Hi - I'm Dane - NSS # 57919.
I have worked for LifeSavers for over 25 yrs, in the regulatory compliance and risk management areas, with a focus on environmental and safety. Chattanooga is the home of LS Gummis, CremeSavers, Altoids, and Altoids Sours. There are worse ways to scrape by than making candy for a living!
I have a 27 yr old daughter and a 19 yr old son, and I date the most amazing woman (OK - person!) I have ever met!
She and I went to a Chattanooga Grotto meeting back in September, and despite Dennis Curry's presentation on cave rescues and body retrievals, signed up for a trip to Gourdneck!
I have been hooked every since!
Went to the TAG Cave-in last month and had the honor of going to the Chattanooga Grotto's 50th Anniversary Gala a couple of weeks ago.
This afternoon I will be going on my 14th caving trip into my 10th cave (Catacombs).
Last weekend, I did my first pit - Cagle's Chasm (~185') after taking the On Rope 1 - Basic Vertical Course. (a large % of caves here have vertical aspects)
Ah.... the joys of living in the heart of TAG!!!!
I absolutely love wet caves!
While I am enjoying the adventurous aspects of caving, I am also keenly interested in the conservation and preservation of these amazing yet delicate ecosystems and intend to get more involved in those efforts. As such, I hope to join both the local grotto and SCCi after the holidays.
Cavers are, as a group, the best people I have ever met. They are generous and helpful and seem to have a much lower % of asses than is found in the general population. Very refreshing!
Oh, that goes for you guys on Cavechat as well - you have all been very nice to me and I do appreciate it.
I know you want to hear more about "The Dane", but right now, I have to replenish my pack and check my equipment - I'm going caving!!!!