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Annual Underground Ice Skating & Bi-Monthly VCA Meeting |
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Written by Donna Stanley
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Tuesday, 16 February 2010 |
Sunday, February 21, 2010
9:00 AM - Regular
Bi-monthly VCA meeting at RAS, Rutland, followed by the Annual
Underground Ice Skating Outing, Freedlyville Quarry. Bring hot dogs,
etc. to cook over a rustic campfire, hot chocolate, and your camera.
This is a beautiful marble quarry with ice skating on smooth,
interesting ice over three football fields in size. Unique ice
formations, quarrying implements, and a fantastic view. One mile
moderate uphill hike/walk from the parking area. Snowshoes could be
helpful, if the trail isn't packed. Trip leader Rick Pingree (
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).
From
Rick: Our 11th
annual Freedlyville Quarry
ice skating party. A wonderful way to chase away the winter
blues for children and adults of all ages and you don’t need ice
skates to have a good time. The Quarry is about a 40 minute drive
South from Rutland. The led trip will be following our VCA meeting
which normally lasts around 10:30 - 11AM. Join us for the meeting
then follow us down or carpool. We should be at East Dorset at the
East Dorset General Store (just North of 7 and 7A junction)
11:30 - Noon to meet folks coming in from the South . The walk from
where we park our cars is up a moderate hill about a mile on a
snowmobile trail. Snowshoes are not necessary, but bring them if you
like. The main ice skating area is 60 feet wide by 200 feet long
while the overall quarry is 166 feet wide and 550 long that is
protected from the snow. This makes the ice real clean and clear so
you can see the thickness down into the ice many feet. Bring a
flashlight / headlamp for a better viewing and if you want to explore
the dark corners. Again a light is not necessary. You WILL want to
bring, a warm jacket, hat, and gloves to put on when at the quarry.
You will get cold standing around admiring the ice sculptures on the
walls the quarry has to offer. Bring a bag lunch and a HOT drink as
well. Traditionally we have had a small fire and cooked hotdogs and
marshmallows at the vista overlooking the Manchester valley. Many of
us folks will bring a sled or X-country skies for the ride back down
to the cars depending on the snow.
See
you on the 21th,
Rick
and Kathy
For
up to date info or a different Rutland meeting location; the cell to
call is 802-773-8767
Freedlyville
Directions: if you are running late or want to go early.
From
the East Dorset General store, go south on Route 7A one half mile,
take the first right on Morse Hill Road, follow up hill 1.2 miles to
where it sort of flattens out. Take the next right on Dorset Hill
Road for 1.8 miles, on your left is a road, the sign says a trail not
maintained in winter! Park there! Don't block the road; this is a
snowmobile trail. Follow the road keeping to the right at the fork
(the road to the left goes to Aeolus). There are gates (open or
closed) at the beginning of each road. Keep right at any other forks
in the road. The quarry is on your left just before the vista.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 February 2010 )
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Annual VCA Vertical Workshop and Pizza Party |
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Written by Donna Stanley
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Thursday, 14 January 2010 |
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Annual VCA Vertical Workshop and Pizza Party
January 24, 2010
- Sunday, January 24,
2010
- Beginning at 12:00 Noon
- Rutland Climbing Gym (on U.S. Route 4 near
McDonald's)
- Pizza and Beverage provided
- $10 per person gym use fee -
includes climbing harness, if required
- Ropes will be rigged. All levels,
including beginner. Bring your vertical gear to tune up, share, etc. Practice
ascending, rappelling, changeovers, pick-offs, re-belay, and more.
Contact Steve Hazelton with questions:
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 January 2010 )
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Two October Events! Don't Miss Them! |
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Written by Donna Stanley
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Saturday, 03 October 2009 |
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TWO OCTOBER EVENTS LISTED BELOW!
Please Scroll Down!
Come support the NCC and Dance if you Dare!
October 17th
Who: Northeastern Cave Conservancy
What: 30th Anniversary Barn
Dance
Where: Octagon Barn, Knox, NY (directions below)
When:
Saturday, October 17, 2009 6:00PM until 11:00 PM
Why: To Celebrate 30
Years of Conserving Caves and to Raise Funds for
the Purchase of Merlins
Cave, A New Bat Hibernaculum
How: Live Music by Paul Rosenberg &
Tamarack, Refreshments, Silent
Auction, Cave Photos, and More!
