CONTENTS May I June 1999 Volume 44 No.3 THE TEXAS Developers to Save Austin's Finest Caves 35
Project Report - Powells Cave Over the Hill at Thirty 36 CAVER The TExAs CAVER is a bi-monthly publication of the Texas Trip Reports Speleological Association (TSA), an internal organization Proyecto Cheve - Cueva Charco 38 of the National Speleological Society (NSS). Pete's Crawl, Powells Cave 44 Subscription rates are $25/year for six issues of The TExAs CAVER. This includes membership in the TSA. Ot't Vertical Techniques - Rappelling of state subscribers, libraries, and other institutions may Bobbin Descenders 40 receive The TEXAS CAVER for the same rate ($25/year . Back issues are available at the cost of $3.00 per issue. Send all correspondence (other than material for Th: TSA Activities TExAs CAVER), subscriptions, and exchanges to: The Great Flood, TCR 1998 42 Spring Business Meeting Minutes 49 The Texas Caver P.O. Box 8026 The Inquisition Austin, TX 78713. Petzl Tibiae Ascender 46 Exchanges should be mailed to The Texas Caver at th above address. The Texas Caver will exchang Eulogy newsletters with other organizationss. Letter for a Caving Friend 48 Submissions to The TExAs CAVER should be sent to th Grotto Reports 49 following address:
Joe Ivy & Rebecca Jones Lost Caves of Texas 11916 Bluebonnet Edwards County 50 Manchaca, TX 78652 joeivy@ interserv.com Upcoming Events 51 We encourage YOU to participate in this publication.
The TExAs CAVER is produced by the Texas Speleological Association Please see page 51 for Submission Guidelines.
Editors Opinions expressed in the The TExAs CAVER are solei 1 Joe Ivy & Rebecca Jones those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect thos' opinons held by the editors, the TSA, its members, th; Special thanks to NSS, or any other person on the planet. Brian Vauter
©Copyright 1999 by the Texas Speleological Associatior1. Proof Readers: Internal organizations of the NSS may reprint any itern Melonie Alspaugh & Julie Jenkins first appearing in The TExAs CAVER as long as proper credit This issue is made possible by those who contributed material: is given and a copy of the newsletter containing thG Wayne Bockelman, Gill Ediger, Jerry Fant, Butch Fralia, Terry Holsinger, reprinted material is mailed to the TSA. Other Joe Ivy, Julie Jenkins, Rebecca Jones, Jay Jorden, Charlie Loving, organizations should contact the TSA about reprinted R.D. Milhollin, Joe Mitchell, Karen Perry, & William Russell materials.
ON THE COVER: "Mary's Hole." Wayne Bockelman, Winner, Print Salon, TSA Spring Convention
ON THE BACK: "Below Jurgan's Leap." Terry Holsinger, Merit Award, Print Salon, TSA Spring Convention MAY/JUNE 1999 Developers to Save Austin's Finest Caves
Julie Jenkins & William Russell Due to an unusual set of circum serve lands for education use and as aside, but that the entire tract is preserved stances and the City of Austin's stand green space over the aquifer. from development to ensure high qual on environmental issues, a major cave On Thursday April 8'h, 1999, the ity recharge into the caves. complex located in South Austin, known Austin City Council voted 6-1 to approve For several years, local cavers have as the Blowing Sink Tract will be pre the Forum PUD, (pl anned unit develop worked toward gaining access to and served. This tract of land is home to over ment- a clustered development unit with possible management of the Blowing a half dozen caves and sinks, which pro lots of green space). The city will receive Sink Tract. For the most part, these ef vide considerable recharge for the 300+ acres of sensitive aquifer recharge forts had fallen on deaf ears, partly due Edwards Aquifer, which in turn feeds zone to the city. This is a major step to to the lack of interest by the current own Barton Springs, considered by many to ward a win-win relationship between ers. Through the combined efforts of the be the "jewel of Austin". Austin's developers and environmental- TCMA, Barton Springs Edwards Aqui For the past year, local fer Conservation Di strict, and Texas Cave Management As the Forum PUD development sociation (TCMA) represen team, Blowing Sink has finally tatives have worked with the been recognized as super-sen Forum, environmental engi sitive and critical to the re neers, City of Austin staff and charge and water quality in our the city council in order to area. provide information and ad Much activity and many vice regarding land to be set '·official" tours of the land and aside as a preserve. In particu cave have been going on for lar, land known to have karst some time. This has created a features that are sources of great amount of high visibility point recharge for Barton for Blowing Sink. Publicity ac- Springs. tivities have included slide pre- Typically developers sentations to the city council, have been less than well film footage on the local news. thought of in the Austin area and tours of the upper portions because of their historic dis- Dark Side of the Moon Section, Blowing Sink. Photo by Julie Jenkins of the cave for officials and city regard for limiting growth and commer- ists, and is great news for cavers and council members. It's important to state cia! development over the portion of the those concerned with the water quality here that caver access will not be avail- Edwards Aquifer located south of the of the aquifer. One of the tracts of land able until "the deal is done." There is Colorado River and extending to Hays set aside is the 165-acre "Blowing Sink much more to do and in order to lock in County. The Forum Group itself was Tract," considered by many to be the permanent caver access, we must be pa- founded by a couple who wanted to do most environmentally sensitive tract of tient and work with the system. something with their land that would land in Travis County. We are all aware of decreasing honor Austin 's commitment to protect- During heavy rain storms, large cave access all over the United States. ing the recharge to the aquifer. Working amounts of water enter Blowing Sink We feel this is a landmark eff01t between with the city and consultants, they de- cave where it quickly finds its way down developers. the city, and cavers. not only cided they could build a development some 254 feet. into the Edwards Aqui- to protect the caves but to promote good that would provide some of the needed fer, then north to Barton Springs. Our- will in the community. medical facilities and small retail inter- ing the October '98 flood, (we all remem- TCMA will provide updates. as ests in this area of town. The plan is for ber that weekend, when TCR was details become available. If you' re in- a 70-acre commercial development, flooded out!) Austin received over eight terested in further information. contact whichwouldprovidetheneededrevenue inchesofrain. Itwasestimatedthat sev- Julie Jenkins or Bill Russell at to pay for the 300 acres they wanted to era! million gallons of water flowed into [email protected]. give to the city. The understanding was Blowing Sink! It is imperative that not that this land would be set aside as pre- just the areas around the caves be set
