Devils Sinkhole LIDAR project

This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer my time and abilities towards a project down at the Devils Sinkhole. It is located in south Texas near Rocksprings. The project itself was very successful for the first weekend, and we still have two more to go! Sponsors involved include the TCMA, Bexar Grotto, TPWD, Bat Conservation International, Pigeon Mountain Industries, George Veni and Associates, Jerry Atkinson, Don Auburn, Andy Howe, William Stephens, National Cave and Karst Research Institute, National Speleological Society, and the Devils Sinkhole Society. I am really looking forward to the next time! This is a summation of what we did and what we are doing.


While I was asked to be a photographer for this project (photojournalistic photography), there were actually several projects going on at once. The first (and main project) was the LIDAR project carried out by scientist Jerome A. Bellian with Texas Bureau of Economic Geology . The LIDAR is one of the coolest things I have seen in a while. It stands for Light Imaging Detection and Ranging, and it is being used in the sinkhole to create a 3D image of the cave.
Why? So that it can be turned into a interactive 3D program that visitors can see while visiting the sinkhole. Since the general public can not enter the cave because of safety issues related to the vertical drop of 145 feet, and out of consideration of disturbance of the roosting bats during the summer, the LIDAR project will produce a 3D image of the cave for the public to see. Also, the LIDAR is extremely accurate so measurements and dimensions of the cave are taken through the LIDAR without having to put peoples lives at risk. This project is breaking ground for the future and has never really been done in caves like this.

The second project was a two part project, and consisted of the photographing of the cave and photographing the process. I covered the documentation of what went on and Photographer Kevin McGowan covered the documentation of the cave itself. He is taking extremely accurate pictures of the cave surface itself. Once this project is done, the pictures that Kevin has taken will be laid over the top of the 3D scan to create a detailed 3D map. This is also something that is breaking ground in the caving community. Kevins work can be seen at www.kevinmcgowan.com. To carry this out, Kevin brought the coolest toys ever! He had these giant stobes that where about 2400watts. In a dark hole, they left quite a permanent impression on your eyes if you accidentally looked into (or even near) them. I accidentally did this several times, and of course, my eyes were burned out of my sockets. :) Just kidding, but it sure felt like it.

These lights were powered by these giant capacitors (which you can see Don holding up above) that hold the same charge as about 10 defibrillators. When he was done shooting, I asked him if I could use that last flash (which had to be done to discharge the capacitors) and he said sure! With that last flash we did this fun picture of the shadows.

The other projects consisted of measuring water levels, biological analysis, and exploring for virgin caves. They also had to remove a rattlesnake from the bottom of the cave before we went down into it... that was cool.

It was a ton of fun! Saturday night we got to watch a 1940's film of the Devils Sinkhole. It was hilarious! Sitting in our chairs, stuffed into our sleeping bags, and projecting the movie onto a white sheet... we were all so enthralled with the movie that we began to add our own themes and words... and believe me... it wasn't pretty. It sure was funny though. If you ever go down there to visit, you have to buy the video. It is well worth it! You will a good laugh everytime you watch it.
The food was amazing and I look forward to next time! I had a blast and hope that it all goes just as smooth, if not smoother, next time.