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January 2010 Issue

January 2010 Issue

Youth Yellow

NSS Logo Sweatshirt Hats Black or Yellow - $12 New Bat Hoodie! $25 S-XL, $27 XXL $35 S-XL, $37 XXL Limited Edition-Youth Bat Hoodies now Bat Koozies available in Black and Yellow - $30 Black or Purple $2.50 Bat Stickers Only $2! Order online at www.nssbookstore.org phone: (256) 852-1300 2 NSS News, January 2010 POSTMASTERS OR MEMBERS: Send address changes to National Speleological Society, 2813 Ave., Huntsville, AL 35810-4431. NSS News January 2010 NSS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Volume 68 Number 1 Gordon Birkhimer 2807 Hogan Court Falls Church, VA 22043 (703) 573-4653 [email protected] Operations VP Administrative VP Wm Shrewsbury Ray Keeler 221 Leitha Way 1051 Solar Road NW Mexico Lakeland, FL 33809 Albuquerque, NM 87107 Misbehaving Sumps and Lost Tadpoles: A Tale of the US Deep ovp@.org [email protected] 727-424-2901 623-523-1760 Team’s 2009 J2 Expedition...... 4 Executive VP Secretary/Treasurer Jon Lillestolen Lee Florea Peri Frantz Western University 16345 Englewood Ave. Mexico Dept of Geography and Los Gatos, CA 95032-4621 J2: The Journey to Camp 4—Beyond the ...... 11 1906 College Heights Blvd. (home) 408-356-8506 Bowling Green, KY 42101 [email protected] Matt Covington [email protected] Salon Gallery National Speleological Society Office 2813 Cave Ave, Huntsville, AL 35810-4431 Mulu 2009 Expedition Images...... 16 Tel: (256)852-1300; FAX (256)851-9241 e-mail: [email protected]; web: www.caves.org Robbie Shone Please contact the office for address changes or back issues. Spelean Spotlight NSS NEWS EDITOR An Interview with Doug Soroka...... 20 Dave Bunnell Ron Zuber Box 879 Angels Camp, CA 95222 Society [email protected] The 2010 NSS Convention–A Cool Convention...... 26 Please include “NSS News” in your subject line when e-mailing material to help me sort it from the spam. Thanks! Peter Youngbaer Questions about submitting features and photos? Please see the style and submission guidelines:on the NSS web site: President’s Message www.caves.org/pub/nssnews/style.html Board of Governors Meeting Birmingham, ...... 28 ADVERTISING Gordon Birkhimer Complete advertising information, including ad costs, deadlines, and guidelines for preparation, are on the NSS wesite at: www.caves. Society News org/pub/nssnews/ads.html Payment info, contact: Advertising Accountant: Charter of the National Speleological Society Headquarters Bert Ashbrook Commission...... 29 107 Avonbrook Road, Wallingford, PA 19086 (610) 627-2378 evenings [email protected]

DEPARTMENT EDITORS CONSERVATION NEWSLETTER REVIEW Jim & Val Hildreth-Werker Kim Gentry PO Box 207 110 Beechwood Lane Hillsboro, NM 88042-0207 Mt. Washington, KY 40047 (575) 895-5050 [email protected] [email protected] SPELEAN SPOTLIGHT IN THE MEDIA Spelean Spotlight...... 20 President’s Message...... 28 Ron Zuber Underground Update...... 23 Society News...... 29 Derek Hoyle ([email protected]) PO Box 400 360-293-4158 Reading...... 25 Calendar...... 30 Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Letters...... 25 Classified Ads...... 30 [email protected] SAFETY & TECHNIQUES Kurt Waldron [email protected]

Deadline: Ads, articles and announcements should be sent to the editor by the 15th of the month, six weeks before the month of issue (e.g., material for the March issue needs to be in by January 15). Front cover: Nikki Green traverses a handline in the Jungle Series near Camp 2A in J2 Cave, The NSS News (ISSN 0027-7010) is published monthly with Mexico. Photo by David Ochel. the Members Manual and American Caving Accidents published as additional issues by the National Speleological Society, Inc, 2813 Cave Ave, Huntsville, AL 35810-4431. Periodicals Postage Paid at Huntsville, Back cover: Al and additional mailing offices. Tel: (256)852-1300; FAX (256)851- Logo image by Jose Morales. 9241, e-mail: [email protected], web: www.caves.org Left: Regular membership in the NSS is $40 per year. See http://caves. Right: The dive platform at El Sifon de Los Piratas in J2. Photo by Bill Stone. org/info/membertypes.shtml for descriptions of other membership Bottom: Matt Covington climbs rope above a deep pool in the wet canyon above categories. Subscriptions to the NSS News are $27 per year; individual Camp 3 near the -1000m depth. Photo by Marcin Gala. copies are $3.00 each. Contact the Huntsville office for membership applications, subscriptions, orders, or for replacement of issues missing or damaged in the mail. Moving? Please report changes of address to Inside Cover: the office promptly or online at: www.caves.org/info/changeinfo.shtml Matt Covington climbs rope in the wet canyons above Camp 2A. Photo by Marcin Copyright ©2010 Gala. by the National Speleological Society, Inc.

NSS News, January 2010 3 Misbehaving Sumps and Lost Tadpoles A Tale of the US Deep Caving Team’s 2009 J2 Expedition Jon Lillestolen

The 2009 J2 expedition is the latest effort, Proyecto Cheve. This discovery and to the north. Surface in the middle endeavor in the Aguacate Valley area of the subsequent exploration would ultimately shift tends to disappear into stream gravel Cheve Karst in Mexico’s southern state of focus from the Huautla Plateau southward far from any obvious entrances, making it Oaxaca. A three year blitz of activity ending across the Santo Domingo Canyon to the somewhat difficult to find caves. However, in 2006, yielded Mexico a new 1200m deep Cheve area as Mexico’s premier deep caving with approximately fifteen linear kilometers cave, only to be stopped by a short, shallow project.y B 1993, cavers had pushed the of unknown passage between the upper 200m long sump and not enough time or Cheve system to world-class depths along karst and resurgence karst explorations, the equipment to continue exploration that year. with the world’s deepest proven potential. middle karst may hold the backdoor to the In the three expedition-less years which Beliefn i a major trunk hidden deep in the booming conduit hidden somewhere in the followed, dreams abounded of exploring mountain has kept cavers coming back year mountain (4). kilometers of virgin in J2. Plans for after year to fulfill the promise of deeper In 2003, two major expeditions were this expedition were to continue to push the cave despite minimal depth gains since the undertaken in the Cheve karst. One would dry passage beyond the sump at the bottom early 1990s (4). push the last of the leads in the bottom of of the cave, El Sifon de Los Piratas. The The Cheve karst lies within the Sierra Sistema Cheve and the other would push expedition developed new technology and Juárez, part of the greater Sierra Madre onwardn i the confined canyons of Cueva brought with them the determination to meet Oriental de Oaxaca, in the northern part of Charco. Before the expeditions, Cheve was the cave on its own terms to accomplish the the state of Oaxaca. The highest elevation the second deepest cave in the Western goalf o discovering what could be the deepest entrances in the Cheve karst are located Hemisphere. Charco, the best lead in the cave in the world. near the town of Concepción Pápalo at middle karst, was hoped to continue towards approximately 2850m above sea level. This a connection with the elusive subterranean History highest segment of Sistema Cheve includes conduit that connects Cheve with its resur- During the 1970s and early 1980s, Cueva Cheve, the main entrance, and Cueva gence. Unfortunately, both caves ended. most American expedition cavers, who Escondida, the highest known entrance to Charco died with a small sump at the end of a focusedn o world-class deep caving, spent the Sistema, in addition to several other nice very long and miserable cave, and Cheve died their efforts on the caves of the Huautla caves in the general area referred to as the in an impassible pile on the other side plateau. Discovered in the 1960s, Sistema Cheve upper karst. The upper karst swallows of two sumps (which incidentally made it the Huautla was a proving ground for cavers the surface drainage from the highlands and deepest cave in the Western Hemisphere). of the era. It was in this place and time that discharges it with all its infeeders into the To push even further would require months many American-style expedition caving Santo Domingo Canyon 19 kilometers to the of preparation and significant risks just to techniques were born and established. With north. The resurgence karst including all the return to the limit of exploration (5). the connection of Li Nita ot Sotano San entrances near and in the Santo Domingo After Charco, Proyecto Cheve cavers Agustin the Huautla System broke the Canyon have been explored since before went back to the proverbial drawing board elusive 1000m depth mark, becoming the the discovery of Cueva Cheve and include to begin searching anew for areas to find deepest cave in the Western Hemisphere over two kilometers of underwater survey new cave. The effort in 2004 focused on and the first 1000m deep cave outside of and a total of more than 10 kilometers to untapped areas in the middle Cheve Karst. It Europe (1). It remained the deepest Mexican date. Everything in between the upper and was this year that produced Mexico’s newest cave until 2003, when it was surpassed by resurgence is considered the middle deep cave, J2. After 10 weeks of effort by a Sistema Cheve. karst. This includes an area of over 60 multi-national team from 9 nations organized The discovery of Cueva Cheve ni square kilometers between the southern by the USDCT in a miserable, unending rain 1986y b Carol Vesely and Bill Farr led to edge of the highland plateau and the village stormn o the mountain, the team cataloged a the formation of a new Mexico deep caving of Santa Ana Cuauhtémoc, twelve kilometers long list of potential caves by grid-searching Michael Pugliese Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin

Michael Denneborg helps reload the basecamp propane cylinder back onto a mule The kitchen in its full glory as dusk approaches

4 NSS News, January 2010 the area around what would become the J2 expedition with a handful of their soon-to-be The first wave of J2 cavers departed basecamp. Most never proved to be worth released Mk-6 . They had been Austin with their caravan of trucks on March pushing, but J2 eventually swallowed every designed to be capable of being carried into 12th. Three long days of travel across the piecef o unused rope that the expedition a cave with constricted passages such as J2. rugged Mexican highways landed them in brought that year. A return the following The compact size and range of the closed the small town of San Francisco Chapulapa year would leave J2 at -1101m and a gaping circuit would allow for more readyo t start negotiations with the local poli- borehole that would beckon a third expedi- than with an equal amount of in ticians for permission to visit and continue tionn i 2006. The 2006 expedition led to open-circuit diving gear. This training would exploration in the area. Since the 2006 the discovery of the Sifon de Los Piratas allow both the more experienced exploration expedition, Chapulapa had elected a new (Sump 2). Sump 2 was found to be 200m divers and the logistical divers enough train- presidente and had elected a new board of long. It surfaced into dry60 meter diameter ing to feel comfortable using this new Mk-6 members for the bienes comunales. This chamber that ended in Sump 3. The dive rebreather. The training additionally allowed presented some challenges because although through the SLP established J2 at a depth the divers, experienced and inexperienced, we came bearing permission directly from of -1209m. (3). to become familiar with the redundant diving the f state o Oaxaca to be there, the locals setup that would be used in the sumps of J2. were always eager to demonstrate their Expedition Objectives Over the course of the week in Texas, power.n I an attempt to gain friends and The 2009 expedition set off with the the team learned to work with each other convince the locals that we were there for objective of diving the Sifon de Los Piratas more closely while learning the intricacies our stated aims, we arranged to share a to the dry passage on the other side and of diving with a closed-circuit diving system. slide show on cave exploration and with exploring beyond. The dive team would The setting was a comfortable one, dive some basic information on karst geology. consistf o several experienced exploration training started in the 8-foot deep test tank The slide show was followed by a question divers and a handful of logistical divers that that Stone had built for his NASA projects. and answer session to allow the locals to air would transport equipment through the sump From there, dive training moved to a local any concerns. for deeper camps. Logistical divers would be caver’s backyard pool, complete with hot- Thankso t the assistance of several experienced expedition cavers given a crash tub, 15-foot deep end, and a duck-under to expedition members that were fluent in course in the overhead diving environment, a man-made cave complete with skylight. Spanish and had a thorough understand- giving them the ability to dive with redundant The week rounded out with dive trips to a ingf o the culture, the locals, although not air supplies and follow a dive line through SCUBA park on Lake Travis, which featured fully convinced, left the slide show with an the Sifon. The plan was for logistical divers a plethora of dive obstacles including a metal improved impression of the cavers. The to swap leads with the exploration divers to profilef o a shark that swallowed the dive line negotiations with the local politicians drug put the best team at the leading edge. This more than once. on as they tended to be both stubborn and would push the exploration forward at a With the week of intense diving and disorganized. While waiting for the presi- reasonable pace and provide the safest way expedition planning complete, the team was dente and bienes comunales, the expedition to map the cave. working like a fine-tuned machine. Everyone set up camp in the field behind the house of Additional goals would include exploring left for their respective homes to continue our dear friend Faustino Navarette Rubio, the barely pushed 30m deep “Last Bash”/La dive training until it was time to leave for who had been helping with J2 expeditions Cueva Hija Puta that blows enough air to be the expedition. since the very beginning in 2004. a decent-sized cave as as concentrating on reconnaissance of areas slightly further Southward Bound The Fun Begins from basecamp and into unknown territory As with most American-led caving expe- After a week of tedious discussions, in the El Ocotal Cloud Forest. ditions to Mexico, the 2009 J2 Expedition negotiations and politics, permission was startedn i Austin, Texas. Austin is a town finally granted and the expedition proceeded. Preparing for the Expedition with a sizable that has no equal in Gear, food and personal equipment was To prepare for the diving push at the it’s support network for expedition cavers organized on Señor Faustino’s field to be endf o J2, a core team of experienced J2 traveling abroad. With the help of the local arranged into packs for the long trek up the cavers assembled at Bill Stone’s compound Texans and a small gathering of J2 partici- mountain. Mule trains then hauled these in X Austin, T for a week in October of 2008 pants, heaps of expedition gear were loaded packsp u the mountain in order of impor- to train and plan for the expedition. Poseidon into the caravan of trucks for the long trip tance. The process took several days as the Diving Systems had graciously sponsored the to Oaxaca. locals had only a finite number of mules and

