texascavers Digest 15 Apr 2014 16:18:36 -0000 Issue 1963
Topics (messages 23682 through 23695):
Re: [SWR] My late night thoughts during insomnia
23682 by: Lee H. Skinner
thoughts during insomnia
23683 by: dirtdoc.comcast.net
UIS Conservation Prize
23684 by: George Veni
Ezells Cleanup Date
23685 by: Robert B
23686 by: Ron Ralph
USS and UT Grotto Meeting April 2nd
23687 by: Andrea Croskrey
23688 by: Andrea Croskrey
Re: [SWR] Big Room
23689 by: Pete Lindsley
23690 by: Lee H. Skinner
The Dark and Dangerous World of Extreme Cavers
23691 by: Preston Forsythe
23692 by: Preston Forsythe
New Yorker article
23693 by: Mixon Bill
Central Texas endangered inverts
23694 by: Mixon Bill
23695 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
Administrivia:
To subscribe to the digest, e-mail:
<texascavers-digest-subscr...@texascavers.com>
To unsubscribe from the digest, e-mail:
<texascavers-digest-unsubscr...@texascavers.com>
To post to the list, e-mail:
<texascavers@texascavers.com>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
--- Begin Message ---
Thanks, John.
Yes, it's probably a side effect of my DNA.
Regards,
Lee
Lee,
You have a creative, but twisted mind!
Regards,
John
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
More likely it's the heavy metals from all those cans of Skinner brand
spaghetti -----
DirtDoc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee H. Skinner" <skin...@thuntek.net>
To: s...@caver.net, "John Corcoran" <john_j_corcoran_...@msn.com>, "texascavers
list" <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 2:59:13 PM
Subject: [Texascavers] Re: [SWR] My late night thoughts during insomnia
Thanks, John.
Yes, it's probably a side effect of my DNA.
Regards,
Lee
Lee,
You have a creative, but twisted mind!
Regards,
John
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Dear Friends,
Below is a message about the international cave conservation award. Note that
this has nothing to do with the country of France. "France" is the given name
of some people in Slovenia, and in this case for the caver who whom this award
is named after.
Please feel free to share this message.
Thanks,
George
----------------------------------------------
The France HABE Prize is awarded by the Department of Karst and Cave Protection
of the International Union of Speleology (UIS). Its purpose is to promote the
protection of karst and caves for generations to come. Their natural legacy are
proven sources of increasingly rich information about the history of our planet
and humanity, enabling people to act more thoughtfully, efficiently, and
sustainably for the future of our environment.
Nominations must received by May 20 2014.
For more information:
http://test3.brlog.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=98
********************
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
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Would somebody be so kind as to respond to this post with the date for the
next Ezells Cleanup.
I suspect the date may have just past.
Looking in San Marcos area for some volunteer activities for my Scouts.
Thanks, Rob
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Rob,
Nope, the work day is next Saturday, April 19. I hope Scouts and other groups
can come out. We will have two dumptrucks of mulch to spread so will need
wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes. Gloves and boots are recommended.
Ron
Cavers, we need your help! The Texas Cave Management Association (TCMA) will
be sponsoring a work day to spruce up the Ezells Cave Preserve in Hays County.
The date is Saturday 19 April 2014 beginning at 10:00 am and ending about 2:00
in the afternoon. Meet at the 1500 block of Brown Street, San Marcos. Cell
number for the day: 512-797-3817 (Ron Ralph).
We plan to cut dead wood, remove limbs, cut weeds, and just generally make the
property more attractive. Ediger is bringing his chipper to mulch the waste
material. We will be concentrating on the front part of the property but will
work inside the fence to prepare the ground for a new bat-friendly cave gate.
We will also be spreading mulch for erosion control on the trail down to the
fence gate.
We need people, saws, loppers, sling blades, weed eaters, and maybe even
someone with a trailer willing to carry all the debris to the landfill. And if
you have a wheelbarrow, bring that along with a shovel and a rake. Bring
gloves, boots and your own drinks and snacks for the work, but TCMA will treat
all volunteers to pizza and drinks afterward. We will have water and litter
bags for your use.
