Yeah, right! Hole in the ground? Me? Not lately! The only caving I've been able to do this year has been two quickies, one to Illinois Caverns, one to Buckner's, just to see if I remember how to pack a drag bag. Oh, well. You can't do everything, I guess. It's a good thing you folks write good trip reports. I can sit at my desk, rub my chin like Dave Letterman and say, "Oh, yeah...I remember what that's like".
This issue centers on two recent caving deaths, although we might--perhaps more accurately--call them deaths due to rappelling accidents. The timing of these accidents seems ironic, since we have recently received the instruction package from the NSS for conducting Single Rope Technique classes. Inevitably, when something like this happens, the discussion turns to safety. How did they happen, and how could they have been prevented? Both occurred while rappelling depths far deeper than anything most of us have done, in the neighborhood of 400 feet. Although you can get hurt on a 30 foot rappel--ask John Marquart--accidents in deep pits are more likely to be fatal. Would further training or closer attention to basic safety procedures have saved these people? Probably.
One occurred when the rappeller hooked into a "safety" line which was hung alongside the main line. This line was about 100 feet SHORT of the bottom of the pit. What was its' purpose? I don't know, but the rigger should have tied a safety figure-eight loop at the end of it. She would have been stopped safely, and we wouldn't be writing about it. Instead she zipped right off the end of the rope. The second death may have occurred due to the rappeller's unfamiliarity or inexperience with a characteristic of very long rappels: At the beginning of the drop, the weight of the rope under you creates tension on your rappelling device, and slows you down. Sometimes, it's quite difficult to get started. As you near the bottom, you and your device have to create your own tension and friction, since most of the weight of the rope is now above. With a rappelling rack, which is the device of choice for deep drops, you clip in an extra bar part of the way down, which adds friction. The rappel doesn't get out of control, which is what seems to have happened at Surprise Pit. She had only five bars engaged instead of six, and her speed got out of control before she could do anything about it.
This spring, when we participate in our vertical practice, let's pay close attention to safety. Our own, and our "partners". Clip onto the rope. Get ready to go, but have someone else check your rig first! I do. Every time! Is your carabiner locked? Is your rapelling device rigged upside down? Check it first! Marty has stopped me from trying to go down with an unlocked 'biner. Likely, I would have gotten by with it. Maybe not. It only takes once. This is a safe sport, but scary things can happen in *any* sport. There might not be two vertical caving-related deaths over a period of three or four years across the country. We've just had two within a few weeks' time. In one year there might be five kids killed by getting hit in the head with baseballs, or two hundred killed on bicycles. Personally, I *love* going up and down rope. It's a safe sport if you *make* it safe. Let's do it that way? Okay?
We'll be electing our new Executive Committee at this meeting. If you can't make the meeting and wish to vote, the last page of this issue is a ballott. Either rip it off or photocopy it and mail it to the NNG at PO Box 813, Normal, IL 61761. It must be received by the day of the meeting, and YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT, OR IT CANNOT BE COUNTED!
IN THIS ISSUE:
JOHN MARQUART summarizes the two accidents. JIM WILBANKS describes his experience with a scary trip down rope that could have ended the same way. WM SHREWSBURY reports on experiments with different bottom belay techniques that may or may not help in situations such as this. Mr. Shrewsbury is the editor of the NSS Vertical Section's magazine/newsletter, NYLON HIGHWAY, so he has some credentials. LARRY MATTHEWS AND CHRIS LLOYD also contribute their views on vertical safety.
On the lighter side of this issue, Julie Angel describes her trip to Burton Cave with members of the Mark Twain group, and Steve Taylor tries to convince us that there was actually an MVOR without RAIN! Sure, Steve. [mumbles something about tall tales], and Angi Bennet reports on her first trip to Mystery Cave. ??
When longtime caver and early pioneer of vertical caving, Larry Matthews - NSS 6792 recently published his item concerning vertical safety on Tag-Net, the Internet bulletin board for TAG (Tennessee/Alabama/Georgia) caving, it occurred to me that his comments are entirely pertinent to our grotto. We have recently chosen to sponsor our own basic training course in vertical techniques following the course outline supplied by the NSS Vertical Section. Larry Matthews description of the need for grottos to provide formal vertical training was prompted by the death of two lady cavers in hardly more than a two month period. He has grated us permission to reprint his comments.