NSS News, January 2010 5 Bill Stone Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin

James “Jaime Hot Tub” Brown organizes dive gear at the Sifon de Marcin Gala and Matt Covington use the cave board to keep track Los Piratas in preparation for establishing Camp 4 beyond the sump. of gear in the cave. the five-hour round trip limited them to a J2. A three year gap in expeditions to the ing down a short Tyrolean line that drops into maximum of two trips per day. area made it necessary to check the rigging the sump-pool. After a short swim with the With gear steadily arriving, basecamp that had been left in the cave. The cable aid of the Tyrolean line, the canyon tapers was assembled in short order. Massive tarps ladders, used in the first hundred meters of down into a body-tight squeeze that requires were p set u first to cover the kitchen and the entrance section, were brought back to removal to pass through. Fortunately, expedition gear areas. Makeshift tables were ease travel through the hardest and tightest the squeeze is short and adrenaline helps builto t keep dive equipment, Michie phones section of the cave. Large sections of rope with the exciting climb out of the water. Wind and the expedition log out of the dirt. The in the vertical shaft series at around -250m rips through the same canyon passage as it kitchen would have its own large table with were replaced with brand-new rope, getting heads for the larger passages beyond and two f sets o double-burner propane stoves. rid of the much abused ropes that had been quickly cools anyone foolish enough to wait The stove-top table was surrounded by left hanging since 2004. In addition to the here for too long. hanging pots and pans and group food was ropes, the phone line that allowed easy As the first team in 2009 passed the strewn across the ground behind it. The bulk communications between basecamp and the Ex-Sump, they prepared themselves to of the expedition food was neatly packed in underground camps was checked and any pass the wider, but deeper pool of water large grocery bags on the ground behind badly worn sections replaced. The expedition just beyond. A small hill of breakdown the stoves with dates to indicate when each quickly reached Camp 1 at -555m, where separates this pool from the Ex-Sump and was to be available for use. The bags had to they restocked supplies, checked the condi- as they reached the top of this hill, they were be labeled by week in this way to make sure tionf o staged gear from 2006 and spent the surprisedo t see that the pool was now full all that the food would last the entire expedition. night before their quest onward. the o way t the ceiling where there had previ- The camp fire ring from previous ously been at least two meters of airspace. expeditions was once again surrounded with Sumped! They had just discovered what would become sitting logs to become a natural collector Waking up from Camp 1, the Ex-Sump knowns a the Surprise Sump. Expecting for cavers. Across the campfire ring from and the former Camp 2, are only an easy an easy trip to Camp 2A, the cavers were the kitchen was the tree. This two-hour trip deeper into the cave. Camp 2 amazed that once again J2 would require 30 meter tall tree served as the site of the is in a large chamber with a nice set of short a short sump dive to continue. Apparently rebelay course. Before long, the proctor rebelays taking you down the far side of a the large pile of clean washed breakdown of the rebelay course completed rigging 20m high cascade. Near the bottom of the on the far side of the pool had shifted since the challenging course for expeditioners to cascades i a small flat spot, where a small 2006 holding back more of the water than prove that they could competently travel tent can be set up to keep the spray off the in previous years. through the complex ropework in the cave. camp’s sleeping bags and cook gear. Going With a delay in the plans to continue J2 was no easy cave, and this would assure deepern i this chamber and down several onward into the cave, the expedition reestab- thate w were not allowing cavers to put more sets of short cascades, the room starts lished the old Camp 2 in the large chamber themselves in danger through lack of skills to taper down into a 1.5m wide canyon before the Ex-Sump. From here, dive gear or over-confidence. with a deep pool of water in the bottom of was quickly assembled to dive the Surprise The group area/kitchen was wedged it. This steadily-narrowing canyon is what is Sump and a plan was hatched to see if the between the edge of the ridge as it dropped referred to as the Ex-Sump. The Ex-Sump, feat from 2005 could be repeated. As the off into the J2 valley and a large steep-walled formerly known as Sump 1, is the part of the first diver prepared to dive the sump, another giving the appearance to the camp cave that temporarily stopped exploration in checked the sump and could feel airflow. of being nestled around the rim of a volcano. 2005, when the water was 2 meters higher With only a few centimeters of airspace, Tents filled in around the remainder of the becausef o a dam on the downstream end the Surprise Sump had drained enough to volcano crater, with the trail down to Señor of the canyon. What required dive-gear and become passable. It then became evident Faustino’s being on the side of the crater the o guts t pass an underwater body-tight that the Surprise Sump was draining at a opposite the kitchen. squeeze in 2005, now requires a neck-deep constant rate and that large rain pulses would Once all the toil of setting up base- bath in what remains of the sump-pool. impede travel to anyone without dive gear camp had settled, the focus started towards To pass the Ex-Sump now requires slid- until it could drain.

6 NSS News, January 2010 During the two months of the 2006 of the entrance. Just above the main part of that night and would repeat the process as expedition, this Surprise Sump had never the entrance is a classic Mexican cave head- long as bags were being hauled in from the given any indication that it would rise during wall of smooth , only on a smaller surface. rain events and so it was never thought of as scale than the big well-known Mexican caves. While the tank hauling effort was ao threat. T prevent any further problems, a Just inside the entrance, the cave quickly underway, an advance team pushed onward set of dive gear was staged on the far side of descends into down-climb after down-climb to ensure that the rigging in the deeper the Surprise Sump in the event that heavy into a body-tight canyon. Several of these sections of the cave were still intact. In the rains would require the cavers to dive to exit down-climbs are permanently rigged with process, they reestablished Camp 3 at the the cave. both cable ladders and ropes, because of same comfortable location as in 2006 and their tight nature, it is easier to descend on ran phone line all the way to the Sifon. Moving Equipment rope and ascend on cable ladders where it Later, when enough bags were hauled into With the problem of the Surprise Sump can be very difficult to use ascenders. After the staging area at Camp 2, a massive effort temporarily solved, teams pushed ever about 200m of body-tight canyon, the cave was made to move the approximately 20 deepern i the cave, reestablishing Camps opensp u into its first small chamber. The bags through the Ex-Sump, Surprise Sump 2A and 3 and repairing the phone line relieff o unrestricted passage only lasts a and Jungle Series to arrive at Camp 2A and on the way to the Sifon de Los Piratas. short while as cavers are then forced into into the dry borehole of the Wonderland. Asf i there hadn’t already been enough the Barbie Squeeze, a super tight -head The entire effort took about a month and trouble with sumps and politics, an influenza that required many days of rock-shaving to required one crew to spend a total of 17 days mini-epidemic started to spread across the allow passage for everyone when the cave underground doing nothing but hauling the basecamp. It hit some of the cavers harder was being explored in 2005. big yellow bags deeper into the cave. than others, making some unable to work Beyond the Barbie Squeeze, the passage forpo u t 10 days at a time. Due to the becomes more manageable and steeper as Camp 4 combination of complications that came the cave begins dropping short pit after short With enough of the gear bags close to out of politics, the Surprise Sump and now pit. Finally, the water from the entrance the sump, and food supplies dwindling for the flu outbreak, the expedition was way series disappears into a small crack in the the large contingent operating out of Camp behind schedule and still had a huge pile of floor at the bottom of a nice cascade. From 3, the decision was made to prune the dive gear destined for the Sifon that had not here a short rope traverse through a narrow bottom-crew to only four. Two divers would left basecamp.1 canyon leads to the top of the vertical shaft remain and begin their move to a bivouac at Finally, fresh cavers began to arrive in series. One hundred and fifty meters of depth the Sifon del Los Piratas, while another two basecamp, and teams of cavers were able to and a never-ending series of rebelays leaves support cavers would move the remaining begin moving bag after bag into the cave. teamst a the bottom of the vertical shaft bags, rig the diving platform at the sump, Several dedicated cavers offered to make series which still has a bolt placed in the floor and assist the divers with any needs they surface runs, carrying bags into the cave marking the end of the final survey of 2004, might have. After two long days of setting to the bottom of the vertical shaft series the year the cave was found. up hammocks, arranging the dive platform, and exiting in the same day, experiencing This is where the surface crews depos- rigging a sloping Tyrolean to access the the worst that J2 had to offer twice in the ited their bags before returning through the platformn o the far side of the sump, building same day. miseryf o the entrance series. The bags were rebreathers, and gawking at tadpoles swim- The cave starts out in a beautiful heavily- later picked up by crews basing themselves mingn i the Sifon, the divers were finally vegetated steep sinkhole. It can be hard to outf o Camp 1. From here it is a short, readyo t get into the water. Thanks to the see the sun from the entrance during most mostly-horizontal trip to Camp 1 sloshing Mk-6 rebreathers, graciously provided by of the day due to the big depression and the through the ever-growing stream, as J2 picks Poseidon Diving Systems, the divers were tall trees that seem to flourish in the vicinity up new infeeders along the way. From there, offn o their mission to prepare the sump the Camp 1 teams carried bags through their for a push beyond. Although rebreathers 1 It was later discovered that the H1N1 flu own camp and into the next short stream are arguably more complex and moody than had started its spread a month prior less than 100 section to leave their bags at the near-side of open-circuit dive gear, they provided us with miles away in the neighboring state of Puebla. the Ex-Sump at the site of the old Camp 2. an opportunity to explore beyond the sump It’s assumed that this basecamp flu epidemic is They would then return to Camp 1 to sleep that was safer and required less equipment related, although hard to prove. Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin

Matt Covington at the spacious and comfortable Camp 1 Bill Stone, Jose Morales, Jim Castelaz, and Matt Covington cooking in Camp 2 NSS News, January 2010 7 whether it could be done from somewhere handfulf o the J2 cavers, the expedition as high in the cave as Camp 2A. assembled three separate pushes on the The two lonely souls destined for Camp cave, each discovering more new cave than Bill Stone 4 pushed onward and in short time were the last. In the end of the pushes, only a half phoning the surface from their new home. kilometer of passage separates the end of Because of their remoteness, the new Last Bash at it’s depth of -500m and bottom-crew phoned in twice daily to give the most likely connection spot near Camp progress reports on their exploration and 2A. Another good solid push could possibly to n check i with family and friends. They have linked the caves together, assuming surveyed from the far end of El Sifon de that stream passage in LB continues along Los Piratas downward into the that its current trend of easy walking passage. runs past Sump 3, into a diminishing passage beyond Camp 4, and then diving into Lake Final Push 41, also referred to as Sump 4. From here The spirit of the expedition diminished the sump continued on the same general slightly with the news of a fourth sump block- trend as the rest of the cave as a lake with ing the long-sought connection to Sistema a slowly descending ceiling and the only Cheve. All the dreams of running down dry passages shot northeast and away from kilometers of borehole trailing a 100m tape the known trend of Sistema Cheve. These instantly vanished and the effort concen- dry passages were short, narrow, miserable tratedn o sending more equipment to the canyons that led nowhere. sump for a second Camp 4 crew. Time was Jon Lillestolen assists Jose Morales into the In four days based out of Camp 4, the running out, and the team remaining in base- Sifon de new Poseidon Mk6 rebreather at the camp was getting smaller, as cavers started Los Piratas in preparation to dive the sump. first push team had mapped about a kilo- meterf o passage eliminating all possibility returningo t real-life in droves to attend to of a dry continuation in this far section of family and career needs. overall. the cave. A heroic effort, no doubt, but it Fresh dive tanks and rebreather parts To explore through the sump into what would have to come to an unfortunate end filtered into the cave as trash and personal we were hoping would be large section of because the team was out of both leads and gear were carried outwards. The sump-diver dry cave, it had been decided that the best supplies. While this crew planned their exit, crew swam through the second sump with a guideline would be a 10mm caving rope. the surface crew made plans for a second week’s worth of equipment to lay seige to the This would allow divers to pull themselves crew to make Camp 4 a home, but this time fourth sump, and try to salvage what was left through the 200 meter long sump instead of with a crew of seasoned cave divers. of the dream of a 2009 Cheve connection. finning which would ultimately save energy and our precious dive gas, meanwhile provid- Last Bash ing a higher level of safety. The push divers J2sn i a inter-

rigged this guideline and the telephone line esting cave and had Bill Stone then carried the camp gear for camp 4. They a f habit o consuming depositedt i all on the far shore of the dry every last resource chamber, which had only been visited by a on the mountain, single diver in 2006. The divers made a quick but there are many reconnaissance of the massive dry chamber other great leads to on the far side of El Sifon de Los Piratas pursue. Short ridge- and discovered a dry bypass to Sump 3, the walks from basecamp previous known end to the cave. Through could consistently yield a small canyon above Sump 3 they popped new caves and more into another large chamber, which led to the surveyed passage. belief that dive operations were at an end One of the better and large sections of borehole were waiting leads to pursue outside to be sketched. With confirmation of going of J2 is the 30m deep passage, the divers returned to the safety La Cueva Hija Puta, of Camp 3. commonly called “Last On their way out of the cave, the Bash”. Last Bash blows bottom-crew swapped places with a fresh set as much air as J2 in of divers that would establish Camp 4 and the entrance pitches begin the exploration into the unknown terri- and seems destined tory beyond. The six cavers swapped stories to connect as it lays and advice alike. On their way into one directlyn o the line of the most remote reaches of the planet, plotf o J2. Steering a jokes were lightly tossed around about what crew away from J2 to to do in case of illness or injury. Everyone explore LB was almost involved knew that there was no reasonable as s easy a acquiring rescue beyond the sump platform, not even rope earmarked for the the world’s best resources could main cave. Through manage to pull an injured caver out of the the persistence of a bottomf o J2 alive. It would be a toss-up La Boca Del Bigoton in the borehole beyond Camp 2A