Price:
$20 adults; $40 family; children under 12 free when accompanied
by a paying
adult.
Raffle ticket with each entry fee. Over $700 in
prizes!
Pre-Barn Dance Activity: Surface Walk on the Knox Cave Preserve
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Leave from the Octagon Barn @ 5:30 PM. and Carpool to the
Preserve.
Paul Rosenberg & Tamarack -- Fun-filled community
tradition, handed
down through generations. Easy to learn step-by-step
contras, squares
and folk dances. No experience necessary, all dances are
taught. Live
fiddle band playing traditional early American, Celtic,
French-Canadian, Old-time and original fiddle tunes (jigs, reels,
waltzes). Caller: Paul Rosenberg, with Jim Mead (guitar), Sue Mead
(fiddle/mandolin/djembe), Patricia Kernan
(flute/pennywhistle/fiddle).
The Octagon Barn: 588 Middle Road, Knox,
New York 12107
Directions: From the hamlet of Knox, which is up the hill
from
Altamont on Route 156, go North on Knox Cave Road and then West on
Middle Road. The Barn is close to the corner of Middle and Beebe Roads.
If you are arriving by driving south on Knox Cave Road, Middle road is
just past route 146.
*********************************************************************
Regular bi-monthly Vermont Cavers
Association Meeting
October 18th
**Special Location**
When: October 18th -- 9:00am
Location: Meeting @ Bob Dion's house, Readsboro, VT.
- Regular Meeting Followed by post meeting Convention meeting and area
caving.
Directions: 397 Ross Rd. From rt.100 in town:
From General
Store (1/4 mile past Bandstand and bridge over Deerfield
River if coming
from East or just past sawmill coming from West) take
Branch Hill Rd (next
to store) uphill for 1/2 mile, take frst RH turn
onto Howe Pond Rd. Go 1/2
mile, take first LH turn ( at fork) onto Ross
Rd. Go 1/2 mile, house is 3rd
house on LH (Log House) phone (802) 423-
7537 for rescue if lost.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 03 October 2009 )
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Written by Donna Stanley
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Sunday, 06 September 2009 |
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September 11-13th
Fall NRO 2009
The Central Connecticut Grotto is proud to host this years Fall NRO. It is set for September 11-13th, and will be held at Camp St. Michael's in Pittsfield. This site has Massachusetts's supposedly longest cave right on the property and we have worked out access to it (It has previously been closed for many years).
In case any of you are worried, yes there will be caving at the NRO. We will set up a decon station for cavers to use. (If you are traveling from outside of the infected region (Northeast) we ask that you purchase or bring seperate gear for this weekend, as to minimize the risk of bringing white nose back with you.)
We will be minutes down the road from Pittsfield state forrest where hiking, mtn biking and canoeing are all possible. The Camp itself has a pond that can be used for swimming and canoeing in as well.
Go here for more info: http://www.caves.org/grotto/ccg/fall2009nro/fall2009nro.html
Source NRO Website
Orientation to Cave Rescue
September 19 & 20 2009
Manchester Rescue Station
Manchester Center, VT
Registration Fee: $50 (meals included – see information sheet)
The National Cave Rescue Commission of the National Speleological Society Northeastern Region
This NCRC Weekend Orientation to Cave Rescue Seminar is designed to give both Emergency Responders (police, fire, EMS) and cavers an overview and limited handson experience with cave rescue operations, management, and requirements, improving cooperation among all responders in the event of a real cave rescue.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Contact:
Steve Hazelton Phone: (802)775-6422
81 Edgerton Street Rutland VT 05701
email:
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Registration deadline is September 11. Space in the seminar is limited, so register early.
Registrants will receive a schedule, detailed information sheet, directions, and a waiver of liability form (which must be signed for participation in the course). Registrants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCY PERSONNEL
This course is especially important for fire and rescue squads who might be in a position of coordinating or assisting with rescue procedures. Caving experience is NOT required, and participants in this course will not be required to enter the cave during the mock rescue drill unless they wish to do so (there are a large number of critical aboveground roles required during a cave rescue which require an understanding of the cave rescue process).
CAVERS
Knowledgeable cavers are the second key to a successful rescue, as they are the ones who understand and are comfortable with the cave environment. No previous rescue training is needed. All cavers are encouraged to take this course in order to better understand the interagency coordination and teamwork necessary during a cave rescue.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 September 2009 )
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