The two deaths were unrelated except that both occurred due to problems that arose while descending into deep pit caves in Jackson County, Alabama. Jackson County, in northeast Alabama, is the home for many of the deepest pits caves in the country and is the location at which many of the modern single rope techniques were first developed. I will give a brief rundown of each of these fatal caving accidents as posted on Tag-Net and in the news media.
Saturday, August 30, 1997 - Stevens Gap Pit, Jackson County, Alabama. Karen L. Prowett - NSS 39562, ( of Alpharatta, GA) age 46 died in the fall that occurred when she apparently mistakenly hooked onto a short "safety" rope hanging beside the main rope and proceeded to rappel into the pit. The safety rope was apparently rigged without a knot at the end and she rappelled off the end, falling a hundred feet to her death. The mistakes were obvious. One, Ms. Prowett should have double checked that the rope onto which she was attaching herself went all the way to the bottom of the pit. Two, the person or persons who rigged the "safety" rope should have put a stop knot at its lower end, preferably a loop on which a person could hang until able to get back up.
Sunday night, November 2, 1997 - Fern Cave, Jackson County, Alabama. Alexia S. Hampton - NSS 39576, (of Memphis, TN) age 35 died as a result of injuries sustained from an uncontrolled rappel into 400 foot deep Surprise Pit. She apparently lost control of her rappel and free fell the last 50 to 100 feet to the bottom of the pit. She landed upright, but sustained severe injuries (apparently multiple broken bones and internal injuries). A major rescue was called out. She survived for the 12 hour rescue, but succumbed from respiratory arrest just inside the cave entrance. Accounts differ on the amount of experience that she had with vertical caving, with one saying that she had done several drops of over 200 feet and another that she had never before attempted a drop of more than 100 feet. The cause for the uncontrolled rappel has not been determined for certain, but it has been noted that the rope was a new 600 foot rope. New ropes tend to give faster rappels than used ones. Also with limited experience, Ms. Hampton may not have realized that on long drops the weight of the of rope hanging below the climber will decrease as the climber descends. This will cause the rappel rate to be very slow at first and then speed up as the climber nears the bottom. In such long drops, it is often necessary to attach more brake bars to the rappel rack as the climber nears the bottom.
As Larry Matthews states in his posting, much state-of-the-art vertical gear is now readily available, but we should not be led to believe that reading the enclosed instructions and/or books on vertical technique will make for safe caving. It takes much study and practice to become at all competent when on rope. Even then the unexpected can happen (I know!). We plan to hold our course in basic vertical technique this coming spring. Rich Bell is coordinating the course and is going to need much help with those who have on rope experience to serve as instructors. But again, let me emphasize that those who do have such experience will need to study up and prepare rather than trying to pass on our self professed "expert" methods to the newer contingent. When it comes to something as dangerous as vertical caving, we never know enough! I hope that most grotto members participate in the course, either as instructors or as students. As terrible as the two recent deaths are, let's let them teach us something that needs learning - be prepared.
I still remember clearly the time I went out of control while rappelling. It was in Incredible Pit on a through trip. My rack was old (shorter) and my bars were well worn, the rope was new and it was wet. Also I was considerably heavier. As I usually did then, I clipped in five bars and casually swung over the lip. The next thing I knew, I was at terminal velocity. My first reaction was panic and to grip the rope. I never want to forget that feeling. For who knows how many feet, I was on the way to being a casualty, another statistic. They would say "he had five bars clipped in".
Fortunately, reason and experience prevailed and I added my sixth bar. Even with it pulled up tight I still could not stop. I went into the bouncing phenomenon found in deep pits. Whenever I would reach the bottom of the bounce, I could not stop. I could lock off, but I had to continue as I was with a large party and It was quite wet. So with six bars tightly spaced and a full leg wrap, I continued to the bottom hitting too hard. My only comment at the time was "that was NOT fun". I got a longer rack with more new bars before pitting again.
