News

Howdy!
Now that the weekend is almost over, and you are back at home, reminiscing of the fun things that happened this weekend, and thinking of the upcoming plans for the rest of the year, think of this, have you been itching to get on rope? Do you have any upcoming amazing caving trips and you want your technique to be flawless when crossing rebelays and climbing on rope? Or do you happen to be in town and you have a chance to visit some caving friends and catch up?
Well, then, in that case, you are in luck! Because we will be holding our monthly vertical practice this coming Tuesday, 1 May. I know, I know, it’s the international labor day, which is traditionally celebrated by not doing any labor, but hey, we are cavers, that’s how we roll!
PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE IN LOCATION FOR THIS PRACTICE ONLY! Our kind hosts will be Marguerite and Jock Williams. You can arrive anytime after 6:30 pm, we will have some dinner and immediately after we will have some fun on rope.
Dinner is “modified potluck style,” where you bring your own main dish and also bring a small appetizer, side dish or dessert to share. We will have a grill ready for your heat-processing you food, if needed.
Please bring a helmet and a headlamp, and a jacket, since we will be practicing outdoors. If you don’t have yet a helmet or headlamp, we will have a couple of extras. Bring your vertical gear if you have it, and if not, we will also have a couple of extras for you.
The address is:
2350 Perich Court Mountain View, CA 94040 goo.gl/maps/xv6cPLHuYvn
See y’all soon!
– Fofo

Presentation: Krubera: An Expedition into the World’s Deepest Cave.
The April SFBC Members’ Meeting will take place in the San Carlos Public Library on Tuesday April 24 at 7:30 PM. There is a parking lot in front of the library and plenty of street parking in the area.
*PRESENTATION:*
This month’s presentation, beginning at 7:45, will be:
*Krubera: An Expedition into the World’s Deepest Cave.*
* Krubera Cave in the Western Caucasus Mountains is the stuff of caver legend. Come hear what it is like to be part of an expedition exploring a cave 7,000 feet deep. Join us the 4th Tuesday of every month for a lecture/ slideshow presentation by Ryan Baker member of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the National Speleological Society to explore the world of caving. Ryan has participated in deep cave expeditions in China, India, Belize, Spain, France, Mexico, and Georgia/ Abkhazia.*
*By Ryan Baker*
*LOCATION/DIRECTIONS:*
This is the address for the April meeting: San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St, San Carlos, CA 94070
This link will help you find it on google maps: *Google Maps <goo.gl/maps/Rryvp1ERZkL2>*
Google Maps <goo.gl/maps/Rryvp1ERZkL2>
This month’s pre-member’s meeting dinner and executive committee meeting will be held at Broiler Express, which is located at 895 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070. This is the link for it on google maps: goo.gl/maps/bxHypZeiDsQ2.
For those who are interested in attending, the after-meeting caver happy hour will be held at St. James Gate, 1410 Old County Road, Belmont, CA 94002.
I look forward to seeing you all this coming Tuesday!
Rafael

Attached is NSS’ request for all cavers to contact their three representatives to U.S. Congress regarding blanket cave closures. It’s a cinch to do so:

· Senators – www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/ senators_cfm.cfm (Use the state pull-down menu.)
· Representative – www.house.gov/representatives/find-your- representative (Use the zip code lookup.)

Happy New Year everyone!
I hope everyone had a pleasant break and enjoyed the holidays as much as I did. Let’s start the New Year with our annual Trip Planning meeting at the Beach Residence starting at 6 PM on Tuesday (1/16).

Everyone is welcome. Bring along your trip ideas, big or small or just come along ready to be inspired for caving. This year we will have sandwiches and some wine and beer will also be provided. You’re welcome to bring something to contribute if you like.

When Tue Jan 16, 6pm – 8:30pm (trip planning from 7pm)
Where Residence of Gale and Ray Beach

A bit of homework for the folks!
1) Please list all the caves you are interested in going to in California (or abroad!). This is your chance to speak up on caves you wish to explore, conserve, map, survey, sleep in, you name it! – Write on paper and bring to meeting.

2) Let us know at the meeting whether or not you’re willing to lead trips along with which trip/cave you’d like to lead. We’re in need of some cavers to lead awesome cave trips! Don’t know if you’re sufficiently experienced? No problem, we’ll work with you on that.

Thanks and I look forward to having a fun and productive meeting!

Sincerely your Chair,

Rafael Langer-Osuna

Come one – Come all

The Annual SFBC Holiday Party

Sat. Dec 9, Gather at 5:00 PM, Potluck Dinner at 6:00

Activities: include Dinner, Socializing, Auction and Gift Exchange.

Auction (bring stuff to donate, expect to take it home if it doesn’t sell) – Bill and John T. will step aside if a new volunteer Auctioneer comes forward.
Gift Exchange – Bring a wrapped gift valued at $20.00 if you want to participate.

Trip was a success although quite hot in the 103F weather. Water levels were fairly low. The group did both the lower and middle caves. Campground had no water or fires allowed.

Photos by Angela Ong

Great trip to Millerton Lake Caves this past weekend. We had a few newcomers join us in exploring the cave. It’s been good to see the local campsite and visitor’s center of the San Joaquin Valley Gorge being utilized. Water levels in the cave were far higher than last year but not as rapid as the 2012 high water year.

SFBC Holiday Party
Saturday Dec 12 6:30 – whenever

Where: Bill & Peri Frantz’s home
16345 Englewood Ave. Los Gatos CA, 95032

Home phone: 408 356-8506 (We screen calls so if you get the answer machine, start leaving a message – if we’re home, we’ll pick it up.)
Peri’s Cell 408 464-7141
Call if you have questions or get lost.

What:
Potluck Supper: We’ll start eating about 7:00
Turkey and Ham are already committed.
Bring something to complement them – side dishes, salads, desserts, whatever.

Thieving Gift Exchange : If you want to participate, bring a wrapped gift worth $20 or less.
Rollicking good fun. Rules will be explained at the start of the exchange.

Auction: Raise money for Grotto Equipment and Grants Fund
Contribute caving gear, publications, or anything else of interest to cavers.

Directions: Google Maps does a pretty good job.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/16345+Englewood+Ave,+Los+Gatos,+CA+95032/
Call if you need more info.

 

Everyone is invited to spend the night. Bedrooms available on a first come, first served basis. RSVP to 408 464-7141 for a room. Otherwise, bring a sleeping bag and mat.