Wednesday February 4, 2026
Location: Austin Public Library, Menchaca Branch, 5500 Menchaca Road, Austin, TX 78745
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 approximately 6:30 pm.
Official Announcements
- UTG membership dues ($10 for existing members, $2 for new members) are due. Dues may be paid online via a link at the UTG Website, www.utgrotto.org or by contacting UTG treasurer Holly Klein Perrine.
- UTG Officer elections will be held during the February 18, 2026 UTG meeting. Interested members should contact one of the current officers.
- Elections for the open UTG director position will also be held during the February 18, 2026 UTG meeting. This position is held by Jef Frank, who is standing for re-election. Interested members should contact one of the current officers.
Unofficial Announcements
- A celebration of the life of Gill Ediger will take place on Saturday March 7, 2026 from 1:00-4:00pm at the Texas Speleological Center, 14045 N Green Hills Loop, Austin, TX 78737.
- Vertical training will be held on Thursday February 12, 2026 at 6:30pm at the Thicket of Moderate Discontent. Contact Joel Haus or Eléonore Le Corvaisier for location.
- Walt Olenik noted that the upcoming meeting of the Vulcanospeleology Group will take place in the Canary Islands in November 2026.
- Eléonore Le Corvaisier is organizing gate construction and other activities at Godwin Ranch. 2 or 3 people are needed between 10:00-11:00am on Friday February 6, 2026 to help unload steel for the gating. A workday will be held on Saturday February 7, 2026 to install the gates and work on other projects on the preserve. Contact Eléonore for details or to join.
- The Texas Speleological Association needs a treasurer. Qualified persons should contact Eléonore Le Corvaisier.
Upcoming Trips
- There are additional spots available for the upcoming dig on a ranch near Kyle, Texas, which will offer opportunities for surface digs, underground digs, and vertical work and which runs from February 7-8, 2026. Camping is available. Some prior dig experience is required. Contact dig leader Drew Thompson for details.
- Joel Haus is planning a weekend trip to O-9 Well in May 2026, which will require vertical skills and a wetsuit. Joel would like qualified members who haven’t previously been to O-9 to attend, along with a couple of cavers experienced with 0-9.
- Joel Haus offered to mentor members on setting up/leading trips, including to Deep/Punkin.
- Ron Rutherford is considering setting up a trip to Muzquiz, Mexico in April or May 2026. Contact him if interested.
- Patty Calabrese is looking for volunteers from 11:00 am-3:00pm on March 28, 2026 to help guide visitors during the Lost Oasis Cave open house, which will be held in conjunction with the Bailey Middle School Butterfly Festival.
- The February 17, 2026 Tuesday Night Dig will be at Lost Oasis Cave, starting at 6:30pm. No prior experience is required. Contact dig lead Drew Thompson for details or to join.
- Patty Calabrese is willing to set up a trip to Grassy Cove Cave if there is interest. This is a good beginner cave.
Trip Reports
- Patty Calabrese told of her recent survey trip to Honey Creek Cave.
New Attendees
- There were introductions by three new attendees.
Presentation
Eric Jorgenson and Anastasiya Razumovska presented on project caving in the Marble Mountains of Northern California.
The meeting concluded at 7:40pm. The after-meeting social gathering was at The Little Darlin.
Next Meeting: The UTG’s next meeting will take place at 6:30 pm on February 18, 2026 at a location to be announced. This will be a trip report meeting, and members are encouraged to send their photos/presentations to vicepresident@utgrotto.org. Officer elections will occur at the start of this meeting, as will an election for the open director position.