When I heard about the recent accident in Fern, I was able to understand how this can happen from my own experience. Had I been closer to the floor of the pit, the same thing might have occurred to me. What I have not heard in recent posts is a few important facts about the incident. Witnesses at the bottom report hearing Alexia scream. They looked up and saw the last of the rappel. She was described as falling as though she was not even attached to the rope. Her hands were held out away from the rope. Among her serious injuries, were the burns on her hands. Even though she was wearing gloves, her hands had blisters on them. Her sixth bar was not attached. Apparently she was gripped by that same panic I had felt. Every one I have taught vertical techniques has heard me say adnausium, "now what do you do if you are going too fast?" It's the last thing they hear from me as they go over the pit.
Alexia Hampton is dead. My heart goes out to her family and friends. This is happening too often and the only answer is training. It is up to the more experienced of us to step up and volunteer to help. There is more than one technique for vertical caving. But the manual for training produced by the Vertical Section is good basic stuff. I highly recommend it. ??
Before I begin, please note: Some of the following article contains practices that I do not condone. They were done under very controlled circumstances, and should not be repeated in your tree outside. They were done solely for the purpose of research, and trying to find an effective method of bottom belaying deep pits.
I will not answer any hate mail. This forum is not for that. Send it to me directly. It is easy for me to put it in the trash. This is posted as research, not personal accomplishments. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very responsible caver who has helped many people out of jams and dedicated years of my life to rescuing cavers and "locals".
David Brace writes: Are bottom belays effective on vertical drops of 400+ feet. I was of the understanding that they were not. When I attended Bridge Day this year I was chuckling at people bottom belaying these 900+ foot drops theorizing that by the time you'd pulled all the stretch out of the rope to stop your out-of-control buddy he or she would land on you. Any answers?
Well, research will have to be more thorough than this, but here goes: While doing Fantastic Pit with a group from Missouri once, I went down first. The rope was rigged to the new bolts in the ceiling, thus no lip debris. As each person got on rope, I waited about 2 minutes till they had cleared the upper chimney area, looked up to verify their light position, and then walked out into the pit.
My attempt was to bottom belay them with against the rope bounce/stretch from this virgin piece of PMI - 11mm (7/16) Max. I weigh about 175 pounds with full vertical/cave gear on, which I was wearing at the time.
What I discovered: Running out to the bottom of the rope (panic position) and pulling straight down on the rope had almost no effect. Too much stretch and bounce. The belay will cause the rope to 'zip' through their rack in short bursts. Yes, this may slow them down from "terminal velocity", but it was a far cry from preventing a crash&burn. It also prevented them from taking control of the rappel again. I would prefer that they didn't crash into me in the process....
Taking the part of the rope currently at floor level (NOT the end of the rope) across the pit (about 50 feet) caused them to have a pretty nice rappel till about 100 feet up. If they were under control, this led to them rappelling diagonal near the bottom and slowed them somewhat.
Repeating the above with someone who rappelled faster proved fruitless as they had way too much momentum and darn near made me into an impression in the wall.
Taking the part of the rope currently at floor level and climbing up on top of the rock at the entrance to TAG Hall put me about 15 feet off the floor and about 50 feet to the side. I took some webbing and slung a couple of knobs on top of the rock, put in a figure 8, and clipped the rope into this. A normal rappel was stopped easily by the "loop" effect. I had to lower him to the ground.
Repeating the above with a controlled 'speed rappel' did the same thing with one exception. As he came into the 'loop', his rate of descent pushed him closer to me. In effect, he was redirecting his downward force into a lateral force. This started about 30 feet off the floor for him. Since I was about 50 feet away, he did not swing all the way to me, and I had to lower him.
One last 'test'. After conferring with a hefty guy I knew could be trusted to stay focused, I climbed back up and got on rope myself. Nothing like being on the other end of the rope....
