The Caving Podcast

Episode 126: Val McNamara

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 May 2026 20:00:30 +0000

Val McNamara

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Val shares her caving history going back to the early 90s, along with a few harrowing tales in TAG and Mexico, as well as her big return to caving after her kids grew up.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Order custom cave survey notes from Custom Cave Pages:

https://www.customcavepages.com/

https://caves.org/convention/2026-nss-convention/

Volunteer at Convention!

https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/8533252580101/false#/invitation

Cave Week 2026

https://nckri.org/cave-week/

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 125: Mikko Cuevas

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:43:09 +0000

The Filipino caver shares about some of the discoveries, challenges, and philanthropic work that he and his international team have been involved with in his decades of caving.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Order custom cave survey notes from Custom Cave Pages:

https://www.customcavepages.com/

https://caves.org/convention/2026-nss-convention/

Volunteer at Convention!

https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/8533252580101/false#/invitation

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 124: Sean Lewis Pt. 2

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Sean shares more about caving in Fisher Ridge, including a major incident a few years ago that was expertly handled by cave rescue personnel. He also takes us underground in New Mexico and elsewhere, and shares his thoughts on the parallels between caving and philosophy in this second half of our time together.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Order custom cave survey notes from Custom Cave Pages:

https://www.customcavepages.com/

https://caves.org/convention/2026-nss-convention/

Volunteer coordinator for Convention

Email 2026Convention@caves.org

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 123: Sean Lewis Pt. 1

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:37:52 +0000

Sean Lewis talks about his early caving in Indiana, including drawing up what’s become Matt’s favorite cave map. He also shares about the ongoing Fisher Ridge project with which he’s been involved for years, as well as expedition trips in Mexico in this first of a two-part interview that scratches the surface of his prolific caving life.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Order custom cave survey notes from Custom Cave Pages:

https://www.customcavepages.com/

https://caves.org/convention/2026-nss-convention/

Volunteer coordinator for Convention

Email 2026Convention@caves.org

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 122: Amber Lehmann on the Southeastern Cave Conservancy

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

To kick off 2026, SCCi Board Director Amber Lehmann talks briefly about her personal caving journey before sharing a bit of history about the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, and several exciting new things happening this year.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Register for SCCi's Homecoming Weekend!
https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/sccis-homecoming-weekend-menlo-may-1021434

SCCi Website

https://saveyourcaves.org/

https://caves.org/convention/2026-nss-convention/

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 121: Roger Brucker Pt. 3

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

In this final installment of the series of conversations Matt had with the legendary Mammoth Cave explorer and author, Roger Brucker talks about forming the CRF and establishing protocols for exploration and safety, as well as the bungled book deal that forced him into his first published work.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

https://caves.org/convention/2026-nss-convention/

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 120: Roger Brucker Pt. 2

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Legendary caver Roger Brucker has authored several books on the exploration of Mammoth Cave and the surrounding area, including The Caves Beyond, The Longest Cave, Beyond Mammoth Cave, and more. Enjoy this second of a three-part series with Mr. Brucker to close out 2025 where he shares more about Mammoth Cave exploration, and talks about his historic novel Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar: Stephen Bishop at Mammoth Cave

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

2026 NSS Convention Promo Video

https://youtu.be/9hQ2K-XREqY?si=hMwiNpXafTbP2JNO

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 119: Roger Brucker Pt. 1

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:16:32 +0000

Legendary caver Roger Brucker has authored several books on the exploration of Mammoth Cave and the surrounding area, including The Caves Beyond, The Longest Cave, Beyond Mammoth Cave, and more. Enjoy this first of a three-part series with Mr. Brucker to close out 2025 where he touches on the early days of the CRF, and exploring Crystal Cave and other caves that would eventually all be considered part of Mammoth Cave.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

2026 NSS Convention Promo Video

https://youtu.be/9hQ2K-XREqY?si=hMwiNpXafTbP2JNO

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 118: Jenna Burgess

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 16:53:42 +0000

Jenna has been steeped in caving her entire life. Both parents were cavers, and she grew up frequenting Carlsbad Caverns National Park. In this talk, she shares how she found her own caving identity in the world of cave rescue, and talks about how cave rescue instruction and protocols are evolving.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

2026 NSS Convention Promo Video

https://youtu.be/9hQ2K-XREqY?si=hMwiNpXafTbP2JNO

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 117: Harry Burgess

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Harry has led a rich caving life that is still going strong. From working in a wilderness education program to an official role at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, as well as opening and operating a caving outfitter for a number of years near the park; he shares many of the experiences that have led him to the current moment.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Pre-Register for Indiana Cave Capers
https://cigcaves.com/cave-capers

2026 NSS Convention Promo Video

https://youtu.be/9hQ2K-XREqY?si=hMwiNpXafTbP2JNO

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 115: Ryan Maurer

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:06:34 +0000

In a great talk, Ryan shares his photography experience, rescue trauma, as well as the book he recently published about the most significant cave in his vast caving life, and why now was the time to do it.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Order “Caverns in The Clouds” by Ryan Maurer

https://www.underarockphoto.com/

2026 NSS Convention Promo Video

https://youtu.be/9hQ2K-XREqY?si=hMwiNpXafTbP2JNO

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 114: Remembering Don Paquette

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:24:14 +0000

A titan in the world of cave rescue passed away peacefully yesterday.
RIP NSS 8545RL

Episode 113: Dave Black Pt. 2

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In the conclusion of this in-person interview, Dave shares his history of cave photography, and explains some of his techniques. He also talks about caving in Montana, and shares a few harrowing stories of caving back home in Indiana where he reveals several leads he’s left unexplored.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 112: Dave Black Pt. 1

