann type doll trudging through a cave. I couldn't understand what the actors were saying, or what it was even about, but it was bizarre and hilarious and my life is better somehow for having seen it. I'm looking for it, hence my question. If anyone happens to remember anything about it, like who submitted it, their grotto affiliation or the name of the video, I'd so appreciate it. Thanks! Mallory Mayeux ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] TCR 2015 Survey
Hey Don-- Thanks again for all the hard work you do to make TCR a success. (And thanks also to Allan, Andy, Gill and other past organizers). I love Paradise Canyon--with or without water-- even though it will be more difficult to land the helicopter there. 2nd choice would be Flat Creek, followed by last year's site. But any spot, preferably with water and privacy west of the Balcones Fault, with enough cavers in attendance will be just fine. Cheers, Frank Binney On 1/7/15 10:47 AM, Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: I like Paradise Canyon. Water would be nice, but I don't spend any time boating or fishing so it is not a deal killer for me. My two cents worth. Sheryl Rieck sheryl.ri...@gmail.com On Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 10:30 AM, Don Arburn via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: Ok, Cavers, I'm starting to think about this upcoming TCR, locations and dates. Paradise Canyon called me yesterday, and asked me to ask around and spread the word that if we have any need for a meeting site, he'd be happy to help. We all like PC, but they still have no water. It's not a deal killer. It's an option for TSA, TCMA and TCR. How do y'all feel about this site? Next is the date. There have been several traditional weekends and many suggestions etc. I've penciled in the weekend of October 15-18 as a target date. How do y'all feel about that? --Don ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Mike Boon, Poet Caver
I¹ll always remember Mike Boon as one of the most capable and fearless cavers I ever spent time with underground. He was also one of caving¹s most brilliant poets. As I toast his memory with some good mescal tonight, I¹d like to share two of my favorite Boon poems: Country of playful cattle and dour girls, I remember you best for one green stream. Across the richness of the polje floor It wound from willow here to willow there, Crescents of fruits and flies for pendant chub. Its source is in the woods above the mill, A run of dimpled jade in wooden walls Straight from the cave where its clear flows have bathed A myriad of small white spealeans, Things white in darkness: feeler shell and claw. Under the waving green limbs of stalactites, Pass. Do not break the pots or bite the bats. For there are presences of Indians here, Who built these drystone walls and worshipped by this pool. RIP my friend, Frank Binney ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Mike Boon, Poet Caver
On 12/22/14, 7:48 PM, Leslie Bell via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: Thank you Frank - is it possible to include these in the next Texas Caver? - Leslie Bell Hi Leslie Yes, you would be welcome to include the poems in the next Texas Caver. They were originally published in Inside Earth #3 which was produced by Austin cavers in the 1970s. Here are two more Boon poems from Inside Earth #3, in case you would like to showcase more of Mike¹s work: This cliff is a stale loaf torn. At its base, where lichens suppurate from cracks, Blotching the crumbling rockface as they dry And ivy pendulums across the mouths of caves, The Axe runs from its cavities Deep in the rock to find the day. * From a subterranean lane I sprang Up five bars of tree root lined with dust Into a field of thick grass, thicker light. Mauve flowers fly moth-like in the ditches Overbold yellow cows jangle their chains A huge pale moon looms in the greying blue.. . . This is a half-light way-out world: I scramble down the roots again. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] A conservation question
I inherited the funky old refrigerator the Beyond Time team used on the surface to store those jugs of Michel¹s urine. For several years afterward it gave great service keeping my Shiner beer cold. -Frank Binney From: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Reply-To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 11:58 AM To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] A conservation question Michel Siffre collected all his pee in gallon milk containers when he did his Beyond Time experiments in Midnight Cave in 1973 or so. I had the honor of carrying 2 of them out of the cave back then. I think we returned them to the earth right there in the desert. But, I have to wonder, what the hell is the point of doing this pee-cycling? Who are you helping? On Nov 4, 2014, at 1:52 PM, David via Texascavers wrote: I am posting this here because most cavers seem to be more environmentally conscious than most people. What do you think of the idea known as pee-cycling ? It sounds like a great idea to me , and I have been making a faithful effort to experiment with this for several months. I have found that one-gallon jugs with a wide mouth work the best. Examples, are Pine-Sol bottles. One perk to this, is you do not have to walk down the hall to the bathroom in the early morning hours. Disclaimer: I have absolutely no idea how girls would do this. I assume this would be much easier in rural areas than the inner city. David Locklear P.S. I am on a temporary hiatus, as I am downsizing and giving up half the floor of the quadriplex that I have been renting since February. The apartment near downtown Houston is available now, but has slumlord issues. Not sure if I am going to remain in the other apartment to 2016. My 2 large aquariums are keeping me from moving. At the moment, I am putting all my belongings back in my storage unit in the town of Brenham. That process will take up most of November. My desire to take advantage of the new light-rail was an epic failure, but that was partly because I chose the wrong location, and partly because this new extension of the rail-system is lame. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] TCR Registration Prices
It¹s not the age, but the mileage we should acknowledge in TCR ³Old Timer² pricing. I suggest the criteria should be: ³Anyone who pushed low, tight water crawls prior to 1968² -Frank Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com From: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Reply-To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Friday, September 12, 2014 at 10:06 AM To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Subject: Re: [Texascavers] TCR Registration Prices I vote for 65 years of age and up. Bill Sent from my iPhone C. William Bill Steele cell 214-770-4712 cwilliamste...@gmail.com www.worldexplorersbureau.com http://www.worldexplorersbureau.com On Sep 12, 2014, at 11:50 AM, Bill Bentley via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: What constitutes an Old Timer qualification? On 9/12/2014 11:29 AM, Ellie Watson via Texascavers wrote: TCR Registration Prices: Adult - $25.00 Child - $15.00 Family - $80.00 Old timer - $15.00 Registration gets you a wristband, meal, beverages and a chance at door prizes. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/529777467143718/ ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.comtexascav...@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/http://lists.texascav ers.com/listinfo/texascavers -- Bill Bentley ca...@caver.net ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] TCR: A bargain at any price!
Thanks to Don and all the many volunteers, TCR continues to be the best deal of any event I¹ve ever paid to attend. Although I started caving in 1962 I¹m looking forward to proudly paying full price. -Frank On 9/12/14, 11:44 AM, Don Arburn via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: Ellie is only the messenger, I make the TCR rules. Be nice to her or oldtimers will pay geriatric fees. --Don On Sep 12, 2014, at 1:41 PM, Logan McNatt via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: Ellie, I'm sure you didn't foresee the barrage of emails that Old timer was going to cause. Obviously, every Old timer is suggesting criteria that will make sure they qualify. One simple solution is to change the Old timer registration to $30, and see how many still insist they qualify! (Ha) LowGun (a young Old timer) On 9/12/2014 11:29 AM, Ellie Watson via Texascavers wrote: TCR Registration Prices: Adult - $25.00 Child - $15.00 Family - $80.00 Old timer - $15.00 Registration gets you a wristband, meal, beverages and a chance at door prizes. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/529777467143718/ ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Golondrinas in video game trailer
Video game maker Activision used El Sotano de Las Golondrinas in a scene in their preview of their big new video game launch. You can watch the preview via the link below, but be warned, you¹ll have to watch 90 seconds of CGI humans vs. aliens combat before the scenes of Golondrinas at the end of the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZyQK6kUdWQfeature=youtu.be FYI: former Inside Earth art director and 1970s Kirkwood caving community resident Justin Carroll creates the packaging graphics for Activision video games. Frank Binney i...@frankbinney.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Border militia confronts bat researchers
Anybody know anyone involved in this? Border militia confronts bat researchers * Posted: Tuesday, September 2, 2014 7:26 am By Jonathan Clark Nogales International A group of heavily armed militiamen confronted a team of scientists who had been studying bats in a cave near Sonoita last week, apparently mistaking them for illegal border-crossers or drug-smugglers. No one was hurt during the late-night encounter in the Gardner Canyon area, but the incident highlights the potential for trouble when citizens take up arms in hopes of defending the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection ³does not endorse or support any private group or organization to take border security matters into their own hands as it could have disastrous personal and public safety consequences² the agency said in a statement. The confrontation near Sonoita began at approximately 11 p.m. on Aug. 23, according to a report given by one of the scientists to a Santa Cruz County Sheriff¹s deputy. The team of three researchers had been counting bats in Onyx Cave, and as they began walking back to their campsite near Gardner Canyon Road, they were flashed with a spotlight by a group of men. The men reportedly began shouting at the scientists in Spanish, and identified themselves as a militia group protecting the U.S.-Mexico border. The scientists identified themselves and continued to walk to their campsite ³while seeking cover,² according to the deputy¹s report. When they arrived at their campsite, they were again approached by the militiamen, who pulled up on an ATV while carrying a shotgun and wearing camouflage clothing. This time the militiamen were apologetic, but the reporting scientist told the deputy he still cursed them out and let them know how they had made him and his colleagues feel. The researchers said they weren¹t directly threatened by the militiamen and did not see any weapons pointed at them. Still, the reporting person described the encounter as ³aggressive² and said he was concerned for the safety of other people who were camping in the area. He said he saw three militia members, but suspected there were more. The report was made the afternoon after the encounter, and the deputy took no additional action on the matter. ³Border Patrol had already dealt with the situation,² said Sheriff¹s Lt. Raoul Rodriguez. Border Patrol agents from the Sonoita Station had arrived at the scientists¹ campsite during the incident after having been contacted by the militia group. An agent contacted later by the investigating deputy reportedly described the militiamen as ³heavily armed,² even more so than the agent. Neither the Border Patrol nor Sheriff¹s Office could provide details about the militiamen, other than that they claimed to be from Colorado. In a brief statement from the Border Patrol¹s Tucson Sector, the agency said it received a phone call from a member of a militia group reporting suspicious activity near Sonoita at about 10 p.m. on Aug. 23. ³Sonoita station agents responded and encountered a small group of biologists studying bats,² it said. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] First TCR 1978
Very cool Logan! I spent some time with Jacques Chabert at the Vercor Speleo film festival in France in the 1980s, then corresponded with him a bit in 2008. And, of course, caught up with Michel Siffre at the ICS in 2009. On 8/29/14, 10:58 PM, Logan McNatt via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com wrote: Thanks Carl, for all that great historical information and photo. I see that Michel Siffre and his right-hand man Gerard Cappa signed the register. I had not seen them since the 1972 Midnight Cave project when Pete Strickland and I and other cavers helped Gerard, Jacques Chabert and crew dismantle the cave camp. In '72 Gerard spoke no English and I spoke no French, so our communications about the tasks at hand were limited to primitive verbal noises, animated gestures, and crude sketches in the dirt. Since then Michel Gerard had spent a lot of time in Mexico and Guatemala, so Gerard had learned Spanish, and I knew some. We had great fun finally explaining to each other what we had been trying to say in 1972! Logan McNatt lmcn...@austin.rr.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Chris Lafferty in San Francisco
Hey Geary Tell Chris to drop me a line after he arrives in San Francisco (see contact info below). I lead frequent hikes out at Point Reyes National Seashore and would enjoy having him join us. We also do an occasional sea cave trip when the tides cooperate. And for real caving, the San Francisco area features three grottos: Diablo Grotto, SFBay Chapter and Redwood Grotto. A really quick way to connect with a lot of cavers from all three grottos would be for Chris to attend to attend the Western Regional Sept 19-21. See details and contact info below (Unfortunately I won¹t be there as I¹m hiking the Zion Narrows that weekend). See everyone at TCR, Frank Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com Here¹s Western Regional info: From: Jessica V j.prairie...@gmail.com Date: Sun, Aug 17, 2014 at 9:38 AM Subject: Western Regional Cave Convention - announcement with website Hello all! The Western Regional Cave Convention We Rock is September 19-21 in Columbia, northern California. There are many activities inside and outside of caves! Online registration is now open. http://westernregional.weebly.com/ Great seminars and caving, including vertical. Full facilities include camping, RV hook-up, cabins, showers, wifi, and swimming pool, so perfect for families and avid technical cavers. Evening activities include movies and a band. T-shirts and tanktops are just 2 for $30 through September 1. Please pass this on to your grottos and to anyone else who would like to attend! Best, Mary Rose Jessica Sevrin Redwood Grotto From: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Reply-To: Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 9:22 AM To: bexargro...@googlegroups.com bexargro...@googlegroups.com, benn...@bennettlee.com benn...@bennettlee.com, Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Cc: Chris Lafferty chris.laffer...@gmail.com Subject: [Texascavers] Party for Chris Lafferty at the Schindel's Saturday at 5 pm. Folks, I just wanted to send out a STRONG reminder about the Bexar Grotto Party for Chris Lafferty. Chris is a chemical engineer and will be on a temporary duty assignment for up to 6 months in the San Francisco area. He recently moved from Houston to San Antonio and has become a active and important member of the grotto. However, being an engineer, he suffers from Engineer personality Disorder (EpD) or commonly referred to as ED. And because of that, doesn't have many (any) friends. (it's also okay to talk about it in front of him as he has no clue we're talking about him and will actually join in the conversation about the poor dwebe). So, Sue and I are concerned that we're going to throw a party and no one is going to show up. That means we'll end up having to talk to Chris BY OURSELVES all night long (think of hanging out with Sheldon Cooper). After that, we'll probably have a personality disorder (or a bigger one). However, the party also offers a great opportunity for a social experiment. Chris is going to San Francisco as an engineer but what will he come back as (I assume with flowers in his hair - for you social illiterates, that's a reference to a 60's rock song). You can get a glimpse of Chris and and compare it to the future Chris. We can throw another party when he gets back and compare notes. So, make sure you bring your cell phones and we'll video archive the party. For those of you in the S.F. area, please be kind to this gentle soul, take him caving and show him a good time but we DO want him back - though maybe changed some. Frank B., maybe you could arrange to take him to the Folsom Street Fair, that ought to weird him up a little bit. If' you've gotten this far and still want to come, it's open to cavers, and the friend of Chris'. It starts at 5 pm tonight (Saturday) at Geary and Sue Schindel's, 11310 Whisper Dawn, San Antonio. 78230. Phone is 210.479.2151. It's pot luck and we'll have some burgers and dogs on the grill. Also, we've reinstated the ban of climbing on the roof. For those that haven't RSVPed, please send a note or call so we have a rough head count (it will help calm our fears of being alone with him). Feel free to roast Chris a little on Texas Cavers if you like. Geary ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] GPS recommendation?