Till: T EXAS CAVER MAY/JUNE 1999 PROJECT REPORT Powells Cave- Over the Hill at Thirty Terry Holsinger For those of you who are keeping tree. After the others exited the cave, a were to check a couple ofleads, and sur count, the June 26, 1999 trip to Powells definite match was found: the tree, which vey whatever they found. Once there, the Cave represents the 30th trip to Powells is found in the Neels area as a good sized main lead turned out to be an unsafe dig cave since the current project started ten tree (15+ meters tall), turned out to be a through unstable breakdown. They dug years ago in 1989. As has been the norm, small bush-sized (two-meter tall) tree, a little then found a short section of un the June trip was small, with only 33 thought to have been an oak. In defense surveyed passage, which they surveyed. people. The heat and ticks on the They then dug at another break surface, and the gnats in the down lead until fatigue set in. cave, tend to discourage the They also looked at "numerous" causal visitor. For the first time passage and dig leads in this area since the project started, as the on the way out of the cave. Jim teams were formed we ran out plans on returning to this area of instrument readers, not to finish up the leads. sketchers. As I arrived at the gate Then Ed Goff, Wayne at around I 0:30 Friday evening, Peplinski, Phil Sanders, and I found the cavers "camped out" Jordan Merson entered the around the locked gate to the cave. Their plan was to survey ranch. After a quick word with in the crevice and to tie into ev everyone, I headed over to pick ery survey station in the maze up the ladder at Mr. Powell's above the crevice. After survey nearby barn. To get to the barn I ing 65 meters and working on a had to drive past the ranch detailed sketch, they headed up foreman's house, and as we crevice to take a few photos. On loaded the ladder onto my van the way they noted Jots of bats the foreman came to see who in the upper crevice area. was at the barn. When he found Marvin Miller, having out who we were he headed over just returned from Germany, Jed to the gate and Jet us in. This his team of Eddie Yonemoto, seems to happen every couple of Will Harris and Brandie years, and has not been a major Johnson back into the Sink issue. It usually happens when Maze. After showing Dale Powell gets a new foreman, Barnard the connecting stations which had happened recently. between the HR and the SM. First into the cave were our Marvin's team managed to fin friendly root lovers, Rick Gill, ish the survey of the SM. Leav Jordi Martinez, and Juan ing only a single dig lead, the SM Loeti. They headed to the is now a "finished part" of the stream/crevice junction to mea cave. Marvin will start the draft Sara Dierk in The Middle Crevice, Powells Cave. sure the respiration (02 uptake) of the cave, even though he will Photo by Terry Holsinger. rate of the roots found in the be leaving for a few months in cave. They also tried to measure the ni of our root team, they had not been to Israel. trogen uptake rates. While this team was Powells in the summer, only in the fall Dale Barnard continued his sur in the cave, Rob Jackson tried to locate and winter trip, when all but the live oaks vey of the Hilton Room area. With the a tree that had been identified by its DNA are leaf-free. help of Marcus Barksdale, and new from the February trip, but had not been Next into the cave were Jim comers to caving Teresa Hart and Paul seen on the surface. With a field guide, Kennedy, James Lopez, and Pete "Stripes" Larson they surveyed 88 he wandered through the brush around Baron. They headed out to the Serpen meters in six hours. Using the line plot the sink in an attempt to find the right tine Root Room area of the cave. They from the last trip, they were also able to
36 THE T EXAS C AVER MAY/JUNE 1999 fix a data entry problem (a misnamed vey done, it looks like Joe will be sur Powells Cave to Silvermine Cave. In station at data entry time.) veying in the stream for a good while. the stream passage, they noted a "pale" Team Green consisted of Eric After all the cavers were in the centipede ( -30mm long) and "many" Cook, Brian Thuesen and Kevin cave, Terry Holsinger and Wynant white silverfish. Bats were also noted Thuesen. After taking photos of the en Wilson, (Our friendly area oil geologist almost all the way to the sump. As they trance area for a paper on rangeland res bearing a load of drill samples from a headed out of the cave, Ann managed to toration, this gash herself by team had - catching her leg planted native between a grasses and couple of rocks, wildflowers hidden by the around the en muddy water. trance/con The final struction area. team to enter the The team en cave was Rob tered the cave Tait and Jack around 11:00 Johnson, who a.m. Saturday spent a little time and conducted traveling up their standard crevice, then to search in and the stream, tak around the en ing photos with trance maze for Rob 's digital any evidence of camera. After snakes. Only a visiting all the small section of people they Texas Rat could find, they Snake was en- Pete Baron & Jim Kennedy digging in Powells. Photo by James Lopez headed out to countered. On partake of the the last trip the entire articulated snake new well just off the property) retired evening's socializing around the camp was found dead in the entrance room. under a tree for lunch and to discuss vaJi fire. (Many may remember the odor!) This ous aspects of the area. Soon Jack By midnight camp was quiet. Rob segment is believed to be part of that Johnson showed up, having gotten a late and James decided to wait in the individual. Since the installation of the start from San Marcos. We then helped cave for the last team, Andy Ann, ve1tical pipe, no sightings of snakes have Wynant locate the cave radio stations on and Vivian. After a couple of hours, been made in the cave proper. Great the large aerial photo of the area he keeps. they thought they heard the cavers Plains Rat snakes were noted on the last This also allowed Jack to get a tour of coming downstream. Rob took this mo trip using the holes of the vertical pipe the features around camp. ment to play his ocarina. The stream to ostensibly catch bats resting there. As we talked with Jack yet another team later said that this was a good thing, Unlike the last trip no Myotis Velifer bats vehicle drove in. It was Andy as they had arrived at the breakdown were found roosting in the entrance Gluesenkamp, Ann Walther, and pile, from the old mine shaft, and thought maze. However, the search group was Vivian Loftin. (D.J. Ryan had been part they had gone past the crevice entrance. not the first group into the cave this time of the group, but developed car trouble; They were about to head back upstream either. he generously sent the others on without when the sound of music called to them As the only stream team at the cave him.) After setting up camp, Andy, from beyond the eardip at the break in the morning, Joe Sumbera, Eric Vivian, and Ann put on their wetsuits and down. With the help of Rob and James John, Terry Burgan were off up the headed to the upstream sump. They sur they left the cave without getting lost in stream passage. Having finished the sur veyed 20 meters, tied the survey into the the Entrance Maze. vey of the stream passage, they went to sump, and improved the sketch of the By noon on Sunday everyone work cleaning up some of the many side sump area. They were unable to survey had left Powells. Most stopped for a leads and loops found the length of the the digs that have been accruing in the swim in the river before long dri ves stream passage. From the amount of sur sump area in an attempt to connect home. Continued on p. 47 Tw: TExAs Cwm 37 MAY/JUNE 1999
TRIP REPORT Proyecto Cheve 1999 - Cueva Charco Rebecca Jones but you could always hear English, Ger permission obtained from the state gov The 1999 Cheve Project was an man, Italian, and French as well. ernment in Oaxaca City. Over the next international affair. In March, 16 cavers The plan was to spend two weeks few days, the others arrived by local bus, from five countries participated. Joe Ivy, at Cueva Charco to evaluate whether it which stopped right at our doorstep. Rebecca Jones, and Charly Savvas of might be a practical way into Sistema Our camp was ideal: we had ad Austin, TX joined project coordinators Cheve. The Charco entrance is in the equate flat space for tents, kitchen and Matt Oliphant and Nancy Pistole (CA), Middle Karst, near the town of San gear buildings with electricity, conve and Mike Frazier (CO), Peter Haberland Miguel Santa Flor, and is in line between nient parking, a great view ... all just 200 and Mark Folsom (NY), Jose Soriano the high entrances and the resurgence on meters from the entrance. Our neighbors (Mexico), Chris Gibson and Andy Capel the Rio Santo Domingo. A huge break were friendly, there was a restaurant half (Great Britain), Yvo Weidmann and down pile has stopped progress in Cueva an hour's walk up the hill, and a charm Catherine Perret (Switzerland), Matteo Cheve for several years now. Charco ing family of pigs came by each after Rivadossi, Giacomo Rossetti, and Luca should connect into the main cave some noon to clean up after us. The weather Tanfoglio (Italy). In camp, Spanish was where below the blockage. Once in, we was sunny and mild for the entire time probably the most common language, can push upstream to the breakdown and we were there. All this luxury kept the downstream trip from being totally miserable. toward the re Charco, which means "mud surgence. The puddle" in Spanish, is a hateful cave. connection