Don't forget the UT Grotto......I believe that Angela and Andy are UT. Natasha
________________________________ From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2011 2:22 PM Subject: [Texascavers] Longhorn Wrap Up-Saturday, November 5th Longhorn Wrap Up-Saturday, November 5th It’s been awfully quiet here onCaveTex, so IthoughtI would send along a projectreportfrom last weekend. I know there were other projects going on last weekend (Deep/Punkin,Robber Baron Open House, Gov’t Canyon), so post away! The next LonghornCavern project will benext month, Saturday, December 3rd. From Gerry Geletzke Of the 19 that went in through the Crownover entrance, 17 made it to the second sump, two stayed at the first sump. The low air at the first sump provided about six or seven inches of air at its lowest point, a little more than Summer 2009. The second sump water level looked like it was down about three to four feet from Summer 2009 but it didn't provide any real additional passage only a larger terminal room. Mallory took several pictures of the second sump to document its current state. (One interesting note; Caleb found his initials and '2009' still clearly legible in the lower dirt sidewall of the passage between the two sumps.) On the way back to the Crownover passage Caleb, Mallory and I looked for and partially explored a couple of already identified leads but we did not want to get too far behind the rest of the group. All 19 of us took the Water Trail passage on the way back to the Crownover passage also. After regaining the Crownover passage, 13 exited the cave and six of us went over the dams and down the main passage to intersect with the Wigglies pit entrance. Your rope and carpet at the dams seemed to have weathered the last two years fine. We then entered the Wigglies and exited back in the Crownover passage. There was some water in the Wigglies but at the deepest point it was less that one foot deep. We then proceeded to exit the cave. I look forward to the next Longhorn work trip. Participants: Mallory and Caleb Mayeux Andy and Angela Edwards Zach Broussard -Chelsea Bergoine -Cruz St. Peters -Chelsea Small -Kyle Leonard -Will Schievelbein -Tori Dunbar -James Kancewick -Sam Kancewick -Jerome Cap -Scott Grimes -Valerie Bowen -Jared Lingo -Natasha Glasgow Sincerely, Gerry Geletzke – Team Leader From yours truly: It was pretty brisk camping out Friday night and the direct opposite Saturday night. Weird! We had a total turnout of 24 folks and a dog attend. GHG, A.S.S., TSA, and DFW Grottos well represented. Met Jim Sheets, the new Park Host. A very nice and accommodating gentleman and who will be very easy to work with. The LCSP staff is also very excited and welcoming and looking forward to having us down in the future. Julia Germany, Edwin Lehr, Natasha’s son, Peyton, and myself worked in the Lovers Lane area. We moved a lot of dirt and rock and began on the area directly below a pool of water (!) called the Pigs Trough. Julia and Peyton visited this area and took pix. We got a good start at rebuilding this area, covering the large drainage pipe, and obscuring the manmade dam that forms this area. We still have a lot to do and they gave us a thorough tour of the cave showing what other tasks they would like to see done and where fill can be located or relocated. Some of theitemswere: Fill in washed areas near both entrances to LL. Did out the encrusted mud on the trail near the Pig Trough. Complete rebuilding the drainage pipe are below the Pig Trough. Did out the mud filledtrenches in the LL area and area leading to Frozen Waterfall area. Unclog drainage pipe in Frozen Waterfall area. Fill in some other washed out areas. Ridge walk areas of the park, including a few new karst features that may/may not connect with the cave. These last two items are pretty exciting: Discussed with Christina and Brad about forming a 501C non-profit called “The Friends of Longhorn Caverns” that could do fundraising, etc. in order to pay for projects in the cave, much like Colorado Bend SP and other State Parks have. Julia is much more knowledgeable on this that me and knows all the how to’s and details. LCSP folks very excited about this. There is an area near Lumbago Alley, towards the Turnaround/Catfish Lake jump off that takes a LOT of water, according to Brad. They would love for us to dig this out andsee if there are additional levels of the cave. The tube is filled in with loose gravel and looks pretty similar to the Crownover Causeway and would be easy to dig out. The Aggies had a good time celebrating someone’s 21stbirthday (I forgot who) Saturday night and the Bluebonnet Caféin Marble Falls was excellent, as usual. Much pontificating accomplished at the top of the Observation Tower Friday and Saturday nights while enjoying the stars and a few adult beverages!A great place to relax after a busy day in the cave. Thanks! Mark