If anyone wishes to enter the cave after the work is completed, the Preserve
Manager has agreed to that. Bring standard caving gear if you are entering the
cave. All visitors to the Preserve will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
Please RSVP to Ron, and also give him a call if you get lost getting to the
property or would like more details.
In case of heavy rain, the event may be postponed to a later date.
Thanks for your support!
Jim Kennedy, TCMA Preserves Chair
512-663-2287
From: Robert B
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 6:21 PM
To: Texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: [Texascavers] Ezells Cleanup Date
Would somebody be so kind as to respond to this post with the date for the next
Ezells Cleanup.
I suspect the date may have just past.
Looking in San Marcos area for some volunteer activities for my Scouts.
Thanks, Rob
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Howdy Texas Cavers!
At this week's meeting we get the pleasure of having Sam Meacham, a world
famous cave diver and National Geographic Society and Waitt Grants program
recipient, share his experiences and expertise about the exploration of the
flooded caves of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
The meeting, hosted by the University Speleological Society, is at
7:45pm in *Burdine
136*. Follow this link to a map of where the building is located on the
University of Texas campus:
http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/bur.html
For information on Underground Texas Grotto activities, please see
www.utgrotto.org
Before the meeting, take advantage of Sao Paulo www.saopaulos.net for
happy hour specials. Attendance by cavers varies but this area is the best
place to park and meet folks walking over to the meeting. Then after the
USS meeting, we continue with the decades long tradition to reconvene for
burgers, beer, and tall tales of caving at Posse East. www.posse-east.com
Cavingly,
Andrea Croskrey
UT Grotto Vice Chair
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Sorry for the typo, the meeting is the 16th, this Wednesday.
On Mon, Apr 14, 2014 at 8:26 AM, Andrea Croskrey <acrosk...@gmail.com>wrote:
> Howdy Texas Cavers!
>
> At this week's meeting we get the pleasure of having Sam Meacham, a world
> famous cave diver and National Geographic Society and Waitt Grants program
> recipient, share his experiences and expertise about the exploration of the
> flooded caves of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
>
> The meeting, hosted by the University Speleological Society, is at 7:45pm
> in *Burdine 136*. Follow this link to a map of where the building is
> located on the University of Texas campus:
> http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/bur.html
>
> For information on Underground Texas Grotto activities, please see
> www.utgrotto.org
>
> Before the meeting, take advantage of Sao Paulo www.saopaulos.net for
> happy hour specials. Attendance by cavers varies but this area is the best
> place to park and meet folks walking over to the meeting. Then after the
> USS meeting, we continue with the decades long tradition to reconvene for
> burgers, beer, and tall tales of caving at Posse East. www.posse-east.com
>
> Cavingly,
> Andrea Croskrey
> UT Grotto Vice Chair
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Andy, Larry Register and I came up with several names which we added to "Dry
Pot", back on that fateful day in the 60's when we parted ways with Lee Skinner
and Tom Meador and dropped down the "40 Foot Chimney". Perhaps that was also
the day when Lee found the Skinner Chicken Route.
The rooms Larry and I named around midnight included the Dallas Palace, the
Vast Chamber, the Half Vast Chamber, the Chamber of the Vanishing Floor, and
perhaps one or two others. Later I think Lee named Skinner's Attic.
- Pete
On Apr 14, 2014, at 8:59 AM, Andy Komensky wrote:
Haqlfd Vast rings a bell
From: Harvey DuChene <hrduch...@gmail.com>
To: dirt...@comcast.net; 'Lee H. Skinner' <skin...@thuntek.net>
Cc: 'SWR Mailing List' <s...@caver.net>; 'texascavers list'
<texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 9:55 AM
Subject: Re: [SWR] Big Room
As I recall, there is a cave somewhere in New Mexico (Dry Cave, perhaps?) with
a very small room, known as the “Vast Chamber.” I believe that the next room
encountered in that passage was somewhat smaller, and was called the “Half Vast
Chamber.” I also remember something about Donald Davis digging in some Fort
Stanton breakdown and finding a smallish room. Upon entering this smallish
room, he allegedly stated that “I’ve come into an Immense Chamber.” I think
this quickly became known as “The Davis Chamber.” I suppose that, logically,
the surname “Davis” must be synonymous with “Immense.”