be Charco is small. Though it's never hid tween Charco eously tight, it grabs everything. Nar and Cheve will row, awkward climbs lead to water-filled make the sys gravel crawls. The horror is interrupted tem the deepest only by the pits, which go right back into in the western tight cave. Nancy Pistole had been fur hemisphere. ther than anyone. She'd turned around Connecting in a water-filled belly crawl after realiz Cheve and the ing that the rest of her survey team had resurgence will simply given up and left. make it the But the wind! Charco has an in deepest in the credible wind. At constrictions that aren't world at 2525 muddy or wet, the wind picks up the dirt meters. you've kicked loose and throws it in your In March eyes and up your nose. Only small cavers of 1999, Joe, had been able get past the first low air Mark and I ar squeeze. We were prepared to modify the rived in San passage as needed to continue explora Miguel Santa tion to follow the wind. That much wind Flor and rented could only come from huge cave, from two buildings Cheve. near the Two digging trips were required to Charco en reach the previous end of survey. The trance. As we first began at the top of the cave where were moving several tight places were enlarged to al in, Matt, low larger cavers access. The second was Nancy, Charly, intended to be a push trip, but concen and Soriano trated on trenching the floor through wet The Entrance Sink of Cueva Charco. Photo by Rebecca Jones. arrived with crawls and moving gravel bars to gener-
38 TilE TEXAS CAVER MAY/JUNE 1999 ally lower the water levels. (Unfortu one else, said several times that she didn't overlaying the line plot on the topo and nately, this work will need to be repeated remember the cave being so difficult. In geo maps, Charco seems to be nearing a after any significant rain.) Digging trips fact, she had no recollection of entire fault that runs perpendicular to it and continued throughout the project. As the sections of the cave. The mind's ability the trend of the main cave. We hope that commitment was made to push the cave, to repress painful memories is a won this might influence the passage and that it was clearly necessary to continue derful thing. Maybe by next spring, we' ll Charco will tum toward Cueva Cheve. modifying the cave to make the survey all have forgotten enough to be foolish The aims of next year's Cheve trips possible. enough to go back. Charco is a grueling project are still undecided. Tentative If digging trips were hard, the sur cave but the passage seems to be getting plans include setting an underground vey trips were worse. At least while dig bigger. Passage at the last station aver camp in Charco to continue the survey ging it's easy to keep warm. The wind ages three meters wide by seven meters toward Cheve, ridge walking near the and water made for cold conditions, and high. And there's still the wind! surface fault, and dye tracing. Plans will survey trips were slower and longer than In six survey trips, 1867meters of be finalized this fall. If you' re interested the dig trips. After survey trips, teams passage were mapped. The cave is now in participating in Proyecto Cheve, push took two rest days on the surface before 2,602 meters long and 589 meters deep. ing this gnarly cave and dragging a camp they could convince themselves to go The final survey trip was 27 hours; most duffel as well, contact Joe Ivy by email: back in. Simply moving through Cueva of this was travel time. To push further, [email protected] or by snailmail at Charco is hard work. There is no pas it will be necessary to camp in the cave. 11916 Bluebonnet Lane, Manchaca, TX sage where you can just walk. It's con Charco is paralleling the trend of the 78652. stantly crawling, squeezing, contorting, main cave. While we were in the field The 1999 Cheve Project trip to and climbing. this had been discouraging since our ul Cueva Charco was sponsored by The Nancy, who on the last trip to the timate goal is to connect and work up Dogwood City Grotto, The NSS, and cave in 1994 had been further than any- stream into the breakdown. However, Gonzo Guano Gear.
Plan ------ac__r Cueva Cheve Nm
lKm 0.6Miles
Profile Cueva Cheve View Angle 280 Degrees
Cueva Charco Breakdown lKm 0.6 Miles ~ Sump
Till' TEXt\S CAVER 39 MAY/JUNE 1999 VERTICAL TECHNIQUES Rappelling 101: Using a Bobbin Descender Joelvy As mentioned in the first the sideplate has seated completely! All enough friction, then you can even clip Rappelling 10 1 article, "bobbin" de of these descenders have diagrams en the rope into the 'biner again thereby scribes a class of caving descender used graved in the sideplate to help remind wrapping the rope around the spine of commonly in Europe and growing in use you how to load the rope. At this point the 'biner. This will certainly be enough here. All of these descenders have two the only thing left to do is to add an ex friction but will twist the rope pretty aluminum sideplates with two bobbins tra carabiner to your seat harness attach badly. When you arrive at the next or capstans that the rope is threaded ment point as a friction carabiner. More rebelay or at the bottom ofthe pit, you'll around, usually in an "S" configuration. .·f on this later. be greeted by lots of kinked up rope! Some of these descenders have brake y 0 u So you're descending quite happily functions, some do not. Here, we'lllook are now and need to stop and have your hands at the use of these descenders in depth. ready to free to take a photo or something. Now First, you must attach the bobbin hang your what? This where you '11 need to lock off to your harness somehow. The most weight on your bobbin. Even if you have a bobbin commonly used piece of gear here is a the bobbin with a brake function, I'd recommend locking carabiner. However, I strongly and head locking off the descender if you're go recommend using a 1Omm or larger, on down ing to be engaged in some activity where long oval screw link. Lock- the rope. you won't be paying any attention to the ing carabiners will and Make sure descender. If you accidentally bump the have come unlocked that you brake lever while you're stopped, it can on their own during have an cause a surprise plummet. To lock off Rappelling with a Bobbin normal caving activi indepen- the bobbin, grab the entire descender and ties and resulted in dent safety line attached to the rope or rope with your left hand. Grab a loop of innumerable close anchor system until you have fully rope from between the descender and the calls and two loaded the descender. Generally, if brake carabiner and stuff it through the fatalities that something bad is going to happen, it will screwlink or I know of. happen when the descender is first carabiner linking Screwlinks don't loaded. Grasp the rope below the de the bobbin to have this problem. scender firmly with your right hand and )OJ They are, however, weight the descender. Remove your A Typical Bobbin much slower to put safety with your left hand. Ifthe bobbin on and off. I also rec- has a brake function, you will have to ommend not taking your descender on squeeze the handle inward with your left and off while caving. Put it on and leave hand. Let the rope start to slide through it on and just clip it to the side when not your right hand and you're rappelling! in use. You just never know when you One of the drawbacks of these de might need it. scenders is that their performance de Next, you need to load the rope pends heavily on the rope size and con into the descender. On most bobbins, the dition and the weight of the user. This is Locking off the bobbin sideplate facing you is designed to unclip where that extra carabiner on your seat from the screwlink or carabiner and harness attachment point comes in. On harness. If your seat harness uses a big swing open thus exposing the inner parts new or wet rope, the bobbin may be very semicircular screw link to close, you can of the descender. This way, the de fast making it difficult to comfortably also pass the rope through this. Loop the scender is still attached to your harness. control your descent with just your right rope over the top of the bobbin and cinch Now, the rope is woven through the cap hand. In this case, clip the rope below it down by tugging firmly on the rope stans in an "S" shape and the sideplate the bobbin into the extra carabiner and below the bobbin. To unlock, simply lift swung shut and reclipped into the pull up on the rope. This adds a lot of the loop of rope from around the top of screwlink or carabiner. Make sure that extra friction very quickly. If this is not the bobbin but do not let it go! Grab
