November Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Chouteau Grotto Meeting
Wednesday, November 6, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 7:45 PM in the MU Geography Department's library, as the key to our regular meeting place was not available.

19 members were present.

New members: welcome to Marck Schneider, Juan Gutierrez (from Spain); Amber Spohn (from Stone County, MO), Devon and Ken Kemp.

Treasurer's Report: There are $1181.39 in the coffers.

Various financial matters: The Grotto has purchased a clinometer and compass (Bob Lerch will submit receipts for reimbursement), and there were some Foresight expenses. It's agreed among us that Bob Lerch is the keeper of the equipment and anyone wishing to use the instruments should contact Bobä. Mike Morgan has asked for new rope to be purchased; the old rope of Rick's is fraying. There was discussion of whether the Grotto should pay for it or donations should be called for, of up to about 200 dollars, to buy a new rope. Jo Schaper made a motion that the Grotto should pitch in $25 toward the rope; that was seconded; all voted in favor, and when the list was passed around almost enough was pledged to buy the rope.

Foresight Editor's Report: 2001 reports are needed by Bob Lerch; send in any material to him. You don't need to write a thesis - just send him brief reports of your caving activities! Bob, as membership database keeper, passed around a form for updating and joining Grotto membershipäMike Morgan reports that the manager of the Alpine Shop would like to advertise in the Foresight. That shop is, by the way, offering 10 percent discounts on equipment to Grotto members.

Officer Nominations (elections will be at the December meeting):

Chair: Joe Dom, Mike Morgan
Vice-Chair: Rick Bennett, Joe Dom
Treasurer: Kevin Feltz
Secretary - Joe Hobbs

Cave Reports:

The MVOR was great; MCKC did great job of organizing this one. There was a good turnout by the Grotto there, including new members. Jo Schaper led a springs trip.

Ben passed around a map of Peach Orchard Pit in Stone County that he and Roger Brown had made.

Carroll Cave Project (Bob Lerch reports): opportunities to map and do research are wide open, but you have to be CC member (15 dollars per year if you join by Jan. 1, then 25 dollars). If you want to be a trip leader (as Bob and Ben are), see the website for application form (www.carrollcave.org). They need leaders as well as bookmen for survey. Vertical experience is a must. The system may be 20-plus miles in length. Huck says be sure to get in on the upstream Thunder River passage! Don Rimbach was able to see a CD or the Carroll Cave breakthrough.

Rita reported on TAG - that was a good show too, including Fireworks. Rick Bennett and Mike Morgan did five pits together there.

Upcoming Cave Trips:

Marck Schneider has a permit for Hunter's Cave for Saturday, November 9; contact him at 815-0696 if you are interested. The total Hunter's survey, reports Bob Lerch, is now 7805 feet. Also on Hunter's: Joe Dom recommends that we seek an emergency cache and register for the cave, now that it's a permitted cave.

Meramec State Park Trip, 6-17 November. Jagged Canyon and Little Scott Cave permits have been secured by Ben Miller. If you are planning on going, contact Ben Miller (474-2833. or caverben@yahoo.com) for the liability waiver you will need to sign for Jagged Canyon. It has to be notarized! You can get that done yourself, or fill out the paperwork and fax it to Kirsten Alvey at 573 632-6600; Kirsten's Dad can have it notarized and it will be returned to you at the Meramec campground (the park's regular campground), where the group will meet.

The NCRC cave rescue weekend orientation is coming up in February, at Carter Cave State Park, Kentucky. The date has not been set yet; keep in contact with Joe Dom for information.

Want to cave anytime from Thanksgiving week through February? Ben Miller does. Contact him if you'd like to join him.

Jim Huckins is going down to the Upper Jack's in first weekend of December to look for that infamous blowhole.