I started with a descent rate that should have put me on bottom in about 30-45 seconds - five stainless bars spread on a 6 bar rack, with upper spacers. Bruce Smith calls this rate of descent "about 2 octaves above middle C". I would not call it an uncontrolled rappel, since this rate of descent has been done before without injury. It is, however, a pretty good way to get killed without a lot of years of caving under your seat. I do not recommend this rate of rappel to the smart caver. When I was about 50 feet off the floor, my downward descent started to turn into a diagonal tyrollian. About 30 feet off the floor, I had reached the point where the top rope was stiff, and the slack was out of the rope from my belayer, creating this wide 'V', or maybe closer to an 'L'. At this point my momentum carried me toward him. As I swung closer, the rack moved along also. I got about 15 feet from the rock when I stopped. He had to lower me.
Now, all of the above stipulates that the bottom belayer remains alert, effective and does not get pulled off the rock. My belayer used the sling with the figure 8 in it. That way, he could feed out a little to keep me away from the rock should I come in too quick.
What does all this mean? Well, as I mentioned above, it means we need more testing - highly controlled!
I pulled rope in on the straight down rappels. We did not try pulling in more rope on any of the diagonal rappels. We made the assumption that the belayer would not have effective control of the rope when the force finally hit. Also, had the rope been pulled in before the rappel began, it would have been one crummy rappel. We merely held the length constant, with the ability to feed out a little more on the "loop" belay.
More needs to be done. Would The Loop have saved Alexia? Well, Fern Pit's floor is sloped. Not as nice as a convenient rock with a lot of clear space in front of it. It might have helped. But then again, it only helps when you have it in place. I would recommend it for anyone who has not done such a long drop. The difference between 200' and 400' is a lot. We often forget the difference in rope weight. We compensate for wet rope near the bottom of the drop from mist, and less rope weight. It becomes second nature for us.
Keep the less experienced in mind while caving. It will let a lot of us sleep that night...
Cave Softly and Carry a Long Rope - TAG!
Wm Shrewsbury, 22677RL
Chairman, 1998 NSS Convention, Sewanee
Editor, Nylon Highway, NSS Vertical Section
President, HardCore Technologies (makes TAG-Lites)
taglite@bigfoot.com
nss98@caves.org
??
Well, I've done it again! I'm sitting here putting this trip report together the night before the newsletter deadline. "Why do I do this?" I ask myself. "Do other people do this, too?" These questions may not have good answers (like "Why do I Cave?" - another article I intend to submit as soon as I've procrastinated a bit!!)
Anyway....on August 31st, John Marquart and I joined Dave Mahon, his son Will, and Bill Schaper on a great trip into Burton Cave (also saw Mike Goodwin for a few minutes). We barely "squeaked" by [groan!-Ed.] before the midnight deadline, as the cave closed September 1 for bat hibernation.
Having grown up in Northeast Missouri, I had heard a lot about Burton Cave, but had never had the opportunity to go there. Burton Cave is in Adams County, just southeast of Quincy, IL in a beautifully wooded area overlooking Burton Creek. Its arched entrance measures 7 foot by 30 foot and is in a recess 50 feet above the creek. It is easy to see why the bats like this cave location with it's thick canopy of trees and water close by. Burton has also been the object of studies by a number of biospeleologists who have looked at various species of amphipods and a troglobitic insect known only in a few locations in Illinois and one in Missouri.
The Mark Twain Grotto worked diligently in August to complete the bat gate which now protects Burton's various species of bats. Vandalism of various types has been a problem at the cave for years. MTG did a very professional gating job, thanks to Dave Mahons tireless efforts and knowledge gained from working the Blackball mine project. Dave also cleverly designed a sliding entrance bar that is virtually impossible to find without some careful hunting. Congratulations to MTG for a job well done!
As we entered the cave, I became even more thankful that it is now being protected. We immediately had the opportunity to take pictures of relatively undisturbed, active white formations tucked away in a small ledge, each with its own unique shape and beauty. It was plain to see as we ventured further into Burton, that the cave is still very much alive, with water trickling in from various sources in the walls and ceiling. With less traffic and a bit of clean up, it should recover from it's years of misuse very quickly.
