Greeetings from Texas

[TxHiPowr]

My name is Lou Catozzi and I currently live in Austin, Tx. I grew up in Vermont, exploring any hole in the ground I could find. Caves and the occasional old mine were favorite haunts. Recently I have started making annual trips to the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado and, of course, I have been drawn to the old mining areas and ghost towns of Silverton, Animas Forks, and the like. Last month I bought a Jeep Wrangler 4-Door Rubicon so access to the more interesting areas is now a little easier.

I haven't been spelunking in years and I will need to start digging out my old gear and seeing what needs to be replaced or repaired. It certainly looks like electric headlamps have improved a lot since I last bought one. I am also interested in an air sampler/monitor device. I'll look thru these forums for recommendations on brands and models.

Lou Catozzi
Round Rock, Tx

[Jake]

Welcome to Mojave Underground!!!!!!!

[Derek]

Welcome!

As for an air monitoring device, it all depends on how much you want to spend.

[Mikezauner]

hey! welcome to Mojave. I grew up in Lubbock. (southern panhandle if you're unfamiliar with the area)

Those caves in colorado are awesome, but remember, the carlsbad, new mexico area has 20 *KNOWN* caves, which might be closer than driving all the way to Colorado all the time. If you've never been, check out Slaughter Canyon cave across from Carlsbad Cavern, and ask the owner of Parks Ranch for a key to his cave if he still allows people in. If you wander around I'm sure you'll find at least half a dozen other caves through that area. the carlsbad, nm area is like swiss cheese like that.

There's also ghost towns all over Texas, most of which were oil boom towns in the 1800s that died off when the oil did.

Headlamps don't have to be the really expensive ones. I've always just used cheap (waterproof!) store bought ones and have yet to have a lamp fail on me. The only place I refuse to skimp are backup light sources. I always use mag lights as backup, since those are my backups and *HAVE* to work.

[UnderUtah]

Welcome! We ue an Orion four gas detector. It detects %02, %CO, %H2S, and any explosive gasses. Kinda pricey retail, you can find them for less if you dig around. They can be found for between $800.00 and $1400. Good to have you!

[Stuart]

Lou, Welcome!

Its good to see some representation here from around the U.S. Utah doesn't have the only good mines after all. If you are ever up here in Utah let us know and we can show you around.

It certainly looks like electric headlamps have improved a lot since I last bought one.

White LED's have changed absolutely everything in the lighting market. The main feature of my current helmet configuration is my Petzl Myo XP

http://www.spadout.com/store.php?stpr_id=7408&affil_id=912

Its a good solid light that wont leave you in the dark, mine lasts 10+ hours longer than any of my brighter lights.

[Stuart]

Maps

So you are interested in Cartography? Do you have any good mine map reading tips for us? We have had a bit of trouble reading some old mine maps lately.

[ExpUt]

Welcome Lou!

I too enjoy an annual pilgramage to the Ouray/Telluride/Silverton, off-roading being the primary cause but the history in that area is second to none. :B