It's been 38 years since New Mexico's Little Darling Cave was discovered by Colorado cavers. Alex Fischer reports on the first trip to the small but beautiful cave in the rugged Guadalupe Mountains since January 1987. buff.ly/7nqUqDp

Colorado cavers are greatly saddened by the unexpected passing of Colorado Springs caver Mike Frazier on December 6. A veteran caver, Mike was active in Colorado and Mexico cave exploration. With his wife Donna, he was the owner of the Defiance Cave Preserve at Glenwood Springs.

If you are a biologist with an interest in bats, Bat Conservation International has a salaried full-time position for you. Based in New Mexico or Arizona, the successful candidate will work to conserve and protect bats in a highly collaborative position. Apply today: buff.ly/i1imAwK

Thinking about Christmas? @MTStateParks is once again offering candlelight tours of scenic Lewis and Clark Caverns near Bozeman during late December. Tickets will be available online starting December 1: buff.ly/IRbCrjv

Interested in learning about Colorado caves? Glenwood Caverns' Khloe Everett is presenting a free talk about caves and caving the morning of November 8 at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library. The talk is sponsored by the Glenwood Historical Society. buff.ly/E1xsOia

From the late 1920s to mid 1930s, Col. Thomas Boles served as the superintendent of New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns National Park. He often led tours into the Lower Cave, where he showed visitors a column known today as the Col. Boles Formation. Interesting history: buff.ly/8ZHDPmo

Even though unseasonably warm weather and low snowpack allows access to the high country in Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states, several federally-owned caves like Fulford Cave near Eagle are closed for bat protection. Be informed before you go cave exploring: buff.ly/RfWbnFY

Montana's Rocky Mountain Grotto has released the tentative schedule for 2026 survey trips into the Bighorn-Horsethief Cave system near Lovell, Wyoming. Trips to this multi-mile cave begin in late April. Learn more about the project: nrmg.org/bighorn-hors...

Wyoming's Boulder Choke Cave in Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander offers seasonal wild caving tours for agile visitors. Water from the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River, which disappears into a mammoth cave entrance, can be seen along the tour route. buff.ly/A5y4CPv

It's been three years but there's no sale yet for the Cave of the Chimes property on Iron Mountain above Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The $2.45 million cost for this unique cave house and 25 surrounding acres represents a serious investment. buff.ly/SkHhM3c

Montana’s Legislative Fiscal Division analyzed the 2026 federal budget impacts to state and local government. Their report shows that the proposed budget will reduce or eliminate federal grants, including the national response to the deadly white-nose syndrome for bats. buff.ly/wGIU0Bw

For at least 100,000 years, wild animals have abruptly fallen 100 feet to their deaths in Wyoming’s Natural Trap Cave. Since the 1970s, university scientists have excavated perhaps 1 percent of the bones in this important Bureau of Land Management cave near Lovell: buff.ly/jUk07sS

The passing this week of Tom Aley, the founder of Missouri's Ozark Underground Laboratory, recalls Tom and his wife Cathy's work at Wyoming's Spirit Mountain Caverns in 1979. Their report helped build public access to this BLM cave. Read more about Tom: buff.ly/6EqeDsk

Tours of South Dakota's Wind Cave and Jewel Cave remain shuttered owing to the continuing federal shutdown. There are no amenities or services available at the parks, though roads and trails should remain open for public access. www.doi.gov/shutdown

Utah's Nutty Putty Cave has been sealed since 2009, following the tragic death of John Jones. A new computer simulation provides an opportunity to explore this formerly popular cave. Utah’s Brandon Kowalis helped with the project. buff.ly/6YbefUa

Colorado caver Dave Jackson is well-known for his innovative CaveSim, a realistic cave simulation experience popular with students. The team at McCallum High School in Austin, Texas recently featured Dave and his artificial cave: macshieldonline.com/23885/featur...

Colorado's Glenwood Springs or Rifle may host the 2027 National Caves and Karst Management Symposium. Defiance Cave Preserve owner Mike Frazier is seeking caver volunteers to coordinate the biennial session. A bid is planned soon.