HRD
From: swr-boun...@caver.net [mailto:swr-boun...@caver.net] On Behalf Of
dirt...@comcast.net
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 7:10 AM
To: Lee H. Skinner
Cc: SWR Mailing List; texascavers list
Subject: [SWR] Big Room
Big Room
Well, Lee, you DO know that in a number of caves I have found pretty little
rooms. In fact, I think you followed my instructions into one in the past, and
grunting your way out (having given up trying to turn around in it), did agree
that yes, it WAS pretty little.
This small reminder from the one who also brought you the admonishment in the
60s that "No True Cavers Wear Kneepads!"
(We will leave "suck holes" alone ---------)
DirtDoc
From: "Lee H. Skinner" <skin...@thuntek.net>
To: "SWR Mailing List" <s...@caver.net>, "texascavers list"
<texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 1:59:01 AM
Subject: [Texascavers] My late night thoughts during insomnia
An observation about Karstbad Cavern: "The cave swallows cave swallows."
If blow holes are barometric, why aren't half of them called suck holes?
If "The Big Room" is a common name for a passage in caves, why isn't "The
Little Room"?
Do walking passages ever run or even stop walking?
Ever try to thread a gypsum needle?
Why aren't there more helicmites? Or cattooth spar? or calcite yachts?
Are fried egg stalagmites usually found with bacon?
Does any cave have a Gnu Section? Where is Sinkhole de Mayo?
Is a filled in sinkhole called a sinkwhole?
Group names: herd, flock, pride, school, swarm, covey, murder, bevy, etc. But
what would you call a group of cavers? I would suggest: column as cavers
generally go single file, and it makes one think of a type of speleothem as
well.
Lee Skinner
_______________________________________________
SWR mailing list
s...@caver.net
http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr
_______________________________________________
This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
<IMG_1164.JPG>_______________________________________________
SWR mailing list
s...@caver.net
http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr
_______________________________________________
This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Pete,
Later I think Lee named Skinner's Attic.
- Pete
Actually I called in "The Attic". Later t somehow became "Skinner's
Attic". I also found the Grand Canyon while you were eating lunch and
I had a desire to move as I was getting cold.
Lee
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Have you read this article from the New Yorker, not your usual caving
magazine! This was the favorite rag that JD Salinger like to publish in. And,
the cartoons are something else.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/04/21/140421fa_fact_bilger?utm_source=tny&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyemail&mbid=nl_Daily%20(155
Hope all pages open. I could only read the first page
A high school buddy forwarded this link to me. Great to stay in touch.
By the way Shari and I worked on the Huntsville HQ another weekend, 17 so far.
Did drywall for 15 hours with a fine crew. Sanding and using a rotary drill to
cut out the drywall are extremely dusty and I could not do this for pay even
wearing a mask. Two of the volunteer workers drove down from Michigan. A twelve
hour drive-each way. We are now hopeful the entry hall, museum and archives
room, office staff area and bookstore will be open for the convention, and
maybe the library. The huge Hall is open now of course. This is really a big
job and there has not always been enough volunteers. The Birmingham Grotto had
around 25 caver-workers installing a new metal roof over 100 ft. long on one of
the two outdoor buildings. They did the other roof last fall. That grotto has
single-handedly given the NSS over $20,000 in material and labor.