I¹ve decided it¹s finally time to abandon my luddite ways and join the GPS generation. Any recommendations on the best model for a caver/backpacker/river runner to buy? And is any particular model or brand better for use in Mexico? Thanks, Frank ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/cavetex http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] New film on World's largest cave chamber
Five years after I caved with them in Papua New Guinea, British cavers Andy Eavis, Tony White, Sid Perou and other friends were part of the Mulu 80 expedition that pushed an underground river in Sarawak, Malaysia to discover the world's largest underground chamber. Now there's a new film on their discovery by Emmy Award winning cameraman Gavin Newman. Here's a cool preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrZkKPPZhEA
[Texascavers] Cool canyoneering video Down the Line
This year¹s Banff Moutain Film Festival World Tour features an impressive canyoneering video titled ³Down the Line². It¹s not exactly caving, but pretty darn close. You can view the trailer via this link: http://vimeo.com/64671839 Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com
[Texascavers] Cavers help recover German bomber in French Cave
A crashed German bomber hidden at the bottom of a 100 meter deep pit in the French Pyrenees during World War II is being recovered by a team of cavers, archeologists and historians. Makes a good read: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24159975 (And my apologies if this has already been posted on CaveTex--I hadn't seen it before) Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com
Re: [Texascavers] Solo caving in Castleguard: Mike Boon's epic trip
The truth is that ³Cave Carson² had to flee to California to escape the thousands of dollars in parking tickets he racked up at the UT campus by parking daily in a red zone outside the School of Communications ³Big Rusty Building² on Guadelupe. At that time there was no extradition treaty for parking tickets between Travis County (location of UT) and Hays County (where Cave Carson lived in Buda). A deputy sheriff eventually showed up in Buda looking for Carson with a Travis County arrest warrant but Carson was thousands of miles away at the time caving in Papua New Guinea. Justice was denied by geography but there still might be a bounty outstanding. On 9/13/13 3:42 PM, Logan McNatt lmcn...@austin.rr.com wrote: Mike Boon's epic 10 day solo trip is a must read. It included 2 days traversing a glacier with deep crevasses, and 8 days in a very challenging, cold cave with about 1,000 ft of vertical extent. He went almost 6 miles to the back of the cave and bolted/free-climbed up a 30 ft lead to explore virgin passage that ended in an ice plug. The trip created great controversy among the international community of cavers. Inside Earth was a very creative, high quality caving magazine, but only four issues were published. One rumor is that the editor, Cave Carson, is living as a recluse in California, wanted by authorities in Buda, Texas for subversive activities, including disturbing the peace. He is rumored to show up incognito at some caver gatherings, and still caves in exotic places. Some say he never existed, and is merely a creation of myth and legend. The truth may never be known. Lowgun On 9/13/2013 12:26 PM, Frank Binney wrote: Solo caving in Castleguard: Mike Boon's epic trip I¹ve always believed that those who regularly pursue solo caving either have a death wish or suffer from mental illness. Case in point, back in 1970 Canadian caverand frequent visitor to Austin on his way to deep caving expeditions in MexicoMike Boon made an epic mid-winter solo trip to Castleguard Cave below the Columbia Ice Fields in Banff National Park. Mike was an extraordinary exploration caver, a brilliant poet andunfortunatelysomeone who needed to be repeatedly institutionalized for mental illness. You can read Mike¹s captivating account of his solo trip in Inside Earth #3, available for free download via the link below. (Thank you Bill Mixon for scanning all the long out-of-print Inside Earth issues!) https://www.hightail.com/download/OGhmZXQ1TlF3TGhqQThUQw Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com
Re: [Texascavers] Kiwi Base Camp
Clueless!! On 6/25/13 9:42 AM, David dlocklea...@gmail.com wrote: I meant to say the base-camp is just a concatenation of camping gear. Terry said last Saturday that I could camp in his cow pasture. Since there are bi-monthly scheduled digs and a concatenation of related activities going on, it seems like a temporary base-camp needs to be in place for cavers who don't live in the hill country. I brought all that gear from my storage unit in Brenham using my fuel-efficient Honda Fit. That car will have 250,000 miles on it in a few days. I doubt anybody is going to want to camp in the summer heat. There is no running water or electricity at the camp-site. But there are no bugs, and it is quiet. Sleeping on a cot is the way to camp here. Andy Gluesencamp lives just about 100 meters from the camp-site. David Locklear
Re: [Texascavers] Kiwi Base Camp
Yeah, it¹s been pointed out to me he may be borderline autistic and not capable of understanding the implications of some of his postings. It¹s obvious he means well. Life continues to be good here in Northern California despite the dearth of nearby limestone. Did get a little ways underground a couple weeks ago when I took Dave Bunnell out to photograph some local sea caves during a rare extreme low tide. (See attached) See you at TCR this fall? On 6/25/13 10:21 AM, Charles Goldsmith wo...@justfamily.org wrote: You mean, Special Howdy Frank, long time no talk, hope things are well. On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM, Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com wrote: Clueless!! On 6/25/13 9:42 AM, David dlocklea...@gmail.com http://dlocklea...@gmail.com wrote: I meant to say the base-camp is just a concatenation of camping gear. Terry said last Saturday that I could camp in his cow pasture. Since there are bi-monthly scheduled digs and a concatenation of related activities going on, it seems like a temporary base-camp needs to be in place for cavers who don't live in the hill country. I brought all that gear from my storage unit in Brenham using my fuel-efficient Honda Fit. That car will have 250,000 miles on it in a few days. I doubt anybody is going to want to camp in the summer heat. There is no running water or electricity at the camp-site. But there are no bugs, and it is quiet. Sleeping on a cot is the way to camp here. Andy Gluesencamp lives just about 100 meters from the camp-site. David Locklear attachment: Elephant_Cave956lr.jpg
Re: [Texascavers] Kiwi Base Camp
It connects with a wave-cut chamber with a 30 foot high ceiling that extends about 150 feet into the cliff to a small keyhole second entrance. When you climb through the keyhole you¹re on an inaccessible secret beach that extends southward a mile beneath steep cliffs to another sea cave that connects to yet another secret beach. I¹m hoping to get the Point Reyes National Seashore to bring Dale Pate out to initiate an official NPS inventory of these caves. On 6/25/13 1:49 PM, Charles Goldsmith wo...@justfamily.org wrote: Nice, how far back did that cave go?
Re: [Texascavers] Kiwi Base Camp
Clueless!! On 6/25/13 9:42 AM, David dlocklea...@gmail.com wrote: I meant to say the base-camp is just a concatenation of camping gear. Terry said last Saturday that I could camp in his cow pasture. Since there are bi-monthly scheduled digs and a concatenation of related activities going on, it seems like a temporary base-camp needs to be in place for cavers who don't live in the hill country. I brought all that gear from my storage unit in Brenham using my fuel-efficient Honda Fit. That car will have 250,000 miles on it in a few days. I doubt anybody is going to want to camp in the summer heat. There is no running water or electricity at the camp-site. But there are no bugs, and it is quiet. Sleeping on a cot is the way to camp here. Andy Gluesencamp lives just about 100 meters from the camp-site. David Locklear
Re: [Texascavers] Kiwi Base Camp
Yeah, it¹s been pointed out to me he may be borderline autistic and not capable of understanding the implications of some of his postings. It¹s obvious he means well. Life continues to be good here in Northern California despite the dearth of nearby limestone. Did get a little ways underground a couple weeks ago when I took Dave Bunnell out to photograph some local sea caves during a rare extreme low tide. (See attached) See you at TCR this fall? On 6/25/13 10:21 AM, Charles Goldsmith wo...@justfamily.org wrote: You mean, Special Howdy Frank, long time no talk, hope things are well. On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM, Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com wrote: Clueless!! On 6/25/13 9:42 AM, David dlocklea...@gmail.com http://dlocklea...@gmail.com wrote: I meant to say the base-camp is just a concatenation of camping gear. Terry said last Saturday that I could camp in his cow pasture. Since there are bi-monthly scheduled digs and a concatenation of related activities going on, it seems like a temporary base-camp needs to be in place for cavers who don't live in the hill country. I brought all that gear from my storage unit in Brenham using my fuel-efficient Honda Fit. That car will have 250,000 miles on it in a few days. I doubt anybody is going to want to camp in the summer heat. There is no running water or electricity at the camp-site. But there are no bugs, and it is quiet. Sleeping on a cot is the way to camp here. Andy Gluesencamp lives just about 100 meters from the camp-site. David Locklear attachment: Elephant_Cave956lr.jpg
Re: [Texascavers] Kiwi Base Camp
It connects with a wave-cut chamber with a 30 foot high ceiling that extends about 150 feet into the cliff to a small keyhole second entrance. When you climb through the keyhole you¹re on an inaccessible secret beach that extends southward a mile beneath steep cliffs to another sea cave that connects to yet another secret beach. I¹m hoping to get the Point Reyes National Seashore to bring Dale Pate out to initiate an official NPS inventory of these caves. On 6/25/13 1:49 PM, Charles Goldsmith wo...@justfamily.org wrote: Nice, how far back did that cave go?
