Balincaguin Conservancy Grotto

Posted in NSS cavechat.org (10 Feb 2010): Nothing like Xmas in February (36°C/96°F)!

6 Feb 2010 - As part of the SoCal Grotto’s Christmas party, Incoming Chairperson Betty Farfan, Daniel Veelik and Charley Nelson ask their fellow SoCal Grotto members to donate used but serviceable caving equipment for the newly formed Balincaguin Conservancy (BC) Grotto. They had planned to bring the donated equipment to the BC Grotto when they go back to the Philippines in early 2010.

Daniel Veelik, Betty Farfan & Charley Nelson in SoCal Grotto’s December issue of “The Explorer” wrote:

EQUIPMENT DRIVE FOR THE B.C. GROTTO

Do you have some used caving gear sitting around the house collecting dust? Have you updated your equipment recently and don’t know what to do with your old usable gear? Why don’t you collect it up and donate it to a good cause?

Last April three members of the SoCal Grotto completed basic vertical training for aspiring cavers in the Philippines. At that time we noticed a need for basic safety equipment among the attendees. AS OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 THE BALINCAGUIN CONSERVANCY HAS BECOME A FULLY RECOGNIZED GROTTO OF THE NSS. Because specialized caving/climbing gear is difficult to find and quite costly in the Philippines, we are collecting up gently-used equipment to send them and get them started in a safe manner.

Any equipment in safe and usable condition will be accepted including knee & elbow pads, lights, helmets, surveying tools, lengths of webbing, gloves, ascenders & descenders, etc. Don’t have any old stuff sitting around to donate? We’ll take new stuff too!!!

Bring your donations to the December general meeting or the Christmas Party… 

Rest assured that your contributions will be much appreciated and happily used by fellow cavers half a world away.