The cave is one main passage, but if one looks carefully, you'll notice that there are enticing holes darting off into the floor along the walls. Dave, Will and I decided to try one such passage at the spot where main cave terminates. This particular hole was discovered just a few years ago by Dave and Tim Shaffer after removing a rock from the cave floor (Tim - where are you these days???? We miss you man!!!) It was appropriately named "Packs Off Passage" and is a series of tight crawls separated by small rooms. In the third room, Dave pointed out some incredibly interesting fossils - bigger fossils than I've ever seen before!!! In looking over the fossil photo (which appears in this issue) new NNG member, Dr. Dennis Campbell believes that the star shaped fossil is a rare find; being the top, cup-like section of a crinoid that is not as readily found in fossil form. It was definitely worth the crawl back there to see it!!
After spending about 45 minutes in the crawl we emerged in main cave and decided it was time to exit and get some food. Dave and I had the same place in mind, Tower of Pizza; in my book Quincy's finest pizza establishment!! It was approaching 9 p.m. and we were all starved.
John and I would like to thank Dave for enthusiastically offering to take us, even though his weekend was filled with a class reunion and a family birthday party. We had a great time and look forward to going back. We NNGers should make it a point to assist the MTG in the Burton cleanup effort! Let's also get another MTG/NNG trip together soon - it's always great to cave together. ??
[We don't usually print tall tales, but since Steve is new to our group we'll make an exception just this once. Obviously, an MVOR without rain is a contradiction in terms, and one can only stretch the truth just so far before it snaps.--Ed.]
October 3-5 1997, Fort Kaskaskia State Park, Randolph County, Illinois.
It was MVOR again, a time of subterranean fellowship, bonfires, and at most MVOR's, heavy rainfall. Being a sucker for all of the above, I packed my gear and headed south early Friday morning. Through some prior planning, I had arranged for a Friday caving trip to one of Illinois nicer caves with NNGer Tim Sickbert and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Heritage Biologist Diane Tecic. The purpose of this trip was to provide Diane with an introduction to Illinois caves and cave biology, and to take some time to discuss some of the current hot topics in Illinois speleology with her. We all met in Waterloo, and drove on to the cave. It was a beautiful day, hot for October (89 F, 31.5 C), so we took the opportunity to enjoy the cold, dark and damp underworld away from all those nasty photons. Our trip was leisurely, strolling along in the cave stream, looking at amphipods and isopods in the stream and bats on the walls and ceiling. After several hours, we emerged to face the still obnoxiously nice weather. We spent the afternoon wandering through the grass at a hill prairie above the bluff near Fults Saltpeter Cave. As it grew dark, Diane and Tim headed north, and I headed south to the MVOR site at Fort Kaskaskia State Park.
The MVOR site was easy enough to find. The darkness of night was broken by scattered campfires and headlamps dotted what seemed to be a large field on a hillside. Soon, I had registered and found the campsite of some of my old friends from southern Illinois. Beer in hand and campfire smoke in my eyes - feels like coming home!
Saturday (another sunny day) featured a number of caving trips, but I had gotten my fix the day before. Instead, I participated in a sinkhole cleanup west of Waterloo with about eight other cavers from various grottos. We spent several hours filling a dumpster the size of a large dump truck bed with a variety of discarded objects, including numerous oil drums, a large water tank, a glider couch, and (our crowning achievement) a refrigerator. The fridge was by far the most fun, as it required the concerted effort of all of us working as a team to haul it some forty feet up out of a large sinkhole. We all got dirty and sweaty.
After the sinkhole thing, I drove over to Illinois Caverns to attend the dedication ceremony for a plaque honoring Armin Krueger. Present also were some Krueger family members, many cavers, and representatives of the DNR. Several speeches were made and then the stone plaque was unveiled by Armin's nieces.
Saturday night included the usual festivities: banquet, bonfire, beer, and socializing. A great time.
Sunday began, disturbingly, with blue skies and a clear weather forcast. I spent the entire day with a feeling of impending doom--something HAD to be wrong...MVOR without rain?? In any case, I bit my lip and tried (successfully) to have fun. Socialized all morning, then attended the Illinois Speleological Survey meeting around noon. After a satisfying meeting with a little politicking thrown in, I head north with many of my underworldly needs temporarily satiated.
Even today I am disturbed by that weather. Hopefully next MVOR will include a good torrential downpour with stuck vehicles and downed tents. ??
