texascavers Digest 6 Apr 2010 05:09:48 -0000 Issue 1018 Topics (messages 14324 through 14339):
gadget related
14324 by: David
The Caves of Muzquiz: Documentary
14325 by: Michael Pugliese
14328 by: Michael Pugliese
14329 by: Michael Pugliese
14337 by: Marvin & Lisa
spelientology ?
14326 by: David
The perils of commercial cave tours - Case study 406 :
14327 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
14330 by: David
cave archaeology in the news
14331 by: David
LIDAR Participants
14332 by: Geary Schindel
14333 by: Fritz Holt
14334 by: ventureman410.juno.com
14335 by: Geary Schindel
UT Grotto Meeting - WEDNESDAY April 7th
14336 by: Gary Franklin
6 Most Amazing Caves in the World ....
14338 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
50th anniversary of discovery of Natural Bridge Caverns press release :
14339 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
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--- Begin Message ---Here is a new computer for just $ 85 http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/coby-85-smartbook-feels-like-a-hundred-bucks-hands-on/ Something like this would have been $ 500 about 10 years ago, and probably would not have been as good as this one. This shows how far gadgets have come and what we can expect in the not so distant future. This gadget should be fine for simple word processing, spreadsheets, and playing card games like solitaire, on a plane or other place where you want to go lightweight. There are tons of apps out there for this product that have been around for years, and I think there are even some that are cave related. For example, http://paperless.bheeb.ch/download/PaperlessCaving.pdf http://www.cavediving.de/multilevel/english/introduction.htm http://www.softmaker.com/english/ofc_en.htm David Locklear
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--- Begin Message ---Long time reader, very sparse poster. Thanks for watching! This is a short 18 minute documentary from my perspective as a caver and cinematographer. I wanted to convey the feelings of being deep underground in the vertical caves of northern Mexico, and show the scientists and explorers who find value in their study. Narration is by project leader and geologist Peter Sprouse. Produced in conjunction with the Association for Mexican Cave Studies, a non-profit project of the National Speleological Society. I had the sensitivity of the 5DmkII camera on my side, as I was able to shoot the underground scenes using only headlamp illumination. In my opinion, the result is a more accurate feel for how we cavers experience the cave, Our field of view is narrowed, and the lights of our buddies create texture and beautiful highlights. That extra sensitivity of a few hundred ASA gave me a finished product with a very respectable noise level. I had a lot of fun shooting this, and I hope you enjoy it. http://vimeo.com/10656728 ________________ Michael Pugliese Axios Advertising Director of Photography (570)898-3011 www.mpcine.com
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--- Begin Message ---Long time reader, very sparce poster. Thanks for watching! This is a short 18 minute documentary from my perspective as a caver and cinematographer. I wanted to convey the feelings of being deep underground in the vertical caves of northern Mexico, and show the scientists and explorers who find value in their study. Narration is by project leader and geologist Peter Sprouse. Produced in conjunction with the Association for Mexican Cave Studies, a non-profit project of the National Speleological Society. I had the sensitivity of the 5DmkII camera on my side, as I was able to shoot the underground scenes using only headlamp illumination. In my opinion, the result is a more accurate feel for how we cavers experience the cave, Our field of view is narrowed, and the lights of our buddies create texture and beautiful highlights. That extra sensitivity of a few hundred ASA gave me a finished product with a very respectable noise level. I had a lot of fun shooting this, and I hope you enjoy it. http://vimeo.com/10656728 -- _____________________ Michael Pugliese Director of Photography www.MPCINE.com blog.mpcine.com 570.898.3011<<attachment: mike.vcf>>
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--- Begin Message ---Long time reader, very sparce poster. Thanks for watching! This is a short 18 minute documentary from my perspective as a caver and cinematographer. I wanted to convey the feelings of being deep underground in the vertical caves of northern Mexico, and show the scientists and explorers who find value in their study. Narration is by project leader and geologist Peter Sprouse. Produced in conjunction with the Association for Mexican Cave Studies, a non-profit project of the National Speleological Society. I had the sensitivity of the 5DmkII camera on my side, as I was able to shoot the underground scenes using only headlamp illumination. In my opinion, the result is a more accurate feel for how we cavers experience the cave, Our field of view is narrowed, and the lights of our buddies create texture and beautiful highlights. That extra sensitivity of a few hundred ASA gave me a finished product with a very respectable noise level. I had a lot of fun shooting this, and I hope you enjoy it. http://vimeo.com/10656728 -- _____________________ Michael Pugliese Director of Photography www.MPCINE.com blog.mpcine.com 570.898.3011
