texascavers Digest 7 Jan 2014 15:50:18 -0000 Issue 1910 Topics (messages 23231 through 23240):
Re: Bigfoot
23231 by: Gill Edigar
1996 Toyota Tacoma For Sale
23232 by: Benjamin Schwartz
December CBSP Project Trip Report
23233 by: Kris Pena
23239 by: Jerry
Longhorn Caverns Geology Tour
23234 by: Geary Schindel
Off-trail exploration of Wonder Cave
23235 by: ryan monjaras
Caver contacts in Colorado?
23236 by: Bill Bentley
Map of Wonder Cave and more info
23237 by: David
Wonder Cave :
23238 by: Jerry
23240 by: Mark Minton
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--- Begin Message ---There are similar bear scratches in the back of Midnight Cave near Carta Valley. No obvious bear-sized entrance into the cave and no bones. --Ediger On Sat, Jan 4, 2014 at 11:14 AM, Louise Power <power_lou...@hotmail.com>wrote: > My sister sent me the following link from the Beaumont paper about the > resurgence of black bears in East Texas. > > http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Black-bears-come-home-to-East-Texas-4793763.php > > We have them here in Oregon, too. In hard times they wander into the > outlying areas around Ashland. I don't remember who said it, but keep your > camps clean and your food hanging high to discourage bears from making > themselves at home. Just remember, black bears are opportunistic feeders > who would much rather find their food in the wild than around people. The > majority of their diet is vegetation To find out a lot about black bears, > go to the North American Bear Center site: http://www.bear.org/website/ There > is a lot on black bear diet on the site today. > > >
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--- Begin Message ---Sad but true folks: I'm selling my wonderful old Toyota truck.See details below, and send me an email if interested (b...@txstate.edu). Feel free to pass this on to anyone in the area who you think might be interested. If you are not local (San Marcos +- 50 miles or so), you would likely need to come and get the truck. I will gladly send photos to anyone who would like to see them.-----------------------For Sale: 1996 4x4 Toyota Tacoma LX, extended cab. 215450 miles. 2.7L 4-cylinder (perhaps one of the best engines ever built by Toyota), Manual 5-speed transmission. ~20 mpg average. Color: Cobalt Blue Pearl. Selling to make room for a 4-door more family accessible Tacoma. Asking $5,000.I am the second owner and have owned the truck since 1998 and ~60k miles. It comes with many great memories included at no extra charge. This vehicle is a great (actually awesome) vehicle for anyone who likes to camp out in their truck.Good Condition: One small spot of rust over left rear wheel well trim, few dings (tree branches on tight muddy mtn. roads), minor front bumper damage (killed a deer). AC (works well), CD, Cassette, AM/FM, Cruise, tilt steering, sliding rear window.Aluminum Rims. BF Goodrich tires with ~75% tread left. Full size spare with good tread. Shocks were replaced at ~180,000 miles.Repairs made within the last 500 miles: New clutch, new radiator, new O2 sensors, and new fuel pressure sensor. May need clutch Master and/or Slave cylinder replaced at some point. Could use new headlight bulbs.Extra leaf added to springs at ~100k miles (these vehicles were under-sprung if you wanted to carry any reasonable load - so this is no longer a problem on this truck).I had this vehicle checked by Toyota several years ago for a vehicle recall related to frame corrosion. The frame is A-OK and was not manufactured at the plant which produced the problem frames.Matching color, locking, 1998 Leonard topper permanently attached to bed rails with SS bolts and Silicone caulk for a dust-free and 100% waterproof interior (no rattling cap or knee-cap ripping clamps to deal with). Interior light and 12V lighter (for power supply in back) installed in topper. Sliding window to match rear truck window. Heavy duty rubber bedliner/matt included.Custom built (by me at the CNC machine shop I used to work in), super sweet, aluminum bedframe with drop-in plywood panels to allow for easy access to things stored under the frame. Bedframe attaches on left side and goes on and off with two bolts. It weighs just a few pounds, but holds all you can pile on it.______________________ Benjamin Schwartz, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Biology Texas State University - San Marcos 206 FAB, Freeman Aquatic Station 601 University Drive San Marcos, TX 78666 http://www.bio.txstate.edu/~bschwartz/ b...@txstate.edu office: 1-512-245-7608
