LEARN (Lechuguilla Exploration And Research Network) 1997 Conservation / Restoration Trips
by Mark Scott

Many of you are probably aware of the Lechuguilla research projects and may be interested in participating in such endeavours. The following is an announcement by Roland Vinyard for the upcoming conservation and restoration trips that are scheduled for later this year. If you are interested in participating in these sorts of projects you must contact Roland ASAP since the process of completing all the required caving skills resumes and obtaining sponsoring LEARN members to qualify for participation in the project takes a fair amount of time. Roland's email address is rvinyard@juno.com, if you need other contact information or other information about this project please contact Mark Scott.

LEARN will run two trips into Lechuguilla Cave in 1997 for the purposes of restoration and conservation. These are in addition to our normal survey and exploration trips. Application to and selection for the Restoration trips will not affect or be affected by your status on survey trips, but the same vertical and other caving skills that are required for exploration will be needed for these trips as well. Like last year, we will be working in the Western Borehole and the Eastern sections. As is usual for LEARN expeditions, we will be staying in the cave for several days at a time and will be expected to remove at least 2 quarts of urine each time we exit. It goes without saying that all solid wastes are removed. The Park has requested that all cavers arrive in the area18 hours before entering the cave and we will have a long orientation by Park staff Saturday morning before trips begin. Photography for 1997 has been forbidden unless prior approval has been given. The Park has expressed an interest in having some before and after shots, so check with me or the Park before bringing your cameras in. Our work will not be very glamorous and will be tedious at times, but you will have a great deal of satisfaction over making a great cave a little better for your efforts. And, it is Lechuguilla - all trips are great!

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