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--- Begin Message ---Michael, This is a great video. Thanks for sharing it. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Pugliese Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 2:42 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Texascavers] The Caves of Muzquiz: Documentary Long time reader, very sparse poster. Thanks for watching! This is a short 18 minute documentary from my perspective as a caver and cinematographer. I wanted to convey the feelings of being deep underground in the vertical caves of northern Mexico, and show the scientists and explorers who find value in their study. Narration is by project leader and geologist Peter Sprouse. Produced in conjunction with the Association for Mexican Cave Studies, a non-profit project of the National Speleological Society. I had the sensitivity of the 5DmkII camera on my side, as I was able to shoot the underground scenes using only headlamp illumination. In my opinion, the result is a more accurate feel for how we cavers experience the cave, Our field of view is narrowed, and the lights of our buddies create texture and beautiful highlights. That extra sensitivity of a few hundred ASA gave me a finished product with a very respectable noise level. I had a lot of fun shooting this, and I hope you enjoy it. http://vimeo.com/10656728 ________________ Michael Pugliese Axios Advertising Director of Photography (570)898-3011 www.mpcine.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
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--- Begin Message ---I have noticed a lot of misspellings in the news lately: http://www.ksat.com/news/22977670/detail.html I think they misspelled Orion's name, also. And the writer's choice of words like "what looked to be a yet-to-be-explored passageway," sounds like something an 8th grader might write. Instead of saying unexplored passage, or virgin passage, or newly found passage, or something along those lines. How many of you would use the word "passageway" in a trip report ? I don't see the reporter's name listed. I wonder if Orion realized when he found the room full of speleothems, that he would have to go back to the cave every 10 years for the rest of his life for an anniversary celebration ? Had he known then, would he have plugged the hole, and not told anybody ? David Locklear caver in Fort Bend County ( I had way too much caffeine last night )
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--- Begin Message ---4/2/2010 6:00:00 AM Group spends hours in caverns after elevator breaks PEACH SPRINGS - A 45-minute tour of the Grand Canyon Caverns near Peach Springs Saturday turned into an eight-hour ordeal and 22-story climb after an elevator stopped working. Tour guide Stefani Johnstun said she had just finished a noon tour with a group of 24 people and was heading back to the surface with 12 members of the tour group when the only elevator into the cavern stopped. No one was hurt. Johnstun escorted the 12 onto narrow emergency stairs that led back to the top. She then went back down to gather the rest of the tour group. Six members of that group expressed concern about making the climb up the stairs, opting to wait until the elevator was fixed. "They (the stairs) are truly made only for emergencies," Johnstun said. The stairs were installed in 1962 and were originally a fire escape from a New York City building. They are well lighted and sturdy but do not have a railing on one side, she said. It took three hours for an elevator company from Phoenix to arrive and look at the elevator. It was determined that a transformer had burned out and parts would have to be ordered. The six remaining guests were treated to a sneak preview of Grand Canyon Caverns' new cavern suite, a hotel room inside the cavern that can accommodate at least six people, Johnstun said. The guests were given food, champagne and watched a movie. When the group found out how long it would take to get the parts to repair the elevator, they made the climb to the top, Johnstun said. Everyone on the tour made it out safely and received a refund. The six guests who had to wait nearly eight hours at the bottom of the cavern received a refund and free night's stay in the Grand Canyon Caverns Hotel. The new cavern suite is now open for reservations. _http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=798&Arti cleID=37093_ (http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=798&ArticleID=37093)
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--- Begin Message ---I bet most of those people go home and tell their friends about the exciting spelunking they did, and that they secretly had a blast climbing those rickety, rusty stairs. >
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--- Begin Message ---http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/04/04/fossil-missing-link-human-evolution/?test=latestnews