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--- Begin Message ---Project Dates: December 14 - 15 Volunteers: Kris Peña, Will Quast, Matt Zaldivar, Jeremiah Schoenert, Brendon Brown Total Hours: 47.5 hrs work time + 28 hrs drive time = 75.5 volunteer hours Summary: We had a small trip this month with only 3 people on Saturday and 5 people on Sunday. The cold and rainy weather Friday night must have scared most people away, but it turned out to be a beautiful sunny weekend. On Saturday Kris, Will, and Matt made what could be the last trip into Dog and Butterfly Cave pushing the final leads at the bottom. Sunday, they were joined by new cavers, Jeremiah and Brendon to locate and tag/retag some of the caves in the Upper Gold Mine and Lemon’s Ranch areas of the park. Full Trip Reports: Team 1 (Saturday) Participants: Kris Peña, Will Quast, Matt Zaldivar Time Out: 10:30 AM Time In: 6:00 PM Total Hours: 22.5 work hours Kris and Will woke up Saturday morning to an empty camp. We made breakfast and waited around a little longer than usual to see if all of the other cavers were just very late this month. Matt rescued us when he rolled in just before 10. When it was decided that no one else would be joining that day, the team headed out for another exciting trip to Dog and Butterfly Cave (SAB 197). The goal of this month’s trip was to continue the downstream dig and to climb the dome in the last room to check for possible leads. The wet sticky mud was still at the bottom where we’d left it 12 months ago and promptly covered all team members and their gear. The air quality started to turn south by the bottom of the 3rd drop. After the team reached the 6th room (45 meters underground), Matt set to work on the downstream lead. Will began an aid climb of the dome with a pair of etriers while Kris belayed. Will was able to stick his head into what had appeared to be an upper room from below. However, there was no floor and the hole continued vertical for another 4 meters tapering away into a too small crack. Matt made some progress downstream and confirmed the floor is diggable, but the wet mud and bad air prevented him from making more progress. Looks like Dog and Butterfly will just have to accept being only the 2nd deepest in San Saba County. All team members exited without incident taking several extra pounds of mud out on their clothes and gear. The park’s outdoor shower was turned off because of the possible freeze, so everyone got to go to bed dirty. Team 2 (Sunday) Participants: Kris Peña, Will Quast, Matt Zaldivar, Jeremiah Schoenert, Brendon Brown Time Out: 11:00 AM Time In: 4:00 PM Total Hours: 25 work hours The team went out again on Sunday to check out and tag/retag caves in the Upper Gold Mine and Lemon’s Ranch areas and to give a couple of new cavers who arrived too late to help Saturday a chance to help with the project and peek in some caves. Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day in the park with perfect T-shirt weather. The team first stopped off at Trail KF (SAB 815), a small karst feature on the side of the trail to take a look. They then continued on for a look at Polish Pit (SAB 233). That tag had been swallowed by its tree, so the team set a new tag before moving on. The team then spent a good deal of time attempting to locate Critical Moss Cave (SAB 683). They were unable to locate it or any other exemplary feature anywhere near the currently listed coordinates. This cave has been surveyed recently, so the Garmin file likely needs to be updated with the coordinates in those notes. A future objective is for someone more familiar with that cave to check up on the coordinates. They then continued on to retag Red Gate Cave (SAB 234) as that tag was also nearly swallowed up. They verified that Sump’s Below Cave (SAB 245) had a proper tag and which set of survey notes were most accurate. Finally they stopped at Crystal Crevice (SAB 029) for another retag as that cave had only an older foil tag.
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--- Begin Message ---Nice report, Kris ! Jerry Atkinson. -----Original Message----- From: Kris Pena <kapkanga...@gmail.com> To: texascavers <texascavers@texascavers.com> Sent: Mon, Jan 6, 2014 2:31 pm Subject: [Texascavers] December CBSP Project Trip Report Project Dates: December 14 - 15 Volunteers: Kris Peña, Will Quast, Matt Zaldivar, Jeremiah Schoenert, Brendon Brown Total Hours: 47.5 hrs work time + 28 hrs drive time = 75.5 volunteer hours Summary: We had a small trip this month with only 3 people on Saturday and 5 people on Sunday. The cold and rainy weather Friday night must have scared most people away, but it turned out to be a beautiful sunny weekend. On Saturday Kris, Will, and Matt made what could be the last trip into Dog and Butterfly Cave pushing the final leads at the bottom. Sunday, they were joined by new cavers, Jeremiah and Brendon to locate and tag/retag some of the caves in the Upper Gold Mine and Lemon’s Ranch areas of the park. Full Trip Reports: Team 1 (Saturday) Participants: Kris Peña, Will Quast, Matt Zaldivar Time Out: 10:30 AM Time In: 6:00 PM Total Hours: 22.5 work hours Kris and Will woke up Saturday morning to an empty camp. We made breakfast and waited around a little longer than usual to see if all of the other cavers were just very late this month. Matt rescued us when he rolled in just before 10. When it was decided that no one else would be joining that day, the team headed out for another exciting trip to Dog and Butterfly Cave (SAB 197). The goal of this month’s trip was to continue the downstream dig and to climb the dome in the last room to check for possible leads. The wet sticky mud was still at the bottom where we’d