I know that most reports are suppose to be about the caving experience but this one is a little different. I was excited about the prospect of a new cave that neither Brett or I had been in. We would be able to share together the first time entering and the first look into the unknown. We had planned on it being a family trip, but our son Nick was not well so our daughter Annie went with us. The three of us were psyched up for it.
After arriving at the restaurant at the appointed time, (we were actually the first ones there; another first!!!) we watched for other cavers. Steve Taylor, who had invited us along, told us to look for people who don't look like farmers. We took his advice and slowly began to detect the invasion of the "Cave People". After a leisurely breakfast we headed out to the camp site for the other brave souls to set up their tents. (We are doing a lot of firsts but I'm not quite ready to camp in 30 degree weather in only a tent. Not to mention I still like indoor plumbing.) While all of this was going on we prepared our gear and got our helmets and boots on. Our daughter was getting antsy and kept asking what I was thinking, "How much longer?". Finally everyone was ready.
Now the adventure really began. After realizing that the camp was directly across the road from the cave entrance we followed the leader over the fence and into the cowpie mine field to a tree. At the base of the tree was the entrance. (I thought they were kidding. They couldn't really expect me to go down there through that little hole.) I began to feel like Alice in Wonderland going down the rabbit hole. With just a hint of doubt but knowing this was the only way to see what lay underneath, (not to mention I knew it was a lot warmer down there than up above.) I slid down to a little crawl way, approximately 5-7 ft. in length.
It opened up into a large room known as the "Cathederal Room". It was amazing. The vast room had several formations and one large one that was just beautiful. After everyone was down and gathered into the room our hosts proceeded to give a brief history and some food for thought about caving. As I listened I couldn't help but notice the pride that they shared in this cave. I knew they meant everything they said about the caring and protection of caves for the future cavers. They explained that we were guests in the cave and that we were responsible for ourselves. We were to stay with the group as there was 17 miles of cave that had been charted, and it could take a long time to find you if you got lost. They wanted us to be aware that this was a very live cave, (I noticed that when I met a toad at the end of the crawlway.) and that we should be careful of touching the formations because of the harm we would do to its growth. Annie was getting a little restless wondering when we were going to see more cave. As we counted off, (16 people in one room and loads of room to spare.) we seperated into two groups. We went with the "tourist trip" with Steve leading the way. (I don't think we could have missed him anyway. You have to see this caving outfit to believe it.) I had asked Brett about crawling and he had assured me that Steve had made no mention of it to him. But wait I get ahead of myself.
As we headed over breakdown, we worked our way over to what I call the mud slide. ( I thought of Tanya Frasier often in this cave. Mud, mud, everywhere you go.) We veered to the left to the stream and a very low ceiling that my daughter even had to bend down to go through. This passage went a ways before opening up again to another large room. We went on down to a tight squeeze that made "Fat Man's Misery" look like a walk in the park. I noticed some unique rock forms that looked like a dragon's head. We reached another room that is known as the "Brain Room". After seeing the formation in here the name was self-explanatory. We walked up a small waterfall into another room. This room had two levels that you could climb up. Steve took Brett and one of our fellow cavers up into a chamber to see a column, while the rest of us rested. We were really enjoying ourselves.
We headed back the way we came picking up the debris we had found along the way. (The cave floods and things wash in. The Little Egypt Grotto doesn't just pack out what they pack in, but also takes the trash that has been left behind by the flooding waters. The integrity of a cave is always mentioned by cavers but this was a first for me to see in action.) As we reached the "mud slide" I mentioned earlier, I realized there didn't seem to be a really easy way to get up it. As much fun as it was to go down it, it was unbelievable just how hard it was to get back up. With the aid of my companions, and the threat of being seen in a less than desirable condition on video if I didn't get up it soon, I got up the mud. This is where another first happened. It must be in the family that we are accident prone. Rich hurt his knee this year, Brett hurt his ankle, and I strained my wrist. My first injury in a cave. I was heartbroken and couldn't belive that it happened. We were climbing back up the breakdown to the Cathederal Room and to the exit. The trip that had started with such enthusiasm now became heartbreak. I still wanted to see more. I felt that I had ruined the trip for everyone. Steve and the others went into rescue mode. They reassured me that I hadn't ruined anything. This was their chance to put their NSS training into action. After taping my wrist and giving Alieve, we began tackling the problem of getting me out. As Steve had told me earlier, gravity helps us going down. Unfortunately it doesn't help us on the way up.