40 THE TEXAS CAVER MAY/JUNE 1999
the whole bobbin with the left If you're going to use a bobbin, I'd One last drawback of the single recommend using one with a brake func brake bobbin is that it requires both tion. The convenience afforded by hav hands to function. One hand controls the ing the brake function is wonderful, es descent and one disables the brake. If pecially if you're rigging or crossing lots you're rappelling against an uneven wall, of rebelays. However, you must not make you just need to have good footing and the mistake ofthinking ofthe brake func balance as you don't have a free hand to tion as a rappelling safety! The brake fend off the wall with. If you are function is intended to be used as noth- rappelling down a tight crevice, it may ing more than a parking not be possible to hold onto the handle. brake. As with the overall The Petzl Stop and the Kong Speleo both function of a bobbin, the have points to clip in an extra 'biner to brake function can be very disable the brake. The SRT comes with Cinching down the lockoff dependent on rope size and a small pin that you are supposed to have One condition. Further, some around your neck on a string that is used of the biggest drawbacks to the bobbin manufacturers' designs to disable the brake. Not especially prac descenders is that they generally don't work better than others. The tical. The need for both hands to use like II mm rope, especially when it's Petzl Stop is notorious for these bobbins is one of their biggest dirty. These descenders are used in Eu slipping and sliding when it annoyances. rope and Australia on narrower, suppler should have been stopped. I In spite of the manufacturers warn ropes than we use in the US . So even found the Stop to work best Stop ing that the brake function is not a though the manufacturers say that these on 9-1 Omm ropes that were dry. On rappelling safety, many users began to descenders are rated for up to 12mm 11 mm rope, the Stop didn't stop at all think of it that way. These rope, they still have too much friction for me. On the other hand, other lighter same folks then began to on dirty 11 mm rope. So lighter cavers folks have lots better luck with getting criticize the manufacturers will find themselves stuffing rope into the Stop to work on II mm rope. The on the grounds that these the top of the descender and dragging Kong Speleo works better as the pinch descenders were danger themselves down the rope. One alterna- point that creates the brake function is ous. These critics felt that tive is to use a "C" configu further along in the system. The SRT de a user could conceivably .· ration when loading the rope scender works quite well. too. start rappelling out of con into the bobbin. To do this, One trick I found that helps to in trol and be injured or killed the rope is started from the crease the efficiency of the brake func because he wouldn' t re right side of the descender, tion is to give the brake lever a good lease the brake handle, that goes around the bottom strong tug outward when you want to he would clutch the handle SRT capstan, straight up to stop. This causes the pinch point in the even more tightly out of the top capstan, descender to dent the rope a fear. As far as I know, no one has been thereby little which keeps it from slip injured or killed this way and no serious eliminating ping some. Don' t worry, studies have been done to see how folks the "S" you' re not hurting the rope at actually react in this situation. None curve, and all when you do this. Besides theless, the manufacturers responded by then back not thinking of the brake developing another type of bobbin de The "C" configuration out the function as a rappelling scender, the double brake bobbin. These right side safety, you must never try to bobbins are designed to brake either of the descender. This provides much less control your descent with the when you release the handle or when you friction. It also disables the stop func brake handle! The handle is clutch it more tightly. The rope loads into tion, if any, and creates extra wear on Kong for enabling or disabling the the bobbin the same way but there are the sideplates. Use the "C" configura Speleo brake function only! You two pinch points instead of one. The SRT tion with caution! And if you weigh can't control your descent effectively Double Brake and the Anthron De more than about 90 kilos (200 pounds), with this handle and you run the risk of scender are the only two double brake you probably shouldn't even try it at all. tearing the sheath of the rope as you tend bobbins I know of. Using the double This is for lightweight folks using dirty, to shock load the rope repeatedly with brake bobbins is a little more tedious II mm rope only! this maneuver. Just don't do it! Continued on p. 46
1itf TEXAS ColVER -II MAY /JUNE 1999 TSA ACTIVITIES The Flood of '98: TCR & The Soggy Aftermath The following is a series of probably in the eight to ten foot range, From: Butch Fralia I want to excerpts from postings to judging by the cut-bank next to the trail thank everyone who helped me get my Cave Tex and the TSA web between the upper and lower camps, a trailer out of the river bottom when 1 page, with an introduction by good bit of which further spalled into foolishly got it stuck. I was aimed the Gill Ediger the river as some of us watched. The wrong way to pull it out directly down water lapped at the corner poles of the stream with the river (and back to the The Details: Two thunderstorms big blue tent 'neath which supper had road). I went upstream to try and turn passed, about an hour apart, several been taken but a few hours earlier. around. I couldn't see worth a flip be miles to the north or northeast of the '98 Thanks: Once again, I'd like to cause my glasses kept fogging over and TCR site at Chalk Bluff. They were vis thank everyone who attended the 1998 those involved know the rest. ible from the upper campground. I woke TCR. I would especially like to comment Russell Hill, Dave McClung, Terry up about three in the morning, watched on the quick and orderly response ev Holsinger and a host of others worked the second storm and agonized for about eryone made after the alarm was hard to get me out then when space 30 minutes before deciding to roust ev sounded. It seems that the entire lower couldn't be made for the tum-a-round, eryone. It's the sort of decision that in campground was cleared out within 15 pulled the trailer off my truck and turned volves leaving people to their peaceful or 20 minutes under less than favorable it around where I could attach. I was sleep and taking the chance that the river conditions. And special recognition worried about having to leave it for will rise and drown them all, or risk the should go to those few cavers who helped awhile there and I'm getting pretty at riuicule of waking them in a pouring pull or push stuck vehicles. I would es tached to my little luxuries! Thanks again rainstorm only to have the river run pecially like to thank those cavers who for the fine effort. Once again cavers through a little higher than normal. As restrained themselves from slugging me come through for each other. the rain intensified and the lightning con when I startled them awake from a sound From: Allan Cobb ... it was a tinued to flash to the north, it finally stupor at 3:45 in the morning. Thanks good thing that TCR moved out west to became obvious that the latter was the to those who survived and many more Chalk Bluff. I'm sure that any location only option-if there had ever been one. happy adventures to you all. that would have been picked in the Aus At 3:45 I started knocking on tents -Gill Ediger tin-San Marcos-San Antonio area would and enlisting the aid of others to do the same. By the time we'd hit nearly every tent and banged on every car with foggy windows, an orderly procession of ve hicles was moving up the road to higher ground. And the river had risen about 4 feet. Trucks were parked with their lights shining across the river. The river crested about five o'clock as evacuees were sleeping, or trying to sleep, in their relo cated vehicles in the upper campground. Or, since sleeping gear was soaked, some cavers opted to head home in the midst of the night. Many ran into low water crossing and road closings which held them up for hours. The Flood: Although the flood crested before it overflowed all but the lower end of the campground, it was lit erally within less than a foot of inundat ing the whole place, and mere inches of flooding the lower half. Total rise was Debbie Blackburn prepares to climb. Photo by Terry Holsinger
