texascavers Digest 25 Jul 2010 19:19:51 -0000 Issue 1111
Topics (messages 15545 through 15557):
Re: Mythes, Realities, and Suspicions about Photognomes
15545 by: Rod Goke
15550 by: Louise Power
WNS Action Item: Cavers can make a difference
15546 by: R D Milhollin
Brown Bag Lunch presentation - Charles Porter - Wednesday, August 4 at 11:55 AM
at the Edwards Aquifer Authority
15547 by: Geary Schindel
Re: A day at the beach - this is SUCH an upper!
15548 by: Fritz Holt
Re: first cave trip
15549 by: Fritz Holt
WNS money
15551 by: Mixon Bill
15554 by: Andy Gluesenkamp
15555 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
Wes Skiles Memorial at Ginnie Springs
15552 by: R D Milhollin
SwRI's Underwater Cave-Mapping Sensor Wins Technology Award:
15553 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
Italian diver reaches 203m depth in Vrelo cave :
15556 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
Vermont
15557 by: Association for Mexican Cave Studies
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--- Begin Message ---
Nevermore!
;)
-----Original Message-----
>From: Don Cooper <[email protected]>
>Sent: Jul 23, 2010 12:14 PM
>To: Rod Goke <[email protected]>
>Cc: Louise Power <[email protected]>, Texas Cavers
><[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Mythes, Realities, and Suspicions about Photognomes
>
>As an interesting side note to this dramatic and terrifying exchange of
>ideas and thoughts, http://iwl.me/ identifies Rod Goke's writing style to be
>similar to Edgar Allen Poe.
>
>-No Kidding!
> Wavy Caver
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Rod,
Thanks for the analysis. Having worked with Photoshop since 1988, I'm well
aware of it's possibilities and the work involved. Really appreciated, however,
the information on photomapping. I'm sure people who have never worked on it
before really enjoyed it.
Louise
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
>From the NSS Conservation Network:
Urgent - Contact Congress Now!
Your help is needed now. The first House Committee in Congress is beginning its
mark-up of the Department of Interior Appropriations Bill for the coming
federal fiscal year. The NSS has signed on to joint testimony with dozens of
conservation organizations and a host of key WNS scientists in support of an
increase to the budget of $5 million for WNS. A copy of that testimony, for
your reference, can be found here:
http://www.caves.org /WNS/House%20Appropriations%20Testimony%203_19_2010.pdf
Please urge your Congressional representative to sign Representative Carol
Shea-Porter's letter requesting $5 million in the 2011 federal budget to combat
White-nose Syndrome. Representative Shea-Porter was a strong supporter of the
additional funding last year, and is urging her colleagues to join the effort
this year.
A sample letter is below, but feel free to tailor it to your own style. If
calling is more your style than writing, then do that. Ask to speak to your
Congressperson, or specifically their environmental staff person. Tell your
Congressperson what the impact of WNS has meant to you.
To contact your representative, go to
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml.
Last year, it was largely due to our efforts that the additional funding for
WNS ($1.9 million) was added to the budget. The problem is bigger now, and the
need for money for hard science research is high. Thank you for your efforts.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sample letter:
Subject: Please Support Funding for White-Nose Syndrome
Dear Representative XXXXXXXXXX,
As a constituent, a caver and member of the National Speleological Society, I
am writing to urge you to sign on to Rep. Carol Shea-Porter's letter to the
Appropriations Committee requesting $5 million in the 2011 Interior
Appropriations Bill to help combat White Nose Syndrome, or WNS.
WNS has already killed over a million bats in the United States, spreading from
the Northeast into the South and now heading Westward. A never-before
identified fungus appears to be the primary cause of the disease, but little is
known of how the fungus attacks and kills the bats. Scientists have called this
the most precipitous decline in North American wildlife in the past century,
with mortality rates at some caves and mines approaching 100%.
Bats are a keystone species in our ecosystem. They are the only nighttime
predators of insects, consuming half their body weight and more in a night of
hunting. The sheer magnitude of uneaten insects raises serious concerns for
the economic effects and health effects. They are vital for controlling
agricultural and forest pests that can cost billions of dollars, and can carry
diseases that effect humans.
