texascavers Digest 13 Feb 2012 19:20:21 -0000 Issue 1496
Topics (messages 19536 through 19545):
Maryland cave rescue report
19536 by: Speleosteele.aol.com
Missing a wetsuit?
19537 by: Mallory Mayeux
Honeycreek Trip
19538 by: Kurt L. Menking
19539 by: DON ARBURN
19540 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
19541 by: Kurt L. Menking
Re: NSS Convention: Arts & Music Salon Deadlines!
19542 by: C Tiderman
Honey Creek sand observation
19543 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
19544 by: DON ARBURN
19545 by: George Veni
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
--- Begin Message ---
>From TagNet this morning
Washington County, MD, rescue...
By: Dean Wiseman (Indianapolis, Indiana)
[email protected]
A few weeks ago the world was aware of a cave rescue in Schetromph Cave
in Washington County, Maryland. A short version of the account was
released at that time, with a more detailed report to be released in the
future. Well the future has arrived.
The first link is a map of the cave. Red is the location of the gravity
trap, and green is Stephen's working location.
www.caves.org/member/jerry/scr_map.pdf
The following link is Stephen's account of what happened inside the
cave.
<http://www.caves.org/member/jerry/scr_inside.pdf>
www.caves.org/member/jerry/scr_inside.pdf
The following link details why the group was there, a description of the
area where he was trapped, and a version of what appeared to have happened.
The story as to how he actually got that way may need to be revised when
the group feels like talking about the incident.
<http://www.caves.org/member/jerry/scr_outside.pdf>
www.caves.org/member/jerry/scr_outside.pdf
When reading these accounts, realize the participants want their
privacy. Stephen wrote his account with abbreviations VF (as victim's
friend) one, two and three. I did something similar with YM and YL for
young man/lady. The 'in cave' pictures were taken by the students. I was
told by Fire Chief Mike Reid from Clear Spring, that those pictures were
for rescue workers only and not to be released to the public. Because
there were different departments on the scene, no one knows how the leak
occurred. I wish I could supply these accounts with pictures, but being
sensitive to their original requests, I decided NOT to publish their
pictures. That is not to say you can't find them. They did, some how,
get released to the public. They were on web sites and TV news
broadcasts. If you want pictures, you can find them if you look.
_http://www.caves.org/member/jerry/scr_outside.pdf_ (http://www.ca
ves.org/member/jerry/scr_outside.pdf)
Today, February 19, Stephen and I went over to the cave with a helmet
camera
to record video of the cave. We found out some things at the owners house.
Unrelated to the cave rescue, the owner had his farm for sale. When we
arrived
today, a few guys were moving items to a trailer. The house has already
sold and
the new owners will take possession this coming Wednesday. As owners, no
one
followed up with them as to how the boy was, so we gave them a good report.
And the night of the rescue, the young mother who lived there was trapped
outside of a check point, and couldn't pass until the area cleared.
These linked stories first appeared in Tri-State Grotto's premier
publication, the Dead Dog Dispatch ........
your friend,
Jerry Bowen NSS 51562 301-465-2651 cell
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
If you went to Honey Creek and are missing a farmer John wetsuit, let me know
bc I came home with an extra that I don't recognize. Email me or txt me at
235-933-9885.
Mallory
Sent from my iPhone
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
This weekend we managed to squeeze in a great trip despite the forecast for
rain. Turns out the doom and gloom forecast for Wed-Friday last week never
materialized. So I didn't have to cancel the trip.
At least 62 people came out. Ellie Watson, Jill Orr, and Andy Edward surveyed
a lead in the M survey. A few folks did grand finally trips, nearly 50 folks
did through trips. Andy G looked for biology at the spring and a film crew did
some work at the spring as well.
The weather was cold, but when we weren't in the cave we were warm by the fire.
The water levels or flows were higher than they have been for several years
but, but all in all I'd say they were back to normal. Sunday morning as most
folks were packing up to leave we had a fair amount of sleet, but it didn't
cause any road problems.
As far as I could tell a good time was had by all.
Kurt
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Very cool!!
Sent cellularly.
-Don
On Feb 13, 2012, at 10:43 AM, "Kurt L. Menking" <[email protected]> wrote:
> This weekend we managed to squeeze in a great trip despite the forecast for
> rain. Turns out the doom and gloom forecast for Wed-Friday last week never
> materialized. So I didn’t have to cancel the trip.