left it 12 months ago and promptly covered all team members and their gear. The air quality started to turn south by the bottom of the 3rd drop. After the team reached the 6th room (45 meters underground), Matt set to work on the downstream lead. Will began an aid climb of the dome with a pair of etriers while Kris belayed. Will was able to stick his head into what had appeared to be an upper room from below. However, there was no floor and the hole continued vertical for another 4 meters tapering away into a too small crack. Matt made some progress downstream and confirmed the floor is diggable, but the wet mud and bad air prevented him from making more progress. Looks like Dog and Butterfly will just have to accept being only the 2nd deepest in San Saba County. All team members exited without incident taking several extra pounds of mud out on their clothes and gear. The park’s outdoor shower was turned off because of the possible freeze, so everyone got to go to bed dirty. Team 2 (Sunday) Participants: Kris Peña, Will Quast, Matt Zaldivar, Jeremiah Schoenert, Brendon Brown Time Out: 11:00 AM Time In: 4:00 PM Total Hours: 25 work hours The team went out again on Sunday to check out and tag/retag caves in the Upper Gold Mine and Lemon’s Ranch areas and to give a couple of new cavers who arrived too late to help Saturday a chance to help with the project and peek in some caves. Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day in the park with perfect T-shirt weather. The team first stopped off at Trail KF (SAB 815), a small karst feature on the side of the trail to take a look. They then continued on for a look at Polish Pit (SAB 233). That tag had been swallowed by its tree, so the team set a new tag before moving on. The team then spent a good deal of time attempting to locate Critical Moss Cave (SAB 683). They were unable to locate it or any other exemplary feature anywhere near the currently listed coordinates. This cave has been surveyed recently, so the Garmin file likely needs to be updated with the coordinates in those notes. A future objective is for someone more familiar with that cave to check up on the coordinates. They then continued on to retag Red Gate Cave (SAB 234) as that tag was also nearly swallowed up. They verified that Sump’s Below Cave (SAB 245) had a proper tag and which set of survey notes were most accurate. Finally they stopped at Crystal Crevice (SAB 029) for another retag as that cave had only an older foil tag.
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--- Begin Message ---Anyone have any insight into the Longhorn Caverns Geology Tour in regards to who is running the tour and who it is geared for. Is it worth the additional cost over a regular tour (if any). Thanks, Geary<<attachment: winmail.dat>>
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--- Begin Message ---So I went off trail at Wonder Cave today as I work there and can get permission from the manager. I went to a small hole that I knew lead to a larger room from a previous off-trail trip and had to turn back due to time constraints and I got a little lost. This time I went farther than before and can easily say the cave is more than double than what is on the map and had to head out early because I did not feel comfortable in that much cave by myself and I got lost again. Now don't laugh, but I need help to finish exploring this off-trail section. I got permission from the general manager to take cavers down this Wednesday to explore more, either e-mail me or text my cell which is below my signature. "Semper Exploro" Ryan MonjarasMaverick GrottoCowtown GrottoDFW GrottoUT Grotto Bexar GrottoGreater Houston GrottoTSATCMALost Oasis Preserve Manager (832)754-5778
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--- Begin Message ---Greetings Texas Cavers, Anyone know of any cave contacts in Colorado for a beginner? Please message me off list. Thanks, Bill
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--- Begin Message ---Almost all of the info below is something a newbie can easily find on the web by Googling. http://texasspeleologicalsurvey.org/CaveMaps/mapimages/wondercave.gif I know an old-timer once told me in the mid-80's that the map was incomplete. It might have been A. Richard Smith, or Dr. Elliot. So I always presumed it was common knowledge amongst the experienced cavers of that era of what was down there. http://www.wonderworldpark.com/coupons/coupontop.png David Locklear Ref: http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/pdf/souvenir_of_wonder_cave.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Cave_(San_Marcos,_Texas) http://www.linkedin.com/pub/buddy-mostyn/39/860/a6b https://www.facebook.com/buddy.mostyn?fref=ts http://s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/9D2ElY7IaJFacv1TNZ__1w/l.jpg https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/486203_611148858914432_194184444_n.jpg