Congressional support is essential to fighting this devastating disease. Last
year, Congress appropriated $1.9 million for WNS in the 2010 budget, which was
a help but not enough. It is beyond the capacity of states' budgets to
address, and the scientific research community cannot pursue critical hard
science without sufficient funding. WNS has spread faster than science can
keep up. Our federal and state agencies can do little more than monitor the
spread of WNS without a significant boost of research funding that focuses on
how the disease progresses and how it might be stopped, including treatments or
vaccines.
As one who spends considerable time exploring and studying the underground
resources of our country, I care deeply about bats and their niche in the
underground ecosystem. Bats are an important part of that system, but only one
part. The impact of WNS has meant not only the death of bats, but closure of
caves to further study by those who care most about them. Until we can figure
out WNS, access by our citizens to these underground treasures and progress in
other fields of science are at risk. Please support increased White Nose
Syndrome funding in the upcoming budget. Thank you.
Sincerely,
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
FYI, for those interested in water issues in the greater Edwards Aquifer/San
Antonio area.
Geary
Edwards Aquifer Philosophical Society -
aka brown bag luncheon
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Conference Room
Edwards Aquifer Authority
1615 N. St. Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Charles Porter, Author and Adjunct
Professor at St. Edwards University, will be making a presentation titled Tales
of the Common Pool, Unintended Consequences.
The presentation will be held on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:55 AM, at the
Edwards Aquifer Authority Conference Room. These are informal presentations so
please feel free to bring your lunch. For directions or further information,
the Authority may be contacted at 210-222-2204 or
www.edwardsaquifer.org<http://www.edwardsaquifer.org>
Thank you.
Geary M. Schindel, P.G.
Chief Technical Officer
Charles Porter
Tales of the Common Pool, Unintended Consequences
Abstract
The first public water policies in Texas history concerning
allocation, rights, and management were made in San Antonio by the Spanish
settlers beginning in 1709. As the mission era started along the San Antonio
River in 1718, water became the practice field and classroom for diverse people
to learn how to live together in community. These early Spanish water
policies form the foundation for much of our current water law and management
practices. As Spanish civil law changed to English common law after the
adoption of the Constitution of 1840, water morphed from Spanish water, a
natural resource available to everyone free of charge to Anglo water, a
commodity to be bought and sold by those able to afford it. San Antonio's
acequia system, eventually comprising some 50 miles in combined length, became
the first municipal water system in the future United States. As the city
grew, the acequias became a source of water borne diseases such as the dreaded
cholera.
After the Mexican War of 1848, and especially after the Civil War,
San Antonio's population growth completely overwhelmed the old open-ditch
system of water delivery prompting the city to contract with a private company,
the San Antonio Water Works Company, to install the first underground pipe
water infrastructure to deliver water from the river to the citizens and
businesses at their doorstep. George W. Brackenridge, owner of San Antonio
National Bank, the first nationally chartered bank in the city, eventually
became the controlling shareholder and President of the new water company. By
1890, the river ceased to have the capacity to provide enough "pure" water for
the burgeoning population. In order to comply with the city contract,
Brackenridge drilled the first deep wells into the Edward's Aquifer. Although
the first few wells he drilled were inadequate, in 1891, two powerful artesian
wells were successfully drilled by Brackenridge's contractor, M. C. Judson.
Brackenridge's wells fulfilled the obligations under the city contract, but
with many unintended consequences, especially for his own homestead property.
By 1920, over 120 deep wells had been drilled into the aquifer by the water
works company and other businesses and individuals.
My presentation will examine the history of water rights and
management in San Antonio from 1709 to 1902, from eyewitness descriptions of
the breathtaking beauty of the living springs, through all the years of
conflict and controversy over water, finishing with a discussion of some of the
challenges which we face today as an undeclared water "war" between rural and
urban interests brews. In the words of David Weber of Southern Methodist
University, "water doesn't run downhill, it runs towards money."