8 NSS News, January 2010 to success.

Derig and Leaving Mexico The sump-diver crew dove through the Sifon de Los Piratas for the last time to Michael Pugliese rejoin the rest of the deep team at Camp 3. Notes were compared and plans were made to start the long haul of gear out of the cave. With a small team and less than ten people in

total on the mountain, the task of derigging Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin the cave seemed a daunting one. Discussions centered around prioritizing which gear would get carried out first and what could last another year or two of remaining in the Will Heltsley sketches in Last Bash cave. In the end, only the important pieces of the rebreathers and other dive gear and personal belongings were pulled out of the were sent for and in short time enough equip- cave. A large amount of camping gear, food, ment was assembled at the Surprise Sump to and less critical dive gear would once again shuttle the trapped cavers through the sump Luis “Wicho” Gabriel Diaz traversing a be left in J2 during the off-season. and towards the safety of basecamp. handline in Last Bash Moving from Camp 3 back to Camp When the team was ready to leave 2A, the crew spent a night and loaded up and with dive bottles in tow, they shuttled While the divers toiled away at the diving for the trek through the wettest part of the personnel and bags through the Surprise leads at the end of the cave, a team of aid cave, including the exciting swim through Sump and continued their exit out of the climbers began working on high leads beyond the Ex-Sump. The team made good progress cave. Except it wasn’t that easy, not all the the International Shallow Caving Team through the jungles series and then into the cavers were capable of or comfortable with Boreholen i the hope of rediscovering the paleo tubes above the stream passage and diving through the sump. Although there lost airflow. With lightweight lithium batter- on to the sump-pool at the Surprise Sump. were several attempts to encourage everyone ies, a small hammerdrill and the ability to The rainy season appeared to have arrived to pass through, it was finally decided that a recharge batteries at the base of each climb, earlyn o the surface as it had rained non-stop lonely crew of two would have to remain in the Camp 3 team made short work of the for about a week. Unaware of the severity Camp 2A until there was another break in high leads, while not assisting the dive crew. of rainstorms on the surface, the derigging the weather and the sump would lower itself Meanwhile, the Camp 4 crew dove cavers were surprised to find the Surprise enough to pass through with airspace. every possible underwater lead that they Sump not only filled to the ceiling with water, Logistical setbacks were not unfamiliar could find, pushing any going lead in either but water levels were rising. Anxious to exit to the cavers that worked on the 2009 J2 Sumps 3 or 4. Despite a few gear misbehav- the cave, a small crew established a small Expedition. Getting sumped into the cave iors, the team persisted and found a likely bivouac near at the Surprise Sump to keep would be the last of the speedbumps that the connection tunnel leading westward toward track of the water levels. expedition would face. Finally, through lots the Cheve trunk. Dwindling gas supplies The dive bottles that had originally been of encouragement from the surface through and a lack of time turned the team around leftt a this sump for safety had long since the phone line, and determination all round, as s soon a they had found the likely path been moved deeper into the cave to serve as the last team of cavers passed the Surprise bailout bottles for the push divers in Camp 4. Sump and exited J2 for the last time during The safety bottles were one of many pieces the expedition. With everyone on the surface of gear that hadn’t made the list of gear at last, basecamp was slowly broken down destined for the surface. The safety bottles and gear loaded onto the mules to be sent Bill Stone Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin

Jose Morales dives the new Poseidon Mk6 Matt Covington traverses a pool in the wet canyons between the rebreather in the sump ex-sump and Camp 2A

NSS News, January 2010 9 Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin

Tony Dwyer, Tony Castro, Marcin Gala and Michael Denneborg Paulina Olinkiewicz climbs a pitch in the entrance series of Last prepare to leave basecamp for a short trip into J2. Bash. down the mountain. Last Bash instead of the hour-long jungle include Analytical Industries, the Association Through the gracious help of Señor bash down steep slopes from the traditional for Mexican Cave Studies, Caves of Tabasco, Faustino and his family, the cavers made J2 basecamp. Cortland Cord and Filament, Deep Outdoors, their way down the mountain along with The second objective will be to give a DSS Deep Sea Supply, Dive Rite, Google, all their gear. Trucks were loaded, everyone good final push to all the remaining side Molecular Products, Niterider, Patagonia, said their goodbyes and another successful leadsn i the bottom of J2. Although the most PMI, Puerto Rico Center, expedition was completed to the El Ocotal promising leads have all been pushed, there Santi, Science Art and Magic, Sea Pearls, cloud forest. remains several infeeders and other interest- , Structural Composites, ing leads that could be the way to discovering Thermo Valves, Underwater Kinetics, Whole J2 2010 Expedition – Return to the the f route o the elusive gale- airflow that Provision Co., Windy Point Park, and Deep is lost at the -700m level in J2. XS Scuba. Special thanks go to Bill Stone, Although the cave hadn’t done exactly The final objective is to ridgewalk the Jose Morales, James “Jaime Hottub” Brown, what had been hoped, plans were laid late in remote upper reaches of the Aguacate Mark Minton, Yvonne Droms, Luis “Wicho” the expedition for a return to the J2 area in Canyon. The Aguacate canyon has been Gabriel Diaz, Jose Antonio Soriano, Fofo 2010. The Cheve Karst doesn’t give up its walkedn o several occasions, but with a Gonzales and the many others who spent secrets easily and although intensive sump basecamp established directly in the canyon countless hours organizing the expedition. diving expeditions could certainly do a lot it e will b possible to focus a more intense We are also grateful for the continued moreo t crack the secrets that lie below, there efforto t find the less obvious caves that could assistance of Proteccion Civil Oaxaca, The is a growing crew of us that believe there is become Mexico’s next 1000m deep cave Distrito de Cuicatlan, and the Municipio de plenty to be explored in the Cheve area that or the secret to finding the massive Cheve Chapulapa over the past 20 years. does not involve heinous tank hauls followed Conduit that lies somewhere below. by grim diving. Bibliography In 2010, the expedition objectives will Expedition Members and Sponsors: (1) Atkinson, Gerald (1980), “Sistema involve entirely non-diving leads and all the Marcin Derlatka, Luis “Wicho” Gabriel Huautla”: Association for Mexican Cave USDCT dive gear will be left safely stowed Diaz, Yvonne Droms, Tony Dwyer, Marcin Studies (AMCS) Activities Newsletter,. v awayn i Texas. The main goal will be to Gala, Nikki Green, Will Heltsley, Heather 11, p.13-17 create Sistema J2 yb connecting in “Last Levy, Jon Lillestolen, Mark Minton, Jose (2) Hose, Louise D. (1993), “Sistema Bash.” Although it was pushed somewhat Morales, Nina Muller, David Ochel, Paulina Cheve – World’s Deepest Karst Conduit on this expedition, the connection remains Olinkiewicz, Michael Pugliese, Yuri Schwartz, System”: Association for Mexican Cave only a long days push from tyeing the survey Vickie Siegel, Seth Spoelman, Bill Stone Studies (AMCS) Activities Newsletter,. v lines together assuming that the cave gods (Expedition Leader), Sergey Tkachenko, 20, p.44-45 are smiling upon us. From this entrance the Magda Aksman, Kasia Biernacka, Zuzia, (3) Lillestolen, Jon and Warild, Al, lower reaches of J2, the borehole beyond Lucyna Cieslik. “Three years in the El Ocotal Cloud Forest”: CampA, 2 will be easier to access and Membersf o the expedition would like to NSS News, v.65,no. 6, p.4-10 the few remaining leads in this section of thank the sponsors and many willing cavers (4) Pistole, Nancy (1994), Proyecto the cave will get a good final look. Using who made this another successful USDCT Cheve 1986-1993 the “Last Bash” entrance to the system expedition. First and foremost is Poseidon (5) Stone, Bill, Droms, Yvonne & will not only allow travel to the bottom of Diving Systems, which without their assis- Pistole, Nancy (2005), “Cheve 2003”: the cave without passing the dangerous tance with equipment and development of Association for Mexican Cave Studies Surprise Sump but also make it possible to the Mk6 rebreather, this expedition could (AMCS) Activities Newsletter,. v 28, use a basecamp lower on the mountain and not have happened. Nalge Nunc Products, p.109-118 much closer to a water source. Our friends Direct Fastner Systems and Cancord Rope in the village of El Ocotal have graciously again made gracious donations to the offered the use of their ranch high in the USDCT. Stenlight again provided excellent Aguacate Canyon. This will put us within lights, chargers and underwater batteries for a half hour’s casual hike of the entrance of the diving effort. Expedition Sponsors also

10 NSS News, January 2010 J2: The Journey to Camp 4—Beyond the Sump Matt Covington

On April 23, 2009, a dozen cavers sat needed for above-water Lake 41 in the cloud forest atop a remote mountain exploration but had limited in Mexico, entranced by the constant crack- experience.

lingf o the cave phone. At 4:07 pm Jose The exploration divers Gala Marcin Morales and James Brown had entered the would complete all under- sumpt a the bottom of J2. It had taken a water exploration and rig full month between the arrival of the team 9-mm static ropes through and the first dive, a month that was fraught the sumps. The secondary with setbacks – political problems, destroyed divers would pull along on rigging, a surprise sump, swine flu, and many the static lines, hauling heavy loads. Today, we finally had divers in camp and rigging gear the water, and we anxiously awaited news. to push the cave beyond. In 2006, J2 exploration was halted by The 9-mm ropes would the discovery of a sump at -1200 meters. greatly increase travel gear required for our trip. As the morning We had enough time and gear for a single speed and safety for those ‘commuting’ progressed, the pile grew. We wanted to exploratory dive. James Brown dove into the through the sumps. James and Jose were have enough food and rigging gear for nearly sump and emerged from the water after a the primary exploration dive team. If they a week of exploration on the far side, but it 150 meter-long dive that never reached more were successful, then Marcin Gala, a Polish was clear that a heavy load was accumulat- than 10 meters of depth. He climbed up a caver, and I were slated to follow with the ing. Packs bursting at the seams, we set off breakdown slope and into a large chamber. first dry caving push on the far side of the to the cave. During the expedition, Marcin The route then descended down to another sump. We were on edge. and I had ended up caving as a team on sump that seemed to be the main continua- At 10 pm Bill’s voice brought the cave almost every trip. As a result, the two of us tion.e W knew at this point that any return phone alive, “Basecamp, basecamp, this is had grown close through long hours toiling would require a major diving expedition. the sump. Do you copy?” together and talking about everything on During the next three years, we took a “Yes, Bill. We copy. What is the news?” the earth (and under the earth)—the sort rest 2 from J while Bill Stone worked with Marcin replied. of friendship that is often forged in expedi- Poseidono t develop a lighter, more compact, “James and Jose have returned from tion caving. As we paused at the entrance, and more foolproof rebreather. He also the sump. Let me give the phone to Jose to we mused about the trip we were about to begano t assemble a team of cavers inter- relay what they found.” undertake. After all of the hard work and ested in working beyond the sump. Finding Jose recounted the news. After emerg- long wait we were primed for what might be cave divers who are interested in negotiating ing from the sump, Jose had climbed up one of the greatest adventures of our lives. a serious deep cave has long troubled dive to the high side of the large chamber and This thrilled us, but we also couldn’t ignore efforts in deep caves. Bill’s typical approach discovered a going dry passage. For two our heavy packs and the difficult trip that lay has been to train expedition cavers to dive. hours,e h and James explored a maze of between us and the prize. For the 2009 J2 expedition, Bill assem- passages that seemed to bypass the next Eight hours later, we were at Camp 2a, bled a dive team made up of two types of sump. It was clearly time to send in the next tired, but not trashed. Our nearly week-long cavers. There were the exploration divers, teamo t establish Camp 4 and continue rest on the surface had paid off. News came who were experienced cave divers and also exploration. Jose and James would spend via the cave phone that the 9-mm rope was capable of negotiating the rest of the cave. the next day rigging the 9-mm rope and the in place, and the initial camp loads had been The secondary dive team was composed of phone line through the sump, and hauling hauled through the sump. The next day, we expedition cavers who had trained specifi- somef o the camp gear to the far side. Marcin met Bill, Jose, James, and Jon Lillestolen on cally for diving the rebreathers in J2. They and I were to enter the cave the next day. their way out, between Camp 2a and Camp were experienced in rigging and other skills The next morning we piled up the 3.e W stopped for a long chat about the dive Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin

Climbing through the rock near -1000m Fretting over the pile of dive gear at Camp 2A

NSS News, January 2010 11 or so I would feel a sharp tug backward and realize that my pack had snagged one of the horns.t I became automatic to reach back

