Hi Folks
Recent transplant from OR/WA/AK to New York State, over near the MA/CT/NY border. Always been a hiker/scrambler/climber, and have often made time for caving, but am approaching it now with a new found zeal (or obsessive compulsive dis-order!) now that I have some terrain that is a little more conducive! I've been busy the last few months since moving here, exploring the caves of this tri state area, and am preparing to lay the act of active caving on ice until May (nods to the bat, here is hoping for two. . .).
So, joined up here, hitting the books and speleo-porn, studying up, reading, etc. I just finished an absolutely god awful book - "Blind Descent: the quest to find the deepest cave and blah blah". Horrid! Caving doesn't need such tawdry dime store BS to make it exciting.. Interesting subject material but terrible writing. This was preceded however by "Deep Secrets" and "The Longest Cave", both of which I enjoyed greatly. Anyways, reading and familiarizing myself with SRT are on the agenda for the winter.
Recently did the OCR class held in Canaan, NY, which was a great experience. Immensely valuable knowledge and practice! Whether or not I am ever involved in the rescue side of caving it has certainly made me a safer caver. Also a great opportunity to meet some of the local yokels, newbies, and seasoned vets in the NE caving community. Good time all around.
joined a (semi) local grotto (CCG) and they have been most accommodating to withstanding and even answering my barrages of questions. .. . Thanks dudes!
In addition to caving I enjoy hiking, cuisine (both preparation and consumption ;)) , mycology, astronomy, playing music, biochemistry, making art, dispelling misinformation, etc etc, and currently count myself as a proud young farmer, working with vegetables, sheep, and cows. Look forward to getting to know you all more.
Cheers