Re: [Texascavers] Kiwi Base Camp
Clueless!! On 6/25/13 9:42 AM, David dlocklea...@gmail.com wrote: I meant to say the base-camp is just a concatenation of camping gear. Terry said last Saturday that I could camp in his cow pasture. Since there are bi-monthly scheduled digs and a concatenation of related activities going on, it seems like a temporary base-camp needs to be in place for cavers who don't live in the hill country. I brought all that gear from my storage unit in Brenham using my fuel-efficient Honda Fit. That car will have 250,000 miles on it in a few days. I doubt anybody is going to want to camp in the summer heat. There is no running water or electricity at the camp-site. But there are no bugs, and it is quiet. Sleeping on a cot is the way to camp here. Andy Gluesencamp lives just about 100 meters from the camp-site. David Locklear
Re: [Texascavers] Kiwi Base Camp
Yeah, it¹s been pointed out to me he may be borderline autistic and not capable of understanding the implications of some of his postings. It¹s obvious he means well. Life continues to be good here in Northern California despite the dearth of nearby limestone. Did get a little ways underground a couple weeks ago when I took Dave Bunnell out to photograph some local sea caves during a rare extreme low tide. (See attached) See you at TCR this fall? On 6/25/13 10:21 AM, Charles Goldsmith wo...@justfamily.org wrote: You mean, Special Howdy Frank, long time no talk, hope things are well. On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM, Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com wrote: Clueless!! On 6/25/13 9:42 AM, David dlocklea...@gmail.com http://dlocklea...@gmail.com wrote: I meant to say the base-camp is just a concatenation of camping gear. Terry said last Saturday that I could camp in his cow pasture. Since there are bi-monthly scheduled digs and a concatenation of related activities going on, it seems like a temporary base-camp needs to be in place for cavers who don't live in the hill country. I brought all that gear from my storage unit in Brenham using my fuel-efficient Honda Fit. That car will have 250,000 miles on it in a few days. I doubt anybody is going to want to camp in the summer heat. There is no running water or electricity at the camp-site. But there are no bugs, and it is quiet. Sleeping on a cot is the way to camp here. Andy Gluesencamp lives just about 100 meters from the camp-site. David Locklear attachment: Elephant_Cave956lr.jpg
[Texascavers] Urgent: Bracken Cave bat colony needs your help
Subject: Urgent: Bracken Cave bat colony needs your help Dear Friends of Bracken Cave Reserve and BCI, I¹m writing today to ask for urgent action to protect Bracken Cave Preserve from imminent danger. Crescent Hills is a proposed 3800 home subdivision along the Preserve¹s southern boundary. This development is a threat to conservation, the local economy and public health: 1. 10 million bats will fly directly over 10 thousand residents each night, creating an unnecessary risk to pets and people from the contact with sick or injured bats. 2. Security threats to the cave and reserve will dramatically increase, as will the cost to guard against trespassers which could destroy the colony with one careless or intentional act. 3. 3800 homes on 1500 acres are high density 14 acre lots on top of important aquifer recharge zone. 4. This is known Golden-cheecked Warbler habitat and a sensitive karst area. If you live locally: Please join us as Citizens to Be Heard to speak or just bear witness. On Wednesday, May 22nd at 6: pm City Council has a B Session that includes ³Citizens to be Heard². This is an opportunity for individual citizens to address the City Council. The meeting takes place at 100 Military Plaza, San Antonio and starts at 6 p.m. If you are coming, please notify the Mayor¹s Office and your Council representative and ask that they stay to hear the people. If you are interested in speaking, instructions for sign-up are: Citizens must register between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the day of the meeting in order to speak. The link to register online http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3010357msgid=377992act=B3IYc=4 31426destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sanantonio.gov%2Fyourcity%2Fmeetingappear .aspx becomes available on Wednesday at 8 a.m. at this website: (http://www.sanantonio.gov/yourcity/meetingappear.aspx). Alternatively, between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., citizens can register in person at the Registration Desk on the afternoon of the meeting. Citizens are given 3 minutes each to speak about their issue, and groups of 3 or more are given a total of 9 minutes. You can yield your time, if you like, to someone who may have a longer presentation. If you cannot attend - Please contact the Mayor and your City Council Representative http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3010357msgid=377992act=B3IYc=4 31426destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sanantonio.gov%2Fcouncil to voice your concerns. (http://www.sanantonio.gov/council http://www.sanantonio.gov/council ) Please write - help us reach out to the San Antonio Planning Commission and City Council with your letters and emails. Ask them to: Decrease density to 1-3 acres tracks which is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods, or prohibit residential development within a certain distance of the cave. (SA City Council created a 3 mile no-residential development zone around the Toyota plant.) Please forward this to others If you do not live locally, and if you do: BCI will be grateful for all letters of support, expressing the importance of the Reserve, the cave and the colony. We would also appreciate your suggestions and especially contacts with anyone who may have influence in or on the City Council and/or Mayor¹s office. BCI will soon have add special webpage with more information about and regular updates on the situation and what more you can do to help save, what a National Geographic photographer has called, ³One of the world¹s top ten wildlife spectacles, and the only one in the United States.² www.batcon.org/Bracken http://www.batcon.org/Bracken Sincere thanks, James James E. Eggers Director of Education jegg...@batcon.org mailto:jegg...@batcon.org (512) 327-9721 ext. 12 https://www.batcon.org/ P.O. Box 162603, Austin, TX 78716-2603 500 Cap. of Texas Hwy. N., Austin, TX 78746-3302 (512) 327-9721 Fax(512) 327-9724 The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error. -- End of Forwarded Message
[Texascavers] Urgent: Bracken Cave bat colony needs your help
Subject: Urgent: Bracken Cave bat colony needs your help Dear Friends of Bracken Cave Reserve and BCI, I¹m writing today to ask for urgent action to protect Bracken Cave Preserve from imminent danger. Crescent Hills is a proposed 3800 home subdivision along the Preserve¹s southern boundary. This development is a threat to conservation, the local economy and public health: 1. 10 million bats will fly directly over 10 thousand residents each night, creating an unnecessary risk to pets and people from the contact with sick or injured bats. 2. Security threats to the cave and reserve will dramatically increase, as will the cost to guard against trespassers which could destroy the colony with one careless or intentional act. 3. 3800 homes on 1500 acres are high density 14 acre lots on top of important aquifer recharge zone. 4. This is known Golden-cheecked Warbler habitat and a sensitive karst area. If you live locally: Please join us as Citizens to Be Heard to speak or just bear witness. On Wednesday, May 22nd at 6: pm City Council has a B Session that includes ³Citizens to be Heard². This is an opportunity for individual citizens to address the City Council. The meeting takes place at 100 Military Plaza, San Antonio and starts at 6 p.m. If you are coming, please notify the Mayor¹s Office and your Council representative and ask that they stay to hear the people. If you are interested in speaking, instructions for sign-up are: Citizens must register between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the day of the meeting in order to speak. The link to register online http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3010357msgid=377992act=B3IYc=4 31426destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sanantonio.gov%2Fyourcity%2Fmeetingappear .aspx becomes available on Wednesday at 8 a.m. at this website: (http://www.sanantonio.gov/yourcity/meetingappear.aspx). Alternatively, between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., citizens can register in person at the Registration Desk on the afternoon of the meeting. Citizens are given 3 minutes each to speak about their issue, and groups of 3 or more are given a total of 9 minutes. You can yield your time, if you like, to someone who may have a longer presentation. If you cannot attend - Please contact the Mayor and your City Council Representative http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=3010357msgid=377992act=B3IYc=4 31426destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sanantonio.gov%2Fcouncil to voice your concerns. (http://www.sanantonio.gov/council http://www.sanantonio.gov/council ) Please write - help us reach out to the San Antonio Planning Commission and City Council with your letters and emails. Ask them to: Decrease density to 1-3 acres tracks which is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods, or prohibit residential development within a certain distance of the cave. (SA City Council created a 3 mile no-residential development zone around the Toyota plant.) Please forward this to others If you do not live locally, and if you do: BCI will be grateful for all letters of support, expressing the importance of the Reserve, the cave and the colony. We would also appreciate your suggestions and especially contacts with anyone who may have influence in or on the City Council and/or Mayor¹s office. BCI will soon have add special webpage with more information about and regular updates on the situation and what more you can do to help save, what a National Geographic photographer has called, ³One of the world¹s top ten wildlife spectacles, and the only one in the United States.² www.batcon.org/Bracken http://www.batcon.org/Bracken Sincere thanks, James James E. Eggers Director of Education jegg...@batcon.org mailto:jegg...@batcon.org (512) 327-9721 ext. 12 https://www.batcon.org/ P.O. Box 162603, Austin, TX 78716-2603 500 Cap. of Texas Hwy. N., Austin, TX 78746-3302 (512) 327-9721 Fax(512) 327-9724 The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error. -- End of Forwarded Message
Re: [Texascavers] Austin Lounge Lizards
I heard the Lounge Lizards discussing the song on NPR today. They toured Gruta del Palmito 30 years ago while visiting the town of Bustamante with a noted Mexican muscian. Apparently they used the memory of that adventure to write a song about all the non-Mexicans in history (Trotsky, et. Al.) who had memorable experiences in Mexico. -Frank On 5/5/13 6:06 PM, Gill Edigar gi...@att.net wrote: Does anybody know anything about this song, supposed to be released on 7 May 2013 by the Austin Lounge Lizards? ³Spelunking with Joe King Carrasco² (a brilliantly layered, corrido-inflected ballad about, well, you get the idea). A friend of mine from Maryland said he heard it on the radio today. Some of yall will remember when the Austin Lounge Lizards used to play at TCR back when they were affordable and we had some insiders working magic.Others of you won't. --Ediger
Re: [Texascavers] Austin Lounge Lizards
I heard the Lounge Lizards discussing the song on NPR today. They toured Gruta del Palmito 30 years ago while visiting the town of Bustamante with a noted Mexican muscian. Apparently they used the memory of that adventure to write a song about all the non-Mexicans in history (Trotsky, et. Al.) who had memorable experiences in Mexico. -Frank On 5/5/13 6:06 PM, Gill Edigar gi...@att.net wrote: Does anybody know anything about this song, supposed to be released on 7 May 2013 by the Austin Lounge Lizards? ³Spelunking with Joe King Carrasco² (a brilliantly layered, corrido-inflected ballad about, well, you get the idea). A friend of mine from Maryland said he heard it on the radio today. Some of yall will remember when the Austin Lounge Lizards used to play at TCR back when they were affordable and we had some insiders working magic.Others of you won't. --Ediger
Re: [Texascavers] Austin Lounge Lizards
I heard the Lounge Lizards discussing the song on NPR today. They toured Gruta del Palmito 30 years ago while visiting the town of Bustamante with a noted Mexican muscian. Apparently they used the memory of that adventure to write a song about all the non-Mexicans in history (Trotsky, et. Al.) who had memorable experiences in Mexico. -Frank On 5/5/13 6:06 PM, Gill Edigar gi...@att.net wrote: Does anybody know anything about this song, supposed to be released on 7 May 2013 by the Austin Lounge Lizards? ³Spelunking with Joe King Carrasco² (a brilliantly layered, corrido-inflected ballad about, well, you get the idea). A friend of mine from Maryland said he heard it on the radio today. Some of yall will remember when the Austin Lounge Lizards used to play at TCR back when they were affordable and we had some insiders working magic.Others of you won't. --Ediger
[Texascavers] NSS board elections advice?
Just got my ballot for the NSS Board of Directors election. Does anyone have any thoughts or endorsements of particular candidates? Of course, I'll make my own decisions after weighing feedback but it never hurts to hear what other cavers have to say about potential or current NSS directors. Thanks, Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] NSS board elections advice?