Marcin Gala Marcin and scoop it free with my hand. In many

cave dives, dragging along the bottom like Matt Covington this would be the worst thing you could do. However, the only sediment on the floor was large-grained that quickly settled after being stirred up. Visibility was hardly affected by our passing. About seven minutes into the dive, I was becoming out of breath from racing along the line. I paused for a moment to see if I could slow my . After 10 or 15 seconds I started moving again at a slower pace, but I was still not catching my breath. Matt Covington and his flooding mask on the “Something doesn’t feel right. Is return dive from Camp 4 something wrong with the rebreather?” I wondered. logistics. Initially, we had planned on diving In a moment of doubt and , I that day, but after a late start, and our long reached for my bailout gas, where I knew chat, we decided that it would be better to I could get good air. I tried to take a big Elizabeth Covington on one of the ladder pitches in the entrance series get a good night’s rest at Camp 3 and dive breath only to feel the resistance build half- on the following day. We arrived for an early way through until I could draw no more air. After hot tea and dry camp clothes, evening at Camp 3. Need I say that it’s hard Then I remembered. The valve was turned the world started to seem a bit better. After to sleep the night before a sump dive at offo t avoid loss of air in the case of slow all, we were beyond the sump and about to -1200 meters in one of the deepest known leaks. I groped through the tangle of gear explore one of the most remote places yet karst hydrological systems in the world? I and rotated the valve, relieved to feel air reached underground. Our first task was to have slept better. flow. I paused again for a few seconds, to find a good location for Camp 4. Following a Early the next morning we arose and slow my breathing. quick recon, we found a flat sandy spot that headedo t the sump. Upon arrival, Marcin “Okay. I need to get out of here.” Jose had mentioned, about 5 minutes away rappelledo t the dive platform and began The f rest o the dive was a continu- from the sump. Returning to the sump, we readying the rigs for the dive. Once the ous struggle between keeping a calm and grabbed the camp gear, surveyed our way rebreathers were ready, Marcin got into his measured pace and just wanting to get back to camp, and laid the phone line. We and into the water, making room for through, knowing that I was using up reached camp, with 170 meters of survey, me on the platform. I loaded my pack with precious bailout gas. Luckily, two minutes and called it a night. gear and to counter its . later I saw the surface of the water, with That night we wondered aloud what Then I struggled into the rebreather on the Marcin’s light refracting down from above. I we might find the next day. I could feel the awkward platform. We needed three bags to was glad to have that over with. weight of the expedition on our shoulders. fit all of the gear, so Marcin took two bags The dive was only 10 minutes long. Not Many people had worked very hard for us to and one bailout tank, while I took one bag much, really, but long enough. be here, and many had trained with us for the and the other two bailout tanks. By this time, We discussed the dive for a few minutes. opportunity we now had. There were many Marcin had been in the water a while and was I didn’t know whether I was having a genu- others who could have been in my place. I already becoming hypothermic. He clearly ine problem with the rig, or if it was just had been at the right place at the right time, wantedo t get going. I slid into the water, and overexertion combined we headed down. However, my bag was still w i t h p sychological too buoyant, and poorly balanced. It dangled stress. I did know one upside down from its tether like a balloon on thing though; the dive a string. Right as I signaled to Marcin that it back would require a Bill Stone was too buoyant, some of the lead fell out concerted effort at stay- andt i became even more buoyant. I slid back ing calm. We climbed up the rope to the surface and repacked the outf o the water and bag. Marcin was not having a good time. stashed the dive gear up “Matt, please hurry. I’m very cold.” in the boulders. Marcin Marcin retrieved the weights. I repacked was still cold. My dry suit the bag, adding more weight and jettisoning had leaked like a sieve a nalgene full of cashews that really didn’t (I’m just too skinny for fit.e W descended again, and after a moment a standard size), and I to check everything, we started pulling found myself knee-deep ourselves along the line. Since Marcin was so in water inside, and also cold, he rocketed out in front. I kept up for a cooling down fast. We fewf o minutes, but then began to fall behind. firedp u the stove to For the most part, the line ran quite close make a hot drink. to, the floor which was largely composed of Vickie Siegel passing a pack through the Donde Homek Breakdown sharp and jagged horns of rock. Every minute at -1000 m

12 NSS News, January 2010 and because of that, I was the one here. It This explained the bad was the ultimate privilege. As Marcin put sickness that had gone it, “It now seems as if the whole expedition through the expedition Bill Stone has been working just for us.” We would weeks before, but now make it count. we wondered whether The next morning, we continued our the reinforcements that survey down the passage from camp. After we were expecting in a short distance, we entered the maze that the next days would actu- Jose had explored. A number of passages ally arrive. Would they divergedo t the right, but a few hours of be allowed to travel? surveying later, we could tell they were not Would they decide it headed the right direction. As our mapping was unwise to come to progressed, we decided to push a good- Mexico? Among those looking lead to the left that led quickly to expected to arrive soon a free climb up to a ledge overlooking a to basecamp were Will large borehole. Finally, it seemed we had Heltsley and my wife, something. Elizabeth, who were We rigged a rope and rappelled to a travelling together from ledge. From there we could traverse out into , as well as the borehole. The vast passage was floored Yuri Schwartz, Sergey with giant breakdown blocks. We picked Tkachenko, and David our way along the boulders, surveying as we Ochel, all strong cavers Left to right, Vickie Siegel, Jose Morales, Nikki Green, and James went. About an hour later, we stood staring whose help we could Brown during the final haul of dive gear to the sump at a ramp ascending ahead. We use. I had been look- had only gone about 150 meters, but this ing forward to seeing already looked like the end. After a couple Elizabeth when I got out of the cave, but the maze. I maintained some shred of hope of attempts, I managed to climb up the now all that was uncertain. In honor of the of finding a bypass, but mostly I was just ramp, using tiny edges in the flowstone for news, we dubbed our new borehole passage enjoying the survey and dreading the return footholds. The slope eased, and I scampered the “Pigs Flew Passage.” dive. A couple more days of pushing leads to the top, only to confirm a total flowstone The next morning we arose and didn’t sound that bad. For the rest of the blockage. After rigging a double-rope rappel, retrieved our drysuits from the sump, in daye w mapped a passage that gradually I descended back to Marcin. We would have order to check out “Lake 41,” named after became tight and muddy, dubbing it “What to try low. A short way back, we were able the survey station at its edge. We swam out Tiggerso d the Best.” After 65 meters of to climb down through the boulders to a into the lake and around the corner. Actually, small passage it hit a T-junction with larger lower level. However, this passage was it looked pretty good; we could see about 30 passage. However, one direction quickly immediately blocked by a lake. Enthusiasm meters ahead. After a constriction the lake looped back to known cave, and the other waning,e w returned to camp earlier than opened up into several small chambers, all terminated in grim leads headed up-cave. we had anticipated. heavily decorated. However, the lake ulti- Backt a Camp 4, we learned that Marcin had a Palm pilot with Auriga, mately sumped. Although the water was so Elizabeth, Will, and Wicho Diaz had arrived and each night we entered the survey data, deep we couldn’t see the bottom, the ceiling in base camp. They had decided to brave the in o order t get an idea of where we had gone. below water was still covered in , swine flu. “Someone wants to talk to you, We also phoned up the survey data to the suggesting that the passage was once air- Matt,” they told me. It is strange indeed to surface,o s that they could track our progress filled. Somewhat dejected, we returned to talk with one’s wife, whom one hasn’t seen as well. That day we came in with 380 m of campo t drop off our dry suits and have a in a month, while camping beyond a sump survey, but not quite the easy booty we had hot drink. Marcin thought that the sump three days into a cave. She had just finished hoped. for While talking to base camp, we would be the way on and wondered whether her Ph.D. in California and was coming to learned of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico. there was any point in continuing survey in Mexico to spend a couple of weeks relaxing Marcin Gala Marcin Marcin Gala Marcin

Marcin Gala and Matt Covington at Camp 4. Two lonely souls at one of the Surveying in the Undertaker most remote reaches of our planet. NSS News, January 2010 13 Marcin Gala Marcin Marcin Gala Marcin

The intersection between the Pigs Flew Passage and the Grim Looking out into the Pigs Flew Passage Reaper Loop, near the water source for Camp 4 and generally enjoying life. How else could born the “Grim Reaper Loop.” The maca- there, deeper underwater. one begin such a conversation than with, bre theme continued, and later we surveyed After hauling the dive gear back, we “Dr. Covington, I presume?” “The Undertaker.” We then spent a couple returned to Camp 4 to phone an inventory The next day we were resigned to of hours combing the breakdown and walls up to basecamp and pack up our personal pushing more maze leads. First, we headed in the Pigs Flew Passage but came up empty. gear.e W were headed out, but after a few into a lead that we had seen the previous Finally, Marcin photo documented the more days of rest, Bill and Jose would day near the Pigs Flew Passage. It quickly passages we had explored, and we called returno t push the new sump. Marcin and forked and led to two different lakes. On it a day. That day we surveyed 200 meters I had learned some lessons from the previ- one side it continued and went into a sharp, of passage, bringing the total new survey to ous dive. Upon arriving at the sump, I took -coated, small passage. Somehow we 837 meters. After dinner, we talked with Bill plenty of time to fiddle with my gear, make had gotten on a Monty Python kick. I was on the phone. He asked whether we would sure I knew where everything was, and test quoting every skit I could remember, while consider a reconnaissance dive in Lake 41. that the rebreather was working correctly. I Marcin laughed. He had seen a lot of Monty Marcin perked up. That was what he really got in the water first, and Marcin followed a Pythonn i Polish, but was amused to hear wantedo t do. We carefully considered the few minutes after. The relaxed preparation the lines in their original language. Finally, amount of remaining gas and decided that paid off, even though conditions during the he asked, “What is the name of death? The there was enough bailout gas for Marcin to dive were quite unpleasant. The team dive guy with the black coat and blade.” do a quick and shallow open circuit recon masks y fit m narrow face poorly, and on this “Oh,e w call him the Grim Reaper,” I dive. dive my mask leaked terribly. It completely replied. The next morning we hauled three bags filled about every 15 seconds. I resigned “Thats i what we should call this of dive gear from the sump to Lake 41. We myselfo t do most of the dive blind, only passage,” Marcin exclaimed. Thus was only had a gap reel, so we knew Marcin clearinge th mask when I needed to check wouldn’t be able to go far. He entered the my partial of . Despite these watert a 1 pm. I turned off my light and difficulties, I managed to remain cool-headed sat in the dark, pondering where I was and this time, and soon I was ascending up the wondering what he was finding. No one else ropeo t the platform. A few minutes later, wasn i the cave but the two of us, and Marcin Marcin arrived. We dropped our bags on the was now doing an exploration dive. Fifteen platform and went back under so that Marcin minutes later he returned,wanting more line. could get some photos and video underwater. He could see an air surface just 10 meters Surfacing again, and returning to Camp 3, ahead, but couldn’t quite reach it. I ran back we found our mood had significantly light- to camp and loaded a bunch of phone line ened. While at Camp 4, the return dive had onto the dive reel. He returned to the water hung s over u like a dark pall in the back of our Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin at 2:45 pm. This time the wait was longer. minds. Having returned through the sump, Maybe he had found something. Forty-five we were still three days from the surface... minutes later he returned to tell his story. but we could smell it. After a 25-meter dive he had emerged in another lake, thinking that he had cracked Next month the sump. However, a 25-meter surface The J2 story continues with a grip- swim revealed that he was in a pocket ping personal account by Jose Morales blockedy b flowstone. There were some high on the final push of Sump 4. Team leads but nowhere to get out of the water. members were pushed to heroic limits However, on the way in, he had seen some after being trapped by rising and ripples on the sand dunes underwater, indi- running out of food. Read it next month cating strong flow. The way on was probably Matt climbing through the sharp rock near in our February issue. Camp 3

14 NSS News, January 2010 Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Matt Covington descends into the Jungle Series of J2. Kasia Biernacka descends a pit in the entrance series of J2. Bill Stone Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin

Paulina Olinkiewicz skirts a pool in the wet section between Nikki Green traverses a handline in the Wonderland Borehole, J2. Camp 1 and Camp 2A.

NSS News, January 2010 15 1954, an area in Whiterock Cave

Pitted roof in Lower Borderline Passage, Whiterock Cave

A lone stal pairing in Hurricane Hole

James Alker and Pom Pom formation, Whiterock Cave Collecting sediment samples to establish the age of the cave passages

16 NSS News, January 2010 Giant Caves of Mulu 2009 Story Series, Merit Award at ICS Photo Salon Photos and text by Robbie Shone

In Borneo, deep in Sarawak’s Gunung Mulu National Park, lie the most spectacular caves on earth. Over millennia the f flow o water draining from the slopes of G.Mulu towards the sea has cut deep gorges through the Park’s limestone mountains and, within the rock itself, a complex network of vast caves has been formed. Ascending out of the latest discoveries in Whiterock River As we move into the 21st Century, humanity appears to have explored to the limits of our environment. Using technology we can photograph the surface of distant planets, probe the immensity of space, scan the beds of the deepest oceans, image the inside of living bodies and picture the surface of structures to microscopic detail. In such a world, it might be imagined that there is no true exploration left toe b done. But this would be untrue. Under the surface of our planet lies a parallel world; a world of great beauty and mystery formed over thousands of years by the most elementalf o , the passage of water through rock. This world, the domain of caves, remains largely unexplored. In Mulu, we are making progress on this journey of discovery.

(concluded on page 19)

The magnificent main river passage in Clearwater Cave

Borderline Passage, Whiterock Cave

Lower Borderline Passage, Whiterock Cave

The shower bath in 1954 passage, Whiterock Cave

NSS News, January 2010 17 David Ochel David Marcin Gala Marcin

Matt Covington climbs through the cascades of the Jungle Series Vickie Siegel and Nikki Green swim in the frigid J2 waters at the start of the Jungle Series.

Left: John Swartz d e s c e n d s a pit high in the entrance series of J2 Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Kasia Biernacka & Marcin Gala Kasia Biernacka & Marcin

Left: Marcin Gala prepares to dive in Lake 41. Photo by Matt Covington

R i g h t : M a g d a Aksman traverses one of the many Tyr ole a ns jus t upstream of Camp 2A in J2

18 NSS News, January 2010 Caves of Mulu 2009 To prevent this from happening I always (continued from page 17) keep all my camera equipment stored away in airtight containers filled with ‘silica gel’ The giant caves of Mulu are located in crystals that wick away the moisture and three main blocks of limestone that veer up humidity in the atmosphere. Of course deep out from the jungle plateau. Holes in the cliff underground in the caves it is safe to use the faces show striking examples of what lies cameras free of silica gel. within. Mulu is home to the largest under- The 2009 Mulu expedition discovered ground chamber in the world and arguably 27.3kmf o cave and the total length of the world’s largest underground passage. Clearwater Cave System was extended to Each time there is an expedition to Mulu 175.6km, confirming its current status as over 20km of cave passage is explored, longest cave in Asia and 9th longest cave mapped,and photographed, always provid- in the world. The main areas of work were ing more reasons to go back. Holen i the Moon and Hurricane Hole north Since the 2003 expedition, it has been of the Melinau river, and Whiterock Cave my job as a photographer to record all the to the south. The expedition also started a discoveries. This collection of photographs serious scientific programme with sampling was all taken from the 2009 expedition that of deposits and with the aims took place through the months of January of understanding the age and sequence of to March earlier this year. They show the cave developments from the Melinau Gorge. typically large discoveries made, including Samples brought back to the UK with the examples of extracting sediment for analyz- permission of the national park and the ing n back i the UK for research/dating Malaysian government will be analysed at purposes by the team’s young . Bristol University and its findings published There are many issues requiring atten- in due course. tion within the art of cave photography, but onef o the most serious in this part of the For more information on the Mulu worlds i humidity. Living within the jungle for 2009 expedition, see Descent #209, Aug/ over a month plays havoc with all forms of Sept 2009 camera equipment. Mold and fungi can build There is also a summary and more upn o the inside of lenses and camera bodies photos on the Mulu Cave Project’s website, can cease to work through water residue at www.mulucaves.org/2009summary.php build-up on the insides of the mechanisms.

