texascavers Digest 31 Mar 2009 23:46:40 -0000 Issue 733
Topics (messages 10422 through 10433):
April Punkin Cave survey expedition
10422 by: Jim Kennedy
Re: Statistics
10423 by: Alex Sproul
10424 by: Stefan Creaser
Statistics ???? Sheep ???
10425 by: Gill Ediger
10426 by: Stefan Creaser
Re: IMPORTANT: Butch Fralia in the Hospital
10427 by: Mark.Alman.l-3com.com
UT Grotto Meeting â Wednesday April 1, 2009
10428 by: Gary Franklin
new AMCS reprint
10429 by: Mixon Bill
Cave Cricket Survey Volunteers Needed
10430 by: Denise P
Re: 15th ICS - Devil's Sinkhole
10431 by: Mixon Bill
NCC closes all its caves due to WNS :
10432 by: jerryatkin.aol.com
Georgia considering closing caves due to WNS :
10433 by: jerryatkin.aol.com
Administrivia:
To subscribe to the digest, e-mail:
<[email protected]>
To unsubscribe from the digest, e-mail:
<[email protected]>
To post to the list, e-mail:
<[email protected]>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
--- Begin Message ---
Cavers,
There are a limited number of slots available for the upcoming trip to
Punkin Cave in Carta Valley (Edwards County, Texas) this weekend (3-5
April 2009). If you do not have vertical experience and your own
equipment, please do not ask to go on this trip. This will be a
surveying trip. Passages may be small, windy, and covered with dry bat
guano. Trips will be approximately 6-7 hours in length. If interested,
contact the survey coordinator, Jim Kennedy, ASAP. There may be a small
number of rides available, but no guarantees.
-- Crash
Confidentiality Note: This email and any attachment to it are
confidential and protected by law and intended for the use of the
individual(s) or entity named on the email. If the reader of this
message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any
dissemination or distribution of this communication is prohibited. If
you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender
via return email and delete it completely from your email system. If you
have printed a copy of the email, please destroy it immediately. Thank
you
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Amy said:
>My daughter is working on a paper for school dealing with mortalty rates of
>Spelunkers. I cannot find anything on this topic. Can you possibly help me?
I can tell her what the NSS Office probably wouldn't. The mortality rate for
spelunkers is the same as for cavers -- 100% and guaranteed. Some
before their time, some well after.
As for the mortality rates in caving, Bill pointed her to the right place:
American Caving Accidents (ACA) <
www.caves.org/pub/aca/
> has tables of
all accidents/incidents by year, including deaths, but they're just listed; she'll
have to tally them manually.
Alex
--
Alex Sproul
NSS 8086RL/FE
NSS Webmaster
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I dunno if they'll be interested but the rescue statistics and analysis
for the UK can be gotten here:
http://www.caverescue.org.uk/
I just like to read them to see how many sheep are rescued or how many
people like to walk the Yorkshire Dales in high heels (yes, it *has*
happened!)
Cheers,
Stefan
From: Alex Sproul [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 6:35 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: [Texascavers] Re: Statistics
Amy said:
>My daughter is working on a paper for school dealing with mortalty
rates of
>Spelunkers. I cannot find anything on this topic. Can you possibly help
me?
I can tell her what the NSS Office probably wouldn't. The mortality
rate for spelunkers is the same as for cavers -- 100% and guaranteed.
Some before their time, some well after.
As for the mortality rates in caving, Bill pointed her to the right
place: American Caving Accidents (ACA) < www.caves.org/pub/aca/
<http://www.caves.org/pub/aca/> > has tables of all accidents/incidents
by year, including deaths, but they're just listed; she'll have to tally
them manually.
Alex
--
Alex Sproul
NSS 8086RL/FE
NSS Webmaster
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail:
[email protected] For additional commands, e-mail:
[email protected]
--
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 contents to any
other person, use it for any purpose, or store or copy the information in any
medium. Thank you.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
At 10:34 PM 3/30/2009, Stefan Creaser wrote:
I just like to read them to see how many sheep are rescued or how
many people like to walk the Yorkshire Dales in high heels
Rescued from what? People in high heels....? Only in the UK & NZ.