Just got my ballot for the NSS Board of Directors election. Does anyone have any thoughts or endorsements of particular candidates? Of course, I'll make my own decisions after weighing feedback but it never hurts to hear what other cavers have to say about potential or current NSS directors. Thanks, Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] NSS President explains BOG proposal to end printed news
FYI: -- Forwarded Message From: Wm Shrewsbury presid...@caves.org Reply-To: nssw...@yahoogroups.com Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:53:00 -0400 To: nssw...@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [NSSwest] BOG proposal to end the printed News Everyone, There has been a lot of discussion about the upcoming budget proposal before the board. This post is a ³quick² synopsis and not meant to be all inclusive. The EC meets each year to create a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Primarily due to things beyond our control, such as the national economy, we have had to trim our budgets for the last five years. Small surpluses in various areas have allowed us to keep our services at a level that has not affected the membership at large. Last year we moved our Regular members to a digital version of the Journal. This was well received. About a dozen members wished to continue to receive hard copies, and they have subscribed to it as an additional publication with a member discount. The EC understands that these the Journal and the News are appreciated differently by our membership and how it can be used. This year the EC trimmed all the minor line items first (it all adds up). We then moved to alternate solutions. By far the lion¹s share of the budget lies in the OVP and EVP departments. In the OVP department many items are fixed (with slow increases over the years) Internet, phone, paper, postage, etc. While it is the largest budget there are very few places to make cuts. As has been noted here we have proposed releasing our part-time shipping clerk. This has not taken effect, pending the outcome of the Board¹s budget decisions. The next largest department is the EVP. Many of the items in this department are ³blue-line². For those who may not know, line items in blue in our budget are funded by restricted funds and thus are not part of the ³budget²; money in = money out. Items in the EVP department that could assist a deficit budget include: - Publish the ACA digitally with a limited run in paper. This is a viable choice. It allows us to distribute the ACA to our membership quicker and eases the size restraints budgets would impose on it. The EC opted to include this in the budget. - Publish the News digitally with a limited run in paper. Of all the items we considered, this was one of the toughest. There have been quite a few requests for several years from members to obtain their News electronically, and just as many who would prefer paper to electrons. This idea was no stranger to the EC we have been talking about permitting an al a carte system for members since the fall of ¹11. We would like to offer a digital News to our membership. As a thank you we would like to offer a dues discount. You will find a compromise in the proposed budget The News would be distributed digitally, regular dues decreased to $35 with a paper subscription option at a member discounted price. We have proposed this step to balance the budget in a timely manner. This budget was presented as a wake up call. The entire Board, Officers and Directors alike, are pouring over our numbers and listening to the membership. Many options have been presented, several of which will take time to examine. A few that are currently on the table include: - The Board may direct the EC to research more options and present those options in a few months, leaving the service level as it currently stands. - Borrow from one of the larger funds to cover the shortfall as we institute a membership drive. This would treat the symptom of this year's shortfall, but it does not resolve the cause. We must increase our membership to a sustainable level. - Print the News as a bi-monthly publication, the same size as it currently is, with additional content in the web-based version. We have not had adequate time to fully review this option. - Leave the News as a monthly print publication and raise dues by $10. We would offer a discount to those who wish to receive the News electronically. This would nearly close the gap, however it is anticipated that membership drives might be impeded by a dues increase. Please bear with us as we attempt to balance our budget while maintaining our services to you. It will be difficult at best until we can increase our membership. The reality is that we need 11K members to maintain our current member services. We have been hovering around the 10K level for the last several years. We cannot continue to maintain the our same level of service unless we increase our membership to a sustainable level. To start this membership drive off, I'd like to encourage you to talk to your caving peers who are not currently members. This will allow us to ³spread the cost² for everyone. The most effective recruitment is a one on one conversation between friends. Please help us help you help the Society. Thank you, Wm Shrewsbury President, National Speleological Society
[Texascavers] BOG proposal to end printed NSS News
FYI to Texas Cavers: There is apparently a proposal being presented at this Saturday¹s NSS Board of Governor¹s meeting to end delivery of the printed NSS News as part of your regular NSS membership. This news has generated considerable recent comment on the Western US caving lists, and has caught the NSS Editor by surprise (he hadn¹t be informed of the pending proposal). For more info, consult an NSS BOG member. Frank NSS 10816F
[Texascavers] NSS President explains BOG proposal to end printed news
FYI: -- Forwarded Message From: Wm Shrewsbury presid...@caves.org Reply-To: nssw...@yahoogroups.com List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:53:00 -0400 To: nssw...@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [NSSwest] BOG proposal to end the printed News Everyone, There has been a lot of discussion about the upcoming budget proposal before the board. This post is a ³quick² synopsis and not meant to be all inclusive. The EC meets each year to create a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Primarily due to things beyond our control, such as the national economy, we have had to trim our budgets for the last five years. Small surpluses in various areas have allowed us to keep our services at a level that has not affected the membership at large. Last year we moved our Regular members to a digital version of the Journal. This was well received. About a dozen members wished to continue to receive hard copies, and they have subscribed to it as an additional publication with a member discount. The EC understands that these the Journal and the News are appreciated differently by our membership and how it can be used. This year the EC trimmed all the minor line items first (it all adds up). We then moved to alternate solutions. By far the lion¹s share of the budget lies in the OVP and EVP departments. In the OVP department many items are fixed (with slow increases over the years) Internet, phone, paper, postage, etc. While it is the largest budget there are very few places to make cuts. As has been noted here we have proposed releasing our part-time shipping clerk. This has not taken effect, pending the outcome of the Board¹s budget decisions. The next largest department is the EVP. Many of the items in this department are ³blue-line². For those who may not know, line items in blue in our budget are funded by restricted funds and thus are not part of the ³budget²; money in = money out. Items in the EVP department that could assist a deficit budget include: - Publish the ACA digitally with a limited run in paper. This is a viable choice. It allows us to distribute the ACA to our membership quicker and eases the size restraints budgets would impose on it. The EC opted to include this in the budget. - Publish the News digitally with a limited run in paper. Of all the items we considered, this was one of the toughest. There have been quite a few requests for several years from members to obtain their News electronically, and just as many who would prefer paper to electrons. This idea was no stranger to the EC we have been talking about permitting an al a carte system for members since the fall of ¹11. We would like to offer a digital News to our membership. As a thank you we would like to offer a dues discount. You will find a compromise in the proposed budget The News would be distributed digitally, regular dues decreased to $35 with a paper subscription option at a member discounted price. We have proposed this step to balance the budget in a timely manner. This budget was presented as a wake up call. The entire Board, Officers and Directors alike, are pouring over our numbers and listening to the membership. Many options have been presented, several of which will take time to examine. A few that are currently on the table include: - The Board may direct the EC to research more options and present those options in a few months, leaving the service level as it currently stands. - Borrow from one of the larger funds to cover the shortfall as we institute a membership drive. This would treat the symptom of this year's shortfall, but it does not resolve the cause. We must increase our membership to a sustainable level. - Print the News as a bi-monthly publication, the same size as it currently is, with additional content in the web-based version. We have not had adequate time to fully review this option. - Leave the News as a monthly print publication and raise dues by $10. We would offer a discount to those who wish to receive the News electronically. This would nearly close the gap, however it is anticipated that membership drives might be impeded by a dues increase. Please bear with us as we attempt to balance our budget while maintaining our services to you. It will be difficult at best until we can increase our membership. The reality is that we need 11K members to maintain our current member services. We have been hovering around the 10K level for the last several years. We cannot continue to maintain the our same level of service unless we increase our membership to a sustainable level. To start this membership drive off, I'd like to encourage you to talk to your caving peers who are not currently members. This will allow us to ³spread the cost² for everyone. The most effective recruitment is a one on one conversation between friends. Please help us help you help the Society. Thank you, Wm Shrewsbury President, National Speleological Society
[Texascavers] BOG proposal to end printed NSS News
FYI to Texas Cavers: There is apparently a proposal being presented at this Saturday¹s NSS Board of Governor¹s meeting to end delivery of the printed NSS News as part of your regular NSS membership. This news has generated considerable recent comment on the Western US caving lists, and has caught the NSS Editor by surprise (he hadn¹t be informed of the pending proposal). For more info, consult an NSS BOG member. Frank NSS 10816F
[Texascavers] NSS President explains BOG proposal to end printed news
FYI: -- Forwarded Message From: Wm Shrewsbury presid...@caves.org Reply-To: nssw...@yahoogroups.com List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:53:00 -0400 To: nssw...@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [NSSwest] BOG proposal to end the printed News Everyone, There has been a lot of discussion about the upcoming budget proposal before the board. This post is a ³quick² synopsis and not meant to be all inclusive. The EC meets each year to create a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Primarily due to things beyond our control, such as the national economy, we have had to trim our budgets for the last five years. Small surpluses in various areas have allowed us to keep our services at a level that has not affected the membership at large. Last year we moved our Regular members to a digital version of the Journal. This was well received. About a dozen members wished to continue to receive hard copies, and they have subscribed to it as an additional publication with a member discount. The EC understands that these the Journal and the News are appreciated differently by our membership and how it can be used. This year the EC trimmed all the minor line items first (it all adds up). We then moved to alternate solutions. By far the lion¹s share of the budget lies in the OVP and EVP departments. In the OVP department many items are fixed (with slow increases over the years) Internet, phone, paper, postage, etc. While it is the largest budget there are very few places to make cuts. As has been noted here we have proposed releasing our part-time shipping clerk. This has not taken effect, pending the outcome of the Board¹s budget decisions. The next largest department is the EVP. Many of the items in this department are ³blue-line². For those who may not know, line items in blue in our budget are funded by restricted funds and thus are not part of the ³budget²; money in = money out. Items in the EVP department that could assist a deficit budget include: - Publish the ACA digitally with a limited run in paper. This is a viable choice. It allows us to distribute the ACA to our membership quicker and eases the size restraints budgets would impose on it. The EC opted to include this in the budget. - Publish the News digitally with a limited run in paper. Of all the items we considered, this was one of the toughest. There have been quite a few requests for several years from members to obtain their News electronically, and just as many who would prefer paper to electrons. This idea was no stranger to the EC we have been talking about permitting an al a carte system for members since the fall of ¹11. We would like to offer a digital News to our membership. As a thank you we would like to offer a dues discount. You will find a compromise in the proposed budget The News would be distributed digitally, regular dues decreased to $35 with a paper subscription option at a member discounted price. We have proposed this step to balance the budget in a timely manner. This budget was presented as a wake up call. The entire Board, Officers and Directors alike, are pouring over our numbers and listening to the membership. Many options have been presented, several of which will take time to examine. A few that are currently on the table include: - The Board may direct the EC to research more options and present those options in a few months, leaving the service level as it currently stands. - Borrow from one of the larger funds to cover the shortfall as we institute a membership drive. This would treat the symptom of this year's shortfall, but it does not resolve the cause. We must increase our membership to a sustainable level. - Print the News as a bi-monthly publication, the same size as it currently is, with additional content in the web-based version. We have not had adequate time to fully review this option. - Leave the News as a monthly print publication and raise dues by $10. We would offer a discount to those who wish to receive the News electronically. This would nearly close the gap, however it is anticipated that membership drives might be impeded by a dues increase. Please bear with us as we attempt to balance our budget while maintaining our services to you. It will be difficult at best until we can increase our membership. The reality is that we need 11K members to maintain our current member services. We have been hovering around the 10K level for the last several years. We cannot continue to maintain the our same level of service unless we increase our membership to a sustainable level. To start this membership drive off, I'd like to encourage you to talk to your caving peers who are not currently members. This will allow us to ³spread the cost² for everyone. The most effective recruitment is a one on one conversation between friends. Please help us help you help the Society. Thank you, Wm Shrewsbury President, National Speleological Society