Biography
Charles R. Porter is an adjunct professor at St. Edward's University, Austin,
Texas and is a testifying expert in water rights, real estate, and construction
nationwide. At St. Edward's he teaches Water Workshops, Cultural Foundation
courses such as Global Issues in Water, Capstone (justice in public policy
controversies), American Experience, American Dilemmas, and all types of
History courses. His book on Spanish water law in Texas, Spanish Water/Anglo
Water has recently been released by Texas A&M University Press. He teaches
core and continuing education courses for the Texas Real Estate Commission and
the course he authored Water Rights for Texas Agents won the award for Best
Ethics Continuing Education Program in the state in 2008. He is the recipient
of the 2009 Robert Weddle Award given by the Texas Catholic Historical Society
for his article published in Catholic Southwest, "Querétaro in Focus: the
Franciscan Missionary Colleges and the Texas Missions."
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
They are OK as long as they don't pee on my sleeping bag which is always in the
open.
Fritz
-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Goke [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 6:24 AM
To: Fritz Holt; Off-Topic Texas Cavers; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] FW: A day at the beach - this is SUCH an upper!
If only we could get the cavers' dogs to act like that at TCR!!!
-----Original Message-----
>From: Fritz Holt <[email protected]>
>Sent: Jul 22, 2010 6:29 PM
>To: Off-Topic Texas Cavers <[email protected]>,
>"[email protected]" <[email protected]>
>Subject: [Texascavers] FW: A day at the beach - this is SUCH an upper!
>
>OT BUT EVERYONE WILL ENJOY THIS.
>
>FRITZ
>
>________________________________
>From: CR [mailto:[email protected]]
>Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 5:24 PM
>To: Bob Germany
>Subject: Fw: A day at the beach - this is SUCH an upper!
>
>
>
>
>
>Take a breather......forget your problems for a few minutes & get ready to
>smile
>
>http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=pkPNa4DBFHI
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
If the area is convenient, I still say the best cave to carry a child into is
Avery Ranch Cave at Cedar Park. I'm sure Mike Walsh will be happy to give a
personal, guided tour of all hundred or so feet. The formations are incredibly
nice for such a small cave. It has a nice stairway cut into rock, making it
easy when carrying a child. Who wouldn't enjoy a first visit if you were
carried in and out. I should know.
Fritz
-----Original Message-----
From: Rod Goke [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 6:00 AM
To: Stefan Creaser; David McClung; [email protected]
Subject: RE: [Texascavers] first cave trip
Not everyone advocates waiting for a kid to understand caves or to express an
interest in caving before taking the child to a cave. Some second generation
cavers claim to have gone caving with their mothers before they were even born.
They don't remember these early caving trips, of course, but they do remember
hearing later about how their mothers had gone caving while pregnant, and they
sometimes enjoy the bragging rights when cavers swap stories about how young
they were when they started caving.
So what are you waiting for, Dave? You're already late! ;-)
Actually, I think the age of a child's first caving experience is not nearly as
important as how the child feel's about doing it. If she enjoys the initial
experiences and feels that caving is something neat you're letting her do, then
there's a good chance she'll develop further interest in it and will grow up
proud to be a second generation caver, especially if she associates with other
young cavers who reinforce her interest in it as she grows up. On the other
hand, if she grows up feeling that it's something her parents pushed her to do
or that it's an activity associated only with her parents' generation and not
with her generation, then she'll probably learn to avoid caving. That, of
course, is true not just for caving, but for most activities that parents
introduce to their children.
Rod
-----Original Message-----
>From: Stefan Creaser <[email protected]>
>Sent: Jul 22, 2010 2:17 PM
>To: David McClung <[email protected]>, [email protected]
>Subject: RE: [Texascavers] first cave trip
>
>Surely you'll want her to remember her first caving trip? If so you're
>gonna have to wait until she's about 3.
>
>
>
>Stefan
>
>
>
>From: David McClung [mailto:[email protected]]
>Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 12:32 PM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Texascavers] first cave trip
>
>
>
>i got a 5 month old mini caver that will need to go caving for the first
>time and wondered if anybody has a suggestion on a good cave to go to. I
>will wait till shes maybe a year old or so. or maybe not.