Colorado's Defiance Cave Preserve at Glenwood Springs is among the numerous presenters at the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium at Ely, Nevada. The gathering of cave owners, management, conservationists, and scientists begins today. ely2025.nckms.org

Nevada's Great Basin National Park is replacing the electric lighting system in beautiful Lehman Caves this fall. Cavers are invited to travel to the park to spend three day sessions to join in the project. Lodging options are available. Learn more and register: buff.ly/I2U2hyg

The Grand Canyon Cave Research Project, founded by Montana caver Jason Ballensky, has explored, documented and studied numerous significant caves in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park. Colorado's Stephen Eginoire shares details of these underground wonders: buff.ly/BbKT6Ij

Western Colorado's spectacular Glenwood Caverns is in jeopardy owing to $205 million award for the tragic death of 6-year--old child in 2021. Ownership reports the multimillion dollar award to an immigrant family puts jobs at the popular natural attraction in peril. Details: buff.ly/D5CFAF6

Researchers led by Dr. Julie Meachen of Iowa's Des Moines University discover a nearly complete articulated mammoth skeleton in Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave. It's Meachen's last season at the remote cave, which has a rich collection of Late Pleistocene animal remains. buff.ly/ei5TG96

It's been 50 years since researchers from the University of Kansas undertook the first major paleontological dig at northern Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave. A 2009 post by Catherine Sherman reports on the dig at this nationally-significant cave managed by the Bureau of Land Management. buff.ly/7gmrgNt

Colorado cavers planning summer trips to the eastern White River Plateau should consider the Derby Fire. This growing wildfire has led to evacuations on Sweetwater Creek and a ready designation for Deep Creek, meaning evacuation may soon come. Keep up to date: buff.ly/1Jh4Owi

Western Colorado's scenic Glenwood Caverns has a long history of supporting local community organizations, including caving-related groups. Since its 1999 opening, the National Natural Landmark regularly gives back to Coloradans: buff.ly/pU1JB2K

In July, Jason Ballensky and other skilled cavers continued exploration of Bobsled Cave in Montana's remote Bob Marshall Wilderness. Surveying the cave found it to extend to 1,842 feet deep - the second deepest known cave in the United States. buff.ly/9l8TQpY

Colorado cavers are traveling to Glenwood Springs the weekend of August 9 to participate in the Gauntlet alpine single ropes course. The Defiance Cave Preserve at No Name is hosting the technical rope event. gauntletsrt.org

Colorado cavers with an interest in visiting Spring Cave near Meeker probably should delay their visit. The White River Natl Forest reports closures in the region owing to growth of the Elk Fire east of Meeker. Many state and county highways are also closed. www.theheraldtimes.com/elk-and-lee-...

Colorado caver Jim Pisarowicz's caving experiences include many of the West's most interesting caves. Among other caves, he helped explore Mexico's fantastic Cueva Villa Luz. At the June National Speleological Convention in Cobleskill, his Luminary Talk thrilled the audience: buff.ly/t23mxwO

Great news for Colorado cavers searching for #ManBearPig. South Park's 27 seasons are now on Paramount Plus, including the infamous April 2006 episode featuring Cave of the Winds. Cavers are still searching for the creature in the canyon's many caves. southpark.cc.com

The arrival of white nose syndrome in Montana in 2021 has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of bats. A June bat survey of the Bureau of Land Management's Mystery Cave found only one live bat - in previous years, several hundred bats were documented in the cave. www.blm.gov/blog/2025-07...

The June National Speleological Society national convention in New York honored former Colorado caver Dr. Louise Hose for five decades of scientific cave and karst study. Louise received the Society's prestigious Science Award. Currently, she is actively studying Nevada caves. buff.ly/gsFj0wk

At the recent National Speleological Society convention in New York state, dedicated Wind Cave, South Dakota explorer Dr. Hazel Barton was awarded the Society's prestigious Lew Bicking Award for exploration. The former Denver caver serves as a University of Alabama professor. www.cavescience.com

Colorado cavers cooperate with federal employees in protecting caves and karst. White River National Forest wildlife biologist Phil Nyland recently accepted early retirement after 23 years of service. He worked closely with cavers in protecting bats in Hubbard and other local caves: buff.ly/yMBduYp.