[Texascavers] BOG proposal to end printed NSS News
FYI to Texas Cavers: There is apparently a proposal being presented at this Saturday¹s NSS Board of Governor¹s meeting to end delivery of the printed NSS News as part of your regular NSS membership. This news has generated considerable recent comment on the Western US caving lists, and has caught the NSS Editor by surprise (he hadn¹t be informed of the pending proposal). For more info, consult an NSS BOG member. Frank NSS 10816F
[Texascavers] New NPS videos offer tips for limiting White-nose syndrome
Some well-crafted, easily watchable videos on White-nose syndrome and the ways cave visitors can help in limiting its spread are now available for online viewing (see link below). Here¹s the announcement from emeritus Texas caver Dale Pate: Bats in Crisis: Nature's Natural Pest Patrol in Peril NPS Videos Offer Tips to Help Limit the Spread of White-Nose Syndrome WASHINGTON The National Park Service has released Bats in Crisis, three videos about white-nose syndrome, a disease that is decimating bat populations across eastern North America and has been found in 10 national parks. ³White-nose syndrome is killing hibernating bats at unprecedented rates and has the potential to cause extinction in some species,² said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. ³Bats eat tons of insects each year so their loss would be a blow to ecosystem conservation and the agriculture industry that relies on the natural pest control and pollination services bats provide. We need the public¹s help to limit the spread of this disease so we are asking visitors to take a look at these videos and understand what steps they can take when touring or exploring caves.² http://www.nature.nps.gov/multimedia/wns01/ Dale L. Pate National Cave and Karst Program Coordinator Geologic Resource Division - National Park Service Mail: P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225 Visit/Courier: 7333 W. Jefferson Ave., Rm 450, Lakewood, CO 80235
[Texascavers] New NPS videos offer tips for limiting White-nose syndrome
Some well-crafted, easily watchable videos on White-nose syndrome and the ways cave visitors can help in limiting its spread are now available for online viewing (see link below). Here¹s the announcement from emeritus Texas caver Dale Pate: Bats in Crisis: Nature's Natural Pest Patrol in Peril NPS Videos Offer Tips to Help Limit the Spread of White-Nose Syndrome WASHINGTON The National Park Service has released Bats in Crisis, three videos about white-nose syndrome, a disease that is decimating bat populations across eastern North America and has been found in 10 national parks. ³White-nose syndrome is killing hibernating bats at unprecedented rates and has the potential to cause extinction in some species,² said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. ³Bats eat tons of insects each year so their loss would be a blow to ecosystem conservation and the agriculture industry that relies on the natural pest control and pollination services bats provide. We need the public¹s help to limit the spread of this disease so we are asking visitors to take a look at these videos and understand what steps they can take when touring or exploring caves.² http://www.nature.nps.gov/multimedia/wns01/ Dale L. Pate National Cave and Karst Program Coordinator Geologic Resource Division - National Park Service Mail: P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225 Visit/Courier: 7333 W. Jefferson Ave., Rm 450, Lakewood, CO 80235
[Texascavers] New NPS videos offer tips for limiting White-nose syndrome
Some well-crafted, easily watchable videos on White-nose syndrome and the ways cave visitors can help in limiting its spread are now available for online viewing (see link below). Here¹s the announcement from emeritus Texas caver Dale Pate: Bats in Crisis: Nature's Natural Pest Patrol in Peril NPS Videos Offer Tips to Help Limit the Spread of White-Nose Syndrome WASHINGTON The National Park Service has released Bats in Crisis, three videos about white-nose syndrome, a disease that is decimating bat populations across eastern North America and has been found in 10 national parks. ³White-nose syndrome is killing hibernating bats at unprecedented rates and has the potential to cause extinction in some species,² said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. ³Bats eat tons of insects each year so their loss would be a blow to ecosystem conservation and the agriculture industry that relies on the natural pest control and pollination services bats provide. We need the public¹s help to limit the spread of this disease so we are asking visitors to take a look at these videos and understand what steps they can take when touring or exploring caves.² http://www.nature.nps.gov/multimedia/wns01/ Dale L. Pate National Cave and Karst Program Coordinator Geologic Resource Division - National Park Service Mail: P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225 Visit/Courier: 7333 W. Jefferson Ave., Rm 450, Lakewood, CO 80235
[Texascavers] Ex-caver intros violent video games
Former Inside Earth art director and Kirkwood Kavers resident Justin Carrol now heads a 45-person Los Angeles studio that produces package art and other design elements for most of the top titles in the US video game industry. Justin, through his A/V division Noodlehaus, recently created a five-minute clip introducing the nominees for this year¹s DICE awardsthe equivalent of Academy Awards in the video game developers¹ world. Here¹s a link to the clip (Justin suggests cranking up your volume while viewing): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYP4WeK9f28feature=player_embedded I¹m too old to be a video game fan but now I have an inkling as to why President Obama has asked Congress to provide $10 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the potential link between violent video games and real-life crime like the Newton massacre. ~ Frank Binney
[Texascavers] Ex-caver intros violent video games
Former Inside Earth art director and Kirkwood Kavers resident Justin Carrol now heads a 45-person Los Angeles studio that produces package art and other design elements for most of the top titles in the US video game industry. Justin, through his A/V division Noodlehaus, recently created a five-minute clip introducing the nominees for this year¹s DICE awardsthe equivalent of Academy Awards in the video game developers¹ world. Here¹s a link to the clip (Justin suggests cranking up your volume while viewing): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYP4WeK9f28feature=player_embedded I¹m too old to be a video game fan but now I have an inkling as to why President Obama has asked Congress to provide $10 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the potential link between violent video games and real-life crime like the Newton massacre. ~ Frank Binney
[Texascavers] Ex-caver intros violent video games
Former Inside Earth art director and Kirkwood Kavers resident Justin Carrol now heads a 45-person Los Angeles studio that produces package art and other design elements for most of the top titles in the US video game industry. Justin, through his A/V division Noodlehaus, recently created a five-minute clip introducing the nominees for this year¹s DICE awardsthe equivalent of Academy Awards in the video game developers¹ world. Here¹s a link to the clip (Justin suggests cranking up your volume while viewing): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYP4WeK9f28feature=player_embedded I¹m too old to be a video game fan but now I have an inkling as to why President Obama has asked Congress to provide $10 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the potential link between violent video games and real-life crime like the Newton massacre. ~ Frank Binney
[Texascavers] Seeking copy of Texas Cavers video
Anybody know of a source for ordering a Texas Cavers dvd? I need another copy for my library. Thanks, Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Seeking copy of Texas Cavers video
Anybody know of a source for ordering a Texas Cavers dvd? I need another copy for my library. Thanks, Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Mark Gee email account hacked
Most of us already know to ignore the all-to-frequent hacker-placed messages that appear to come from a friend saying I've been mugged in (some foreign locale) and need you to send money immediately. If you get one today from Mark and are tempted to respond with a Western Union Moneygram, please send the funds to me instead. I'll make sure they go to an appropriate use. -Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Mark Gee email account hacked
Most of us already know to ignore the all-to-frequent hacker-placed messages that appear to come from a friend saying I've been mugged in (some foreign locale) and need you to send money immediately. If you get one today from Mark and are tempted to respond with a Western Union Moneygram, please send the funds to me instead. I'll make sure they go to an appropriate use. -Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Mark Gee email account hacked
Most of us already know to ignore the all-to-frequent hacker-placed messages that appear to come from a friend saying I've been mugged in (some foreign locale) and need you to send money immediately. If you get one today from Mark and are tempted to respond with a Western Union Moneygram, please send the funds to me instead. I'll make sure they go to an appropriate use. -Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] More TCR pics?
Is it possible to see too many poorly edited photos of exuberant young cavers, vaguely familiar-looking oldsters, scavenging camp dogs, vintage military vehicles, and raparian Central Texas karst scenery? I don't think so! Here's another album from last month's TCR: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4906884827934.2190445.1172443723t ype=1l=5cf4f19182
[Texascavers] More TCR pics?
Is it possible to see too many poorly edited photos of exuberant young cavers, vaguely familiar-looking oldsters, scavenging camp dogs, vintage military vehicles, and raparian Central Texas karst scenery? I don't think so! Here's another album from last month's TCR: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4906884827934.2190445.1172443723t ype=1l=5cf4f19182
[Texascavers] More TCR pics?
Is it possible to see too many poorly edited photos of exuberant young cavers, vaguely familiar-looking oldsters, scavenging camp dogs, vintage military vehicles, and raparian Central Texas karst scenery? I don't think so! Here's another album from last month's TCR: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4906884827934.2190445.1172443723t ype=1l=5cf4f19182
[Texascavers] Photos of TCR Mayan Apocalypse parade
For those not on Facebook, or not FB friends of me or people tagged in my photos, and/or not already overwhelmed with TCR photos; here's a public link to a small FB album of TCR parade photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4815361659912.2188544.1172443723t ype=1l=77691e7ff2 ~ Frank Binney - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Photos of TCR Mayan Apocalypse parade
For those not on Facebook, or not FB friends of me or people tagged in my photos, and/or not already overwhelmed with TCR photos; here's a public link to a small FB album of TCR parade photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4815361659912.2188544.1172443723t ype=1l=77691e7ff2 ~ Frank Binney - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Photos of TCR Mayan Apocalypse parade
For those not on Facebook, or not FB friends of me or people tagged in my photos, and/or not already overwhelmed with TCR photos; here's a public link to a small FB album of TCR parade photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4815361659912.2188544.1172443723t ype=1l=77691e7ff2 ~ Frank Binney - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] Menu
Mo¹ hotter, mo¹ better! On 10/15/12 11:29 PM, Leslie Bell bellem...@yahoo.com wrote: I don't do pork or MSG. Which means the chili will not have pork or MSG. It will be a little spicier than the first run at it though. : ) -- Leslie Bell
Re: [Texascavers] Menu
Mo¹ hotter, mo¹ better! On 10/15/12 11:29 PM, Leslie Bell bellem...@yahoo.com wrote: I don't do pork or MSG. Which means the chili will not have pork or MSG. It will be a little spicier than the first run at it though. : ) -- Leslie Bell
Re: [Texascavers] Menu
Mo¹ hotter, mo¹ better! On 10/15/12 11:29 PM, Leslie Bell bellem...@yahoo.com wrote: I don't do pork or MSG. Which means the chili will not have pork or MSG. It will be a little spicier than the first run at it though. : ) -- Leslie Bell
[Texascavers] Got TCR ride--Thanks caver family!
Riding down with a famous caver from the old Kirkwood Kaving Kommune. Thanks for the many ride offers--It's great to be part of the Texas caver family! Look forward to seeing everyone at Paradise Canyon. Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Got TCR ride--Thanks caver family!
Riding down with a famous caver from the old Kirkwood Kaving Kommune. Thanks for the many ride offers--It's great to be part of the Texas caver family! Look forward to seeing everyone at Paradise Canyon. Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Got TCR ride--Thanks caver family!
Riding down with a famous caver from the old Kirkwood Kaving Kommune. Thanks for the many ride offers--It's great to be part of the Texas caver family! Look forward to seeing everyone at Paradise Canyon. Frank - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Need ride to TCR from Austin Airport Thursday PM
Is there anyone driving down to TCR from Austin on Thursday afternoon who could take one more passenger? I'd be happy to cover your gas for the trip if you could pick me up at the airport on your way out of town (my flight arrives at 4PM). And yes, I know it would have been closer to fly into San Antonio but I wanted to spend some time in the Center-of-the-Caving-Universe after the weekend and there was the added incentive of Southwest offering non-stop flights between Austin and Oakland. Your friend in West Hottubistan (Marin County) Frank Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com
[Texascavers] Need ride to TCR from Austin Airport Thursday PM
Is there anyone driving down to TCR from Austin on Thursday afternoon who could take one more passenger? I'd be happy to cover your gas for the trip if you could pick me up at the airport on your way out of town (my flight arrives at 4PM). And yes, I know it would have been closer to fly into San Antonio but I wanted to spend some time in the Center-of-the-Caving-Universe after the weekend and there was the added incentive of Southwest offering non-stop flights between Austin and Oakland. Your friend in West Hottubistan (Marin County) Frank Frank Binney Frank Binney Associates Interpretive Planning and Media Development P.O. Box 258 Woodacre, CA 94973 415.488.1200 Voice 415.488.1500 Fax 415.999.0556 Mobile fr...@frankbinney.com
Re: [Texascavers] More about carbide caving
Ahh, I loved the smell of carbide in the morning! Smelled likevictory.
