And Windy City Grotto used to buy Justrite cap lamps from the factory
in Chicago for $2.85 each. Of course, back then handled ascenders
(Jumars) cost $18.50 for two. I guess $2.85 in 1962 isn't all that
different from today's price of $29.95 for a perfectly adequate LED
caving light. Presumably the people who pay ten times that or more for
a Stenlight or a Scurion are also the sort of people who pay $100 for
caving pants instead of wearing worn-out street clothes.
Within the last couple of years I've seen a semi-trailer carrying huge
containers of calcium carbide--maybe a ton each, presumably to some
metal fabricator. If you do a _lot_ of welding or cutting, that might
still be the most economical way to get acetylene. After it became
hard to find small cans in rural hardware stores (the main market for
carbide cap lamps was coon hunters), the UT Grotto used to buy hundred-
pound drums from Bob and Bob. To avoid the high shipping charge, I'd
pick up a drum at NSS conventions, by prearrangement with Bob, and
haul it back to Texas.
Getting cold is not usually a problem in most Texas caves if you can
get out of the water, but generally I'd recommend that any electric
caver carry a couple of good stout candles, a lighter in a waterproof
container, and a platic garbage bag. I've once or twice spent many
cozy hours that way waiting for the rest of a party to return and pick
me up after I've wimped out on some hairy traverse.
-- Mixon
----------------------------------------
Forgive your enemies . . . after they are hanged.
----------------------------------------
You may "reply" to the address this message
came from, but for long-term use, save:
Personal: [email protected]
AMCS: [email protected] or [email protected]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected]
For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