--Ediger
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Only in Wales do you need to rescue the sheep from people in high
heels...
Though they most 'men' prefer to use wellies (Wellington Boots) and
Velcro knee-pads. Or so I'm told.
In Yorkshire they rescue the sheep who have tried to go caving but end
up stuck on ledges; I fear sheep are short sighted and don't exactly
know where the floor of the cave is.
Stefan
-----Original Message-----
From: Gill Ediger [mailto:[email protected]]
At 10:34 PM 3/30/2009, Stefan Creaser wrote:
>I just like to read them to see how many sheep are rescued or how
>many people like to walk the Yorkshire Dales in high heels
Rescued from what? People in high heels....? Only in the UK & NZ.
--Ediger
--
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 contents to any
other person, use it for any purpose, or store or copy the information in any
medium. Thank you.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and Butch, Sharon.
Keep us updated on his status and hope to see both of you at the TSA
Convention.
I have copied this to CaveTex, as well.
Good luck and please let Butch know we're pulling for him.
Mark Alman
________________________________
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Butch Fralia
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 1:06 AM
To: [email protected]; 'Maverick Grotto'; 'Cowtown Grotto';
[email protected]
Subject: [Allcavers] FW: IMPORTANT: Butch Fralia in the Hospital
Importance: High
Butch is in the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure due to
complications from pneumonia. I thought he had walking pneumonia a
couple of months ago and told him to go to the doctor. He went to
CareNow and they treated him for bronchitis twice in the past 3 months.
He doesn't have insurance (and neither do I.)
I had to call 911 Sunday morning and he stayed in the ER (JPS) all day
until they got his breathing under control and his heart rate down. It
was 180 at one point. It was scary!
The doctors and nurses at JPS are excellent and taking very good care of
him. He is getting about 3 -7 breathing treatments a day. He's slowly
improving; but, tonight he had a set-back. He hasn't slept but about 3
hours in the past 3 days. They gave him a sedative around 8:30 p.m. I
stayed with him for a couple of hours to make sure he got a couple of
hours of good sleep. I just got home at 11 p.m.
I don't expect him to be released until later this week. At this time,
he is only allowed 2 visitors in the room at a time. If you want to stop
by and see him, please call me first to check on his status. I am not
supposed to keep my cell phone on while in his room. I will check my
cell phone for new messages throughout the day. While we all know that
Butch LOVES to talk, it does take quite a bit out of him to do so and he
needs to reserve his strength for getting better.
Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts as we go thru this difficult
time.
Sharon Mastbrook
817-229-7768 (Cell)
817-346-2039
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
UT Grotto Meeting – Wednesday April 1st, 2009
www.utgrotto.org
The Underground Texas Grotto meeting will be Wednesday from 7:45 P.M. - 9:00
P.M. on the University of Texas Campus in 2.48 Painter Hall
http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/pai.html
The Program will feature our UT Grotto Chairman Stephen Bryant who has
accumulated an impressive resume of accomplishments covering a spectrum of
caving experiences as "A look at the History of Stephen's Caving Adventures" .
Come out to share in the fun and see some of the really cool things that Texas
Cavers are doing. As always, the after meeting is at the Posse East
www.posseeast.com for Beer & Burgers. See you there.
Anyone interested in sharing your caving adventures of stories, photos can
contact Gary [email protected] to schedule you to present to the UT Grotto.
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Reprint 10 of the Association for Mexican Cave Studies (the version
that actually publishes stuff) is "Cave Papers of Federico Bonet," a
facsimile reprint of two books and one long paper by this pioneering
Mexican speleologist:
Cuevas de la Sierra Madre Oriental en la Región de Xilitla (1953), 96
pp plus 5 unnumbered map plates
Datos Sobre las Cavernas y Otros Fenómenos Erósivos de las Calizas de
la Sierra de El Abra (1953) pages 238-266 and 7 unnumbered photo plates
Espeleología de la Región de Cacahuamilpa, Gro. (1971) 98 pages, 26
photo plates, and 17 unnumbered map plates
Total 318 pages, softbound. Price is $12. Some copies will be at the
UT Grotto meeting Wednesday night. Exact change if possible, please.
