[PBSS] Digging at Big Manhole, NM

[J. LaRue Thomas]

Hello, all!
The next Manhole dig is in February, over Presidents Day weekend, 02/16-18. 
It will most likely be cold, so we'll probably spend a lot of time in the 
cave, digging away. The dig uses a couple of hammer drills as well as hand 
tools, depending on the conditions. A (now very long) bucket line hauls 2 
gallon buckets into the main cave.

The cave requires vertical gear and vertical experience. It is accessed 
through a slot that opens after about ten feet to a free drop of about 50 
feet. You are on rope the whole 60 feet. The cave is a comfortable 
temperature but the dig shaft blows air and can be cold.

We camp on a well pad and hike to the cave. The pad is usually pretty windy: 
I sleep in my car because I don't like tent noise. Camper and trailer people 
can't get there but can camp below on BLM land and drive up. Some people 
motel it and come up from Carlsbad.

The Manhole calendar can be seen at: 
http://calendar.yahoo.com/YYY,f5902d/srt,0/southwestern_region/?v=26&pv=1

I plan to attend and dig my little heart out and I can give folks more 
information, directions, etc.

Hope everyone is having a good holiday break. Jacqui