Another fond memory of carbide caving was the need to constantly clean the
tip with a tip reamer. Some cavers kept a tip reamer on a lanyard around
their necks. Others were always asking to borrow yours.
When I started caving with the British I learned they call a tip reamer a
³pricker² and I was somewhat startled the first time a British caver turned
to me in a tight crawlway with his lamp held out in his hand and asked, ³Can
you give me a prick?²
~Frank Binney
On 8/24/12 9:37 AM, Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net wrote:
The care, feeding, and management of carbide lamps is a micro-culture in
itself. We're now a couple of generations beyond that (except for those who
cling to things like the so-called ceiling burners, a photo of which started
this whole thread).
Carbide lamps were cheap at the time ('50s -'70s) and carbide was also cheap
and plentiful. Individual users bought 2-pound cans for $2 while groups often
invested in 100-pound drums available from welding supply stores for about 50¢
a pound in the large drums. Carbide was often made available free to grotto
members as benefit of membership.
Disposal of spent carbide slowly evolved from dump it wherever, to dump it in
a crevice, to bury it in the dirt, to pack it out in a bottle or bag. Smart
cavers soon realized that the better solution was to carry spare pre-charged
lamp bottoms. With a total of four bottoms, it was rare to need more on a
typical caving trip.
For most beginning cavers, the management of a carbide lamp was a mystery and
a bit of a challenge. Nearly everyone carried small repair kits that usually
included a tip, felt, gasket, flint, and tip reamer. Neophytes were tutored
and it became a matter of pride and prestige to troubleshoot, recharge, or
repair your lamp in the dark. In the early days of the Texas Old Timers
Reunion, there were carbide lamp contests with blindfolded competitors.
With experience, cavers became expert in firing a lamp by beginning a flow of
water, sniffing the tip for the tell-tale odor of acetylene, trapping just the
right mixture of air and acetylene within the reflector and igniting the lamp
with a satisfyingly loud pop when the proportions were correct. Often the
built-in sparking device was not working properly, lamps were ignited
flame-to-tip, and the phrase give me a kiss had a whole different meaning.
Carbide lamps were (and are) multi-purpose devices. Besides providing
illumination, they acted as stoves to heat your lunch, a little spot of soot
made a nice survey marker, and when hunkered over, they provided a surprising
amount of heat. If you cut a hole in the top of a garbage bag and used it
like a poncho, things could get quite toasty. They also work wonderfully for
melting nylon ropes, especially when the ropes are tensioned. 8-(
The appearance of a cave lit by carbide flame is wonderful. The warmer color
temperature and diffuse pattern of light cannot be duplicated by any electric
lamp I have seen. If you have never been carbide caving try it sometime
just for fun to see what I mean.
Carbide caving didn't end instantly. For several years, I was using an
incandescent head lamp with a shirt pocket battery pack. When we stopped for
any reason, I would turn off my light to conserve battery power and instantly
draw mooch and letch comments from my carbide companions who then spitefully
refused to allow me to heat my boned chicken with their carbide lamps.
Electric lights have come a long way. We are far beyond the days when a Wheat
Lamp was considered a state of the art caving light. Carbide is gone and
incandescent is all but gone. LED enhancements, micro circuitry, and
advancing battery technology provide us with powerful, lightweight devices we
never dreamed of in the past. I certainly don¹t miss all that weight on the
front of my helmet, but I do miss some of the other things about carbide
caving.
===Carl Kunath
Re: [Texascavers] More about carbide caving
Ahh, I loved the smell of carbide in the morning! Smelled likevictory.
Another fond memory of carbide caving was the need to constantly clean the
tip with a tip reamer. Some cavers kept a tip reamer on a lanyard around
their necks. Others were always asking to borrow yours.
When I started caving with the British I learned they call a tip reamer a
³pricker² and I was somewhat startled the first time a British caver turned
to me in a tight crawlway with his lamp held out in his hand and asked, ³Can
you give me a prick?²
~Frank Binney
On 8/24/12 9:37 AM, Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net wrote:
The care, feeding, and management of carbide lamps is a micro-culture in
itself. We're now a couple of generations beyond that (except for those who
cling to things like the so-called ceiling burners, a photo of which started
this whole thread).
Carbide lamps were cheap at the time ('50s -'70s) and carbide was also cheap
and plentiful. Individual users bought 2-pound cans for $2 while groups often
invested in 100-pound drums available from welding supply stores for about 50¢
a pound in the large drums. Carbide was often made available free to grotto
members as benefit of membership.
Disposal of spent carbide slowly evolved from dump it wherever, to dump it in
a crevice, to bury it in the dirt, to pack it out in a bottle or bag. Smart
cavers soon realized that the better solution was to carry spare pre-charged
lamp bottoms. With a total of four bottoms, it was rare to need more on a
typical caving trip.
For most beginning cavers, the management of a carbide lamp was a mystery and
a bit of a challenge. Nearly everyone carried small repair kits that usually
included a tip, felt, gasket, flint, and tip reamer. Neophytes were tutored
and it became a matter of pride and prestige to troubleshoot, recharge, or
repair your lamp in the dark. In the early days of the Texas Old Timers
Reunion, there were carbide lamp contests with blindfolded competitors.
With experience, cavers became expert in firing a lamp by beginning a flow of
water, sniffing the tip for the tell-tale odor of acetylene, trapping just the
right mixture of air and acetylene within the reflector and igniting the lamp
with a satisfyingly loud pop when the proportions were correct. Often the
built-in sparking device was not working properly, lamps were ignited
flame-to-tip, and the phrase give me a kiss had a whole different meaning.
Carbide lamps were (and are) multi-purpose devices. Besides providing
illumination, they acted as stoves to heat your lunch, a little spot of soot
made a nice survey marker, and when hunkered over, they provided a surprising
amount of heat. If you cut a hole in the top of a garbage bag and used it
like a poncho, things could get quite toasty. They also work wonderfully for
melting nylon ropes, especially when the ropes are tensioned. 8-(
The appearance of a cave lit by carbide flame is wonderful. The warmer color
temperature and diffuse pattern of light cannot be duplicated by any electric
lamp I have seen. If you have never been carbide caving try it sometime
just for fun to see what I mean.
Carbide caving didn't end instantly. For several years, I was using an
incandescent head lamp with a shirt pocket battery pack. When we stopped for
any reason, I would turn off my light to conserve battery power and instantly
draw mooch and letch comments from my carbide companions who then spitefully
refused to allow me to heat my boned chicken with their carbide lamps.
Electric lights have come a long way. We are far beyond the days when a Wheat
Lamp was considered a state of the art caving light. Carbide is gone and
incandescent is all but gone. LED enhancements, micro circuitry, and
advancing battery technology provide us with powerful, lightweight devices we
never dreamed of in the past. I certainly don¹t miss all that weight on the
front of my helmet, but I do miss some of the other things about carbide
caving.
===Carl Kunath
Re: [Texascavers] More about carbide caving
Ahh, I loved the smell of carbide in the morning! Smelled likevictory.
Another fond memory of carbide caving was the need to constantly clean the
tip with a tip reamer. Some cavers kept a tip reamer on a lanyard around
their necks. Others were always asking to borrow yours.
When I started caving with the British I learned they call a tip reamer a
³pricker² and I was somewhat startled the first time a British caver turned
to me in a tight crawlway with his lamp held out in his hand and asked, ³Can
you give me a prick?²
~Frank Binney
On 8/24/12 9:37 AM, Carl Kunath carl.kun...@suddenlink.net wrote:
The care, feeding, and management of carbide lamps is a micro-culture in
itself. We're now a couple of generations beyond that (except for those who
cling to things like the so-called ceiling burners, a photo of which started
this whole thread).
Carbide lamps were cheap at the time ('50s -'70s) and carbide was also cheap
and plentiful. Individual users bought 2-pound cans for $2 while groups often
invested in 100-pound drums available from welding supply stores for about 50¢
a pound in the large drums. Carbide was often made available free to grotto
members as benefit of membership.
Disposal of spent carbide slowly evolved from dump it wherever, to dump it in
a crevice, to bury it in the dirt, to pack it out in a bottle or bag. Smart
cavers soon realized that the better solution was to carry spare pre-charged
lamp bottoms. With a total of four bottoms, it was rare to need more on a
typical caving trip.
For most beginning cavers, the management of a carbide lamp was a mystery and
a bit of a challenge. Nearly everyone carried small repair kits that usually
included a tip, felt, gasket, flint, and tip reamer. Neophytes were tutored
and it became a matter of pride and prestige to troubleshoot, recharge, or
repair your lamp in the dark. In the early days of the Texas Old Timers
Reunion, there were carbide lamp contests with blindfolded competitors.
With experience, cavers became expert in firing a lamp by beginning a flow of
water, sniffing the tip for the tell-tale odor of acetylene, trapping just the
right mixture of air and acetylene within the reflector and igniting the lamp
with a satisfyingly loud pop when the proportions were correct. Often the
built-in sparking device was not working properly, lamps were ignited
flame-to-tip, and the phrase give me a kiss had a whole different meaning.
Carbide lamps were (and are) multi-purpose devices. Besides providing
illumination, they acted as stoves to heat your lunch, a little spot of soot
made a nice survey marker, and when hunkered over, they provided a surprising
amount of heat. If you cut a hole in the top of a garbage bag and used it
like a poncho, things could get quite toasty. They also work wonderfully for
melting nylon ropes, especially when the ropes are tensioned. 8-(
The appearance of a cave lit by carbide flame is wonderful. The warmer color
temperature and diffuse pattern of light cannot be duplicated by any electric
lamp I have seen. If you have never been carbide caving try it sometime
just for fun to see what I mean.
Carbide caving didn't end instantly. For several years, I was using an
incandescent head lamp with a shirt pocket battery pack. When we stopped for
any reason, I would turn off my light to conserve battery power and instantly
draw mooch and letch comments from my carbide companions who then spitefully
refused to allow me to heat my boned chicken with their carbide lamps.
Electric lights have come a long way. We are far beyond the days when a Wheat
Lamp was considered a state of the art caving light. Carbide is gone and
incandescent is all but gone. LED enhancements, micro circuitry, and
advancing battery technology provide us with powerful, lightweight devices we
never dreamed of in the past. I certainly don¹t miss all that weight on the
front of my helmet, but I do miss some of the other things about carbide
caving.