>
>
>
>chow, dave mc
>
>
>
>
>--
>IMPORTANT NOTICE: The contents of this email and any attachments are
>confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended
>recipient, please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose the
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>information in any medium. Thank you.
>
>
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--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
In my view, tax dollars for WNS research is just special-interest pork
for "WNS scientists" and their assistants. What, realistically, might
be discovered that is actually useful to _bats_, not just a few
people's wallets? Hard to absolutely prove nothing, but I wouldn't bet
a nickel of my own money on it. Read Tom Aley's article in the
February NSS News about possible WNS management strategies. Aley does
recommend more research, but then he has to--he's a member of the
scientists' union.
If you do write, don't just copy that letter. Most congressmen aren't
stupid, despite all appearances to the contrary, and they spot a
letter-writing campaign for what it's worth. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
May the last lawyer be strangled with the entrials of the last priest.
----------------------------------------
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]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Bill,
I can always count on you for a cynical and clueless rant about conservation
and endangered species. The whole "endangered species biologists are involved
in a money-making scheme" is my favorite. Look at their shoes, Bill. Those
people ain't got no money.
Andy
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]
--- On Fri, 7/23/10, Mixon Bill <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Mixon Bill <[email protected]>
Subject: [Texascavers] WNS money
To: "Cavers Texas" <[email protected]>
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: Friday, July 23, 2010, 6:48 PM
In my view, tax dollars for WNS research is just special-interest pork for "WNS
scientists" and their assistants. What, realistically, might be discovered that
is actually useful to _bats_, not just a few people's wallets? Hard to
absolutely prove nothing, but I wouldn't bet a nickel of my own money on it.
Read Tom Aley's article in the February NSS News about possible WNS management
strategies. Aley does recommend more research, but then he has to--he's a
member of the scientists' union.
If you do write, don't just copy that letter. Most congressmen aren't stupid,
despite all appearances to the contrary, and they spot a letter-writing
campaign for what it's worth. -- Mixon
----------------------------------------
May the last lawyer be strangled with the entrials of the last priest.
----------------------------------------
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]
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Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected]
For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Probably somewhere in the middle of these two opposing views lies the
truth. While there have been some notable examples of endangered species
studies
that were extremely self-serving, the potential impact of WNS on bats and
other related members of the cave ecosystem are extraordinarily severe.
Given the gravity of the situation, I favor funding responsible research
agencies that may help in future, if not the present, species die-offs. It may
be too late to save the bats from WNS, but learning how to contain and
manage future pandemics has potential payoffs that are far reaching.
Jerry.
In a message dated 7/24/2010 7:23:43 A.M. Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
Bill,
I can always count on you for a cynical and clueless rant about
conservation and endangered species. The whole "endangered species biologists
are
involved in a money-making scheme" is my favorite. Look at their shoes,
Bill. Those people ain't got no money.
Andy
Andrew G. Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.
700 Billie Brooks Drive
Driftwood, Texas 78619
(512) 799-1095
[email protected]
--- On Fri, 7/23/10, Mixon Bill <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Mixon Bill <[email protected]>
Subject: [Texascavers] WNS money
To: "Cavers Texas" <[email protected]>
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: Friday, July 23, 2010, 6:48 PM
In my view, tax dollars for WNS research is just special-interest pork for
"WNS scientists" and their assistants. What, realistically, might be
discovered that is actually useful to _bats_, not just a few people's wallets?
Hard to absolutely prove nothing, but I wouldn't bet a nickel of my own
money on it. Read Tom Aley's article in the February NSS News about possible
WNS management strategies. Aley does recommend more research, but then he has
to--he's a member of the scientists' union.