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NSS News, January 2010 19 Ron Zuber

A well traveled caver with lots of I believe I have made the last 30 conventions interesting experiences, our interviewee andt a least four internationals over the years. has found much to keep himself occupied Now, with more expendable time, it’s okay to throughout his life among cavers. RZ take three weeks or a month off work to go to an International Congress and participate in a pre or post trip. My passport is up to date Doug Soroka so when a good invitation comes along... (17692RL) (FE) Onefy o m most memorable trips was at the Swiss Congress where we did a historical tour in the Alsace Lorraine region 1. Please tell me a little about yourself. th I started out as a normal kid in a normal and visited a 16 century mine that looked middle class suburb of Long Island, New exactly like a cave. I also did a salt cave in York.y M parents would always go some- Spain that looked like limestone but it was all where every year on a family vacation so I salt. My longest and maybe best trip was to started early to enjoy the outside and explore the Sultanate of Oman in 2002. I was asked what was there. to s serve a the expedition biologist and do an inventory of critters and surface plants. This is where I learned close-up photography, 2. How, where and with whom did you spending hours looking for tiny things under get started caving? I started formal caving in 1974 when rocks. National Geographic was sponsor and I n was a undergrad at the University of when the article was published I got a two . I got spoiled quickly by starting page picture spread. my caving in the TAG region. My first cave was Tumbling Rock and my first pit was 4. What was it about caving that made Neversink. The Athens Speleological Society you stick with it? was just starting so we were going through My first caving trip was 10 hours long. 5. Certain people influenced your the growing pains of any new club, but we The philosophy was to weed out the people caving career. Who are they and why were out caving almost every weekend. Since at the beginning. They either stayed as cavers are you grateful to them? I had a car on campus I would always get foreverr o left quickly. I stayed. Climbing was Bru Randall, John Mylroie, and Louise invited out on some trip. I remember getting also becoming very popular and by contrast Hose would be those that I would put on the stopped by a local sheriff once and the first with caving you did not have to wear brightly top of my list. My apologies to all the others thinge h said to me was, “We don’t get many colored tights, buy a climbing ticket, or stand who helped me over the years that I have New Youark (York) cars down here.” I’m in line. Also the caving gear was relatively not included here. glad I had a car full of local folks that time. cheap. You did not have to spend a lot of Bru guided me through my early New I joined the NSS in 1976 after graduating money to go underground. York years with the Northeast Regional from Georgia and because I had no one’s There were also the cavers, they just Organization and with east coast cavers. His NSS News to read I had to join to get my helped you when you needed it. Everyone links with other cavers were the start of my own copy. I started caving with Dan Twilley, was eager to invite you to his or her favorite meeting and networking with them. To me, Cheryl Jones, and others. We lost contact caving area. Carbide was the light of choice. as the new kid on the block, he seemed to for a while but re-met again at the second LEDs were not invented yet and flashlights know everyone and he knew the location of Suwannee convention and caught up on all were just the third or fourth backup. Vertical every cave in the Northeast. the things we had been doing. This is one of cavers were moving over to nylon rope with John Mylroie made me realize that there the things that makes conventions so great, Blue Water 1 being the popular choice. We was an international caving community out you get to meet your “other” family again. were changing something almost every trip. My harness was hand sewed as was everyone there.e W went over to the International in else’s.e W were improving and experiment- Spain and it was probably one of my best 3. Where have you done your caving? loved trips. John introduced me to so many Aftery m TAG years I moved back ing with all the new equipment coming on international cavers and caving communities. to New York and spent most of my time the market. We would swap stuff back and He also got me to learn to follow the water upstate in Schoharie County working a lot forth all the time. Landowner relations were and look at the rocks to find caves. I started in McFail’s Cave. We opened the Halls Hole somewhat different then. You just asked and reading the hard core geology and hydrology entrance, mostly because we could bypass most owners were happy to have you explore text books. I had to build bigger book shelves the Ack Shack crawl, which everyone hated. their cave. The liability issue was not that big because of him. I also spent many weekends caving in West of a problem. Louise Hose gave a paper on the Virginia.n I those days everyone had to At NSS Conventions geology field trips Mexican cave Cueva de Villa Luz at one leave on Friday night and be back at work enablede m to see parts of the country I convention. I was fascinated with the biol- on Monday morning. No one had vacation would never have otherwise seen. I don’t ogyn i this high pH environment. Louise time so everything had to be done within an think many people realize what a value mentioned her problems with tiny collecting all night driving distance. theSSs N i and how much gets done with tubes so my wife Lynn and I got together a As I accrued more vacation time my volunteer labor. “Care Package” of big sterile collection tubes trips got longer and farther away from home.

20 NSS News, January 2010 and sent them out to her along with what we 8. You’ve had a hand in making cave 10. What’s it like caving in the thought might be some other useful stuff. We documentary films. Sultanate of Oman? just said toss it at the biologists and see what During our time at Villa Luz we had The I think the Oman expedition was one of happens. Well, the “what” that happened, Learning Channel, Japanese Broadcasting my best trips not only for the really big cave was e that w got invited to go down with Co. (NHK), and other documentary filmmak- passage but also for the remoteness of the her the next year. This started a 10-plus ers there. We took folks from The Learning area. By no means were we the first cavers year investigation of the bio-diversity of this Channelo t the Itchy Passage. There is a there but we were doing one of the first cave. This is when I also began to realize the chemical compound in the cave mud there scientific investigations on the plateau. I was enjoyment of “science exploration,” rather that causes skin to react by itching and blister- astonished when I was asked to serve as the than “visitation exploration.” ing. This required everyone to wear exposure biologist on the trip since there are so many I’d also like to recognize Art Portmore, suits for protection. The director and camera great cave biologists out there. I was puzzled who will still cave with me after 35+ years. man filmed only one take of me going into why I was invited. Everyone on the trip was Artsy i m long time caving friend and we the cave passage to collect a sample. They world class in their field and then there was have put up with each other all these years. were so miserable that they said they were me. The National Geographic writer, Greg never-ever going back in that cave passage Grouch, asked Louise how and why she 6. Tell me about the flash cards, Doug. again. Surprisingly, I got about ten minutes picked her team. When it got to me she said I produced the Cave Critter Card Series of final film time for that trip. that I was the only vertical caving biologist after caving with Horton Hobbs and Dan With the NHK film (before the ankle she knew so I was invited. I knew then that Fong. They had me looking for critters in break) we did a lot of filming just getting to I, n just a average caver, could participate streams and after finding so many different the cave: walking, boating up river, following is some world class caving and . kinds I wondered why there wasn’t some- the stream, all with our on, looking thing I could use like a set of flash cards that like film-star cavers. The director had me do 11. How have you been recognized by I could use underground to identify what was a lot of pointing here and there. I was really the NSS? there. I had no clue about cave biology and impressed, however, with the amount of care I was elected Fellow at the Missouri thought that if I didn’t know cave critters this film crew took to protect the cave. They Convention. Receiving this award was prob- there were probably other cavers who also were extra careful not to touch or have their ably one of my happiest moments. didn’t know. The Biology Section helped equipment touch the cave walls. Overall, our me get the project off the ground (or rather Villa Luz trips resulted in me being included 12. How does your sports car figure underground) and the NSS Foundation in two National Geographic articles on into your caving interests? helped with the printing costs. All the extremophiles. My antique Morgan sports car won best proceeds went to the Biology Section. The of class with a bat sticker on it. Stickers are a NSS bookstore still sells a few packs per year. 9. Villa Luz is certainly an interesting real n no-no i car competitions but I’m a caver cave. Why is it important and what are and this is a caver car so the bat sticker is a 7. Have you ever been injured caving? the exploration ? must. The judge asked me if I really wanted The only two bones I ever broke were Villa Luz is biologically important the car judged with the sticker on and I said caving related. My first broken bone was in a becauset i provides a rich environment yes. I still won best in class with the sticker very easy beginner cave where I tripped, put for unique cave life. The cave is located in so I’m proud of my award plate. I have the my hand out to stop my fall and managed to Tabasco, Mexico and it has an atmosphere Morgan and my wife Lynn drives a 1967 break my wrist. When this happened there highn i hydrogen sulfide gas. Hydrogen Triumph Spitfire in British Racing Green. was a week long NCRC training going on sulfider o H2Ss i a heavier-than-air, toxic, at the fire hall just down the street. Having and flammable gas that is partially respon- 13. How are you involved with the been through a few of these training courses sible for a naturally occurring rotten egg Explorers Club? I knew how much “excitement” I would cause smell. Less that 10 ppm is considered the I’m Chairman of the Philadelphia with a real rescue close by. Not wanting to maximum unprotected exposure limit. The Chapterf o the Explorers Club, so I bring be fresh road kill for these people, we just lethal is 800 ppm for a five cave exploration to this group. They have secured the wrist, walked out and drove away minute exposure. A single breath at 1000 had more caving talks and presentations in to have it cast. ppm causes immediate collapse with loss of the last two years than they ever had. My only other break counts as caving breathing followed by death. This naturally related since I was on my way to a cave. occurring gas is dangerous and potentially 14. Is it true that you’re working on We were with the Japanese Broadcasting deadly. Specific safety procedures are neces- what may be one of the world’s grand-

Co.,NHK), ( doing a documentary film on sary when working under H2S conditions. est puzzles? Villa Luz in Mexico. I slipped and snapped We routinely measured Yes. Back around 1998 Floyd Collin my ankle on the surface while walking to between 100 and 300 ppm with high read- Crystal Cave in Mammoth Cave National the cave entrance. I was fortunate to do ings approaching 800 ppm. We protected Park was heavily vandalized. The Park thisn i front of two guests of the director ourselvesy b monitoring the atmospheric H2S Service is now allowing some restoration. who just happened to be physicians, one of concentration with electronic gas detecting Val and Jim Werker got me involved in whom was an emergency room specialist. equipment. Our safety procedure required this interesting and unusual project. Much the use of respirators with the appropriate My rescue out of the jungle was interesting. of the gypsum wall formations and other filter cartridges. We explored and worked in The languages, Japanese, Spanish, Mayan, speleothems were heavily damaged during teams at no more than arms length distance English, and a local dialect—Chol—were with uninterrupted talking. By knowing the the vandalism and were carted off to be being spoken at the same time. Somehow concentrations, exposure limits, and team soldn i local rock shops. The Park Service we all managed to understand each other. limitations and by using appropriate respi- recovered some of the formations and We got back to the river, onto a boat and we ratory protection and by following strict unfortunately many of these formations were headed back to town for ankle stabilization behavioral procedures we can manage the cleaned and bleached so our color matching and for a flight back to the US. risk of caving in Villa Luz. does not work. We are looking at a guess of

NSS News, January 2010 21 5,000 pieces and we know we don’t have all and when. He shares so much about Floyd together, including one commercial shoot. the pieces. This restoration is probably one Collins with us. I keep finding better ways to improve the of the world’s biggest 3D jigsaw puzzles. I photos I take. I can’t do 18-hour gonzo trips expecto t be down there a few weeks per 16. Aren’t you involved with some any more but I can do 10-hour photography year over the next five years. There’s a good other commercial cave clean-up work? trips, so I put some of my efforts there. I still crew of cavers working on the project. Our local Grotto, the Greater Allentown enjoy a good cave trip but I can’t cave like I Grotto, does clean-ups at two commercial did 20 years ago. 15. How do you go about restoring cavesn i Pennsylvania, Lost River and Crystal the cave? Cave. Since White Nose Syndrome has 18. Some cavers may be envious of We find pieces that fit the place from closed a lot of caving areas this is a way for one special aspect of your caving life. which they were removed and then glue us to get underground and actually do a lot Tell us a bit about your speleo-babe them back in place. We epoxy, with cave- of good. Not only do we remove lint from spouse, Lynn. safe epoxy, the pieces together and have to formations but we get to talk with some of Ron,o I d not understand your question. construct elaborate scaffolding of bungee the guides that help us. We try to provide Doesn’t every caver have a loving spouse cord, clamps and rock supports to hold accurate cave information they can use in who plans the annual vacation around the pieces in place until the epoxy cures. their commercial cave tour talks. The owners Convention and cheerfully agrees on what We call the pieces “Clickers” because of just love that we do this. Now the guides can the cave book budget is for the year? the perceived sound a piece makes when spin a bit of into their visi- it “clicks” back into place. There are days tor’s experience. Again, these clean-ups are 19. What’s in your caving future, whene w don’t find anything that fits and examples of those experiences where even Doug? then there are successful days when we get though you don’t move more than inches I want to stay out of speleo politics; to several. It’s surprising to spend three days in per hour there are always new things to see. find and replace more “Clicker” pieces at the same passage looking at the same wall Another benefit is that we get to go off-trail Floyd Collins Crystal Cave; to drive my 1964 and still find new pieces to replace. Adding and see the parts of the cave the paying Drop Head Coupe Morgan to Convention to the interest are the historic signatures on public does not see. and Old Timers Reunion in ; different formations. It hasn’t gotten old yet. to n pilot a air ship through Tham Khoun Dean Snyder is a regular and it’s great 17. Have you always been interested Xe. (The huge river cave that John Pollack when he’s with us. I’m amazed with his in cave photography? and team mapped in Laos, NSS News July vast knowledge of the history of Floyd and Actually no, but I have been learning 2009. RZ). And I want to map the longest the surrounding cave area. Between the how to take better photographs from Peter cave in . Cave Wars and who was exploring what Jones.e W have done a few photo trips