42 MAY/JUNE 1999 have really flooded. (One report had a From: Martha McArthur So here someone was down trying to di smantle house located 80 feet above the Blanco is my story: I was down at the hot tub it when a five-foot wall of water came River only I 0 feet above water. Lone until 2:30AM where Sheree and I kept down the river. Being all lightweight Man and Little Arkansas would have trying to keep the carpet laid on the rocks materials it just took off. The hot tub been 40 or 50 feet underwater, with no to the river. Seems pieces were washing got washed downstream a couple of hun way out for weeks.-GE) away on the path to the river. In fact, I dred feet, but came to rest at the head of From: Charlie Loving Weather remember a second stream forming be a small rapid, with the firebox sitting on not withstanding, the OTR was good. tween the shore and the sauna. It should top of the flattened sheet metal of the ... The Midnight Flood makes it very have dawned on me the river was rising. tub. Next morning we got a strap around memorable. The three inches of water I walked home in pouring rain and ankle it and winched it back to shore with Pe in the tent was fun indeed. Scurrying deep water running down the road to my ter Sprouse's bus. Only the chimney was around looking for stuff in the torrential downpour was equally entertaining. But as Ed Guinn put it so aptly at that point standing in all his magnificence barefoot with anum brella shielding him from Tlaloc, "It ain't weird enough yet." It was pretty weird though. Dozens of trucks sloshing up the road to high ground. Thunder rumbling, frequent flashes of lightning and people cursing as the frogs were trying to get into The hot tub and sauna on the Nueces River before the flood. the men's bathroom. Photo by Terry Holsinger From: George Veni I' m glad to campsite (at the far end and lowest point gone. Firebox should still be usable but hear that many people liked the TCR site on the campgrounds). Again another clue I have my doubts about the tub. at Chalk Bluff, despite the rain. I liked I missed. I was surprised no one woke From: Chris Hall ... All in all. the it too. However, as a bit of historical us up as they were leaving. We didn' t Chalk Bluff site is good and it was a perspective, if memory serves right know what was happening until Gill fine and memorable TCR. I am sure that we've had four caving events in the woke Danny up around four. in the years to come. the amount of rain- Uvalde area since 1981, including this I think it is wonderful that no one fall and/or flooding is going to be exag- TCR. All were accompanied by floods. is worse for the wear after the evacua- gerated to epidemic proportions in sta- Two of the events were the 1981 TSA tion. It really makes you appreciate high ries told around the campfire (Yeah. the Spring Convention which was canceled ground, dry clothes, and good friends. river carried the whole damn hot tub by floods, rescheduled, then caught by Sheree and I will hu stle for the hot tub away. There were people still in it. too~ rain on the new date to create a huge fund. Remember I have the club check People were stuck there overnight. I and entertaining mud-pull weekend on book! Seriously, thanks for being respon- swear!) Bob Oakley's ranch. Regardless of this sible and taking good care of your "chi I- Post Script: Several Grottos and history, I' m willing to try Chalk Bluffs dren." We owe you. Keep up the good many individuals contributed to the hot again for TCR, and Allan is right in work. It ain't caving, but coming out tub fund. This year, the hot tub will be pointing out that flooding in our usual alive makes it almost as much fun. better than ever. TCR sites closer to Austin would have From: Mark Minton Most of the been a far worse experience. sauna was lost in the flood. We heard
"fi11: TEXAS C..\VEH .\3 MAY/JUNE 1999 TRIP REPORT Pete's Crawl at Powells Cave R.D. Milhollin This article originally appeared in The Maverick Bull I should begin any description of tion and detailed instructions for all making our trip goal. I was under the my first trip through Pete's Crawl with planned phases of participation. Arriv mistaken impression that the sumps a testimonial to the absolute veracity, ing around midnight, we found a small Terry had in mind were upstream from meticulous detail, and pinpoint accuracy but dedicated circle of drinkers around where I had been before, but was soon of any communications received from a fire, who promptly went to bed as we corrected. That end of the cave indeed Terry Holsinger. I had been in Powells pulled in. We set up a spartan camp and sumped, but through a big-ish break Cave only once before, when my team crawled into sleeping bags anticipating down formation, which was considered was assigned to try to find new or con the morrow. impassable. Terry suggested that necting passage in a wetsuits were overkill low area denoted as the for what we had "G" survey in the grand planned, that where we scheme of things. The were going was only Powells I saw that day about 15 minutes away, was dry and dusty, with through the entrance small crawly passages maze, down into the can that took a toll on knees yon, all the way to the and elbows. I had been breakdown then a short keenly interested in the crawl to the water. We possibility of diving the agreed that wetsuits sump in Powells since were out, but because of first hearing about it the anticipated water, the through idle conversa polypros were in, er. ... tion around a campfire. on. Terry asked if an After some checking other guy could join our around, I sent Terry a group, and we cheerfully longish e-mail message .Joe Sumbera & Eric .John in the Stream Passage. agreed. Yerian Smith is requesting information, Photo by Steve Keselik from San Marcos, and asking advice on planning and additional Saturday dawned crisp and com we found out later that this was his first contacts, describing ideas for logistics fortable: perfect caving weather. All of trip underground. This guy is a trooper: to tackle the task, and concluding with a us had brought cave clothes in anticipa I suppose he thought that what we were request to be scheduled to go to see the tion of wet conditions and hours under doing was what all new cavers did on sump entrance on the upcoming Powells ground. All except Wayne, who found their first trip. Wayne decided to come weekend. The answer received was very on close inspection that morning that he along until he felt discomfort; I silently succinct: "OK, T." That was all I needed, had not packed the polypropylene un wondered whose definition of discom I got with a small group from the Mav derwear. I had met early on with Jerry fort he was planning to use. erick Grotto and the trip was on! Fant, an artist, caver, and experienced There was the usual line at the new Friday evening, Wayne Peplinski, sump diver formerly from Missouri, re entrance pipe, all varieties of cavers in Ed Goff, and I prepared for the trip to cently relocated to Wimberly. We had all varieties of get-ups all queued and Menard. On a previous sojourn Ed and been kicking around some suitable Texas pleasantly chatting among themselves I had slept for a few hours underneath a locales that needed cave sumps dived, while waiting their opportunity to de "NO CAMPING" sign in the Menard and had decided to see what possibili scend the 40-foot shaft via 50-foot lad city park as a result of relying on a ties Powells held. We found Terry mak der. Once inside, we proceeded directly "Can't miss it" directions from a vet ing breakfast and using maps and sur along the route Terry had prescribed, but eran Powells participant. We were pay vey notes as placemats (not really!) and we never saw the right color reflectors ing particular care to advance prepara- asked about his recommendations for that marked our best path. Not to worry.