Copies will also be available at the TSA Convention in late April. The
book is not yet on the amcs-pubs.org catalog, but mail-ordering info
is on the "how to order" page under "publications" there.
--Bill Mixon, AMCS editor
---------------------------------------------
He who renders warfare fatal to all engaged in it will be the greatest
benefactor the world has yet known. - Sir Richard Burton
----------------------------------------------
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 ---
The City of Austin - Wildland Conservation Division needs volunteers! From the
job description, wimps (like me) need not apply!
Cheers,
Denise
Volunteer Job Description
Position: Cave Cricket Surveyor
Type of position: Volunteer
Number of Volunteers needed: up to 4
Time commitment: Flexible. Volunteers would “adopt” a cave and survey the
crickets once every three months over the next year. We would prefer a
commitment for a whole calendar year, but one time volunteers are also welcome.
Each survey take approximately 3 hours.
Work dates: Flexible, but caves need surveying April, July, October, and
December
Location: Multiple locations. Volunteers choose the cave that is closest to
them.
· One cave is near the Shady Hollow neighborhood in south Austin, a few
miles south of the Brodie Ln. and Slaughter Ln intersection.
· The second is in SW Austin near Dick Nichols Park.
· The third cave is in NW Austin near the intersection of 2222 and RR
620.
Job description: Survey Cave crickets when they exit a cave. These crickets
live in the cave during the day, but leave the cave at night to forage for
food. For the first survey, volunteers would work with a city biologist or
experienced volunteer to be trained in the appropriate protocol. Volunteers
and city staff would meet at dusk at appointed cave and count crickets until
two hours after sunset. For each cave at which the volunteer works at, it will
take approximately 3 hours to count the crickets. Work would not take place in
rain.
Volunteer duties include: communicating with staff biologist in the scheduling
of workdays. Counting crickets and writing observations on the appropriate
forms. Standing in one location for several hours at a time.
Training and tools will be provided.
Job Qualifications: For a volunteer to successfully complete this task, he or
she must be willing and able to:
· Participants must be 18 years of age or older and have reliable
transportation.
· Must be able to stand for several hours at a time.
· Volunteers will not be allowed to wear bug repellant, so some
tolerance of mosquitos will be necessary.
· Work will be conducted in a natural area. Rough terrain, scorpions,
and snakes may be encountered.
· Work areas are remote and do not have any indoor bathroom facilities.
To apply: Email or call Daniel Dietz at [email protected] or
512-263-6443.
_________________________________________________________________
Quick access to Windows Live and your favorite MSN content with Internet
Explorer 8.
http://ie8.msn.com/microsoft/internet-explorer-8/en-us/ie8.aspx?ocid=B037MSN55C0701A
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Forwarded by Mixon:
Begin forwarded message:
From: ICS 2009 eList <[email protected]>
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: March 31, 2009 1:20:00 PM CDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: 15th ICS - Devil's Sinkhole
Dear Friends,
I have learned there is some misunderstanding about two field trips
for the International Congress of Speleology (ICS). Many of you are
registering for two of the Wednesday trips that will visit the Devil’s
Sinkhole:
WD 102: Birds, rivers, and bats
WD 107: Kickapoo Cavern and the Devil’s Sinkhole
We tried to be clear that these trips will only watch bats fly out of
the Devil’s Sinkhole, but some people are registering expecting to
rappel into the cave. These trips will not enter the Devil’s Sinkhole
(WD 107 will enter Kickapoo Cavern). If you want to enter the Devil’s
Sinkhole, there will be trips for that during other days of the ICS.
The ICS will offer 76 caving trips to 20 different caves throughout
the week that are not on the registration form. The upcoming April NSS
News will describe some of the trips. When you arrive, visit the
Information Room near Registration. You will find descriptions of all
of the trips offered. You can then select the trips you wish to join.
Space is limited so register early for those trips when you arrive in
Kerrville.