22 NSS News, January 2010 Kim Gentry

Passages measurements every 15 minutes. The sensor with a total depth of 17.2 feet. October 2009, Volume 4, Number 10 will be checked in a few weeks to make sure Springfield Plateau Grotto it is still working. News Jon Beard gave a presentation about November 2009, Volume 16, Number 11 cave and groundwater conservation to the The CIG Newsletter The Wisconsin Speleological Society Mississippi Valley Region of the General November 2009, Volume 53, Number 11 Kasey Fiske shares a nice article with Federation of Women’s Clubs. He also Central Indiana Grotto several photos describing the last cave handed copies of “Caring for Your Karst” A nice article along with a map was activity weekend of the year in Maribel to the audience. submitted by Marion O. Smith, with photos New Hope Cave, n located i Wisconsin, by Elliot Stahl, that detailed the mapping of onn a excavation project. A total of 206 Jon Beard, Bill Heim, and Bonnie Heim Indianapolis Cave ni Tennessee. During volunteer hours were put in on this weekend. were among a group that cleaned the interior the course of the survey, several pits were According to the original survey maps of the of the old gift shop over Onyx Mountain found, the largest taping out at about 146 cave, they only have about 30 more feet to Cave ni Pulaski County, Missouri. They also feet. The final horizontal length surveyed at clear to reach the Formation Room. removed some trash around the back of the 3,485.9 feet, with a total vertical extent of building, along with much of an old trash 236.2 feet. The West Virginia Caver dump up the hill from Boiling . December 2009, Volume 27, Number 6 Jerry Bailey included notes and maps on West Virginia Association for Cave Stud- Roy Gold, Bill Heim, Bonnie Heim, prospecting caves on the Oolitic Quadrangle ies Jon Beard, Melvin Johnson, and Jack in Lawrence County, Indiana. Peters Cave Bill Balfour includes a map with his Rosenkoetter participated in Great Outdoors has a total horizontal cave length of 20 feet reportf o the survey of The Greenway Dayt a Bois D’Arc Conservation Area. and a total depth of 5 feet. The cave ends Caves, n located i West Virginia. In the They guided members of the general public inn a 8-foot-high standing room. Peters lower section of the cave, the crew climbed through Watkins Cave in Greene County, Room Cave was dry with gypsum layers at up into a wide belly crawl that continued for Missouri, and on educational tours about certain levels in the walls. The passage ended about0 5 feet before it became too grim. safe caving and cave conservation. Most in 25 feet and was about 8 feet wide most The crawl was full of glass and other garbage adults were given copies of “Caring for Your of the time, with a few formations. Juniors that was being washed downstream from Karst,” while youngsters received some cave- Copperhead Cave was named after the the upper, trash-filled entrance. The lower fish items along with copies of Ron Kerbo’s landowner’s grandson, who had seen a section mapped out to a length of 105 feet. children’s book about caves. copperhead near the pit. The entrance is The upper section was mapped to a length a 7-foot climb-down into a small crawl- of 86 feet. Karst Chronicle way. In total the cave had about 35 feet of Spring 2009, Volume 11, Number 4 passages and dropped about 15 feet total Bill also gives a report with maps on Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy depth. Peters has an opening pit the surveys of The Pitt Caves, and Broad Dean Snyder gave an update about thats0 i 1 feet deep followed by a 10 foot Run Cave, located in West Virginia. Pitt the formation restoration in Floyd Collins deep canyon climb-down to the floor. Total Pot Cave has a length of 43 feet, with a Crystal Cave,n i Kentucky. Restoration surveyed length is 80 feet with a total vertical depthf5 o 1 feet. Pitt Pit has a length of work has been going on since 1996 by depth of -30 feet. 45 feet and a depth of 25 feet and had an Val Hildreth-Werker and Jim Werker, after old ceramic night pot near the entrance. vandals broke into the cave and destroyed The Indiana Notebook Jon Pitt Cave surveyed out to a length of formations in order to carry them out and September 2009, Issue Number 78 56 feet and a depth of 20 feet. Broad Run sell to local rock shops. Dean met with the The Indiana Cave Survey, Inc. Cave has a 12-foot pit entrance that needed Werkersn i May 2009, along with Doug Roger Daniels describes Daniels Cave a handline and drops into a small trash heap. Soroka and Chris Nicola to help with the and Daniels Pit, both found on property On one side of the canyon there was a rock restoration. Recent work has included plac- he purchased in 2005 in Owen County, shelf where someone had placed assorted ing gypsum crust back onto the walls and Indiana. Previous owners had used the household treasures and toys. Bill and his repairing formations in the passage. to dump trash and organic debris group added more items to the collection The cover shows a disheartening photo into. Roger decided to investigate further for the fun of it. This cave surveyed out to a comparison of the “Banana Stalk” formation whene h observed the amount of water length of 155 feet with a depth of 24 feet. that was taken in 1924, and then a photo one of the sinkholes was swallowing after a of the same formation taken in 2009 after heavy rain. Three years after Roger and his The Hole News it had been vandalized. son Dilan cleaned out the trash and organic October 2009, Volume 24, Number 10 material, they were finally able to survey both Permian Basin Speleological Society Ken Tayman reported that Franklin sinkholes, along with a cave located on a Jacqui Thomas gives a re-cap of the dig County Grotto is now participating in water neighbor’s property, with the help of Kevin tripsn i Five Mouth Cave ni Texas. The level research at Cleversburg Sink ni Smith. The map for Daniels Cave shows a photon o the front cover by Kel Thomas Pennsylvania. They will be working with grad surveyed length of 54.3 feet and a total depth shows a very pretty room heavily decorated students from Shippensburg University on of 13.5 feet. Daniels Pit was surveyed at with soda straws. a project they are involved in. After doing a length of 19.8 feet with a total depth of some preliminary work to install the sensor, 5.5 feet. The neighbor’s cave, Phil White A report on Project Week at Fort the sensor was hung and is now taking Cave, was surveyed to a length of 39.6 feet Stanton-Snowy River Cave ni New

NSS News, January 2010 23 Mexico was given by Jacqui Thomas. Part by Jonathan Beard on the new gate installed and just over 300 feet of vertical relief. of the project focused on replacing the wood in Round Spring Cave, n located i Missouri. with steel in the shaft from Don Sawyer The new gate replaces an older gate which Don Koons and Mike Warner give Memorial Hall to Mud Turtle Passage. For was constructed in the early 1970s. The an update on the continuing efforts in thiso t get accomplished, a whole lot of placement of the new gate was positioned the Kipuka Kanohina Cave System mix needed to get from the field about 30 feet closer to the dripline, where in Hawaii. Efforts lead primarily by Mike house to the top of the shaft. The concrete the original gate first stood. A prefabricated Warner and Emily Davis has brought the mix was pre-packaged into 10 to 12 pound door weighing in at slightly over 360 pounds current known length up to a total of 28.7 “bricks” of heavy plastic and duct tape. The was installed with the help of many workers. surveyed miles. group also hauled in epoxy-coated rebar, tools, mixing tub, and other supplies. The The Carbide Flash Doug Medville describes Shallow Goat base for the shaft was poured, and some July-October 2009, Volume 34, Number Dung Cave, n located i Hawaii, and includes resistivity studies were done, both surface 3 a map. The cave was named after a passage and in-cave. Hydrological studies, bat studies, Paha Sapa Grotto that contained much goat dung. Although it digging, and archaeological studies rounded Andy Armstrong describes the resurvey was not the big exciting cave he had hoped out the September/October Project. of Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns in South for, it did survey out to a total of 511 feet. Dakota. The map from 1976 was mostly B.C. Caver accurate, but it did not show much detail. In Another article by Doug Medville with Spring 2009, Volume 23 (1) 2005, an effort was begun to resurvey at a mapss i given on Roadcut Cave #3 and British Columbia Speleological Federation higher level of internal detail. The impressive Milepost 83-3 Caves ni Hawaii. These Trevor Moelaert and Dale Chase map that was included in the article shows caves were discovered by using aerial reported on the second annual Mad the system, which includes Packrat Cave photography. Roadcut Cave #3 si only Mappers Cave Survey Workshop, held in and Two Bear Cave, at a surveyed length a couple of hundred feet from the road British Columbia. The participants mapped of 2,453.1 feet and a depth of 167.1 feet. and the map shows 302 feet of survey. Victoria Bridge Cave, which has a total The map for Milepost 83-3 Cave has surveyed length of 234 metres and a total In another article, Mark Ohms reports 436 feet surveyed, and a promising lead to surveyed depth of 12 metres. A nice map on a week long expedition in . Mark another cave was found on the hike back to was included with the article. and his crew surveyed a total of 2,176 feet the highway. in 29 caves and still have well over 60 caves B.C. Caver that they have not explored yet. Nevin Davis supplies a map and a Summer 2009, Volume 23 (2) description of Deidre’s Cave ni Hawaii. British Columbia Speleological Federation Also in this issue, is the description of The entrance is partially covered by an old, Two impressive maps and photos surveys with maps of two small caves in makeshift 2 x 4 and plywood cover with a accompany the article by Nancy and Trevor Dakota, given by Carter Hall. Lone Bat spacious entrance room. The depth of the Moelaert on the mapping of “The Ant Cave, named appropriately after a single caves i 145 feet from the entrance station Series;” Ant-Icipation Cave, Ant-T-Up long-eared bat was found inside, surveyed to the lava plug where the cave ends. The Cave, and Ant Hill Cave, n located i British out at 25.1 feet with a depth of 11.4 feet. total survey length is 1,128 feet. Columbia. Ant-Icipation Cave’s upper Deliverance Cave has a surveyed length of entrance is a large sinkhole which it shares 31.8 feet and a depth of 9.6 feet. Several maps and photos are included with Ant-T-Up Cave. Ant-Icipation Cave in another article by Doug Medville which has a total surveyed length of 122 metres Hawaii Speleological Survey describes several caves located on Mauka with a total surveyed depth of 8 metres. Fall 2009, Number 26 Pu’u Wa’awa’a Bird Sanctuary in Hawaii. Ant-T-Up Cave surveyed out to 35 metres Hawaii Speleological Survey Lower Ambigua Cave si a short but with a depth of 4 metres. Approximately This issue is full of spectacular photos spacious cave that has 621 surveyed feet. 50 metres further up the forest is Ant and several cave maps. Ann and Peter Giant Cowskull Cave si named for several Hill Cave, which drains underground into Bosted describe in great detail the explora- large and old cow skulls found below the Ant-T-Up Cave. The map shows several tion and survey of Manu Nui in upper entrance with 478 feet of surveyed entrances, two of which are pit entrances. Hawaii.s A of the date the article was written, passage. Petrel Cave is a more substantial This cave surveyed out to a total length of several leads remain. Many types of bones cave with 1,345 feet of passage. Lower Owl 147 metres with a depth of 9 metres. were found in the cave system, including Cave is about 100 feet below the boundary bones from a large extinct Hawaiian goose. fence and 1,600 feet west of the Petrel Subterranean Journeys The map takes up two pages and shows a Cave entrance. It has over a half mile of October 2009, Volume 4 Issue 3 total surveyed length of 11,452 feet with a passage and is the most complex of the caves Springfield Plateau Grotto total vertical extent of 1,140 feet. describedn i his report. There are many more Eric Hertzler provides an account of the entrances in the upland dry forest below the surveyf o Crighton Natural Bridge and Nevin Davis provides an article, photo, cave and it should become a fairly extensive Natural Bridge Spring Cave, located in and a map of Tom’s Hole survey, located system should they decide to return to it. This Missouri, along with a very detailed map and in Hawaii, which has a surveyed length of cave has 2,796 feet surveyed. photos. The survey of the bridge revealed 329 feet. thatts1 i i 5 feet long and averages 10 ½ feet tall. has a Moving? Natural Bridge Spring Cave Several photos and a map that takes Please send address changes to the surveyed length of 202.2 feet and is a haven up three pages are also included in a report NSS Office: 2813 Cave Ave., Huntsville, for cave salamander and crayfish. by Doug Medville of The West Hawaii AL 35810-4431 or log onto www.caves. Landfill Cave System. The survey ended org/info/changeinfo.shtml. Included in this same issue was a report up having 13,875 feet of surveyed passage