>
> At least 62 people came out. Ellie Watson, Jill Orr, and Andy Edward
> surveyed a lead in the M survey. A few folks did grand finally trips, nearly
> 50 folks did through trips. Andy G looked for biology at the spring and a
> film crew did some work at the spring as well.
>
> The weather was cold, but when we weren’t in the cave we were warm by the
> fire. The water levels or flows were higher than they have been for several
> years but, but all in all I’d say they were back to normal. Sunday morning
> as most folks were packing up to leave we had a fair amount of sleet, but it
> didn’t cause any road problems.
>
> As far as I could tell a good time was had by all.
>
> Kurt
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Kudos to Kurt!
We had a very enjoyable time touristing in the entrance area and beyond
Whistler's Mother (sucking major air). We saw five Honey Creek salamanders,
despite poor visibility and we had fun coming up with passable explanations for
the deposit of white calcite (?) sand seen in various places in the cave (the
remains of calcite rafts dashed to dust by a sudden rise in stream flow?)
Thanks for all of your effort to make these trips possible.
Andy
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]
--- On Mon, 2/13/12, Kurt L. Menking <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Kurt L. Menking <[email protected]>
Subject: [Texascavers] Honeycreek Trip
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: Monday, February 13, 2012, 10:43 AM
This weekend we managed to squeeze in a great trip despite the forecast for
rain. Turns out the doom and gloom forecast for Wed-Friday last week never
materialized. So I didn’t have to cancel the trip.
At least 62 people came out. Ellie Watson, Jill Orr, and Andy Edward surveyed
a lead in the M survey. A few folks did grand finally trips, nearly 50 folks
did through trips. Andy G looked for biology at the spring and a film crew did
some work at the
spring as well.
The weather was cold, but when we weren’t in the cave we were warm by the fire.
The water levels or flows were higher than they have been for several years
but, but all in all I’d say they were back to normal. Sunday morning as most
folks were packing
up to leave we had a fair amount of sleet, but it didn’t cause any road
problems.
As far as I could tell a good time was had by all.
Kurt
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Andy,
I’ve noticed before most areas where the floor is white with cave ice there is
an active dripping stalactite above (or several). The formations that are very
active often have a mound of cave ice below them. I also seem big piles of
cave ice below waterfalls. I’ve noticed, at least in Honeycreek, cave ice
forms much quicker in winter months.
Kurt
From: Andy Gluesenkamp [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 11:07 AM
To: [email protected]; Kurt L. Menking
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Honeycreek Trip
Kudos to Kurt!
We had a very enjoyable time touristing in the entrance area and beyond
Whistler's Mother (sucking major air). We saw five Honey Creek salamanders,
despite poor visibility and we had fun coming up with passable explanations for
the deposit of white calcite (?) sand seen in various places in the cave (the
remains of calcite rafts dashed to dust by a sudden rise in stream flow?)
Thanks for all of your effort to make these trips possible.
Andy
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]
--- On Mon, 2/13/12, Kurt L. Menking <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Kurt L. Menking <[email protected]>
Subject: [Texascavers] Honeycreek Trip
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, February 13, 2012, 10:43 AM
This weekend we managed to squeeze in a great trip despite the forecast for
rain. Turns out the doom and gloom forecast for Wed-Friday last week never
materialized. So I didn’t have to cancel the trip.
At least 62 people came out. Ellie Watson, Jill Orr, and Andy Edward surveyed
a lead in the M survey. A few folks did grand finally trips, nearly 50 folks
did through trips. Andy G looked for biology at the spring and a film crew did
some work at the spring as well.
The weather was cold, but when we weren’t in the cave we were warm by the fire.
The water levels or flows were higher than they have been for several years
but, but all in all I’d say they were back to normal. Sunday morning as most
folks were packing up to leave we had a fair amount of sleet, but it didn’t
cause any road problems.
As far as I could tell a good time was had by all.
Kurt
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Carol
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: cady soukup <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 12:20 PM
Subject: NSS Convention: Arts & Music Salon Deadlines!
Please distribute widely - Deadlines Approach!
In addition to the usual ten salons, there will be a new Crafts Salon,
display-only for this, its first year. For more information, please
contact Carolina Shrewsbury ([email protected]) or Kriste
Lindberg ([email protected]).
The Fine Arts Salon is again offering its wonderful workshops. For
more information, look at the NSS MayaCon web site http://nss2012.com/
Thank you all,
Cady Soukup
NSS Salon Committee Co-Chair
2012 NSS Convention: Art & Music Salons
The NSS Art & Music Salons promote and recognize excellent
cave-related art, artists, and musicians. NSS Salons are open to
everyone; those who enter need not be members of the NSS.