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--- Begin Message ---Folks, it was pointed out to us during the TSA slideshow that we missed a few names of folks that participated in the LIDAR project. If you participated in the event in any way shape or form, can you review the list and make sure that your name is present and spelled correctly, can you respond back to Allan, Travis, and to both my emails. Thanks, Geary Schindel Allan Cobb Travis Scott Participants Calvin Alexander Don Arburn Charley Averyt Toby Averyt Ben Banahan Andrew Barnebey Jerry Bellian Darla Bishop Alan Blevins Don Broussard Robert Burrent Christi Burrell Mike Burrell Michelle Bryant Paul Bryant Steve Bryant David Calcote Rick Corbell Allan Cobb Marlena Cobb Jon Cradit Sara DuBose Andy Gluesenkamp Steve Gutting Dan Holman Eric Holman Fritz Holt Gaylynn Hutchinson Wayne Hutchinson Tommy Joe Cat Kennedy Jim Kennedy John Kerr Jean Krejac Vivian Loftin Emily McGowan Kevin McGowan Evelynn Mitchell Bobbie Nuebert Amy Nordfelt Linda Palit Nora Padilla Joe Ranzau George-Paul Richardson Randy Rosales Mark Sanders Aspen Schindel Geary Schindel Graham Schindel Sue Schindel Zach Schudrowitz Susan Scoby Amanda Scott Travis Scott Bill Stephens Shannon Summers Jacqui Thomas Kel Thomas
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--- Begin Message ---LYNDON TIU ably helped prepare the spaghetti dinner during the March 2008 project at the Sinkhole. We rode from Houston together. Fritz ________________________________ From: Geary Schindel [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 11:30 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Geary Schindel; Allan B. Cobb; Travis Scott Subject: [Texascavers] LIDAR Participants Folks, it was pointed out to us during the TSA slideshow that we missed a few names of folks that participated in the LIDAR project. If you participated in the event in any way shape or form, can you review the list and make sure that your name is present and spelled correctly, can you respond back to Allan, Travis, and to both my emails. Thanks, Geary Schindel Allan Cobb Travis Scott Participants Calvin Alexander Don Arburn Charley Averyt Toby Averyt Ben Banahan Andrew Barnebey Jerry Bellian Darla Bishop Alan Blevins Don Broussard Robert Burrent Christi Burrell Mike Burrell Michelle Bryant Paul Bryant Steve Bryant David Calcote Rick Corbell Allan Cobb Marlena Cobb Jon Cradit Sara DuBose Andy Gluesenkamp Steve Gutting Dan Holman Eric Holman Fritz Holt Gaylynn Hutchinson Wayne Hutchinson Tommy Joe Cat Kennedy Jim Kennedy John Kerr Jean Krejac Vivian Loftin Emily McGowan Kevin McGowan Evelynn Mitchell Bobbie Nuebert Amy Nordfelt Linda Palit Nora Padilla Joe Ranzau George-Paul Richardson Randy Rosales Mark Sanders Aspen Schindel Geary Schindel Graham Schindel Sue Schindel Zach Schudrowitz Susan Scoby Amanda Scott Travis Scott Bill Stephens Shannon Summers Jacqui Thomas Kel Thomas
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--- Begin Message ---Looks Good! Eric Holman/Dan Holman ---------- Original Message ---------- From: Geary Schindel <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Cc: Geary Schindel <[email protected]>, "Allan B. Cobb" <[email protected]>, Travis Scott <[email protected]> Subject: [Texascavers] LIDAR Participants List-Post: [email protected] Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2010 11:29:51 -0500 Folks, it was pointed out to us during the TSA slideshow that we missed a few names of folks that participated in the LIDAR project. If you participated in the event in any way shape or form, can you review the list and make sure that your name is present and spelled correctly, can you respond back to Allan, Travis, and to both my emails.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Thanks, Geary Schindel Allan Cobb Travis Scott Participants Calvin Alexander Don Arburn Charley Averyt Toby Averyt Ben Banahan Andrew Barnebey Jerry Bellian Darla Bishop Alan Blevins Don Broussard Robert Burrent Christi Burrell Mike Burrell Michelle Bryant Paul Bryant Steve Bryant David Calcote Rick Corbell Allan Cobb Marlena Cobb Jon Cradit Sara DuBose Andy Gluesenkamp Steve Gutting Dan Holman Eric Holman Fritz Holt Gaylynn Hutchinson Wayne Hutchinson Tommy Joe Cat Kennedy Jim Kennedy John Kerr Jean Krejac Vivian Loftin Emily McGowan Kevin McGowan Evelynn Mitchell Bobbie Nuebert Amy Nordfelt Linda Palit Nora Padilla Joe Ranzau George-Paul Richardson Randy Rosales Mark Sanders Aspen Schindel Geary Schindel Graham Schindel Sue Schindel Zach Schudrowitz Susan Scoby Amanda Scott Travis Scott Bill Stephens Shannon Summers Jacqui Thomas Kel Thomas ____________________________________________________________ Penny Stock Jumping 2000% Sign up to the #1 voted penny stock newsletter for free today! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/4bba14b63e67f687est04duc