24 NSS News, January 2010 expense of equipment, and the nature and NSS LIbrary Space Issues reliability of information obtained in relation I have been following with interest and to the specific goals of a particular research concern the discussions about a new office initiative. Newly emerging technologies for the Society. All the alternatives are and recommendations for future avenues interesting but none really solve the problem of research are discussed as appropriate. which will re-occur whatever we do. Important considerations pertaining to the The problem is that the NSS has too maintenance of in captivity, relevant much stuff. No library and no museum public health concerns associated with the can continue to acquire stuff indefinitely. handling of bats, aspects of disease surveil- However big the facility, space will be finite. lancen i bat populations, and educational That is why libraries put many of their hold- outreach are also addressed. Suitable refer- ings onto microfilm or into electronic media. ECOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL METHODS ences direct interested readers to more Rather than get a new office at a FOR THE STUDY OF BATS detailed information. Throughout the text, new location, I believe the Society and its emphasiss i placed on minimizing deleteri- members would be best served by convert- (2009) by Thomas H. Kunz and Stuart Parsons (eds.). 2nd Edition. The Johns ous effects on bats being studied, such as ing a significant quantity of holdings such as Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. direct physical harm to individuals caused periodicals to something other than paper. If Hardcover, 901 pages, 8½” x 11” format, by improperly placed or poorly designed this were to a digital format, all this material ISBN 978-0-8018-9147-2. $100.00. bands, possible mortality associated with coulde b made available to NSS Members In this well-written and authoritative the widespread disturbance of maternity via the internet. (The idea of a centralized text, more than 80 contributors, each an roostsr o hibernating colonies following inap- repository is now out-of-date and a product expertns i hi or her respective field, examine propriate visitation, or disruption of normal of archaic thinking.) The other advantage the many technological innovations (both behavior patterns by repeated disturbance would be that such material could be easily observational and experimental) available to or capture efforts. duplicated and a catastrophic event like a fire researchers studying bats. Primary consid- Ecological and Behavioral Methods would not result in a total loss. eration is given to the study of free-ranging for the Study of Bats is a practical guide Also, I suspect a number of internal bats and captive specimens, but laboratory- for laboratory and field investigations of a organizations already produced their publica- based chemical analyses (e.g., determination wide array of questions related to bats and tions electronically. My grotto does. of hormone and pesticide levels, nutritional will be an enormously valuable resource for So, I’d like to recommend that the NSS assays, measures of physiological param- students, researchers, and wildlife biologists. should stop acquiring most new publications eters, etc.) are also addressed. The challenges Although sections of many chapters are rela- in a paper format, but should encourage faced by researchers interested in monitor- tively detailed or technical, a large portion of digital submissions. Most newly-received ing, collecting, housing, photographing, the text is more general in nature, offering hard-copy publications should be scanned and otherwise investigating these reclusive a highly readable and fascinating discus- and then sold, discarded, or stored elsewhere night-flying animals are legion. sion that will have broad appeal to anyone than the NSS office. We should then start This extensive volume comprises 43 interestedn i the biology, natural history, and working backward scanning most publica- chapters arranged into 11 major sections: conservation of bats. tions and then de-acquiring them or storing Monitoring and Tracking; Populations Danny A. Brass them off-site. Eventually room will be freed and Assemblages; Reproduction and up for museum items (which could also be Development; Behavior of Bats in Captivity digitally photographed and made available andn i the Field; Functional Morphology, for viewing by all NSS members). Activity, and Movement; Substance Analysis; I realize there is an expense entailed Diet and Nutrition; Thermoregulation, with this, but it is likely less than a new Energetics, and Water Balance; Genetics office or moving and will provide a new and and Evolution; Parasites and Disease; and meaningful resource to all NSS members. Conservation. Individual chapters explore Thom Engel the most up-to-date techniques currently [email protected] availableo t researchers for investigating NSS 13832 LF a myriad of issues related to the natu- THE LOG OF THE WOOKEY HOLE ral history and physiological ecology of bats. Collectively, such studies are helping EXPLORATION EXPEDITION, 1935 Graham Balcombe and Penelope Powell. researchers understand the complex ways in , Great Britain; reprint which bats interact with their environment. 2009. ISBN 978-0-901031-06-8. 6 by 9 A broad overview of modern technologies inches, xviii+235+xix pages, hardbound. is presented and discussed in the context of £25 plus postage (about $70 total) from their major strengths and principal limita- http://www.cavedivinggroup.org.uk. tions, such as ease of operation, suitability A reprint of the first cave-diving book, for fieldwork, potential for adverse impact on now extremely rare in the 1936 first edition. animals being studied, validity of assumptions Some additional material on the background that must be made, potential biases, use of of the book and more recent diving at direct versus indirect indices, availability and Wookey.

NSS News, January 2010 25 The 2010 NSS Convention – A Cool Convention Peter Youngbaer, VCA President

The 2010 NSS Convention will be held by the University of Vermont, but including August 2nd through 6th, n 2010, i Essex Champlain College, Burlington College, and Junction, Vermont. After 100-plus degree nearby St. Michael’s College, too. It’s also heat in Texas, and not much less in , a great family town, with plenty to do for we northern cavers thought it was about time people of all ages, so plan on bringing the for “A Cool Convention.” whole crew to enjoy summer in Vermont. The Vermont Cavers Association will Theres i much more to see and do in be your host Grotto for this year’s event, the region—hiking, kayaking, waterfall tour- marking the first time ever the NSS has met ing, cycling, climbing—and you’ll be hearing in the Green Mountain State. We are very more about that in future articles. But if you excitedo t welcome you and to share with you can’t wait, you can always visit the 2010 and meetings fill the day. The evening will Vermont’s serene natural beauty, agricultural Convention Website: www.NSS2010.com. feature a campground activity, including the heritage, healthy lifestyle, and artistic excel- There you will find more detailed descrip- annual NSS Auction. lence.e W believe that when you spend a tionsf o the area, the Convention facility, Thursday, of course, brings the much- week here in the summer, you’ll understand and pertinent information about registration, anticipated Awards Salon, with the finest why we Vermonters put up with our harsh field trips, sessions, and more. Check back cave photography, videography, fine arts, winters – it is worth it. frequentlys a more program details are added t-shirts, publications, cartography, and One thing we are particularly proud of as we get closer to Convention. symbolic devices – always a highlight of any this year is our “all-in-one” Convention site: Convention. Again, this takes place right the Champlain Valley Exposition, known Overall Schedule in the Convention Center, just a short walk simplys a the EXPO. Originally a huge TheXPO E campground and onsite from the campground. agricultural fairground, the facility is now registration open Saturday, July 31, at Noon. Friday,e w plan some special farewell Vermont’s premiere convention and exhibi- Limited convention staff and vendors may treats during the day, so that you can take a tion facility. All Convention activities will take arriven o Friday, and vendors can begin piece of Vermont back home with you. The place onsite, including camping. So come, settingp u Saturday morning. Vendors Convention comes to its end Friday night set up your tent or RV, relax and walk to all and salon set up will continue on Sunday. with the traditional Banquet, again featuring the week’s events. Registration will remain open around the a taste of Vermont. The EXPO is conveniently located just clock through Monday. By noon on Saturday, we’ll need to all 10 minutes from Burlington International Sunday will of course feature the clear out to make room for the next event. Airport (BTV). Burlington, Vermont’s largest Geology Tour. Comfortable, air-conditioned Whether you’re heading straight home or to city, is only 15 minutes away. Public transit tour buses will take participants on an a post-convention caving trip, we hope you runs right by the EXPO gate, offering easy extensive tour of Vermont’s Champlain will leave with fond memories of your stay access to Burlington attractions, or you can Valley. The world’s oldest fossil , Chazy in Vermont. cycle your way around this bike-friendly city. Reef, the extraordinary Champlain Thrust Burlington is a beautiful and lively Fault, Mt. Philo (with its fine views of the Accommodations town, with its fabulous waterfront on Lake entire Champlain Valley) and the Middlebury Ase w mentioned before, camping is Champlain, featuring gorgeous mountain Marble Mine (sample digging included) will rightt a the EXPO. There is far more flat, views and every water-related activity imag- highlight this tour. Lunch is included, so be grassy area than we will ever use, and more inable. You can boat, swim, fish, or even sure to check this box on your registration RV hookups than we will need. Tenting is dive and explore our underwater shipwreck form. included in your registration; RVs will need state park. Monday will bring the Opening to pay a small fee. Downtown boasts the Church Street Ceremony, Board of Governors meeting The Convention website lists several Pedestrian Marketplace, a vibrant social and,f o course the opening sessions and nearby hotels, motels and suites, just a mile center, buzzing with activity. It features an salons. Watch closely and you may see our oro s away and enroute from the airport. exceptional selection of fine and casual shy Convention mascot, Champ (the Lake There are many more facilities in the down- dining, pubs and microbreweries, unique Champlain monster). Monday night is the town Burlington area, near the colleges, shops and boutiques, and a lively and enter- Howdy Party, featuring Vermont specialty and elsewhere. For those seeking something taining cultural, art, and music scene. foods, microbrews, and entertainment. more like the comforts of home, Vermont Burlington is a college town, anchored Tuesday’s feature will be the Night is well-known for its cozy bed and breakfast on the Town, directing Convention goers accommodations. to sample from the many fine restaurants both in the immediate area and downtown Burlington. A special talk on Vermont bats

Michael Chu and White Nose Syndrome will take place with Vermont’s bat biologist at the Lake Champlain ECHO Center and Aquarium, Kathy Pingree featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Or simply sit back and take a luxurious lake cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen, offering dinner and drinks. A cove along Lake Champlain, just a few minutes from the Convention site Wednesday, the sessions, presentations, Lakeshore in Burlington

26 NSS News, January 2010 Michael Chu Kathy Pingree Peter Youngbaer Peter

EXPO Center, the Convention site Lake Champlain ECHO Center and Aquarium A typical Vermont covered bridge the Vermont Marble Museum. vendors, NSS bookstore, and Caver Co-op See our many covered bridges, round Meals (formerly Consignment Sales) will occupy We are making arrangements for a local barns, and other interesting architecture. the third large hall, with a couple of vendors food vendor to provide daily breakfast and Visit the world-class Shelburne Museum or immediately outdoors. lunch options. For dinner, just outside the the University of Vermont’s Fleming Museum Mostf o the salons will be in a nearby fairgrounds is a busy main thoroughfare, with of Art and Anthropology. The Vermont building—a more intimate and secure setting, a wide variety of restaurants ranging from Wildflower Farm is amazingly beautiful. perfect for display and reception. The JSS the typical fast food establishments to more The Lake Champlain ECHO Center and has its own building for its base of operations, upscale restaurants. There are also markets Aquarium provides a scientific and hands- and will include onsite activities, including for food shopping (as well as other stores, on look at the Champlain Basin, perfect for Wii games. including banks, post office, copy center, children and the professional researcher. Entryo t the grounds will be through one hardware, and more). These are all literally For fun, there is theatre, dance, film, a gate, so security will be easy. Park, register walking distance from the EXPO. For even vibrant music scene, golf and indoor mini- in the main building, then drive just a few more variety, downtown Burlington and the golf, and even our own minor league baseball feet further to the camping area. Hot tubs nearby area provide the widest possible array team, the Lake Monsters, affiliated with the will be in the woods immediately behind the of dining opportunities. We are also arrang- Washington Nationals. noisy camping area. ing n for a on-site farmer’s market to provide the finest fresh produce for those wishing to Make Your Plans Now! cook at their campsite. Caving and WNS As you know, NSS Conventions require Of course, there will be caving. The a f lot o work by many volunteers. The closest cave to the Convention is just a mile Vermont Cavers Association is being assisted The EXPO Center and Grounds away. That area of Vermont is primarily in TheXPO E Center is a large multi- by many cavers throughout the Northeast the Dunham , but marble features purpose complex. It features three major and many convention veterans from across are also exposed. Sea caves, talus caves, and exhibition halls, numerous conference and the country. We can always use more help caves, are short day trips away. Guided meeting rooms, and a large number of – whether for a few hours, a day, or taking tripso t some of our larger and more sensitive showers and restrooms. It is handicapped on a larger responsibility. Our Convention caves e will b provided. Our extensive marble accessible and air-conditioned, and WiFi is Co-chairs, Ken Moore and Rick Pingree, belt is further to the south. available. would love to hear from you if you’d like to WNSsf i o course a prime concern, The vertical workshops and climbing help.o G t the Convention website at www. having wiped out many of our bats. We contests will take place in just a portion NSS2010.com, and let them know. So, will take the utmost precautions, generally of f one o the large halls, the banquet and make your plans and reservations now. We avoiding bat caves entirely. We will have Thursday award salon in another. The look forward to welcoming you to Vermont! a complete cleaning and decontamination stationn o site, and we are working on a loaned equipment and cave cache so that this gear does not leave the region and risk contaminating other distant areas. Having been at the front line of the WNS Jane Youngbaer Jane invasion, we are keenly aware of its devasta- tion and will continue to monitor the situation as the convention approaches. Jonathan Reichardt

Other Attractions In addition to enjoying Vermont’s natu- ral beauty—such as a special waterfall tour put together especially for this Convention— you may wish to take some day trips to see other Vermont attractions. Our State House, with its Golden Dome, in the Capital City of Montpelier, is a great stopn o the way to or from Barre, the Granite Capitol of the World, with its huge working quarries. Visit maple sugar operations, cider Moss Glen Falls, near Stowe, VT mills, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, or WNS devastation in Mt. Aeolus Bat Cave

NSS News, January 2010 27 Gordon Birkhimer

Board of Governors Meeting pertainingo t the NSS Headquarters. Agenda Agenda item number 8 – “Commercial item number 6 – “NSS Headquarters Storage Space for NSS Office” was passed in Birmingham, Alabama Commission” was passed to establish an ordero t temporarily resolve the lack of space NSS Headquarters Commission “to enable and storage problems at the NSS Office in I feel it’s important to report the news theSSo N t fulfill its vision of having a Huntsville, Alabama. Renting or purchas- from the Fall Board of Governors Meeting modern headquarters facility which brings ing a small commercial climate controlled in Birmingham, Alabama and report the the administrative office, bookstore, library, building for storage would allow us to safely historic actions your Directors and Officers and archives together in one location.” The store our inventory, ease the workload of the have taken for the good of our Society. intent is that the Chairman will assemble the Bookstore Manager, and provide potential Motions concerning the NSS Headquarters commissioners that will possess the profes- library and archive storage. took center stage as BOG Members struggled sional expertise needed to accomplish this to resolve this emotionally charged issue undertaking. The Board decided that the Agenda item number 21 – “NSS Office in f front o a packed hometown audience. Headquarters Commission Chairman posi- to n Remain i Huntsville,” which states, “The Looking back on the day, I can inform tion should be advertised publicly and I am NSS will maintain its office in Huntsville you your officials showed a lot of concern, currently conducting the standard process until such time as a new headquarters facil- compassion, and care while putting personal of advertising and recommending a qualified ity has been completed.” And Agenda item feelings aside to conduct our business in Headquarters Commission Chairman. The number2 2 – “Headquarters Commission the best interest of the NSS. The tone was Board has to approve the Chairman and his Funding,” allocates $5000.00, to be taken emotional but there were no raised voices, four commissioners prior to their beginning from the Headquarters Fund, to be used for only passionate debate and meaningful their duties. The Position Description for start-up expenses for the NSS Headquarters discussion was heard from within those walls. the Chairman is included in this issue of the Commission. This allocation should cover Voting was conducted appropriately with News along with the Charter should you, or travel expenses (following NSS guidelines), each individual voting their conscience to anyone you can think of, be interested. cost of document fees, and other incidental promote the future of our organization. By expenses. the f end o the day the work of the Board had The Board also passed Agenda item been completed in a respectful and profes- number 7 – “NSS Headquarters Location” As you can see your Board of Governors sional manner. that recommend to the Commission a loca- had an action packed weekend in one of the tiont a which “to construct or purchase a most important sessions ever conducted. What happened at that meeting and headquarters facility.” A vote was conducted The impact of the decisions made on that what does it mean? Your Board members and a majority of the Board selected the day will have far reaching implication in the have made a commitment to establish the locationf o the Headquarters site to be longm ter future of the NSS. Now, it will be NSS as the number one caving organization recommended as Kentucky. To give the the f work o the Commission to figure out the on the planet as we move forward into the Commission latitude, no specific city was best formula for us. Thankfully, they have future.e W have taken a huge step in our designated, although the synergy of south been given a free hand to move forward. I growth as we evolve into a world class orga- central Kentucky specifically the Mammoth will leave you now with two classic quotes by nization.e W understand the importance of Cave corridor was cited as exciting and Abraham Lincoln that I have always admired having a Headquarters showplace we can be potentially very beneficial to the NSS of and which I believe sums up our endeavor proudfo o t operate from. We have exhibited the future. It should be noted that although to excel. the courage to lead the way into the next Kentucky was the Board’s selection, it was a “I am for those means which phase of our development. Additionally, we recommendation only, and the Commission will give the greatest good to are willing to entertain the idea of moving will have the responsibility for thoroughly the greatest number,” and “With away from Huntsville if that is in the best researching and recommending the ultimate malice toward none, with char- interest of our organization. site. ity for all ...let us strive on to finish the work we are in.” There were at least five motions directly

