Southwest Texas State Teachers College - Pedagog Yearbook (San Marcos, TX)

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Adventurous Spirit -- Reasons for their interest in caving are various, from Joe Sumbera's love of the adventure and interest in geology to Randy McNatt's interest in the animal life found in caves. According to McNatt, the club hopes to do a survey of the caves in the San Marcos area and then map them. At the present time with the size of the club, the project is somewhat ambitious but he feels that the club will grow Outfit of a Caveman by Bob Denman Requirements for the club are stricter than those of other clubs, at least to become a qualiiiecl member. Anyone can join by paying the dues and attending the meetings, but to become a qualified member and be able to check out club equipment, one has to meet other requirements. Essentially, one has to prove his ropework ability and then demonstrate his caving ability on three trips with a qualified member. many people have expressed interest. r-1. , , rp., -Q, umbera secures the rope around a tree trunk as McNatt lowers the rope into a Devil's Backbone sink hole. -,-77. -. .- -I if-'bl' V '-wi rwfss- iq A ?0'K.:.a .Qt-.. . ' .A ---sf - x. 5, Ni 1-ij? ffm -ad '

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Av Hard Hats, Hard hats, carbide lanterns, nylon rope and a yearning for adventure all make up the physical and mental equipment of a spelunker. Formed this fall, the SWT Cave Club al- ready has 15 members and has made a trip to Mexico over the Christmas holidays to explore some of the large caves there. 5 i es. 49s. Preparmg to a of caves in ,- Sumbera ipment Anoth .1 . requirement is three cave tri with a qualified member. ,-t Club president Joe Sumbera practices rapelling on t ' X! -1 X 5. , W, M, l 3.6 cliffs at Five Mile Dam. Before a person can become ig Q., qualified member he must prove he is familiar wi W9 S rope work. 22

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.'s.,g. ,. in - 'f -f.gg.,. ... . 24,5- 4 ' ,.: -. L. . E af-fa, +G: r v,.x.,. .x ff bv 5 -595'-, .. - .wx Mau .iz . 5,25 ' ?iEj.q5f: N ..A A .,,.,, .gif-,gt- ssd? ' 'x 4' v eip- ' P ef' 1 +V- A hard hat and a. carbide lantern are a must to a would-be spelunker as shown by Sumbera as he ropes up, preparing to rapell into the cave. They are using nylon rope since it is stronger and does not rot when wet. Going into a cave on a rope entails using equipment similar to that used by mountain climbers. Here Sumbera gets into a sling prior to roping up to enter the sink hole. Rapelling into the sink hole, Sumbera's hard hat and shoulders disappea r into the depths. ff: X al . , W I , ' EH is I B W 4 jpg? . , 4 W ., A M. -1,-,rv 1 - ,-