Caves like South Dakota's Wind Cave and New Mexico's Lechuguilla Cave contain exceptional microbial life. Hazel Barton and Diana Northup are two scientists studying these unusual creatures. www.the-scientist.com/fantastic-mi...

Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave on BLM lands near Lovell has a long history of accidental falls by animals. Author Michael Ray Taylor writes about the cave's exceptional Ice Age fossils in the June Smithsonian Magazine. buff.ly/LX3vHZa

Cavers, cave managers, cave owners and others interested in cave and karst management are invited to attend the 2025 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium in Ely, Nevada. Registration for the October 6-10 symposium opens soon: buff.ly/ZvA3mo4

Are you interested in exploring caves in the Rocky Mountain Region? Your first step should be to find a local chapter of the National Speleological Society and attend a meeting! Learn about local caves, access, equipment, and more: caves.org/find-a-grotto/

Is your favorite public cave at risk of sale to private interests? Colorado and western U.S. cavers are concerned with the Senate Reconciliation Bill proposing the sale of millions of acres of public land in the West. Review the map: wilderness.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant...

This August 9-10, Colorado's Defiance Cave Preserve at Glenwood Springs is hosting the Gauntlet, a challenging alpine ropes course popular with cavers nationally. Volunteers are needed for the weekend event: gauntletsrt.org

Former Colorado caver Georgia Schneider discusses the March 21 rescue of 20-year-old Leo Cahill from the BLM's Parks Ranch Cave near Carlsbad. Cahill was solo on his trip, and waited 10 hours for rescue after breaking a leg and an akle in a fall: www.ruidosonews.com/surviving-ca...

This year, Montana's @nrmgrotto.bsky.social is hosting survey expeditions to northern Wyoming's Horsethief/Bighorn Cave. The extensive cave system has never been completely surveyed. nrmg.org/bighorn-hors...

Colorado's popular Yampah Spa Vapor Caves has been open to public visitation for more than 125 years. The Glenwood Springs attraction is not the only vapor cave in the city. Across the Colorado River is the "Old Cave," which members of the Ute Tribe used for centuries: www.rmpbs.org/blogs/colora...

Colorado cavers traveled to Manitou Springs, Colorado April 7 to participate in the Mammoth Cave Sesquicentennial. Sponsored by the Cave of the Winds, Mammoth Cave was Colorado's first commercial cave attraction, opening in April 1875.

USGS biologists have identified in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park the pathogenic fungus that leads to the deadly White Nose Sydrome among select bat species. The fungus was found at the Holzwarth Historic Site north of Grand Lake, a non-cave location. www.nps.gov/romo/learn/n...

The Williams Canyon Project of the National Speleological Society is celebrating in April the Sesquicentennial of Colorado's Mammoth Cave. Opened to public tours in 1875, the attraction closed after the summer of 1880 owing to competition from the newly opened Cave of the Winds.

Cavers should be concerned with the recent reduction in force experienced by the National Park Service. Carlsbad Caverns NP lost 14 team members, according to journalist Jayme Moye in Outside Magazine: www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adve...

South Dakota's Jewel Cave National Monument, with a cave more than 220 miles long, is considered at risk for delisting by the federal administration. So says the National Parks Conservation Association, which reports many parks are at risk. www.npca.org/articles/671...

South Dakota's Wind Cave National Park announced this week that the modernization project for the cave elevator is complete. This allows visitor tours to resume into this extensive Black Hills cavern. www.sdpb.org/2025-01-27/w...

The Utah Caves Project includes scientific researchers and National Speleological Society cavers working together to discover and study the caves of the state: wasatchmag.com/outdoor-rese...