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37EditoralsIt is always painful and usually unpopular to voice criticism in ourorganization, but certain event!,! in the past year merit the attention of thewhole clan as they may indeed be the sign of what's to come.AMCS cavers have traditionally been one of the best groups of verticalenthusiasts in the United States, not due to an attempt to form an exclusiveclub, but because all were drawn in different manners by the spectacularchallenge and excitement of deep Mexican caves. Until as recently as twoyears ago nothing had come along that our well tested single rope techniquescouldn't handle. Many cavers lapsed into an euphoria of disconcern fordanger that was bred by technique familiarity. Even Golondrinas can bea "whimp drop" after 4 or 5 times (viz. nude, upside down, by lawn chair,and 5 minute descents.l,). Unfortunately most of the "leader types" gotsucked into this syndrome of ignoring danger.The second problem to arise came from the need to fill ones speleovehicle with sufficient cavers to defray the outrageous cost of gasolineand maintenance. This usually results in rather unbalanced expeditionswith everyone from novice to expert and the neighborhood dog. Seldomis there going to be a trip with an "ideal crew'~ An ideal crew is one inwhich: a) Everyone is socially and psychologically compatible b) Everyonehas roughly the same magnitude of caving ability.Normally, small deficiencies in either of the afore mentioned attributesof the crew have little affect on the outcome of a trip. However,when the caving becomes demanding to the limit, variations in that "idealcrew" can blow the lid on safety underground. The past two years haveseen a tremendous ·upsurge in very deep caving. Great depths, and moreimportantly, large quantitites of moving water are changing the rules ofthe game. Sooner or later we will have to learn to play by the rules orsomeone is going to buy it.Almost all the accidents of this past year stem from the above mentionedproblems. Norm Pace's near catatrophe in Yochib would never have occurredhad there been a locking carabiner on the bolt. But how could anyonehave known that it would happen since that manner or rigging had "always"been" dependable before? The lack of equal caving ability, or unfamiliaritywith a crucial move, has been responsible for two of the deepest rescuesin the western hemisphere. "Sheila Feels" in Conchas should have had ahandline rigged before the accident occurred. Those of us in the lead werenot thinking. Our eight person team was clearly divided in ability. Failureto recognize this and rig accordingly finally caught up with us. Thosethat have recently done the trip to San Agustin's Camp II know the triteawkwardness of tre tyrolean from the bottom of the 140' drop to the top ofthe 318'. Considering the heavy traffic of cavers with bulky packs enrouteto Camp II, it was only a matter of time before someone unfamiliar with