CARTOGRAPHIC MAPS. Cave and karst-related maps
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/Cartographic.shtml
DEADLINE: Mail: June 1, 2012. Convention: 9am Monday, June 25, 2012.
Mailed to Chair (label package clearly “Cartographic Salon”) to arrive
no later than June 1, 2012 (Jim Kennedy
3406 Catalina Drive
Austin, TX
78741-7041
512-663-2287); delivered to the Cartographic Salon display
area at the NSS Convention by 9am Monday, June 25, 2012.
ENTRY FORM: http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/cartoentry.pdf‚
MORE INFORMATION: Judging criteria and a history of the salon at the
Survey and Cartography Section website (
http://www.caves.org/section/sacs/ ). Contact Jim at
[email protected].
CAVE BALLADS. Cave-related songs and music
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/ballads/Cave%20Ballad.shtml
DEADLINE: May 15, 2012.
Entries must be sent to Barbara am Ende no later than May 15, 2012
(43465 Laidlow St, South Riding, VA 20152).
MORE INFORMATION: Contact Barbara at [email protected] or (703) 909-6550.
COVER ART. Printed cave publication covers
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/Cover%20Art.shtml
DEADLINE: March 25, 2012.
All entries must be mailed to Brian Killingbeck (316 Tremont St., Apt
2, Chattanooga,TN 37405), with Entry Form, and received no later than
March 25, 2012.
ENTRY FORM: http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/coverentry.pdf
MORE INFORMATION: Contact Brian at [email protected].
FINE ARTS. Topography/Cartography in Speleology
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/finearts/Fine%20Arts.shtml
DEADLINE: Entry Forms: June 1, 2012. Artwork (after acceptance only,
please): Shipped/Delivered to Convention by 5pm June 23, 2012.
ENTRY FORM:
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/finearts/FineArtsEntryFormAlex.pdf
MORE INFORMATION: Contact Carolina at [email protected]
MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS. Multiple image computer programs
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/MultiMedia.shtml
DEADLINE: Mail: June 1, 2012.
All entries must be sent to Dave Bunnell, P.O. Box 879, Angels Camp,
CA 95222 no later than June 1, 2012.
ENTRY FORM: http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/multientry.pdf
MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Dave at [email protected]
PRINTS. Photographic prints
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/Print.shtml
DEADLINE: Mail: June 1, 2012. NSS Convention: Sunday, June 24, 2012
before 10 a.m.
All entries must be delivered to Print Salon area on Saturday, June
23d between 9am-5pm, or on Sunday, June 24th between 8-10:00am at the
NSS Convention Print Salon exhibition area, or mailed so that we
receive it before June 1st (contact Pat Seiser at [email protected]
or call 505-292-5793). Please include your email address on the
outside of the package so that we can let you know by email that your
package has arrived.
ENTRY FORM: http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/printentry.pdf
SALES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For questions concerning entries or
sales of prints, please e-mail Pat Seiser at [email protected] or
call 505-292-5793. If you have trouble with the deadline, please
contact Pat before June 1st, 2012.
PHOTOS. Photographic slides & digital images
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/Slide.shtml
DEADLINE: March 30, 2012.
All entries mailed to Cady Soukup (P.O. Box 600 Flint Hill VA
22627-0600; 540-522-8631; [email protected]) to arrive no later than
March 30, 2012. If you cannot make the deadline, please contact Cady
before March 30.
ENTRY FORM: http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/photoentry.pdf
MORE INFORMATION: Contact Ray Cole / Cady Soukup at [email protected].
SYMBOLIC EMBLEMS. Patches, decals, pins, etc related to caves or caving.
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/Symbolic%20Emblems.shtml
DEADLINE: Mail: June 16, 2012. NSS Convention: Saturday noon, June 16, 2012.
All entries must be mailed to Kim Fleischmann (115 Stoneleigh Road,
Bel Air, MD 21014, USA) to arrive no later than Saturday, June 16,
2012, or delivered to Kim at the display area by 12:00 PM Sunday, June
24, 2012.
ENTRY FORM: Available at NSS Convention Symbolic Emblems display area,
or: http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/shirtentry.pdf
MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kim Fleischmann at [email protected].
T-SHIRTS. T-shirts related to caves or caving
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/T-Shirt.shtml
DEADLINE: Mail: June 16, 2012. NSS Convention: Saturday noon, June 16, 2012.
