08.26.2025 Meeting Minutes by Secretary elect Taylor O

Taylor O 5 min late to meeting

Opening question was whether a salamander or crawfish would win in a fight. Salamander won popularity contest.

15 persons attending in person.

BUSINESS 

Outstanding balances for loaner gear or t shirts

TRIP REPORTS 

Aug 1: Culverson Ck | Annual grotto trip- Four groups and 3 entrances used

Team Pink Wildcat entrance. Cat presented. Entrance is a tibe. Can hear the water in therefound sandy trash area.Tied to make it to log jam. Unsuccessful, but did make it past the hairy place. Split up and took different sides. Matthew presented on hairy spot. Muddy funnel

Team Blue SSS Entrance Zeke and Mark. mark started of. Only one to have been there before. Lots of different ways to go in SSS entrance. Spent a lot of time going the wrong ways. Did less scary way around all the pretty stuff. Emily pointed out found easy way b/c it was labeled as less exposed way; Zeke said found way into stream canyon that was not the way to go. 

Team Green Fuller entrance Taylor O and Stephan presented. Wet. Next time bring a wet suit.

Team Orange went in SSS entrance came out Fuller entrance

Aug 09 Butler cave Boy Scouts trip- Mike and Lisa. ~20 boys and dads. Split the group in two. Mike Yang jumped in to help.

Aug 16 Rehoboth Church Matthew presented. Walls lined with blach church nodules.Proceeded w caution as walls were delicate. Thought were in zoo room but were close to entrance. Dubbed a flowstone blob as the Bell.

Aug 20 Butler cave another beginner trip- Mike B; Could hear water running in Dave’s gallery. Small waterfall; first time ewing in that room

Mark D presented on a couple caves, including crystal caverns Maryland. Indian echo caverns near harrisburg, PA. Coatskill NY, Seneca caverns ohio. Stopped at Alabaster cave in oklahoma.

UPCOMING TRIPS/EVENTS 

Aug 28 to Sept 1: New river + bat ranch party

Aug 28 to Sept 1: Old timer retreat OTR 2025; WV

Oct 3 to 5: Fall VAR  Dates changed 17th to 19th

Oct 12 Hancock- Likely full

TBD: Clover Hollow and Pighole (Melanie) probably first weekend of september, Sept 6th. Can only take 5 people max. Vertical and multi drop On esafe set of vertical gear to use. Static rope is used.

5 minute break

PROGRAM 

Report of Melanie’s expedition to Turkey. GiCCEKECEK DUDENI. University program funded.-900 meters vertical depth. 2 camps in the cave. Tight canyon passages. Mostly walking. 38 F. No surface water, snow never melts; Lots of gear. Tents for food and equipment. Helped transport gear and water to the lead belayers