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--- Begin Message ---For those that might be interested, here's some history on the discovery and early history of the cave: Wonder Cave was discovered in1893 by Mark A. Bevers, a former cowboy and freight hauler who settled in SanMarcos about 1882. Mr. Bevers was drilling for water in what is now the parkinglot of the park (a state historical marker designates the site), he was using amule to lift a drill bit on a cable. The drill bit would then free fall 2 to 3feet, breaking further and further into the rock. About 158 feet (~58 meters)down, the drill bit broke into a cavity in the ground and the bit fell off therig. Several fruitless days were spent attempting to retrieve the bit before itwas decided to begin drilling anew. Before the new drilling began, Mr. Bevers'wife, Elizabeth, noticed water vapor coming out of a large crevice in theground while she was throwing dish water out the back door of their home. Mr.Bevers and a neighbor, Doras Biedler, investigated. After digging into thecrevice they were able to roll a large boulder down the slope below them,revealing the entrance to the cave. While exploring the cave Mr. Bevers foundhis drill bit in a pool of water approximately 158 feet below the surface(Wyatt, 1977) W. S. Davis took over Bevers'Cave in 1903 and began operating it as a tourist attraction. He charged 10 centsfor a candle and guided tour. Other attractions at the cave included a medicineshow and a tent that housed a South American anteater. Mr. Bevers returnedoften to tell stories to the young couples that would take Sunday walks to thecave (Spring Lake was another favorite destination for young lovers). In 1938,Mr. Bevers returned to his old home in Clarks, Louisiana to visit relatives. Hepassed away there at the age of 80 (Wyatt, 1977). The cave eventually becamethe property of Judge Will G. Barger, whose home was on the hill just north ofthe cave. Judge Barber sold the property to Arthur B. Rodgers in 1916 for $50,a gray horse and a saddle. Mr. Rodgers installed electric lighting, gravelpaths, handrails and ladders and renamed the cave Wonder Cave. In 1955, RalphMarker leased the cave from Paul Rodgers, son of A. B. Rodgers. Mr. Markerbegan an extensive advertising campaign which boosted business so much that thecave operation had to be enlarged. T. J. Mostyn purchased the cave from PaulRodgers in 1958 (Wyatt, 1977). Mr. T. J. Mostyn died in 1967 and the cave todayremains under the control of the Mostyn family. Wyatt, Tulsa Townsend. 1977. HistoricalMarkers of Hays County, 1907-1976. San Marcos: Hays County HistoricalCommission, 228 pp. **************************** Note that there is some discrepancy in the last name of the original discoverer. It has been reported as "Beavers" in many articles (the cave has often been called "Beavers Cave"), and the original date of discovery has often been stated as 1896. Records seem to indicate that he was indeed "Bevers", and the following newspaper article indicates that the cave was indeed discovered in 1893: Anonymous. 1893. A remarkable discovery: A caveof wonderful formation found near San Marcos, Tex. San Antonio Daily Express,[4] June 1893. "Fort Worth, Tex., June 3. - There passed through this city afew days since a man from Hays County, en route to Chicago, who tells of a cavelately discovered near San Marcos, which promises to prove very interesting. A few days since as a Mr. Tyson was digging for water, about ahalf mile from San Marcos, he rather suddenly made this very importantdiscovery. The cave is situated in a piece of woods and is very easy ofaccess. The main trend of the cave is in a southwestern direction and hasbeen explored for a distance of over 1,500 feet by actual tapeline measurement."
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--- Begin Message --- Interesting that the newspaper article corroborating the date gives a different name for the discoverer (Tyson instead of Bevers). I guess it was true even then that you can't believe what you read in the paper. ;-)Mark At 03:22 AM 1/7/2014, Jerry wrote:Note that there is some discrepancy in the last name of the original discoverer. It has been reported as "Beavers" in many articles (the cave has often been called "Beavers Cave"), and the original date of discovery has often been stated as 1896. Records seem to indicate that he was indeed "Bevers", and the following newspaper article indicates that the cave was indeed discovered in 1893:Anonymous. 1893. A remarkable discovery: A cave of wonderful formation found near San Marcos, Tex. San Antonio Daily Express, [4] June 1893."Fort Worth, Tex., June 3. - There passed through this city a few days since a man from Hays County, en route to Chicago, who tells of a cave lately discovered near San Marcos, which promises to prove very interesting. A few days since as a Mr. Tyson was digging for water, about a half mile from San Marcos, he rather suddenly made this very important discovery. The cave is situated in a piece of woods and is very easy of access. The main trend of the cave is in a southwestern direction and has been explored for a distance of over 1,500 feet by actual tapeline measurement."Please reply to mmin...@caver.netPermanent email address is mmin...@illinoisalumni.org
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