After several tries and the frustration of not being able to use my left hand to help pull myself up out of the cave, (sometimes being short has some severe disadvantages for reaching footholds.) my rescuers in true caving family style joined forces and brainstormed on how to get me out. I must say that without their help I would still be down there today. Finally reaching the land above I made my way out to change and to head back home.
The cave was incredible. I would love to go again. But more than just the beauty of the cave I came away with a whole new concept of cavers and caving. First, that caves are not there just for us, but that we must be there for it also. The care that they took in watching their travel to be sure only to leave footprints and nothing more showed me what love they have for caving. Second, that we do make a difference and can make a difference. I thought of Buckner's Cave several times while I was inside of Mystery. The drastic differences were made by the cavers' who traveled these passages. Third was the way that caver's are unique blend of people who truly are kindred spirits. From an accountant, to a steelworker, to a geologist, to a teacher, all were there for a common experience; to view the unknown wonders of the underground worlds that await us on our next travel below.
I would like to thank the Little Egypt Grotto and the other members of our group for making this trip one that I will not soon forget. I not only came away with memories of an amazing cave, but with a new outlook on what caving is and can be. I hope to be able to take what I have learned from this trip and share it with my children. "Cave softly" as Steve says. I know that I will try.
[Sorry. I should have had these available in September, but I just forgot.-Ed.]
Present: Norm Rogers, Chris Dinesen, Dirtman Collins, Julie Angel, Beth Reinke, Tonja Fraser, Leah Horn, Kevin Rasmus, Rory Hinrichs, the Bennett family, Len Storm, Lara Storm, Marty Jacobs, John Schirle, Brian R. Braye, John Marquart, Jim Jacobs
OFFICER REPORTS: Not available, see next newsletter. Treasurer report by Julie Angel says that we're healthy. Approved.
OLD BUSINESS: The Burton Cave gating project is underway. Rich Bell is heading the vertical training course, and will establish a web page. The NNG donated $50.00 for the Armin Krueger Memorial. An engraved stone is to be placed at the top of the wooden stairs to Illinois Caverns during the Fall MVOR (Oct. 3-5)
NEW BUSINESS: There will be a Mammoth weekend in Oct. - Norm Rogers. State of the Illinois Cave Amphipod was discussed. Roy Powers wants us to form an Illinois section of the ACCA. We discussed bad air in caves and the possibility of John designing a project to check behavior of a flame.
TRIP REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS. Brett Bennett is going to Waynes. THere will be a Fogelpole cleanup 8/2/97. John Marquart gave a presentation to the Midwest Bat Conservation and Management Workshop at Muddy, IL regarding the BlackBall Mine project. The population of Indiana Bats at BBM has jumped from 532 to 943 in one year! There will be another count this January. September NNG meeting on 9/26, Tonja Fraser will provide a program. Fall MVOR at Fr. Kaskaskia, IL. Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted
(but very late)
Jim Jacobs, Secretary.
??
In attendance: Julie Angel, Earl Neller, Brett Bennet, Rory Hinrichs, Richard Bell, Tonja Fraser, Steve Taylor, Tim Sickbert, Dennis Campbell, Norm Rogers, Chris Dinesen, Beth Reinke, John Marquart
The meeting was called to order by president John Marquart at 7:06 pm.
OFFICER REPORTS: The minutes of the August 1997 meeting were not available. Treasurer Julie Angel reported a current balance of $365.94. Her report was accepted.
OLD BUSINESS: No additional information on legal advice regarding the waiver of liability forms was available (Mark Belding is looking into this). Brett Bennet mentioned that he'd be happy to share the sample waiver forms available in one of the general caving books he's been reading. Rich Bell reported that the general plan for the vertical training course is to aim for start up during the spring of '98. John Marquart passed out copies of a letter he wrote on behalf of the NNG to the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding listing of the Illinois cave amphipod as a Federally endangered species. John was commended by members present for his excellent letter. Steve Taylor reported that the Monroe County Farm Bureau has been encouraging farmers to write letters in opposition of the endangered status for the amphipod. Norm Rogers reported on the restoration of Echo River at Mammoth Cave National Park. There will be a weekend restoration camp Oct 4-5. Beth passed out updated member rosters.