All entries must be mailed to Kim Fleischmann (115 Stoneleigh Road,
Bel Air, MD 21014, USA) to arrive no later than Saturday, June 16,
2012, or delivered to Kim at the display area by 12:00 PM Sunday, June
24, 2012.
ENTRY FORM: At NSS Convention T-Shirt Salon display area, or:
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/shirtentry.pdf
MORE INFORMATION: If you have questions, send e-mail to [email protected].
VIDEOS. Cave-related films and videos
http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/Video.shtml
DEADLINE: April 15, 2012. Entries must be mailed to David Socky (6572
Woodbrook Dr SW, Roanoke, VA 24018-5402 ) to arrive no later than
April 15, 2012. Each entry must be accompanied by an official entry
form.
ENTRY FORM: http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/videoentry.pdf
MORE INFORMATION:If you have questions, e-mail [email protected].
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
This was different. First, I noticed small areas of white sand in pools
in the spring run. There were some now-dryish pools that had a coating
of "sand" on the bottom (but on top of the mud), as if they were filled
during the "high tide". We also noticed a 3/4-inch wide band of fine
white sand on top of the mud layer on walls about a foot above the water
line (high tide line?) along passage near WM. Also, areas where the
floor dropped off were covered in fresh white sand (sand over mud). We
meant to collect a sample for later "fizz" testing but, alas, the urge
to splurge on Philly cheese steaks and beer was too great for our group
and we plumb forgot.
Andy
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Could they be dried up pulverized hackberry seeds? I noticed a bunch of white
"calcium" looking "gravel" in the bottom of a metal rain-water trough,
yesterday, that I drained. Sounds similar. Perhaps washed in from the surface?
Sent cellularly.
-Don
On Feb 13, 2012, at 11:59 AM, Andy Gluesenkamp <[email protected]>
wrote:
> This was different. First, I noticed small areas of white sand in pools in
> the spring run. There were some now-dryish pools that had a coating of
> "sand" on the bottom (but on top of the mud), as if they were filled during
> the "high tide". We also noticed a 3/4-inch wide band of fine white sand on
> top of the mud layer on walls about a foot above the water line (high tide
> line?) along passage near WM. Also, areas where the floor dropped off were
> covered in fresh white sand (sand over mud). We meant to collect a sample
> for later "fizz" testing but, alas, the urge to splurge on Philly cheese
> steaks and beer was too great for our group and we plumb forgot.
>
> Andy
>
> Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
> 700 Billie Brooks Drive
> Driftwood, Texas 78619
> (512) 799-1095
> [email protected]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Calcite sand in Honey Creek is usually deposited due to turbulence related
to both normal and flooding conditions.
Kurt described deposition common to normal conditions:
. Dripping water sinks floating calcite rafts;
. Rafts accumulate on the upstream side of dams, where as more
accumulate they become more sensitive to disturbances in flow and thus sink
there;
. Rafts accumulate below dams where they have washed over the dams
and get sunk on the downstream side.
Andy described deposition common to flooding conditions:
. A "bathtub ring" of calcite coats the walls as water levels rise
and later fall, draping the calcite rafts on the walls;
. Calcite accumulates below areas that would be especially turbulent
during high flows, causing floating rafts to be sluiced along and
concentrated in areas where they sink.
The degree to which the sand accumulates or is noticed at any given time
depends mostly on:
. How much time has passed since the last flood, which determines
how many rafts will accumulate floating on the water;
. How severe the flood was, and did it just sink the floating rafts
where they can be seen, or wash them away or bury them under silt and clay
where they will not be seen;
. The chemistry of the cave's water and atmosphere to create
favorable conditions for raft development. Kurt is right that they usually
form more quickly in the winter because the cave atmosphere has less carbon
dioxide at that time, allowing more carbon dioxide to degas from the water,
driving the water to supersaturation with respect to calcite, and promoting
calcite raft development.
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
[email protected]
www.nckri.org
From: Andy Gluesenkamp [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 11:00
To: texas cavers
Subject: [Texascavers] Honey Creek sand observation
This was different. First, I noticed small areas of white sand in pools in
the spring run. There were some now-dryish pools that had a coating of
"sand" on the bottom (but on top of the mud), as if they were filled during
the "high tide". We also noticed a 3/4-inch wide band of fine white sand on
top of the mud layer on walls about a foot above the water line (high tide
line?) along passage near WM. Also, areas where the floor dropped off were
covered in fresh white sand (sand over mud). We meant to collect a sample
for later "fizz" testing but, alas, the urge to splurge on Philly cheese
steaks and beer was too great for our group and we plumb forgot.
Andy
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]
--- End Message ---