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--- Begin Message ---Fritz, Lyndon responded earlier and I've added him to the list. Thanks Geary From: Fritz Holt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 11:45 AM To: Geary Schindel; [email protected] Cc: Geary Schindel; Allan B. Cobb; Travis Scott Subject: RE: LIDAR Participants LYNDON TIU ably helped prepare the spaghetti dinner during the March 2008 project at the Sinkhole. We rode from Houston together. Fritz ________________________________ From: Geary Schindel [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 11:30 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Geary Schindel; Allan B. Cobb; Travis Scott Subject: [Texascavers] LIDAR Participants Folks, it was pointed out to us during the TSA slideshow that we missed a few names of folks that participated in the LIDAR project. If you participated in the event in any way shape or form, can you review the list and make sure that your name is present and spelled correctly, can you respond back to Allan, Travis, and to both my emails. Thanks, Geary Schindel Allan Cobb Travis Scott Participants Calvin Alexander Don Arburn Charley Averyt Toby Averyt Ben Banahan Andrew Barnebey Jerry Bellian Darla Bishop Alan Blevins Don Broussard Robert Burrent Christi Burrell Mike Burrell Michelle Bryant Paul Bryant Steve Bryant David Calcote Rick Corbell Allan Cobb Marlena Cobb Jon Cradit Sara DuBose Andy Gluesenkamp Steve Gutting Dan Holman Eric Holman Fritz Holt Gaylynn Hutchinson Wayne Hutchinson Tommy Joe Cat Kennedy Jim Kennedy John Kerr Jean Krejac Vivian Loftin Emily McGowan Kevin McGowan Evelynn Mitchell Bobbie Nuebert Amy Nordfelt Linda Palit Nora Padilla Joe Ranzau George-Paul Richardson Randy Rosales Mark Sanders Aspen Schindel Geary Schindel Graham Schindel Sue Schindel Zach Schudrowitz Susan Scoby Amanda Scott Travis Scott Bill Stephens Shannon Summers Jacqui Thomas Kel Thomas
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--- Begin Message ---Greetings Fellow Cavers, The UT Grotto cordially invites you to experience the Underground Texas Grotto www.utgrotto.org meeting on April 7th, 2010 where I can personally guarantee you a great time at a meeting. As you know or may have heard, The UT GROTTO meetings are like no other where you just have to show up and experience it for yourself. We welcome all of you including students, new folks, active cavers, old timers, and those just wanting to see what it is all about. The official meeting is on Wednesday from 7:45 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. NOTE THE NEW MEETING LOCATION University of Texas Campus in Welch Hall 2.308 http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/wel.html Victoria Siegel will be presenting the Program of the evening as, Continued Adventures in Antarctica. The land where three factors rule - cold, wind, and altitude. Antarctica holds the world record for each of these three things. Come check out Vickie's recent expedition with Stone Aerospace's www.stoneaerospace.com Team ENDURANCE to an unforgiving extreme environment for another highly successful test of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle that is a prototype ultimately destined for exploration to the moon of Jupiter, Europa. http://www.stoneaerospace.com/news-/news-antarctica09-overview.php Please see www.utgrotto.org for information on all UT Grotto activities. All of our information is available including officer contact info, trip reports, new caver training, and an event calendar that lists upcoming caving trips, beginner trips, vertical rope training, or other cool social event activities. Occasionally, some cavers gather beforehand about 6:00 at Sao Paulo www.saopaulos.net for happy hour margaritas, and then we walk over to the meeting. After the Official Grotto meeting, we migrate to Posse East www.posseeast.com for beer & burgers, recruit for upcoming trips, and share caving stories. This is also an ideal parking area since campus parking is difficult. The UT Grotto needs you, YES YOU, the bold caver with photos and a story to share about your exciting adventures, scientific research, or something else really cool. Contact Gary [email protected] to schedule you into our incredible Program series. Gary Franklin UT Grotto Vice-Chair and Program Organizer 512-585-6057 [email protected]
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--- Begin Message ---This article should raise a few discussion points. _http://www.mostinterestingfacts.com/nature/top-6-most-amazing-caves-in-the- world.html_ (http://www.mostinterestingfacts.com/nature/top-6-most-amazing-caves-in-the-world.html)