44 TNE T EXAS CAVER MAY/JUNE 1999 Cave sense prevailed and we soon ar made it through and popped into open this point, the cave had narrowed to rived at the canyon, and crawled down passage. The room was lined with around three and a half to four feet wide When we got to the stream, Verlon smooth, water-carved walls coated with and had only about three feet of air above jumped right in, not knowing the proper hard mud, and featured an old well-cas the water level. procedure of carefully orchestrated ing coming down from the ceiling and a The trip was a success, and on the hems-and-haws, gear adjustments, and three-dimensional artistic representation way back we sang impromptu cave bal lame excuses combined with mock cour of either a devil or a Vulcan character lads that should not be published in a tesy (no, please, you first) that allow one from "Star Trek." One by the one the respectable, family-oriented cave publi to remain in comfort while your buddy others emerged from the small entrance cation (Do those exist?). As we exited gets dripping wet looking for the pas tunnel I had just traversed, except for through Pete's Crawl (named, by the sage. Hmmm, a few feet • way, for Dallas resident back the stream was run and long-time DFW Grotto ning with vigor, but just member Pete Lindsley) we in front of us the water experienced a different was sluggish and was kind of phenomenon (short holding stirred-up silt. lived panic?) as our bod Where was the water go ies dammed up the water ing? Jerry quickly joined IN FRONT OF OUR in the wet stuff, declar FACES as we filled the ing that the water was tube. None of us had no WARM (this from a ticed this effect as going Missouri caver, of into the cave caused our course.) Verlon was di butts to back up the water rected (from the dry behind us. shore) to check a small Each of us wondered ish tunnel leading away how the 15 minutes Terry Lost in The Maze at Powells from us at a 90 degree Holsinger described for the angle. Over the splashing from water try Wayne, who had elected to stay behind trip had turned into more than four hours. ing to wash him into the ravine he asked due to his lack of fuzzy underwear. After we got out of the cave. we quizzed if we wanted to look, that he thought it Jerry was excited. He declared that Terry. He succinctly explained that the "might go." One after another we took the downstream passage was just like 15 minutes he described was indeed to turns looking, and yes, it "did go." I led Missouri streambed passage, only the the stream passage, that he had in fact the way down the small-and-growing temperature was bearable. Hell, it was never been through the crawl that led to smaller passage, occasionally looking comfortable! The passage averages 20 the sump, and that our team had com back to see if there were any lights fol feet across measured from the widest prised the eighth, ninth, and tenth indi lowing. With chin and all of the front of section, usually around four feet above viduals that had EVER crossed that pas us in the water, and with backs and hel the streambed flood. The height was usu sage. Terry had no idea what lay beyond mets scraping the uneven ceiling, for ally at least six feet. but the walking that point other than what had passed in around 70-80 feet the going was by el passage following the stream sometimes conversation with the former team a de bows and toes finding bearable holds and required us to stoop down to four feet or cade ago, but was interested in hearing push-pulling along. The floor was so in order to pass. We progressed fur about our trip (It must be noted that. the pocked with sharp edges, and the side ther downstream, in search of the sump organization and leadership Terry lends walls were erratic in their shape. Each that would mark a future exit point from to the various projects he coordinates foot forward required some new or dif a dive done from the resurgence in Neels make it possible for a tremendous num ferent motion to lead to the next, and as Cave. It is probable that Ed will lead a ber of Texas cavers to make positive con I neared the viewable end, the ceiling team back this way again to help retrieve tributions while having fun . Thanks forced heads down into the water, it was the dive gear Jerry and I will use when Terry!). Dinner was welcome, conver either remove the brain buckets and push we attempt a through- trip and survey. sation around the fire that evening was them ahead-thus losing one useful Two and a half hours later we reached cordial, and the beer flowed like water! crawling hand-or take an ear wash. the sump, and found the guideline that A good end to a great day of caving in Balancing on fingers and on the tips of had been left from the 1982 through-trip Texas! boots, three-point suspension style, I made by a team led by George Veni. At MAY/JUNE 1999 THE INQUISITION- PETZL TIBLOC ASCENDER Joelvy Petzl says, "The Tibloc is an emer instead of the 'biner, it will damage the gency rope clamp/grab for occasional use sheath of the rope. Petzl reissued the in What: The Petzl Tibloc only." Cheap cavers hoping to avoid pay struction manual showing that you Pros: Very lightweight, ing $45 for a regular ascender to put in should press in on the bottom of the inexpensive ascender their vertical rig should take note of this. Tibloc as you load it to insure that it seats Cons: Occasional use only, The Tibloc can be used in this capacity properly and doesn't slip. According to must be used carefully but not very efficiently. Also, the Tibloc the folks at Petzl America, this problem Cost: Suggested retail $19.00 requires a lot of attention and training to only occurs when using smaller diam Where: Petzl & PMI dealers use properly and safely. You should only eter rope or small 'biners. So the Tibloc works well but very conditionally and The Petzl Tibloc is a tiny, taco with care from the user. When using it shaped device that when coupled with in a haul system, the Tibloc must always the right carabiner becomes a tiny as be pointed down or it won't ratchet prop cender rated for a single person's weight. erly so this disqualifies it for many as Very sexy, very cool. And very popular pects of self rescue use. Another limita as cavers have been scarfing them up tion is that the Tibloc doesn't take shock like crazy. Using the Tibloc is fairly loads very well (especially on static straightforward superficially. One sim ropes) so should never be used as a self ply places the Tibloc on the rope then belay device on a free climb the way clips a carabiner into the Tibloc thereby cavers frequently use handled ascenders. trapping the rope inside. When weight Lots of cavers have been buying the is placed on the 'biner, the 'biner moves Tibloc to carry as an extra or emergency towards the bottom of the Tibloc and ascender in their packs. It should func squeezes the rope against the inside of use larger round or oval cross section tion just fine in this capacity. However, the Tibloc. The teeth inside the Tibloc carabiners with the Tibloc. Evidently, ir all of those cavers should read the in also help to grab the rope. Pretty clever. regular cross-section, cold forged 'biners struction manual very carefully and The Tibloc can also be used to build a and smaller diameter stock 'biners cause practice with the Tibloc a little before self-ratcheting haul system where the the Tibloc to shred the rope at much chucking it in their packs and forgetting 'biner through the Tibloc acts in place lower loads, especially on smaller diam about it. It will not easily replace a stan of a pulley. Again, very clever. How eter ropes. You have to hold the Tibloc a dard ascender in a vertical rig nor can it ever, the Tibloc is not just another regu certain way when you load it; that is, if be used as if it were just another regular lar ascender. you pull down on the body of the Tibloc ascender.
Continued from p.41 They're real quick to get on and off the than the singles. With the single brake rope. And they're safe if you know how bobbins, you simply squeeze the handle to use them. Bobbins don't like dirty Science News to go. With the double brake bobbins, II mm rope and they don't like really big you must hold the handle in just the right drops (more than 200 meters) as there is George Veni reports that he place so that neither brake is engaged. no way to compensate for the weight of received information about a yellow This close tolerancing means that these a really long rope. The bobbins were mineral that was recently found in bobbins are even more susceptible to designed for caving in Europe and there Caverns of Sonora. The mineral was difficulties with II mm rope. The impor are far more cavers using bobbins in the identified as Metatyuyamunite, a tant thing to remember is that experi world today than any other descender. If dehydrated form ofTyuyamunite, and ence and training are the best you get the chance to try one, go for it. is radioactive. George says that roppelling sqfeties.' They work fairly well. Just don't let any Sonora is "way safe," and that he The bobbins have lots of advan one tell you that they' re dangerous be himself spent several hours lying on tages. They are lightweight and gener cause that's a lot of nonsense. uranium crystals with no discemable ally easy and convenient to use. They signs of damage. are great for doing rebelays and other technical ropework underground . .tfl Tiw T LXAS C \1'/cR MAY/JUNE 1999 Continued from p. 37 Changes in the Powells Project As often happens when reaching 30, the Powells Cave Project is going through a few changes. Up until now, all the trips to Powells have been open to anyone without confirmation before hand. This allowed cavers to decide at the last moment if they were going to show up. It has been a very successful way to run the project. !2032 However, as the bulk of the cave \ - - - l was surveyed, it became more and more difficult to find a productive task for cavers new to the project. Starting with the February 2000 trip, people interested in attending a Powells will need to contact the project manager at least two weeks prior to each trip. This will allow us to be sure Line plot of Powells Cave, Menard County that everyone has a fun and produc tive task on the project weekend. the student clubs have their largest in every lead listed. We are also looking for We have been toying with the idea flux of new people during the fall se people who would like to do other in-cave of canceling the June trip. The heat mester. projects (like the root research). Talk to and bugs combine to make this the It is not our intention to keep the project managers if you have any ques most uncomfortable and least attended people out of Powells. We are just try tions or comments. trip of the year. This is, however, the ing to get a handle on the project. Since Let's help keep the Powells Project preferred trip for the stream teams. the bulk of the known cave is surveyed, productive into the next century. The October trip will include pro future work will focus on digs and For more information on the Powells visions for new caver training. This is a small, nasty passages. We need to Cave Project, contact Terry Holsinger at good time for this type of trip because be sure we have good data and get trhli@ sprynet.com or 512-443-4241.