===Carl Kunath
[Texascavers] Apology: Cabins terminology
Hi Diana and Katherine-- I apologize for the use of the vulgar term getting laid which I meant as a humorous reference since I was talking about renting the cabin for the woman with who I've been in a committed monogamous relationship for many years. I agree that euphemisms are a much more tasteful, creative and respectful approach...if the subject should be broached at all on a list-serve such as Cave-Tex. Frank On 6/4/12 9:46 AM, Diana Tomchick diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu wrote: I'm sorry, I like a good joke as well as the next person, but reading email posts from men of a certain age joking about trying to score with single women on this listserve just makes me want to lose my lunch. If it does that to me, think of how it makes the younger female cavers want to unsubscribe in droves. This really has nothing to do with caving, IMHO. Diana * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Diana R. Tomchick 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 Jun 3, 2012, at 9:24 PM, Logan McNatt wrote: Dear Frank, To refresh your memory, when you, me, Pete, Blake, et al. lived together at Kirkwood, our collective hormones greatly enhanced the chances for romantic encounters with the multitudes passing through on their way to and from caving in Mexico. So do yourself a favor, and save room for us in your cabin. We'll even stay there without charging you. LowGun On 6/3/2012 8:26 PM, Frank Binney wrote: Hi Lyndon, I just sent Paradise Canyon my $155 first night deposit for one of the cabins. Now I face a typical thrifty caver's dilemma: Save $$$ by jamming as many cavers as possible into a tiny sleeping space (a strategy that worked well for Pete Strickland, Logan McNatt, Blake Harrison and me at 1307 1/2 Kirkwood back in the day), or increase my chances of getting laid during the weekend by maintaining the cabin as a romantic retreat space for just my enamorada and me. How to decide...how to decide... On 6/3/12 1:16 PM, Lyndon Tiu l...@alumni.sfu.ca wrote: Frank, Nowhere does it say there is a limit to the # of people that you can put in the cabin ... the more cavers you can put in one cabin, the less $$$ per person ;) On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 6:14 PM, Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com wrote: Thanks for organizing this Don! Great news about the air-conditioned cabins being available at Paradise Canyon, which might persuade my non-caving and non-camping girlfriend to accompany me this year. However, I see the price for cabins on the Paradise Canyon website is $155 a night with a two night minimum, plus tax, and you have to bring your own sheets, pillows and towels. Back in the day, that amount of money would have covered a month of caving in Mexico. Frank On 6/1/12 1:23 PM, Arburn Don d...@oztotl.com wrote: O.K. Texas Cavers, this is it, the official announcement for Texas Cavers Reunion 2012!! October 18, 19, 20 21, 2012 is the date. Paradise Canyon is the place. For those who know, it's a great place in south Texas for car camping and caver camaraderie. The park has grown in size since our last TCR there, the camping extends all the way to the downstream bridge. There will be additional bathrooms and cabin facilities for those who want to splurge and get A/C and a bed. The rest of us will have very nice campsites down by the Medina River. The park has improved many of the banks along the river and added more picnic tables. Paradise Canyon is a wonderful place for our Speleolympics, Hot Tub, Big Feed, Swimming, Awards, carousing, fun and of course - The Parade! This year's theme: 2012; Mayan Apocalypse! Prices, Menu, Facebook and other specifics will be forthcoming. d...@oztotl.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com UT Southwestern Medical Center The future of medicine, today. - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Apology: Cabins terminology
Hi Diana and Katherine-- I apologize for the use of the vulgar term getting laid which I meant as a humorous reference since I was talking about renting the cabin for the woman with who I've been in a committed monogamous relationship for many years. I agree that euphemisms are a much more tasteful, creative and respectful approach...if the subject should be broached at all on a list-serve such as Cave-Tex. Frank On 6/4/12 9:46 AM, Diana Tomchick diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu wrote: I'm sorry, I like a good joke as well as the next person, but reading email posts from men of a certain age joking about trying to score with single women on this listserve just makes me want to lose my lunch. If it does that to me, think of how it makes the younger female cavers want to unsubscribe in droves. This really has nothing to do with caving, IMHO. Diana * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Diana R. Tomchick 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 Jun 3, 2012, at 9:24 PM, Logan McNatt wrote: Dear Frank, To refresh your memory, when you, me, Pete, Blake, et al. lived together at Kirkwood, our collective hormones greatly enhanced the chances for romantic encounters with the multitudes passing through on their way to and from caving in Mexico. So do yourself a favor, and save room for us in your cabin. We'll even stay there without charging you. LowGun On 6/3/2012 8:26 PM, Frank Binney wrote: Hi Lyndon, I just sent Paradise Canyon my $155 first night deposit for one of the cabins. Now I face a typical thrifty caver's dilemma: Save $$$ by jamming as many cavers as possible into a tiny sleeping space (a strategy that worked well for Pete Strickland, Logan McNatt, Blake Harrison and me at 1307 1/2 Kirkwood back in the day), or increase my chances of getting laid during the weekend by maintaining the cabin as a romantic retreat space for just my enamorada and me. How to decide...how to decide... On 6/3/12 1:16 PM, Lyndon Tiu l...@alumni.sfu.ca wrote: Frank, Nowhere does it say there is a limit to the # of people that you can put in the cabin ... the more cavers you can put in one cabin, the less $$$ per person ;) On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 6:14 PM, Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com wrote: Thanks for organizing this Don! Great news about the air-conditioned cabins being available at Paradise Canyon, which might persuade my non-caving and non-camping girlfriend to accompany me this year. However, I see the price for cabins on the Paradise Canyon website is $155 a night with a two night minimum, plus tax, and you have to bring your own sheets, pillows and towels. Back in the day, that amount of money would have covered a month of caving in Mexico. Frank On 6/1/12 1:23 PM, Arburn Don d...@oztotl.com wrote: O.K. Texas Cavers, this is it, the official announcement for Texas Cavers Reunion 2012!! October 18, 19, 20 21, 2012 is the date. Paradise Canyon is the place. For those who know, it's a great place in south Texas for car camping and caver camaraderie. The park has grown in size since our last TCR there, the camping extends all the way to the downstream bridge. There will be additional bathrooms and cabin facilities for those who want to splurge and get A/C and a bed. The rest of us will have very nice campsites down by the Medina River. The park has improved many of the banks along the river and added more picnic tables. Paradise Canyon is a wonderful place for our Speleolympics, Hot Tub, Big Feed, Swimming, Awards, carousing, fun and of course - The Parade! This year's theme: 2012; Mayan Apocalypse! Prices, Menu, Facebook and other specifics will be forthcoming. d...@oztotl.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com UT Southwestern Medical Center The future of medicine, today. - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Cabins at Paradise Canyon for 2012 TCR
Hi Lyndon, I just sent Paradise Canyon my $155 first night deposit for one of the cabins. Now I face a typical thrifty caver's dilemma: Save $$$ by jamming as many cavers as possible into a tiny sleeping space (a strategy that worked well for Pete Strickland, Logan McNatt, Blake Harrison and me at 1307 1/2 Kirkwood back in the day), or increase my chances of getting laid during the weekend by maintaining the cabin as a romantic retreat space for just my enamorada and me. How to decide...how to decide... On 6/3/12 1:16 PM, Lyndon Tiu l...@alumni.sfu.ca wrote: Frank, Nowhere does it say there is a limit to the # of people that you can put in the cabin ... the more cavers you can put in one cabin, the less $$$ per person ;) On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 6:14 PM, Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com wrote: Thanks for organizing this Don! Great news about the air-conditioned cabins being available at Paradise Canyon, which might persuade my non-caving and non-camping girlfriend to accompany me this year. However, I see the price for cabins on the Paradise Canyon website is $155 a night with a two night minimum, plus tax, and you have to bring your own sheets, pillows and towels. Back in the day, that amount of money would have covered a month of caving in Mexico. Frank On 6/1/12 1:23 PM, Arburn Don d...@oztotl.com wrote: O.K. Texas Cavers, this is it, the official announcement for Texas Cavers Reunion 2012!! October 18, 19, 20 21, 2012 is the date. Paradise Canyon is the place. For those who know, it's a great place in south Texas for car camping and caver camaraderie. The park has grown in size since our last TCR there, the camping extends all the way to the downstream bridge. There will be additional bathrooms and cabin facilities for those who want to splurge and get A/C and a bed. The rest of us will have very nice campsites down by the Medina River. The park has improved many of the banks along the river and added more picnic tables. Paradise Canyon is a wonderful place for our Speleolympics, Hot Tub, Big Feed, Swimming, Awards, carousing, fun and of course - The Parade! This year's theme: 2012; Mayan Apocalypse! Prices, Menu, Facebook and other specifics will be forthcoming. d...@oztotl.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Cabins at Paradise Canyon for 2012 TCR
Hi Lyndon, I just sent Paradise Canyon my $155 first night deposit for one of the cabins. Now I face a typical thrifty caver's dilemma: Save $$$ by jamming as many cavers as possible into a tiny sleeping space (a strategy that worked well for Pete Strickland, Logan McNatt, Blake Harrison and me at 1307 1/2 Kirkwood back in the day), or increase my chances of getting laid during the weekend by maintaining the cabin as a romantic retreat space for just my enamorada and me. How to decide...how to decide... On 6/3/12 1:16 PM, Lyndon Tiu l...@alumni.sfu.ca wrote: Frank, Nowhere does it say there is a limit to the # of people that you can put in the cabin ... the more cavers you can put in one cabin, the less $$$ per person ;) On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 6:14 PM, Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com wrote: Thanks for organizing this Don! Great news about the air-conditioned cabins being available at Paradise Canyon, which might persuade my non-caving and non-camping girlfriend to accompany me this year. However, I see the price for cabins on the Paradise Canyon website is $155 a night with a two night minimum, plus tax, and you have to bring your own sheets, pillows and towels. Back in the day, that amount of money would have covered a month of caving in Mexico. Frank On 6/1/12 1:23 PM, Arburn Don d...@oztotl.com wrote: O.K. Texas Cavers, this is it, the official announcement for Texas Cavers Reunion 2012!! October 18, 19, 20 21, 2012 is the date. Paradise Canyon is the place. For those who know, it's a great place in south Texas for car camping and caver camaraderie. The park has grown in size since our last TCR there, the camping extends all the way to the downstream bridge. There will be additional bathrooms and cabin facilities for those who want to splurge and get A/C and a bed. The rest of us will have very nice campsites down by the Medina River. The park has improved many of the banks along the river and added more picnic tables. Paradise Canyon is a wonderful place for our Speleolympics, Hot Tub, Big Feed, Swimming, Awards, carousing, fun and of course - The Parade! This year's theme: 2012; Mayan Apocalypse! Prices, Menu, Facebook and other specifics will be forthcoming. d...@oztotl.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Cabins at Paradise Canyon for 2012 TCR
Hi Lyndon, I just sent Paradise Canyon my $155 first night deposit for one of the cabins. Now I face a typical thrifty caver's dilemma: Save $$$ by jamming as many cavers as possible into a tiny sleeping space (a strategy that worked well for Pete Strickland, Logan McNatt, Blake Harrison and me at 1307 1/2 Kirkwood back in the day), or increase my chances of getting laid during the weekend by maintaining the cabin as a romantic retreat space for just my enamorada and me. How to decide...how to decide... On 6/3/12 1:16 PM, Lyndon Tiu l...@alumni.sfu.ca wrote: Frank, Nowhere does it say there is a limit to the # of people that you can put in the cabin ... the more cavers you can put in one cabin, the less $$$ per person ;) On Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 6:14 PM, Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com wrote: Thanks for organizing this Don! Great news about the air-conditioned cabins being available at Paradise Canyon, which might persuade my non-caving and non-camping girlfriend to accompany me this year. However, I see the price for cabins on the Paradise Canyon website is $155 a night with a two night minimum, plus tax, and you have to bring your own sheets, pillows and towels. Back in the day, that amount of money would have covered a month of caving in Mexico. Frank On 6/1/12 1:23 PM, Arburn Don d...@oztotl.com wrote: O.K. Texas Cavers, this is it, the official announcement for Texas Cavers Reunion 2012!! October 18, 19, 20 21, 2012 is the date. Paradise Canyon is the place. For those who know, it's a great place in south Texas for car camping and caver camaraderie. The park has grown in size since our last TCR there, the camping extends all the way to the downstream bridge. There will be additional bathrooms and cabin facilities for those who want to splurge and get A/C and a bed. The rest of us will have very nice campsites down by the Medina River. The park has improved many of the banks along the river and added more picnic tables. Paradise Canyon is a wonderful place for our Speleolympics, Hot Tub, Big Feed, Swimming, Awards, carousing, fun and of course - The Parade! This year's theme: 2012; Mayan Apocalypse! Prices, Menu, Facebook and other specifics will be forthcoming. d...@oztotl.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] [Texas Cavers Reunion 2012]
