texascavers Digest 1 Nov 2013 19:26:38 -0000 Issue 1878
Topics (messages 23004 through 23007):
TSS Survey Contest results
23004 by: David Ochel
TCMA Ezell's maintenance day
23005 by: Ron Ralph
Kiwi Sink related
23006 by: David
photo request
23007 by: Jill Orr
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 ---
Hi,
The Survey Contest at the Texas Cavers Reunion was well attended this
year, with twelve teams submitting their results of surveying parts of
the dry creek bed. Sponsored by the Texas Speleological Survey (TSS),
the survey consisted of nine legs forming a loop and included a few
hurdles, such as one leg exceeding the length of the provided tapes,
and some high-angle shots.
Team Fisher Ridgers (Andy Edwards and Sean Lewis) won first place, with
a calculated loop closure error of 0.52 meters. Fittingly, their prize,
a set of instruments made possible by the TSS with support of G4 Spatial
(formerly Miller Blueprint) in Austin, will become project gear for the
Fisher Ridge survey.
Ben and Carrie Hutchins were on the Fisher Ridgers' heels, with an error
of 0.58 m. They won station lights, donated as well by the TSS, that
hopefully will come in handy in future surveys.
There is some rounding involved in our method of computing the loop
closure error, which resulted in a tie for the third place. Yaz Avila
and Crash Kennedy, as well as Jen Foote and C.L. Kieffer, both surveyed
with an error of 0.95 m. Thankfully, Gonzo Guano Gear was happy to
double their donation of prizes in the last minute, and each of the
surveyors got their own survey pouch.
Although the course was set up and ready to be surveyed before noon on
Friday, no results were submitted that day. Instead, survey teams
reported being stuck behind each other on Saturday afternoon, trying to
get their results in before the deadline.
Besides our sponsors, special thanks go to Andrea Croskrey for helping
to set up the survey on Friday morning, and to Terry Holsinger for
helping with crunching the numbers instead of participating in the
parade. Thanks to everybody else who contributed as well!
If anybody is interested in more details or the results of their survey,
or in providing feedback, feel free to get in touch.
And don't forget to turn your surveys and cave maps in at
http://texasspeleologicalsurvey.org!
Cheers,
David
--
David Ochel, mailto:d...@ochel.net
-=> http://blog.ochel.net <=-
--
David Ochel -=> http://blog.ochel.net <=-
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Cavers, we need your help! The Texas Cave Management Association (TCMA) will
be sponsoring a work day to spruce up the Ezell’s Cave Preserve in Hays County.
We plan to prune limbs, cut weeds, haul off junk, and just generally make the
property more attractive. We need people, saws, loppers, weed eaters, gloves,
and maybe even someone with a trailer willing to carry all the debris to the
landfill. Bring 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.
The date is Saturday, November 9, 2013 beginning at 9:00 am. Meet at the 1500
block of Brown Street, San Marcos. Cell number for the day: 512-797-3817 (Ron
Ralph).
If anyone wishes to enter the cave after the work is completed, the Preserve
Manager has agreed to that. All visitors to the Preserve will be asked to sign
a liability waiver. Please give Ron a call if you get lost or would like more
details.
Thanks for your support!
Jim Kennedy, TCMA Preserves Chair
512-663-2287
Directions to Ezell’s Cave Preserve
Roughly 1500 Brown Street
If coming in on IH 35 from the north or south, take exit 202 (Wonder World) and
turn west passing the Valero and over the railroad tracks.
At the traffic light, turn right on Hunter Road or FM 2439 (north), then left
on Dixon (across from Jack’s Road House), then jog right on Blevin and go past
the Habitat for Humanity houses that back up to TCMA property.
Turn left at the next street (Clara) and left again at the next intersection
(Brown).
Ezell’s Cave Preserve is the first jungle on the left.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I am curious if Kiwi Sink has flowing water into it.
Was this rain event the first big rain since the 50+ drums of rock and dirt
were removed this. past spring and summer ?
Is the water flow path at the bottom of the pit any different ?
I hope to make it back to digging in January.
Was there any digging in September or October ?
Were there other caves or karst features that were affected by this rain
event ?
For example, Jacob's Well.
David Locklear
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I need a high res image of a Texas Blind Salamander for the TCMA brochure.
If anyone has one they can submit please contact me off line. Soonest
possible please.
Thanks,
Jill
--- End Message ---