If you do write, don't just copy that letter. Most congressmen aren't
stupid, despite all appearances to the contrary, and they spot a
letter-writing
campaign for what it's worth. -- Mixon
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:26:07 -0400
From: Cheryl Jones <[email protected]>
Subject: Wes Skiles Memorial Service
>From the Skiles Family - Memorial Service
In Memory of WESLEY C. SKILES
Memorial Celebration and Service
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at Ginnie Springs
The memorial service will begin at 6:00 pm
followed by a celebration of Wes's life.
Ginnie Springs will be open to our guests
all afternoon. The celebration will last
into the evening. You may want to bring the
beverage of your choice and a picnic
supper or food to share.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers
donations be made in Wes's name to:
the Alachua Conservation Trust.
alachuaconservationtrust.org
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
SwRI's Underwater Cave-Mapping Sensor Wins Technology Award
Friday, 23 July 2010
Author: Southwest Research Institute
SAN ANTONIO - (Business Wire) _Sensor technology_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.swri.org/4org/d10/comm/wireless/default
.htm&esheet=6371566&lan=en-US&anchor=Sensor+technology&index=1&md5=8fb4b48a9
96e4c0de61daa604fc66dfa) developed to remotely characterize the path,
dimensions and morphology of caves and other underground conduits and cavities
has received a 2010 R&D 100 Award. R&D Magazine selected Southwest
Research Institute’s remote neutrally buoyant sensors as one of the 100 most
significant technological achievements of the past year.
The sensors are designed to float through an underground cave or conduit
and measure the path, dimensions and morphology of the void using an array of
ultrasound sensors. Information gathered during travel is collected by
retrieving the floating sensor and physically transferring the data or by
remotely transferring the data to a static sensor tethered to the ground as the
sensor floats past it.
“The information captured from these sensors is critically important for
water-resource _management_ (http://www.earthtimes.org/tag/management.html)
and geotechnical risk assessment,” said Dr. Ronald Green, Institute
scientist in the _Geosciences and Engineering Division_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.swri.org/4org/d20/home/default.htm&eshee
t=6371566&lan=en-US&anchor=Geosciences+and+Engineering+Division&index=2&md5=
5916986a65506a4f4bddc08cb4b86f84) at SwRI and a principal developer of
the sensor. “Adequate management of _karst aquifers_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.swri.org/4org
/d20/Geohydro/karst/default.htm&esheet=6371566&lan=en-US&anchor=karst+aquifers&index=3&md5=7d59a985789
33620373980fc5955c8db) requires knowledge of water flow through caves and
conduits, including location, size and morphology of the complex
interconnected voids. The technology also is applicable to assessing
geotechnical
risks from karst features, such as caves, that are encountered when karst
features are located near dams or when roads and buildings are constructed
over unknown and uncharacterized cave and karst features.”
The sensor technology provides a unique capability to acquire data that can
otherwise only be obtained by divers physically mapping caves or by
injecting dye to determine the path and travel time of water flow through
caves
or other underground cavities and voids. Cave diving is an extremely
dangerous endeavor and is limited to large passageways, relatively shallow
caves
and limited distances. Information provided by dye tracer tests is limited
to identifying the point of discharge for each injection and the time of
travel.
“Remote neutrally buoyant sensors are built with off-the-shelf components
and therefore are relatively inexpensive,” added Ben Abbott, Institute
engineer in the _Automation and Data Systems Division_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.swri.org/4org/d10/d10home.htm&esheet=63
71566&lan=en-US&anchor=Automation+and+Data+Systems+Division&index=4&md5=2b09
d0f4a52fd108b09d947e627207dc) at SwRI and a principal developer of the
sensor. “Because of this, many can be deployed and the _survey_
(http://www.earthtimes.org/tag/survey.html) would be successful if
information is
retrieved from only one sensor at the conclusion of its travel.” Because of
their
low cost, the sensors can be deployed cost-effectively into challenging
environments because the loss of a sensor or even several sensors is not
cost-prohibitive.
This technology can be used to map other partially or fully water-filled
passageways. Examples of other applications include pipelines, particularly
those with small diameter or interior dimensions restricted by sediment
deposition or corrosion, and sanitary sewers, particularly in older cities
where accurate maps and records are not available and the condition of the
sewer system precludes safe human access. Another potential application is
geotechnical settings such as flooded underground mines, tunnels or conduits
that are not safe for manned entry.