Thanks for organizing this Don! Great news about the air-conditioned cabins being available at Paradise Canyon, which might persuade my non-caving and non-camping girlfriend to accompany me this year. However, I see the price for cabins on the Paradise Canyon website is $155 a night with a two night minimum, plus tax, and you have to bring your own sheets, pillows and towels. Back in the day, that amount of money would have covered a month of caving in Mexico. Frank On 6/1/12 1:23 PM, Arburn Don d...@oztotl.com wrote: O.K. Texas Cavers, this is it, the official announcement for Texas Cavers Reunion 2012!! October 18, 19, 20 21, 2012 is the date. Paradise Canyon is the place. For those who know, it's a great place in south Texas for car camping and caver camaraderie. The park has grown in size since our last TCR there, the camping extends all the way to the downstream bridge. There will be additional bathrooms and cabin facilities for those who want to splurge and get A/C and a bed. The rest of us will have very nice campsites down by the Medina River. The park has improved many of the banks along the river and added more picnic tables. Paradise Canyon is a wonderful place for our Speleolympics, Hot Tub, Big Feed, Swimming, Awards, carousing, fun and of course - The Parade! This year's theme: 2012; Mayan Apocalypse! Prices, Menu, Facebook and other specifics will be forthcoming. d...@oztotl.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] [Texas Cavers Reunion 2012]
Thanks for organizing this Don! Great news about the air-conditioned cabins being available at Paradise Canyon, which might persuade my non-caving and non-camping girlfriend to accompany me this year. However, I see the price for cabins on the Paradise Canyon website is $155 a night with a two night minimum, plus tax, and you have to bring your own sheets, pillows and towels. Back in the day, that amount of money would have covered a month of caving in Mexico. Frank On 6/1/12 1:23 PM, Arburn Don d...@oztotl.com wrote: O.K. Texas Cavers, this is it, the official announcement for Texas Cavers Reunion 2012!! October 18, 19, 20 21, 2012 is the date. Paradise Canyon is the place. For those who know, it's a great place in south Texas for car camping and caver camaraderie. The park has grown in size since our last TCR there, the camping extends all the way to the downstream bridge. There will be additional bathrooms and cabin facilities for those who want to splurge and get A/C and a bed. The rest of us will have very nice campsites down by the Medina River. The park has improved many of the banks along the river and added more picnic tables. Paradise Canyon is a wonderful place for our Speleolympics, Hot Tub, Big Feed, Swimming, Awards, carousing, fun and of course - The Parade! This year's theme: 2012; Mayan Apocalypse! Prices, Menu, Facebook and other specifics will be forthcoming. d...@oztotl.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] [Texas Cavers Reunion 2012]
Thanks for organizing this Don! Great news about the air-conditioned cabins being available at Paradise Canyon, which might persuade my non-caving and non-camping girlfriend to accompany me this year. However, I see the price for cabins on the Paradise Canyon website is $155 a night with a two night minimum, plus tax, and you have to bring your own sheets, pillows and towels. Back in the day, that amount of money would have covered a month of caving in Mexico. Frank On 6/1/12 1:23 PM, Arburn Don d...@oztotl.com wrote: O.K. Texas Cavers, this is it, the official announcement for Texas Cavers Reunion 2012!! October 18, 19, 20 21, 2012 is the date. Paradise Canyon is the place. For those who know, it's a great place in south Texas for car camping and caver camaraderie. The park has grown in size since our last TCR there, the camping extends all the way to the downstream bridge. There will be additional bathrooms and cabin facilities for those who want to splurge and get A/C and a bed. The rest of us will have very nice campsites down by the Medina River. The park has improved many of the banks along the river and added more picnic tables. Paradise Canyon is a wonderful place for our Speleolympics, Hot Tub, Big Feed, Swimming, Awards, carousing, fun and of course - The Parade! This year's theme: 2012; Mayan Apocalypse! Prices, Menu, Facebook and other specifics will be forthcoming. d...@oztotl.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] FW: Cascade Caverns, Boerne, TX
Preston Forsythe wrote: Maybe members or descendants of the old 1307 1/2 Kirkwood gang can buy it, then let cavers stay there for $1/night and cave for free? Hey Prestonif only those of us in the core of the Kirkwood Kavers hadn¹t squandered our prime earning years as hippie caverswe might of ended up with enough spare $$$ to purchase the Caverns. However, maybe some of the next generation of cavers are better positioned financially to take advantage of this great opportunity. I would recommend they ask Pete Strickland to develop a pricing chart for cavers staying at the Caverns similar to the one we had at 1307 1/2 Kirkwood: $1/night for sleeping on the filthy living room carpet next to the bong-covered spool top table, $2/night for the attic crawlspace, $3/night for one of the sleeping platforms in the stairwell, $0/night if you were fortunate enough to be invited to share the mattress on the floor in one of the bedrooms with one of the resident Kirkwood Kavers. Good times! Frank (original leasee of 1307 1/2 Kirkwood)
Re: [Texascavers] FW: Cascade Caverns, Boerne, TX
Preston Forsythe wrote: Maybe members or descendants of the old 1307 1/2 Kirkwood gang can buy it, then let cavers stay there for $1/night and cave for free? Hey Prestonif only those of us in the core of the Kirkwood Kavers hadn¹t squandered our prime earning years as hippie caverswe might of ended up with enough spare $$$ to purchase the Caverns. However, maybe some of the next generation of cavers are better positioned financially to take advantage of this great opportunity. I would recommend they ask Pete Strickland to develop a pricing chart for cavers staying at the Caverns similar to the one we had at 1307 1/2 Kirkwood: $1/night for sleeping on the filthy living room carpet next to the bong-covered spool top table, $2/night for the attic crawlspace, $3/night for one of the sleeping platforms in the stairwell, $0/night if you were fortunate enough to be invited to share the mattress on the floor in one of the bedrooms with one of the resident Kirkwood Kavers. Good times! Frank (original leasee of 1307 1/2 Kirkwood)
Re: [Texascavers] Best Small Towns
Durango Colorado (home town to former UT caver Lisa Wilk and my mountain bike riding first cousin Ned Overend) is No. 6 Mill Valley, a few miles over the coastal mountains from me in the yuppified area of Marin County, California came in at No. 4. On 4/24/12 7:11 PM, Mark Minton mmin...@caver.net wrote: Smithsonian Magazine just released their list of the 20 best small towns in America. Marfa, TX is no. 8: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-in-America.html? c=ypage=9navigation=thumb#IMAGES Mark Please reply to mmin...@caver.net Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] Best Small Towns
Durango Colorado (home town to former UT caver Lisa Wilk and my mountain bike riding first cousin Ned Overend) is No. 6 Mill Valley, a few miles over the coastal mountains from me in the yuppified area of Marin County, California came in at No. 4. On 4/24/12 7:11 PM, Mark Minton mmin...@caver.net wrote: Smithsonian Magazine just released their list of the 20 best small towns in America. Marfa, TX is no. 8: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-in-America.html? c=ypage=9navigation=thumb#IMAGES Mark Please reply to mmin...@caver.net Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] Best Small Towns
Durango Colorado (home town to former UT caver Lisa Wilk and my mountain bike riding first cousin Ned Overend) is No. 6 Mill Valley, a few miles over the coastal mountains from me in the yuppified area of Marin County, California came in at No. 4. On 4/24/12 7:11 PM, Mark Minton mmin...@caver.net wrote: Smithsonian Magazine just released their list of the 20 best small towns in America. Marfa, TX is no. 8: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-in-America.html? c=ypage=9navigation=thumb#IMAGES Mark Please reply to mmin...@caver.net Permanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Re: Ministers: Any successful in-cave marriages?
Have any marriages lasted that had their wedding celebrations in a cave? I recall a number of underground weddings over the years officiated by Reverend Ediger or other ordained cavers but as far as I recall all ended in divorce. --Frank On 1/18/12 9:02 AM, Gill Edigar gi...@att.net wrote: In April of 1969, just before or just after a trip to Golondrinas, I sent in a 6-cent postcard with my and Jette Feduska's names and addresses on it--no money, no nuthin else--and received our ordinations in the Universal Life Church a few days later. For 3-cents I got ordained. Carta Valley SUCKS was in full swing at the time and I performed baptisms at several caver functions ranging from State College, Pennsylvania to California (and an NSS BOG party in Buda) with water from Oztotl's Cave in Mexico provided by the Bittingers. In the early '80s I joined the rabble at the Church of the Sub-Genius as the Rev Theophilus Punnoval and still have and wear my Bob Dobbs shirt (printed in my silk screen shop at Mockingburd 300). I've probably done something somewhat fewer than 30 weddings in all--a few in caves, on mountain tops and rivers, and on rope high up a cliff. --Ediger - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] Re: Ministers: Any successful in-cave marriages?
Hi Lissa-- Times have changed since the free-loving, commitment-adverse days of the 1970s (when most marriages, whether celebrated above or below ground were short-lived) so I¹m betting your upcoming matrimony will be long and happy. Best wishes, Frank On 1/18/12 9:54 AM, Lissa Talkington lissa_000...@yahoo.com wrote: Not the message you're supposed to send to someone who's wanting to do just that! ;) LOL From: Frank Binney fr...@frankbinney.com To: Gill Edigar gi...@att.net; Mark Alman mark.al...@l-3com.com Cc: caverarch cavera...@aol.com; george.nincehel...@gmail.com; jkenn...@batcon.org; lissa_000...@yahoo.com; Texas Cavers Texascavers@texascavers.com Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 11:49 AM Subject: [Texascavers] Re: Ministers: Any successful in-cave marriages? Have any marriages lasted that had their wedding celebrations in a cave? I recall a number of underground weddings over the years officiated by Reverend Ediger or other ordained cavers but as far as I recall all ended in divorce. --Frank On 1/18/12 9:02 AM, Gill Edigar gi...@att.net wrote: In April of 1969, just before or just after a trip to Golondrinas, I sent in a 6-cent postcard with my and Jette Feduska's names and addresses on it--no money, no nuthin else--and received our ordinations in the Universal Life Church a few days later. For 3-cents I got ordained. Carta Valley SUCKS was in full swing at the time and I performed baptisms at several caver functions ranging from State College, Pennsylvania to California (and an NSS BOG party in Buda) with water from Oztotl's Cave in Mexico provided by the Bittingers. In the early '80s I joined the rabble at the Church of the Sub-Genius as the Rev Theophilus Punnoval and still have and wear my Bob Dobbs shirt (printed in my silk screen shop at Mockingburd 300). I've probably done something somewhat fewer than 30 weddings in all--a few in caves, on mountain tops and rivers, and on rope high up a cliff. --Ediger - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com http://texascavers.com/ To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com http://texascavers.com/ To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Re: Ministers: Any successful in-cave marriages?
Have any marriages lasted that had their wedding celebrations in a cave? I recall a number of underground weddings over the years officiated by Reverend Ediger or other ordained cavers but as far as I recall all ended in divorce. --Frank On 1/18/12 9:02 AM, Gill Edigar gi...@att.net wrote: In April of 1969, just before or just after a trip to Golondrinas, I sent in a 6-cent postcard with my and Jette Feduska's names and addresses on it--no money, no nuthin else--and received our ordinations in the Universal Life Church a few days later. For 3-cents I got ordained. Carta Valley SUCKS was in full swing at the time and I performed baptisms at several caver functions ranging from State College, Pennsylvania to California (and an NSS BOG party in Buda) with water from Oztotl's Cave in Mexico provided by the Bittingers. In the early '80s I joined the rabble at the Church of the Sub-Genius as the Rev Theophilus Punnoval and still have and wear my Bob Dobbs shirt (printed in my silk screen shop at Mockingburd 300). I've probably done something somewhat fewer than 30 weddings in all--a few in caves, on mountain tops and rivers, and on rope high up a cliff. --Ediger - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