AN ODE TO THE CAVER BEFORE ME
AN ODE TO THE CAVER BEFORE ME, WHO ENTERED THIS DARK AND ELUSIVE HOLE. IN HIS STEPS I FOLLOW, EMBRACED IN A WORLD WITH NO TIME. WITH EACH STEP THAT I TAKE, I WONDER WHAT KIND OF MAN LEFT HIS TRACKS FOR ME TO FOLLOW. AS I MOVE ON DOWN THIS PASSAGE SO DARK AND VOID, I STILL FOLLOW THE STEPS AS IF THEY WERE LEFT YESTERDAY. IN THE VOID FROM FAR AWAY A WIND COMES, REMINDING ME OF A PRESENCE HERE SO LONG AGO, BUT STILL I FOLLOW. MY LIGHT FLICKERS IN THIS BREEZE BECKONING NOT TO FOLLOW, BUT THAT I MUST, FOR THIS I OWE THIS ANCIENT ONE WHO LEFT HIS PRINTS FOR ME TO FOLLOW. A LOW CRAWL AND HERE I AM STANDING IN A ROOM WITH ITS ANCIENT WALLS OF STONE. A CHILL AS I MOVE ALONG, FOR NOW I AM ON MY OWN WITH NO PATH TO FOLLOW, BUT AN ODE TO THE CAVER BEFORE ME WHO LEAD ME HERE. Jerry Fant
THE T EXAS C II'ER 47 MAY/JUNE 1999 Eulogy: Letter for a Caving Friend Jay Jorden From Lake Georgetown to the former Soviet republic at that time. without saying. Caspian Sea, a 33-year-old Central " ... The oil industry has everything "What little time I've had off while Texas caver sought his fortune. He be to do with my being in Azerbaijan," he here in Azerbaijan, I've spent questing gan as a Texas Hill Country cave guide wrote. "You mentioned hearing about me for information on the caves located here and ended up in a former Soviet repub being off the coast of Louisiana; so much and all I can say is the prospects are lic with some caves known from eight has happened since then that it really exciting. I have found the locations of centuries ago- and others unexplored. seems like a long time ago, but it wasn't. many caves, some of which are known The day I met Robert Scott I've been in Azerbaijan for a year now. I to contain ancient artwork dating back Crowder at a Texas Speleological Asso work a schedule of 28 days on and 28 to the 12th century. Not much along the ciation convention, it seemed like I had days off. Of course, travel time comes lines of maps or any type of survey in known him all my life. He was that kind out of my days off so it really turns into formation leading one to believe that of a guy: friendly, direct, sin these caves have been pushed at cere. He was eager to learn all any length. Combine this infor about caving. He was a mation with the fact that Georgetown native who for Azerbaijan has been isolated merly worked as a guide at In from the western world for quite ner Space Cavern, a commer some time; they've only had an cial attraction north of Austin. airport with a runway long Through his work, he later met enough to support a commercial James Jasek and other Waco liner for a few years, and the war area cavers and heard about with Armenia has kept tourism TSA and the National Speleo to a minimum, its high level of logical Society. Most recently, corruption, and devastating pol he had worked offshore and in lution and I think there are a lot Azerbaijan, continuing a ca of good caving adventures in reer in the oil business. store. Reader's Digest has car "Currently, I am compiling ried a feature called "My Most the last of the information I feel Unforgettable Character. "For I need to begin caving in earnest. me, Robert has to be in that Robert Crowder 1965-1999. A friend of mine, Rauf, who is a list. He was slow to anger and quick to something like 31 and 26. I'm working graduate of the University of Azerbaijan, forgive. He loved life; his quest was ad for a company based in Dallas called and acted as my translator for my first venture. He had enjoyed taking friends Santa Fe International. I initially came six months here, has been kept busy through the off-trail sections of Inner over here to help British Petroleum con translating some old manuscripts refer Space, even after his stint as a guide. struct a new state of the art semi-sub ring to the caves of this area as well as The listing in Austin area death mersible drilling rig called the Istiglal books on local geology and hydrology. notices was too short to cover what Rob (Independence) and am now the assis With these in hand, and good spring and ert accomplished during his life. The tant captain of the rig. summer weather, I plan on spending a two-line notice merely listed the 33-year "We are now in full swing produc couple of extra days here every month old caver's name, with services at a tion mode working about 60 miles off dedicated only to cave exploration." Georgetown funeral chapel. the coast of Baku in the Caspian Sea. Although Robert didn't get the Robert's death in a February 26 Anyway, when I first arrived in country, chance to realize that goal, he's now in traffic accident along Interstate 35 was I spent most of my time ashore, working a better place where there is no suffer shocking enough in its tragic taking of in the ship yard and living about 20 min ing. Robert will not soon be forgotten: someone with so much left to give, but utes outside of Baku in a camp located his accomplishments in this world live also because I had just recently heard at the base of the Caucasus foot hills. on. Our thoughts and prayers go to his from him after a long while. In fact, I These consist primarily of limestone, so wife, Vicky Crowder, and other relatives had received an e-mail from him five when I saw them what do you think was in their time of grief. days before his death. He was still in the the first thing to cross my mind? Goes MAY/JUNE 1999 GROTTO REPORTS
Bexar Grotto by Joe Mitchell members Linda Palit, Joann DeLuna, grotto members were interested in help We plan to keep you regularly in and Elizabeth Campbell amongst others. ing with a project proposed by Joann formed on the activities of our grotto and Some new graffiti was found in Robber DeLuna to put a shaft into Wurzbach its members. Hopefully, other grottos Baron this spring. (It has been removed.) Bat Cave to help alleviate the bad air. will join in submitting reports to The Groups should be kept small to main Brandon Kuhn reported that he is Texas Caver so we can all hear what tain a manageable span of control. The looking for some help digging at Shadow everyone is up to. grotto has been mowing the cave grounds Cave, 1.3 miles southeast of Natural The Bexar Grotto continues to be and removing garbage. Bridge Caverns. Brandon's schedule is involved in many projects. Among these George Veni reports that he "joined flexible for people interested in helping is the Kendall County Cave Project. the Mormons" for an archeological trip him. Brandon also has access to another Joe Ranzau reports that there will be a to Piedras Negras, Guatemala. For the cave on another property. number of upcoming project weekends. full story, see the July/ August issue of Kyle Cunningham spoke to the He adds that camping is available at the Texas Caver. grotto members about nine invertebrate Cave Without a Name. Joe, Christi At Bracken Bat Cave, cleanup species known only from Bexar County Bennett, and Ann Murphree will host work continues. There is much to be done caves that are proposed for listing un fundraising breakfasts on project morn and volunteers are always needed. Please der the U.S. Endangered Species Act. ings. Recent survey weekends have seen contact Bob Cowell if you wish to help Kyle highly encouraged members to con a visit to Ladder Cave, ridge walking, out at the work nights. tact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as well as survey and sketching training Members have visited Logans prior to May 31 with their input about by Gill. Everyone who attends agrees Cave, Caverns of Sonora and the proposal and to send information that it is fun and a place with lots of good Kickapoo Caverns. A work party may about cave destruction, blasting caves cavmg. be scheduled in the future for Kickapoo shut, or filling in of caves. Robber Baron Cave has been vis to pick up flagging from the old NSS The Bexar Grotto also voted to do ited by children's groups led by grotto convention and remove graffiti. Many TCR registration again this year.