A gun show had the huge 900 seat NSS Hall rented both Sat. and Sun. My first
gun show. Not my favorite thing to do but it was interesting for a look-see and
the group paid the NSS over $2,000 for the weekend. Not bad rent, eh. This
money goes for the mortgage and utilities. The Hall or grounds are rented out
every weekend from now through Dec. Of course cavers have it for SERA and the
NSS Convention. You should have seen the Redbud and Dogwoods blooming in
Huntsville and around the NSS property. Bill Torode and Dave Hughes added
detail to the survey of the new 29 ft. pit with side passage to a dome that is
located on the 94 acre property only 8 minutes from the northwest corner of the
30,000 sq. ft. building. Plus, Torode put in his usual 6-8 hours of campground
clearing and expanding each day we were there. Bill does this 5-6 days a week
using loppers, every week since the NSS purchased the place. Maureen Handler
had her new 4 x 4 tractor with implement and rented chipper there working to
expand the campground. These improvements do not happen without caver labor.
There have only been a few contractor paid jobs. Several new folks helped out
over the weekend including a caver/doctor/ cave diver from Chattanooga. The NSS
chief finance man, Dave Irvin, from Calif., has been spending a lot of time
there recently working on the annual NSS audit and hiring of a part-time
bookkeeper. Paul of carbide light sells was down from Michigan and got into the
drywall with the rest of the crew. A great spirit. Dave Luckins is overall head
of what is going on at Huntsville as he is the NSS Operations V-P. He does keep
us focused and he watches the cash-flow. Dave loves to do drywall. And, Woody,
he is the Pete and Gill of Huntsville and knows how to set up, prepare, have
patience with new volunteers and do the work that needs to be done. We are
proud of the place.
Cavingly,
Preston
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Click on "view as one page," and the full article opens easily. That was
suggest by Diana. This was as they say one hell of a read.
Thanks,
Preston
----- Original Message -----
From: Preston Forsythe
To: texascavers@texascavers.com
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 12:14 PM
Subject: The Dark and Dangerous World of Extreme Cavers
Have you read this article from the New Yorker, not your usual caving
magazine! This was the favorite rag that JD Salinger like to publish in. And,
the cartoons are something else.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/04/21/140421fa_fact_bilger?utm_source=tny&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyemail&mbid=nl_Daily%20(155
Hope all pages open. I could only read the first page
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I haven't gotten my April 21 New Yorker yet. (I've been a subscriber
for about fifty years.) I'll read the article thoroughly when I do.
I've only glanced at it on the web. The illustrations in the web
version will not be included in the magazine unless they've suddenly
made a drastic change in format. I'm kind of disappointed in the text.
I guess even with the New Yorker's famous fact checkers, funny things
can appear in an article about something you know a lot about. I've
never seen that accent on Chevé before, for example. And it isn't sand
grains that kill visibility for a cave diver; they settle quickly.
It's silt or clay. Oh, well, bitch bitch bitch. I'm kind of surprised
the whole thing is freely available on the web. I expect it might not
stay that way for long. I know all their past issues are on the web
for subscribers who register. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
If you can't say something nice, come and sit by me.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: a...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
No, inverts does not mean homosexuals, as it once did, but
invertebrates.
There's a lot of information from the Fish and Wildlife Service about
the spineless cave critters on the government's official
insignific..., err, endangered species list in Bexar, Travis, and
Williamson Counties at
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/ESA_Sp_KarstInverts.html
Included are things like official rulings, recovery plans, and
critical habitat designations. Ron Ralph called this to my attention.
-- Mixon
----------------------------------------
If you can't say something nice, come and sit by me.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: a...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Thanks for sharing, Bill. You give new meaning to the word troglodyte.
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
a...@gluesenkamp.com
On Tuesday, April 15, 2014 11:11 AM, Mixon Bill <bmixon...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
No, inverts does not mean homosexuals, as it once did, but
invertebrates.
There's a lot of information from the Fish and Wildlife Service about
the spineless cave critters on the government's official
insignific..., err, endangered species list in Bexar, Travis, and
Williamson Counties at
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/ESA_Sp_KarstInverts.html
Included are things like official rulings, recovery plans, and
critical habitat designations. Ron Ralph called this to my attention.
-- Mixon
----------------------------------------
If you can't say something nice, come and sit by me.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: bmi...@alumni.uchicago.edu
AMCS: a...@amcs-pubs.org or sa...@amcs-pubs.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
--- End Message ---