NEW BUSINESS: The nominating committee presented the following slate of candidates for 1998: President (Brian Braye), Vice President (Julie Angel), Secretary (Tonja Fraser), Treasurer (Beth Reinke), Member at Large (Norm Rogers). Nominations were opened to the floor. No additional nominations were made. The election will be held during the November meeting (held on Dec 12).
TRIP REPORTS: Julie Angel reported on a trip to Burton Cave and the recent gating project. Brett Bennet reported on a trip to Buckner's (an aborted Wayne's trip). Julie Angel and Steve Taylor reported on a meeting of the Karst Working Group that they attended on 9/16/97.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Steve Taylor is looking for two strong cavers for a trip on Oct 3 prior to MVOR. There will be a trip to Buckner's on Oct. 18 (see Tonja). Next meeting Friday, Oct. 24. Steve Taylor will present a slide show on caving in Brazil. Adjourned at 7:30.
Angela Bray of the American Red Cross presented the program: "'Til Help Arrives". It covered basic information on what to do during the first few minutes of an emergency. We also practiced bandaging wounds and all received a booklet describing what to do until help arrives.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Reinke, Vice-President
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Called to order at 7:15 by President John R. Marquart.
Present: Brian Braye, Dennis Campbell(*), Phil VonDeBor(*), Rory Hinrichs(*), Tonja and Leah Fraser, Rich Bell, Lara Storm, Len Storm, Steve Taylor(*), Tim Sickbert, Randy Wahlfeldt, Julie Angel, Dave Carson, Angela Carson, Joy Cukierman, Jim Jacobs. (*)= new member
Introductions.
OFFICER REPORTS: The September minutes were taken by Beth Reinke, read by Jim Jacobs. Approved. The treasurer's report was read by Julie Angel. Current balance, $351.94. Approved.
OLD BUSINESS: The comment period for the Illinois Cave Amphipod has been extended through December 8, 1997. President Marquart shared copies of a letter that he had written to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the NNG. Briefly, he stated that we approve measures which would lead to improvement of the water quality in southern Illinois karst which threatens this animal, but that we oppose any measures which would lead to cave closure.
NEW BUSINESS: Julie A. reported on the Karst Working Group (from the Dept. of Nat. Resources) meeting in Waterloo, IL, at which Phil Moss gave a presentation indicating that cavers are ready and willing to help, and that the ISS files would be available. Julie subbed for John at the ISS meeting. Illinois Caverns has had trouble with vandalism recently.
TRIP REPORTS: Brett and Rich - Buckner's. Lara took a 12 hr. trip through Wayne's Lost with some Indiana cavers she knows. They made it to Camp Four. At the MVOR, Steve Taylor helped with a sinkhole cleanup. They even extracted a 'fridge! And there was no RAIN! At an MVOR. NO RAIN? John and Julie checked out Krueger's Dry Run. Steve Taylor and Tim Sickbert visited Foglepole. No one did the Mammoth weekend. Coming trips: Tanja is going to camp at McCormick Creek St. Park and do Buckner's on Nov. 1. Steve will coordinate a trip to Mystery Nov 14-15.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Lara and Tonja report that they are going to Hawaii this winter with Don Coons. D.C. Young will be on assignment in Kiel, Germany for the next two years or more. He says he will miss us. There will be a Burton Cave cleanup sometime next year. The November meeting will be Friday, December 12, 1997. Dennis Campbell will present a slide show, "Caving in New Guinea". Election of officers will be held. Nominees are: President - Brian Braye; Vice President - Julie Angel; Secretary - Tonja Fraser; Treasurer, Beth Reinke; Member at Large, Norm Rogers. Adjourned.
PROGRAM: "Caving in Brazil" by Steve Taylor.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Jacobs, Secretary
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