SwRI has won 35 R&D 100 Awards since 1971. This year’s awards will be
presented Nov. 11, 2010, in Orlando. For more technical information about
Remote
Neutrally Buoyant Sensors, contact Green at (210) 522-5305 or
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) or Abbott at (210)
522-2802 or
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) . Visit
_sensornetworks.swri.org_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.swri.org/4org/d10/comm/wireless/default.htm&esheet=6371566&lan=en-US&anchor=sens
ornetworks.swri.org&index=5&md5=9e257aeb2f30ce92b162b84eeb848fdb) for more
information.
Images to accompany this story:
_http://www.swri.org/press/2010/cavemeas.htm_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.swri.org/press/2010/cavemeas.htm&esheet=6371566&lan=en-US&anchor=http://www.swri.org/pr
ess/2010/cavemeas.htm&index=6&md5=2d7c34de3f14ca18b28332c5ca367436)
Video Link: _http://www.swri.org/vidclip/html/nbs.htm_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.swri.org/vidclip/html/nbs.htm&eshe
et=6371566&lan=en-US&anchor=http://www.swri.org/vidclip/html/nbs.htm&index=7
&md5=be3e6b2d06ce827c1767ffc606aad4fc)
About SwRI:
SwRI is an independent, nonprofit, applied research and development
organization based in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 3,200 employees and an
annual research volume of more than $564 million. Southwest Research
Institute and SwRI are registered marks in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.
For more information about Southwest Research Institute, please visit
_newsroom.swri.org_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://newsroom.swri.org&esheet=6371566&lan=en-US&anchor=newsroom.swri.org&index=8&md5=c
4a466991c0d2a963b6e82c0b7965479) or _www.swri.org_
(http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.swri.org&esheet=6371566&lan=en-US&anc
hor=www.swri.org&index=9&md5=886d5d027cf33255db2711fb09af8569) .
_http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/sensor-wins-technology-award,13963
81.html_
(http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/sensor-wins-technology-award,1396381.html)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Italian diver reaches 203m depth in Vrelo cave
Divers go to the extreme to push depths inside caves around the world
(http://www.bigbluetech.net/big-blue-tech-news/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bossi-6-1.jpg)
Italian diver Luiggi Casatti exploring the Vrelo underwater cave near the
Macedonian capital has reached a staggering depth of 203 metres on Tuesday.
This however does not mean that the diver touched the cave’s bottom, say
representatives of the Vrelo speleological club. It was reported that the
bottom was not illuminated and plans to push further will continue.The
European diving team will keep exploring the cave in the next few days.
Vrelo, which was nominated for the new Seven World Wonders, has been
researched for several times. According to speleologists’ assessments, Vrelo’s
depth is 330m, which makes it the deepest underwater cave in the world,
surpassing the Bushman Hole in South Africa that holds the Guinness Record
with 282 meters.
This is one of many deep cave explorations including the achievement of
Big Blue Tech’s Instructor Trainer Ben Reymenants who reached 240m in a cave
in southern Thailand.
_http://www.bigbluetech.net/big-blue-tech-news/2010/07/24/italian-diver-reac
hes-203m-depth-vrelo-cave/_
(http://www.bigbluetech.net/big-blue-tech-news/2010/07/24/italian-diver-reaches-203m-depth-vrelo-cave/)
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Greetings Cavers,
With the Vermont NSS Convention just around the corner, I'm sure most
of you are packed and ready to head North. We are pleased to note
that this will be the 46th NSS Convention that we will be selling
AMCS Publications.
It all began back in 1965 with the debut of the AMCS Newsletter
Volume I. Of course this volume is still in print and will be
available hard bound for $20, along with the other publications.
Also at this Convention we will be selling the remaining copies of
the "Photographic Archive of Mexican Caving", 1st Edition, and begin
work on the 2nd Edition. They make great Christmas presents. Please
drop by our table and check it out.
See You There,
Terry Raines
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