Trip Report Meeting
Location: UT Brackenridge Field Laboratory
Officers in Attendance: Enzo Monfre (President), London Darce (Vice President), Holly Klein Perrine (Treasurer), Aaron de la Garza (Secretary), Joel Haus (Webmaster)
Presiding officer Enzo Monfre called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm
Official Announcements
London Darce reminded members that the Grotto’s Halloween party would be hosted by Gary Franklin on Saturday, October 31. London also spoke of the good times had at the Underground Texas Grotto’s 75th anniversary party on September 12th.
Unofficial Announcements
Eléonore Le Corvaisier relayed the results of the Texas Speleological Association’s recent elections: Dane Smith was elected as Chair, Emma Kate Lowe as Vice Chair, Carolina Richardson as Treasurer, and Eléonore as Secretary.
Eléonore notified members that the next Godwin Ranch cricket count will be on the first weekend in November and that volunteers are needed; interested members should contact Eléonore.
London reminded attendees that the 2026 Texas Cavers Reunion will take place at Camp Sol Meyer near Menard, October 22-25.
Upcoming Trips
Joel Haus is organizing a Maple Run trip on October 3, 2026, starting late morning. Contact Joel to join.
Peter Sprouse is organizing pre-TCR trips to Powell’s and Neal’s, October 21-23. Peter has secured the use of the ranch house at Neal’s Cave for two days starting on the afternoon of October 20th. Wet suit required for Neal’s. Interested members should contact Peter.
Aaron de la Garza provided a reminder of the November 3, 2026 Midnight Cave trip and November 6-8, 2026 Deep & Punkin trip; vertical training sessions at the Thicket will be held to help get cavers ready for Midnight and Punkin starting on September 24, 2026 at the Thicket of Moderate Discontent.
New Attendees
The five new persons in attendance introduced themselves and were welcomed with applause.
Trip Reports
London Darce gave a presentation on her August 2026 trip to Fern Cave, in which she led a group of biologists to assist with their study of a rare fern, which is only found in the U.S. in Fern Cave.
Kara Posso presented on her participation in the Tosi Cave Project, and on her associated caving and ridge walking in Wyoming.
Dane Smith presented on his work creating viewers for 3D mapping, with a focus on a cave mapped by Dane and Joe Mitchell.
Rich Zarria gave a presentation on the potential use of ropeway methods to facilitate removal of debris from deeper pits, in which he is being assisted by students at the UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering.
The meeting concluded at approximately 8:35 pm. Members met up afterwards at the Hold Out Brewery.
The UTG’s next meeting is a formal meeting centered around a single presentation. This meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on Wednesday October 7, 2026 at the UT Brackenridge Field Laboratory.
There will be an informal UTG social gathering on Wednesday, September 30 at the Posse East.
