Texas Speleological Association

TSA Spring Convention 2017

Workshops

Rigging 101

Time: Saturday 8 AM
Instructor: Jean Krejca
Max Participants: 8 (Spots Remaining: 8)

This course is designed for those already proficient in SRT, but new to rigging. We will spend a short time on the surface discussing basic principles and introducing a few common rigging tools. Then we'll split into two groups, one will go into Tag Team Cave and each person will rig a pit. The surface group will practice knots and work with the rigging tools. The groups will then switch, so each person rigs at least one pit and everyone will get a chance to practice the common methods. Three to Four hours total, maximum capacity = 8 people. Must have your own SRT kit, helmet/light, gloves, etc. Ropes and rigging gear provided.

Registrants [Refresh]	Seat Count	Names
No one

GPS for your Smartphone

Time:Saturday at 9 AM
Instructor: Ron Rutherford Assisted by- Rich Zarria
Max Participants: Unlimited

Blaze into the future using your phone GPS application! We will explore the GPS apps we use for Android and Apple phones. Importing and exporting files, marking locations, and navigation. You should download a GPS app for your phone prior to arriving at class. Locus Pro is recommended for Android, download from the Play Store. And for iPhone the recommended app is GPS Kit, found in the App Store. This is a great class for beginners and seasoned cavers alike. Find that cave every time with technology right in your phone! Phones do not need to be connected to a data signal to work.

Registrants [Refresh]	Seat Count	Names
No one

Beginner Survey Class

Time: Saturday 9 AM
Instructor: Marvin Miller
Max Participants: 20 (Spots Remaining: 20)

Learn how to use Suunto-type compasses and clinometers, measuring tapes, and laser range finders in cave survey types of situations. Learn how to select station points for a survey. Learn the basic steps of a cave survey and what it takes to be part of a survey team.

Registrants [Refresh]	Seat Count	Names
No one

Sketch Class A

Time: Saturday 9 AM
Instructor: Joe Mitchell
Max Participants: 8 (Spots Remaining: 8)

So you've been on a few surveys, and pulled tape (or Disto) and maybe even shot the Suuntos. Now it's time to step up your game and learn to sketch. We'll cover the basics of bookkeeping, including essential data and organization. Class will be held in small, nearby cave so with a high instructor/student ratio so that everyone gets hands-on practice setting up the survey book and creating to-scale plan, profile, and cross sections. Remember: sketchers usually get priority on trip invitations!

Registrants [Refresh]	Seat Count	Names
No one

Sketch Class B

Time: Saturday 9 AM
Instructor: Jim Kennedy
Max Participants: 8 (Spots Remaining: 8)

Registrants [Refresh]	Seat Count	Names
No one

Cartography Workshop

Time:Saturday at 9 AM in the white house
Instructor: Peter Sprouse and Juliana Rincon
Max Participants: Unlimited

This workshop will cover the use of the Walls cave mapping software and Adobe Illustrator to create cave maps. We will cover basic and advanced aspects of Walls, including data entry, setting up your project tree, setting the geographical reference, loop closure analysis and blunder detection, transitioning from a dry (clinometer) to a dive (depth gauge) survey, weighting individual surveys based on assumed accuracy, conflicts created by using too many fixed GPS locations, best practices in managing large cave systems, exporting shapefiles, and exporting SVG files for round-tripping. Moving to Illustrator, will cover setting up the AI file by importing a line plot, the use of drawing tools such as symbols, brushes and swatches, round-tripping the drawing to adjust with new survey data, and saving as a PDF with option to turn on and off survey lines. Participants should bring a chair, laptops running Windows and any data they have to enter.

Registrants [Refresh]	Seat Count	Names
No one

Townhall Meeting:NSS & Caving

Time:Saturday at 10 AM
Led by: Geary Schindel
Max Participants: Unlimited (Registration not required)

NSS President Elect Geary Schindel will meet with interested cavers to discuss the state of the NSS and to seek input on the direction of the NSS. Areas of discussion including member services, member retention and recruitment, fundraising, and volunteer opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I want to register for a workshop, but have lost my registration code.
- When you registered for the Convention, you should have received a confirmation email containing your 4 digit registration code. If for some reason you did not receive the email or no longer have the code, please contact the TSA Vice Chair to retrieve it.
I signed up for a workshop, but now I can't attend. How do I unregister?
- At this time, there is no way to unregister yourself. Please contact the TSA Vice-Chair if you need to unregister from a workshop.
Why did it unregister me from Rigging 101, when I registered for the Sketch Class A?
- Because all the workshops happen Saturday morning, you can only register for 1 workshop.
I only have one registration code, but want to register multiple people in my group.
- You can register up to 10 people using the same registration code. Simply enter the number of people in number of seats and enter each person's name in the list of names text box.

Terms and Conditions:

All participants registered for Rigging 101 must have their own SRT gear, helmet, and all other necessary safety gear and be vertically proficient.
You may only register for one workshop. Registering for another workshop will automatically unregister you.
By registering, you agree to attend the workshop at the specified time and that you will notify conference organizers if you cannot attend.
In order to attend a workshop, you must be a registered conference attendee.
These Terms and Conditions may change at any time without notice.

TSA Vice-Chair

Need more info? Email Amy Morton, the TSA Vice-Chair