I apologize for any confusion about the Wednesday trips. If this
information changes your trip choices and you are already registered,
go to https://secure.concentric.com/ics2009.us/register/regform.php?addInfo=true
to change your trip preferences or to add trips. If you are not yet
registered for the ICS, you can register at https://secure.concentric.com/ics2009.us/register/
.
Remember, to have a guaranteed place on the pre-ICS, post-ICS, or
Wednesday trips, you must register by 16 April! Also remember that
there will be no meeting or activities on Wednesday except for the
Wednesday field trips. You have 20 great Wednesday trips to choose
from and some are filling so register now.
George
George Veni, Ph.D.
Chairman, 15th International Congress of Speleology
Adjunct Secretary, International Union of Speleology
Executive Director, U.S. National Cave and Karst Research Institute
----
You have received this message because you are subscribed to the 2009
ICS eList. To unsubscribe, please visit:
http://ics2009mail.nfshost.com/pommo/user/
---------------------------------------------
He who renders warfare fatal to all engaged in it will be the greatest
benefactor the world has yet known. - Sir Richard Burton
----------------------------------------------
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 ---
Bat disease closes caves
First published in print: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
SCHOHARIE — A spelunking group has closed its caves in Clarksville, Onesquethaw
and elsewhere out of concern that people who go inside may be inadvertently
spreading a fatal bat disease.
The Northeastern Cave Conservancy voted unanimously Sunday in favor of the
closures after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asked this month that caves
be closed to help stop the spread of white nose syndrome, named for a white
fungus found on the noses of afflicted bats.
First found in 2007 in about 20 caves in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and
Connecticut, the disorder causes bats to leave hibernation sites in caves early
due to possible starvation. Alarmed wildlife biologists called the bat deaths
unprecedented and said estimates of 100,000 dead bats were reasonable.
Conservancy President Robert Addis said, "The NCC has been deeply involved in
the investigation and management of white nose syndrome since its discovery,
and we want to do everything we can to continue to help."
— Brian Nearing
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=785299&category=REGION
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Bat disease has state considering closing caves
By MARK DAVIS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A disease is heading toward Georgia, and state officials say they may close
caves to stymie its arrival.
Yes, caves. The disease is white nose syndrome, and it has decimated bat
populations in eight states from New Hampshire to West Virginia. If unchecked,
it could reach Georgia, home to 16 species of bats.
Enlarge this image
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
White nose disease can be fatal to bats but is not harmful to humans.
It’s such a mystery that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has urged cave
explorers to stay away from caves in those states, plus those in adjacent
states.
The disease is apparently not harmful to humans, but scientists don’t know if
cavers help transfer the disease from one site to the next, said Diana Weaver,
a spokeswoman for the agency.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources might follow the agency’s
suggestion and close caves on state property, said DNR biologist Katrina
Morris. The state is home to about 600 caves, most of them located in Georgia’s
northwestern tip. One, Frick’s Cave in Walker County, hosts about 10,000
hibernating gray bats.
An estimated 500 are on private property, while 100 are in state parks and
other public sites.
“We don’t have white nose syndrome yet,” Morris said. “But we may consider
closing them.”
A caver discovered the disease=2
0in New York in January 2006 when he took photos of some hibernating brown bats
whose noses had turned white. He shared those images with scientists nearly a
year later when word spread that something was killing bat populations. It
causes hibernating bats to lose their fat reserves, crucial for the tiny,
winged creatures to survive until spring. Scientists estimate its mortality
rate at nearly 100 percent.
Bats, Morris said, are insatiable insect-eaters; on a spring or summer night, a
hungry bat can usually eat its weight in bugs.
“We really need bats,” she said.
Caving enthusiasts, meantime, hope the scientists will be able to eradicate
whatever is killing the bats.
If the state wants to close caves, said caving enthusiast Kris Green, he’ll
hang up his caving equipment until further notice.
“It might be one of those processes of nature” in which a fungus sweeps through
a species, regardless of what humans do, said Green. “But you can’t sit back
and do nothing.”
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/03/31/white_nose_bat_cave.html
--- End Message ---
