Meeting:           16 Jan 2008

Attendance:  Larry, Keith, Will, Bet, George, Karen, Joe, Gary, Jeff, Andy, Amber*, Matt*, Greg*, Jon*, Ted*, J.D.*, T.D.*, Stephanie, Anthony, Brittany, Amanda, Pat


Officer/MAR MEETING: Began:     6:35   Ended:    6:57
            Karen gave us a summary of Mar costs before the meeting.
            At the meeting we decided on Woodward, it has been overdone but it keeps costs low. Also decided on registration costs:
                            Pre-registration:  $28
                            At the door:        $30
                            Under 17:           $20   
                            Under 6:             $0


          Two possible catereres are Clems and Lions Club, both are $10 per person, Lions Club also provides drinks.  Will Vote during meeting.

GENERAL MEETING:  Began:    7:03      Ended:   8:05

Membership-  Several new poeple at meeting (see * in attendance), went over few rules: cave once for free then students can join for $5

Conservation-  Little of this happened during Mexico Trip.  Aslo Bucknell sucsessfully collected 2 female big brown from Mt. Rock.

Newsletter-  Keith is working on it, will wait for  registration form from Jeff for MAR to also be included.

Old Business-  Caterer for MAR was voted on and all votes went for Clem's.
                        Need to make guidebook for MAR, Keith volonteered
                        Jeff will handle everything concerning registration, including putting form on MAR page
                        Should make a Flier for the event, Amanda volunteered

New Business- Karen informed us of White nose Syndrom, which is killing a lot of bat in NY.  So if you go caving in NY be sure to clean gear
                                before going elsewhere so this isn't spear to more caves.

This past summer, there was a drought in Pennsylvania, which allowed cavers access to normally flooded portions of caves in Nippenose Valley, about 12 miles southwest of Williamsport. At that time, specimens of biota were collected in 2 caves, which were studied by Dr Luis Espinasa, of Marist College of Science, Poughkeepsie, NY. From these specimens, several were found to be previously undescribed species, including 4 types of crustaceans (1 copepod, 1 isopod, and 2 amphipods), 1 type of flatworm (platyhelminthes), and 1 worm (annelida). Also, more specimens of the previously described sculpins (see Journal of Cave & Karst Studies, Vol. 65 #2, Aug 2003) were collected, giving more DNA of both the surface and underground varieties, identifying further distinctions between them.  Dr. Espinasa will be presenting his findings on January 25, 2008, at the Nippenose Valley Elementary School, beginning at 7 pm. All cavers and biologists in the area are invited and encouraged to attend. For more info, email me at offrope@chilitech.net


Events Planned-  Rope Practice starts this Sunday at 12-3pm in room 106 of the White Buildng.

                           Gary is planning on doing a trip to Tytoona on Wednesday to hopefully see some ice formations, show up at the Sheilds Buildng 6pm to come.

                           Pat is planning a trip to Carniege, email him if you want to come, trip planned for a weekend in Jan or Feb.

                           Possible Grotto Trip to TAG region, everyone needs verticle training and gear.  Trip limit is 8, will leave Thursday night and return Late Monday or Tuesday.
                           Email Amanda if you want to go with dates you prefer, preferably in March or April.  Matt has done two caves it Jackson County and loved them
   
                           Kevin Toepke has offered to lead us thru Wells Cave near Somerset, KY.  If you want to go send Amanda an email and she will organize it.

                           There will be another trip to Mexico in June, Jim Kennedy is orgonizing it, email Keith or Amanda if you have any questions.
                          

Program-  Will White gave a fantastic presentation titled "Karst of the Cumberland Plateau"
This talk filled with beautiful pictures shows you examples of sights you might see during a grotto field trip to TAG Region.
He expained why some caves can be as deep as 500ft, and showed us amazing pictures of Gypsum, something us PA cavers don't see.
My favourite cave he showed was Rumbling Falls in TN, also something perculiar os the Obey river, in parts the PH is 3!  thus one can see a percipitation of Iron and Alluminum.