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--- Begin Message ---CELEBRATING A TEXAS TREASURE Natural Bridge Caverns 50th Anniversary of Discovery NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS, TEXAS (March 10, 2010) – Ask a caver why they explore caves and they’ll answer, “to discover the unknown.” That’s the very essence of caving: exploring dark and mysterious passages, crawling, climbing and squeezing, to see where they go. Fifty years ago, on March 27, four adventurous college students from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio did just that, and what they found was nothing less than the mother lode of majesty and wonder: Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest cavern in Texas. Led to the site after hearing of an amazing 60-foot limestone bridge which would become the caverns’ namesake, the students obtained permission from the Wuest family to investigate what laid beneath their ranch. What the students found initially was enough to keep them interested, and on their fourth expedition they uncovered a long, narrow crawlspace that ultimately opened up into two miles of virgin caverns. “We are so excited about this anniversary because it puts the spotlight on the spirit of discovery, which is why fifty years later people still come to Natural Bridge Caverns -- to satisfy their curiosity and sense of discovery,” explains Brad Wuest, president and chief executive officer of Natural Bridge Caverns. To commemorate the anniversary, this summer Natural Bridge Caverns will offer Discovery Days on select weekends, with special pricing and activities for guests of all ages. “We want everyone to know this is the perfect time to visit Natural Bridge Caverns and celebrate with us,” says Wuest. A third-generation family-owned and operated attraction, Natural Bridge Caverns was developed by the Wuest family, along with Jack Burch, a noted cave developer, and Orion Knox, one of the four student discoverers. Natural Bridge Caverns opened to the public nearly four years later, in 1964, and millions have visited since. Brothers Brad and Travis grew up working at the caverns and today manage the business along with their mother, Joye. “You could say it’s in our blood,” says Wuest. The family is actively involved in promoting Texas tourism as well as show caves internationally. Two daily tours are available – the Discovery Tour and the Illuminations Tour – each quite different and offering its own unique charms. “We’ve taken great care to preserve the cavern environment and develop for our guests two unforgettable cavern experiences, each with its own personality,” explains Wuest. “We believe we are giving people an experience they haven’t seen anywhere else in Texas.” Natural Bridge Caverns is recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior and one of the world’s premier show caverns. Both tours are led by trained guides down to a depth of 180 feet below the surface, through passages and rooms of glistening cave formations revealed in succession, beautifully unfolding long-held secrets of the caverns. Many of the formations actually sparkle from the light reflecting off calcite crystals that adorn them. First-time cavern visitors may be surprised by the colors of some formations, sometimes subtle, sometimes deeper, depending upon the mineral content. Cavern tours feature vast rooms and winding passages of geologic treasures, from gigantic, towering stone monuments in Sherwood Forest and the Castle of the White Giants, to delicate and rare formations of soda straws and cave ribbon. The formations are plentiful and beautiful, even breathtaking, and nearly all of them are still growing. The Discovery Tour lasts approximately 75 minutes and boasts the largest rooms of the two tours, one the size of a football field. The Illuminations Tour lasts approximately 70 minutes and features a total darkness experience. A family-oriented attraction, Natural Bridge Caverns offers a variety of activities for all ages. Two unique Adventure Tours allow the more daring an opportunity to don rappelling gear, helmets and headlamps for a guided cave excursion that gives participants a chance to get dirty and appreciate the experience of exploring the unknown. These three- to four-hour Adventure Tours are by reservation only and are not for the faint of heart. Natural Bridge Mining Company is an authentic mining sluice where guests can pan for gems, minerals and fossils, just like miners once did in their search for gold. Sparkling quartz, sapphire, ruby, topaz, emerald, amethyst and many other gems and minerals, as well as arrowheads and fossils are among the treasures that can be discovered at this attraction. The more adventurous might want to try the Watchtower Challenge, season and weather permitting, and test their climbing skills on one of the largest outdoor climbing and zip line towers in Texas. Natural Bridge Caverns is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours for spring and summer. The year-round temperature in the caverns is 70 degrees with high humidity. Guests should wear lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes which provide good traction on steep, wet surfaces. Strollers are not recommended for the Discovery Tour, and not permitted on the Illuminations Tour. The caverns are located 30 miles north of downtown San Antonio and eight miles west of IH-35 at exit 175/Natural Bridge Caverns Road. For additional information, visit _www.naturalbridgecaverns.com_ (http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com) or phone 210-651-6101. _http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/pdf/2010%20Media/50th%20Anniversary%20N ews%20Release.pdf_ (http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/pdf/2010%20Media/50th%20Anniversary%20News%20Release.pdf)
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