| February 2026 Minutes | | Meeting was held on February 03, 2026 | | Minutes recorded by: Darcy Phillips |
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| Attending | - Matt Brasher (Host)
- Jenson Brasher
- Gunnison Brasher
- Nichole Alton
- Madison Westfall
- Matthew Plett
- Tim Kohtz
- Darcy Phillips
- Ryan Marshall
- Lee Ann Dean
- Brian Alger
- William Tucker
- Tammy Tucker
- Pierson Miller
- Yee-Bien Chuah (Zoom)
- Tim Chariton (Zoom)
| | Old Business | - Covered last month's minutes
- Ryan has not been able to get ahold of Georgia for dig dates. Would like to get NCKRI involved with the dig, but has to settle thing with Georgia first.
- Endless Cave Trip Leader Training- not arranged with Georgia yet, but the planned date is February 21st, keep an eye on Groupme for final plans.
- High Guads Restoration Training- Jennifer has been hard to reach, Lee Ann will try to discuss with Pat Sicario while at Carlsbad. May arrange a recreational trip out there in the meanwhile.
- Reimburse Lee Ann next month for NSS payment.
| | New Business | - Treasury report- $975
- Speleothem Repair Class on March 8th with Mike Manser in Carlsbad. Room for about 30 people. Contact Mike directly, Lee Ann can provide his contact info.
- 2026 Winter Tech Meeting will be December 5th.
- Rumors of Yellowjacket Cave reopening soon.
- New permit provider for Carlsbad BLM, Ashley Shreves (although it sounds like Georgia may still also have that authority).
- Newt Peterson of BLM is offering an educational trip for 5 people. Paperwork is in, no date yet.
- Cave Quest has produced a photogrammetry VR program for Snowy River, Lee Ann will send the program out to the group via email.
- Tammy needs to be reimbursed for Zoom subscription, but she is offering to trial the subscription for a bit first.
- On Feb 5th Paul Burger is giving a special presentation at Carlsbad Visitors Center on all the new stuff he’s found in Spider Cave.
| | Trip Reports | - Pierson did ridgewalking for Project YESO in early January. Not a lot of promising points on the first day. Checked out a large cave found on a previous trip, lots of passages and will need to be rigged for the drop. Lots of muskrat evidence. On day two checked out a cave previously found by Levi. Estimated 5000ft of passage with formations toward the back, will need to be surveyed.
- Ryan did a Project YESO trip on the CH Ranch. Prevented from entering Harrison Cave because of bat presence. Had to find another way in through a very mazey section, by the time they got through had no time to work. Day 2 went to Lone Bat Cave, very muddy with low passages.
| | Upcoming Trips | - Feb 21st – Endless Trip Leader Training (pending approval)
- Feb 27th-28th – Restarting cable covering project in Carlsbad
- March 7th – Speleothem Repair Class
- Spring Break – Tim and Lee Ann leading tours at Senora, could do Blowing Crack on either weekend
- April- more cable covering in Carlsbad
- April 25th – Regional Meeting on the Gyp Cap
- May 2nd- High Guads Restoration Project, clearing trails and setting cairns. All are welcome.
- May 8th-9th – more cable covering in Carlsbad
- Possible April/ May restoration trip at Mill Race
- McKittrick/ Carlsbad/ Senora trips TBD
| | Show & Tell | - William brought copies of the Cave Research Foundation Report from 2022.
| | Program | - Knot tying challenge led by Lee Ann, judged by William and Ryan.
| | Next Meeting | - Mar 03, 2026
- 7:00 PM
- Tucker Residence
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