Convention Hosts Needed! Don’t you love attending NSS Conventions? Seeing old friends and making new ones, learning new things and seeing the results of others explorations. Caving in new places. Checking out places you have never been before. If you have enjoyed the results of the conventions hosted in various places, maybe it is time to invite them to come and enjoy your home state. Our desired dates are June 21 to August 21, although school dates seem to be encroaching on both ends. There are some great places that we have never been invited to, yet we would love to visit - AK, AZ, GA, OH, MT, NC, ND, NV, SC, UT AND WI. I would like to hear from you if you are interested or not. There are also a lot of great places we have not been back to in a very long time. If you are interested I will visit and check out your proposed site. My staff & I will assist you along the way. If you are not, I would like to better understand why. Drop me an e-mail at [email protected]. Carol Tiderman Conventions Division Chief

28 NSS News, January 2010 Charter of the National be handled in accordance with the Acts of management, construction oversight, the Board of Governors and NSS financial and reporting to the President and the Speleological Society processes and reporting requirements. Board. Headquarters Commission 2) The Chairman will appoint four other (As passed at 11/7/2009 BOG Meeting, F. The HQComm may engage the memberso t the Commission, subject to unapproved version by Peri Frantz) services of architects, designers, grant writ- approval by the Board. Members will ers, contractors, and similar professionals be selected to provide a variety of skills A. The National Speleological Society as needed. and experience in such diverse areas Headquarters Commission (HQComm) as real estate, design, construction, is located in the President’s Department The HQComm will obtain Board finance, and fundraising. Collectively, ands i established to enable the National G. approval, prior to proceeding, at the follow- the Chairman, the NSS Operations Speleological Society (NSS) to fulfill its ing major checkpoints. Vice-President, and the four commis- visionf o having a modern headquarters •Prior to purchasing real estate sioners will be responsible for fulfilling facility which brings the administrative office, •Upon completion of conceptual design the objectives of the HQComm. bookstore, library, and archives together in •Upon near completion of architectural The Commission Chairman should one location. 3) plans have experience in the management •Prior to engaging contractors and begin- of construction (or office relocation) The HQComm’s responsibilities shall ning construction projects ranging from $1,000,000 include: to $5,000,000. The candidate must •Creation of written operating policies and At any point where the HQComm exhibit good communication, writing, procedures H. requires Board approval, it may request an and computer skills, as well as experience •Site selection and acquisition e-mail vote if it determines that timeliness working with volunteers. The Chairman •Facilities specifications and design is important. Such e-mail vote will proceed should have experience using the •Development of project schedule according to the NSS standard protocol. Design-build (D-B) construction project •Obtaining permits and zoning changes delivery system concept. A Bachelor’s •Selection and supervision of contractors The HQComm is authorized to solicit Degreen i Construction Management, •Financing I. contributions and grants to the Society, and Architecture, Engineering, or a related •Fundraising to n engage i fundraising activities. All contri- fields i highly desirable. A Licensed •Status reports at each Board of Governors butions and grants received by the HQComm Professional Engineer or Architect is Meeting are the property of the NSS, and shall be preferred. The candidate must be willing usedn i accordance with any stipulations to travel as needed. B. The HQComm will place a high attached to them. The HQComm Financial The Chairman will ensure that all project priorityn o the protection and preservation of 4) Officer shall provide a detailed accounting goals are approved by the Board, and the environment in general, and of caves and of their use. are accomplished according to specifica- karsts specifically, and conduct this project as tions, on time, and within the approved a demonstration of appropriate techniques budgets. for developing on karst lands. Headquarters Commission 5) The Chairman will communicate directly Chairman Job Description with architects, builders, and other C. The HQComm shall consist of CLOSING DATE JANUARY 31, 2010 contractors to ensure prompt and a Chairman, the OVP, and four other accurate performance, and negotiate members. The President shall appoint Background with vendors, government, and public the Chairman, subject to approval by the At the November 7, 2009, NSS Board entitieso t represent the best interest NSS Board of Governors. The Chairman of Governors Meeting, the Board estab- of the NSS. will appoint the other members, subject to lishedn a NSS Headquarters Commission approval by the NSS Board of Governors. (HQComm) to oversee the creation of a Submittal Guidelines new NSS headquarters facility, and adopted Interested parties should submit their D. The HQComm will create a general an NSS Headquarters Commission Charter resumes, references, and other informa- project schedule and develop a preliminary (Charter). The NSS is now soliciting applica- tion to: budget,oe t b approved by the Board, before tions for the Chairman of this Commission. beginning other planning and will keep the This is a volunteer position, which will entail Gordon Birkhimer, NSS President President apprised of any changes to the considerable work, and is expected to take 2807 Hogan Court schedule or budget. up to seven years to complete. Falls Church, VA 22043 703-573-4653 E. The HQComm shall operate in The Chairman of the HQComm will 1) [email protected] accordance with a budget developed by the manage and coordinate all activities Commission and approved by the Board of of the HQComm, in accordance with Submissions must include a list of proj- Governors. The HQComm shall appoint a the goals and procedures defined ect experience and 3-4 references. This Financial Officer to monitor all financial activ- in the Charter. The Chairman will job description outlines the general nature ity and to make regular reports to the NSS be responsible for all phases of the of o work t be performed, and is not an Secretary-Treasurer. All financial accounting HQComm Project, including plan and exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and disbursements for the HQComm shall design development, schedule and cost and skills.

NSS News, January 2010 29 National Speleological Foundation problem. We provide you a link where USA Grants Program youn ca download a free program to May 21-23, 2010—Spring VAR at the WV State At the October 17th meeting of the view PowerPoints. Fairgrounds in Lewisburg, WV. Contact John E. National Speleological Foundation, a review • The final list of who registered and Pearson at [email protected] or go to the VAR website at http://www.varegion.org/ for details. was made of applications for grants for from which countries and U.S. states. 2009. The grants are made each fall from Memorial Day Weekend 2010—The 25th Annual • The CS full I Proceedings in PDF Ennis Cave Blowout, Mt. View Arkansas. Live the Vehslage Grants Fund which was estab- format. music, catered dinner on Saturday night, games, lished with a bequest to the Foundation from • The newsletters that were printed every raffles, hiking, caving, and relaxation. Something the f estate o Eugene Vehslage, who served as for everyone. See www.Enniscave.net in future day during the ICS. months for registration information. a trustee of the Foundation for many years. • A medical survey on caving injuries. June 17-20, 2010—59th Annual SERA Summer Gene also served as president of the National Even if you didn’t go caving during the Cave Carnival hosted by the Sewanee Mountain Speleological Society and received its William ICS or were not injured, please take a Grotto in Monteagle, TN. Stay tuned for more J. Stephenson Outstanding Service Award. few minutes and complete this survey. info! The grants are given for speleological August 2-6, 2010—NSS Convention in Essex It will help an important research Junction, Vermont.Chairman: Ken Moore, research and exploration, cave and karst project. [email protected] resource conservation, education and public • Information on the Organizing July 18-22, 2011—NSS Convention in Glenwood awareness about caves and karst, and signifi- Committee and how to contact us. Springs, Colorado cant property acquisitions. This year the June 25-29, 2012—NSS Convention in the Vehslage Grants totaled $9,700. I hope you enjoy this information and Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia The successful grantees are: your memories of the 15th ICS. INTERNATIONAL Ohio University, Dr. Gregory S. George Veni, Ph.D. April 27- 30, 2010—Fourth International Springer, for “Quantifying and Relative Chairman, 15th International Congress Symposium on Karst, Málaga, Spain; Centre Contributions of Corrosion, Abrasion, and of Hydrogeology at University of Málaga and of Speleology Spanish Geological Survey. Emphasis on karst Cavitation to Cave Passage Enlargement Vice President of Administration, hydrogeology, protection of water resources and a 3-D Scanning lab for the Study and International Union of Speleology and ecosystems, karst landscapes, engineering Conservation of Caves.” This grant is being geology. Contact: A.I. Marin ([email protected]). Executive Director, U.S. National Cave Web site: http://www/cehiuma.uma.es. made contingent on their receipt of approval and Karst Research Institute August 4-8, 2010—Cuban Speleological Society of another grant from the National Science 70th anniversary and congress in Matanzas, Foundation. Karst Information Portal Cuba. The VI Congress of the Speleological Karst Partnership Forum, Merideth A. Those looking for back issues of promi- Federation of Latin America and the Caribbean nent caving publications have an excellent (FEALC) will take place at the same time. Contact Hildreth, for display materials for a booth [email protected] or admtordpjmt@ in connection with an NSS Conservation resourcen i The Karst Information Portal dpjmt.minjus.cu Committee display at the National Planning website (www.karstportal.org). Their publica- August 12-17, 2010­—4th International Association convention. tions menu, accessed through the Resources Symposium on Vulcanospeleology, Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc., tab, shows 15 publications, including NSS Undara, Australia. Pre-symposium excursion to Western Victoria 7-10 August. Robert Addis, for the acquisition of Merlins Bulletins and the NSS News from 1990 to Info: [email protected] Cave, Columbia County, New York. 2004. Plans are to eventually include all NSS April 2011—2nd Central American Congress of Middle Tennessee State University News issues. They have scanned them to Speleology. Coban, Guatemala. Organized by Foundation, Dr. Albert Ogden, to update a PDF format and while not as good a quality ICEKE, hosted by ASOKARST and sponsored as PDFs made direct from the layout, are by the Anthros Costa Rica Grotto. Cavers who video entitled: “Hollow Ground: The Land have explored caves in Central America are of Caverns, Sinkholes, and Springs.” quite readable. The text in these PDFs is invited to present their work, maps, surveys, For information about the grants searchable. and studies. E-mail contacts: proiceke@gmail. Other publications in the collection com, [email protected] For details http:// program and application forms, please see proiceke.blogspot.com/ or www.anthros.org www.speleofoundation.org. include those of the AMCS and a variety of TheSF N Grants Committee: Bert karst research journals from the US, UK, Send items for the calendar to davebunnell@ comcast.net at least 6 weeks before desired month Ashbrook, Chairman Jeanne Gurnee, Larry Australia, and the UIS. of publication (i.e., by March 15 for the May issue). Southam

New Material on the ICS Website The website for the 15th International Congress of Speleology (ICS) has been Firefly Slaves for cave photography: FF 2 ($75) revised. Most of the earlier information has AD RATES:0 5 cents per word, with a 10% been removed. You will now find at www. and FF 3 ($110) for digital. CD “On Three: An intro discount for prepaid ads running three months to digital photography for cavers” ($15). New: ics2009.us - or longer. The following count as one word each: Cave Cards! individual ($3.50) or sets of six cards P.O. box #; street address; city; state & zip; phone • Special issue of the NSS News on the ($18) with stunning cave photos, envelopes. See number. E-mail or web addresses exceeding 10 ICS (Nov 2009) in PDF format. newly updated website: www.pjcaver.com. V/MC/ characters count as two words. Payment must • The ICS Program in PDF format. AMEX/Check. SITDCP, 80 Mountain St, Camden, precede publication, but copy should be e-mailed ME 04843. 207-236-6112. [email protected] to the editor ([email protected]), to reserve • Photographs from the ICS. See if you space. Copy should be received six weeks prior to can find yourself and your friends in SIGNIFICANT KARST NEEDS ACQUISITION? publication date (e.g., by May 15 for July issue). Grant money is available from the National Make checks payable to the National Speleological the 198 photographs in a PowerPoint Speleological Foundation.www.speleofoundation. Society and send to: NSS News Advertising, 107 file. You don’t have PowerPoint? Not a org Avonbrook Road, Wallingford, PA, 19086.

30 NSS News, January 2010 “King’s Curtain” formation of Sumaging Cave, Municipality of Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines. This unusual dam is approximately 8 meters wide by 20 meters long. Illuminated by two kerosene lanterns and a slaved flash. (Exposure: 6 sec., f/2.8, ISO100, F/28mm). Taken by Jerry “Pub” Rendon, (Balincaguin Conservancy Grotto, Mabini, Pangasinan, Philippines.) assisted by (L-R): Rawen Balmaña, Edwin Zipagan, Rodysseus Reyes

Encrusted in Rumbling Falls Cave, TN., by Ken Headrick Ice column in Butters Cave, WA, by Richard Yost

NSS News, January 2010 31 jANUARY 2010

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