TSA BUSINESS
Reported by Karen Perry The TSA Spring Business Meeting Hays County Survey will be headed Government Canyon is still on hold was held at the Spring Convention in by Jerry Fant. The project will draw on work as Marvin is in Germany. He hopes to be BIanco, Texas. 16 Members were present by Bill Elliott and others. back in March. The trips should resume in for the meeting as well as all current offic Marneldo Ranch on going. May or June. ers with the exception of Treasurer, who was Stiver Ranch winding down. It would be nice to see the TSA taking care of business in the campground. Nye Cave for February 2000. Need Project reports on the web page. Grottos Jim Kennedy gave opening statement to place a cap on the guano shaft. The plan can get involved by sponsoring project from the Chair: Thanks to all who have includes the installation of a trap door. weekends. Keep talking about the projects contributed to TSA Convention. The TSA Work will include wielding & back-filling. at your grotto meeting. People can now is gaining momentum in membership This will be a sign up trip and will be a choose what project to attend. growth and member participation. Thanks limited. A cabin is available for up to 12 Project managers can collect money to the program presenters for all the won people. A Bar-b-que is planned for Satur from attendees to cover costs and buy equip derful talks; good entries in the Photo and day night. ment. Excess will go to the TSA or to the Map Salons. Hope to see excellent contests Bandera County has three cave sur TSS for publications. and prizes at TCR. veys with maps to be completed. The Bexar Spring Convention: we had 65 or so Thanks to Gill Ediger for the Grotto will coordinate the survey and will people attend. bringing in $1300. The esti Member's Manual and Newsletter. The give three months notice. mated profit for TSA will be around $300 Newsletter really shows the value of the Bustamante Project: Labor Day. after expenses. Next year's convention will TSA. We are coming out of a downward There will be an organizers' meeting in be in April at the same location. The sug spiral and moving in a positive direction. Austin, Monday after NSS convention. gestion was made to have auctions at Con PROJECT REPORTS: Colorado Bend has an average of 30 ventions to help raise money for the TSA Kendall County Cave Project is off to 50 people attending. Other projects Land Fund. to a good start. This project was accepted scheduled for same weekend are proving as a joint TSSffSA project. not to contlict. MAY/JUNE 1999 LOST CAVES OF TEXAS - EDWARDS COUNTY Butch Fralia In the TSS electronic database, there are 4711 records of Texas caves and karst features. Only 2213 have complete location data consisting of the USGS Quadrangle map where the cave occurs and UTM coordinates. Of the remaining records 933 have quadrangle data without a location and 1580 are missing even the USGS Quadrangle. For 1580 caves or karst features, even the approximate 'where' is a mystery. This is one of a series of articles to identify the lost caves and karst features of Texas. The TSS asks that Texas cavers help find the lost caves. Below is a list of the Lost Caves of Edwards County. Location data can consist of a marked up topographic map, GPS data or whatever help you can provide. If you have other data on the cave or karst feature we' II take that also. For instance, the caves listed could be duplicates of other records. Any and all information is appreciated. Why is this information impmtant? Considering the nature of cavers, they gain access in a particular area and explore there for a while. Boredom sets in or access is lost. In twenty years or so, cavers return to an area and don't know if they've discovered a new cave or rediscovered a known cave. By maintaining the database, that information will be known! If you have information about any of these caves in Edwards County, please contact: Butch Fralia 3412 Walton Ave., Ft. Worth, TX 76133-2230, of [email protected]
Bahd's Cave New Pasture Cave Swallow Cave Bobby Jetton Cave Newby's Bat Cave Torch Cave Burial Cave Nothing Cave Trap Cave Cathole Cave Painted Cave Twin Tree Cave Cody Cave Persimmon Cave Two Swallow Cave Coon Latrine Pyramid Cave Venom Pit Corkey's Cave Reynold's Cavae Westfall Cave Cracked Earth Cave Ringtail Cave Wheat Cave No.1 Craig Rock Shelter No .I Runaway Cave White Wall Cave Craig rock Shelter No.V San Jose Cave Wildcat Cave Cricket Cave Seven Hundred Springs Spring Winters Trash Cave Cricket Sink Store Cave Wyatt Cave Cueva de Oso Cueva del Humo Cueva Proximo Encino Grande Davis Rattlesnake Cave Dobbs Cave Dusty Bone Cave Ed Mayfield Ranch Cave No.2 1 I Ed Mayfield Ranch Cave No.3 Etsuko 's Cave Fault Cave Fence Corner Pit Field's Shelter Goat Skull Cave (Edwards) Grandma's Rain Drain Guthrie's Cave Harding's Indian Cave Hughes Cave Jessup's Cave Jug Hole Jym's Cave Lowell 's Cave C. Loving Metate Cave M iII ion Cricket Cave Monroe's Sinkhole 50 TH!o" TEXAS CIVER MAY/JUNE ll)l)lJ UPCOMING EVENTS
3-6 September- TSA Labor Day Pro,ject. 25-26 September- High Guads 12-14 November-Colorado Bend SP Clean-up & Restoration at Gruta del Restoration Project. Dave Jagnow 505- Project. Terry Holsinger 512-443-4241. Palmito, Bustamante, Nuevo Leon. Sec 662-0553
r------~ SIGN ME UP FOR THE TEXAS CAVER!
I don't want to miss another issue. NAME: Sign me up for the item indicated:
$25 - TSA Membership: The TExAs CAVER, TSA STREET: D Activities Newsletter & Texas Caver Reunion notices CITY, ST, ZIP: $30 - Family Membership D (Two votes but only one set of publications) HOMEPHONE ------D $20- TSA & TExAs CAVER only WORK PHONE: D $7 - Activities Newsletter only E-MAIL MAIL TO: TSA, BOX 8026, AUSTIN, TX 78713 L------~ TEXAS CAVER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
All cavers are invited to submit articles, trip reports. pictures. maps. cartoons. poetry. events. etc. Material should be cave related and pertinent to the Texas cm·ing commw1it1·. The Texas Caver is published bi-monthly. The deadline for submissions is the last day of odd-numbered months. The editors will confirm receipt of material. review submissions, and return comments as necessary before publication. Slides, negatives. photos, art, and maps will be scanned as quickly as possible and then returned promptly. All written material should be submitted digitally in Rich Text Fonnat. on 3.5 inch floppies or ZIP di sks. or attached to email. Photos should be scanned at 266 dpi as .t if files. line art at 600 dpi. as .tif files. All material should be identified with author's name. title and date. Visual materials should be clearly matched to captions. For further information on submission or style guidelines. please contact the editors: Joe Ivy & Rebecca Jones 11916 Bluebonnet, Manchaca, TX 78652 _joci\-y·r u intcrscrv.com 512-292-1878
Tilt ·: Tn·.-1s CII'UI :'I THE TEXAS BULK RATE U. S. Postage PAID Austin, Texas CAVER Permit No. 1181 Post Office Box 8026 Austin, Texas 78713