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Dave has found so much cave in Indiana, and inspired a new generation of Indiana cavers that got busy discovering and mapping back in the 80s and 90s. Dave was on the crew that connected Roppel Cave to Mammoth Cave, and has seen his fair share of harrowing adventure underground.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

NSS Calendar of Events

https://caves.org/calendar/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 111: Jonathan Cover

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Jonathan wasn’t a caver until he became curious about a cave on a piece of property he purchased in rural Tennessee. Thanks to his openness to allow exploration of his cave, Helm’s Deep quickly became the longest cave in the state, and was a topic of much discussion at the 2024 NSS Convention in Sewanee, TN. In this talk he covers many of the discoveries made in the cave, including its surprising archeological significance.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Custom Cave Survey Pages

https://www.customcavepages.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 110: Tally Sepiol

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Out of Bounds Grotto is a caving club that was created for the 21st century–a virtual grotto that brings together cavers from across the country for the love of exploration, conservation, and the sport of caving with no geographic constraints. Tally founded the grotto with these things in mind and, as you’ll hear, is a tireless volunteer for many of the causes cavers care about. She’s also working to improve the caving experience for women who might otherwise have concerns about sexual harassment in what is still a very male-dominated world.

Out of Bounds Grotto

https://outofboundsgrotto.org/

Tickets to Floyd Collins: The Musical at SKyPAC in Bowling Green, KY 3/8/25

https://www.theskypac.com/event/ramsey-theatre-company-presents-floyd-collins-the-musical/

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Custom Cave Survey Pages

https://www.customcavepages.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 109: Katie Graham

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 16:40:26 +0000

Canadian super-caver Katie Graham talked about her caving genesis, and her love of the most remote, and tough caving for a variety of objectives from exploration to scientific research. She talks about caving in Canada and Mexico, as well as being a repeat winner of the infamous “Golden Garbage Can” award.

Tickets to Floyd Collins: The Musical at SKyPAC in Bowling Green, KY 3/8/25

https://www.theskypac.com/event/ramsey-theatre-company-presents-floyd-collins-the-musical/

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Custom Cave Survey Pages

https://www.customcavepages.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 108: The Floyd Collins Tragedy at 100

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000

A once-in-a-lifetime historical panel with Roger Brucker, author of Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins, Mammoth Cave Guide Jackie Wheet, and John Benton, co-author of The Floyd Collins Tragedy at Sand Cave along with Bob Thompson and Bill Napper. Plus a short talk at the top with two of the people behind a production of Floyd Collins: The Musical put on by the Ramsey Theatre Company at SKyPAC in Bowling Green on Saturday, March 8th.

Tickets to Floyd Collins: The Musical at SKyPAC in Bowling Green, KY 3/8/25

https://www.theskypac.com/event/ramsey-theatre-company-presents-floyd-collins-the-musical/

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Custom Cave Survey Pages

https://www.customcavepages.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 107: Remembering Bill Tozer

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 19:23:04 +0000

Former NSS President Bill Tozer passed away last weekend. In this 2018 episode, he shares that was one of the first to descend Ellison’s Fantastic Pit, as well as Sótano de las Golondrinas. Plus stories of his early caving days in Indiana.

Episode 106: Jerry Lewis Part 2

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 18:08:14 +0000

Dr. Julian “Jerry” Lewis is a cave biologist with a long career consulting on everything from massive infrastructure projects to small-scale bio-inventory for various entities. He also served for many years as the president of the Indiana Karst Conservancy. In part 2 of our discussion, he touches on some harrowing moments in his career, including an incident that threatened the existence of one cave organization, while ending another one.

Dr. Lewis’s profile on Karstwaters.org:

https://karstwaters.org/about-kwi/kwi-officers-and-board-of-directors/dr-julian-jerry-lewis/

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Buy tickets for Floyd Collins: The Musical, March 8th at SKYPAC in Bowling Green, KY
https://www.theskypac.com/event/ramsey-theatre-company-presents-floyd-collins-the-musical/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 105: Jerry Lewis Part 1

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 18:04:21 +0000

Dr. Julian “Jerry” Lewis is a cave biologist with a long career consulting on everything from massive infrastructure projects to small-scale bio-inventory for various entities. He also served for many years as the president of the Indiana Karst Conservancy. In part 1 of our discussion, he outlines the genesis of his career, and touches on various other highlights like building his bioconsulting business, and appearing on the hit TV show “Dirty Jobs”

Dr. Lewis’s profile on Karstwaters.org:

https://karstwaters.org/about-kwi/kwi-officers-and-board-of-directors/dr-julian-jerry-lewis/

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 104: Mike Ficco

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 16:29:35 +0000

Mike Ficco has found Virginia’s deepest cave, and has explored all over the world, including China, Montenegro, Slovenia, and elsewhere. He shared the highlights of his long caving career, which includes chairing the Cave Conservancy of the Virginias (link below).

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Cave Conservancy of the Virginias:

https://caveconservancyofvirginia.org/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 103: Georgia Schneider

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Georgia Schneider’s caving life has grown quickly since she started caving; taking her to places like New Zealand, France, Mexico, and countless US caves. She talks to Matt about working with the National Parks Service to inventory caves on federal land, and shares the special feeling of returning to places she helped discover.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Fall MVOR: September 19-22

https://fb.me/e/5n6OMEmx4

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 102: Bill Torode

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Bill Torode has volunteered at the NSS library for over 50 years, and has mapped hundreds of caves. We talk about being the first person to peer down what came to be known as Surprise Pit in Fern Cave, as well as several other anecdotes from the long-time TAG legend.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Pre-register for Indiana Cave Capers:

https://cigcaves.com/cave-capers

Fall MVOR: September 19-22

https://fb.me/e/5n6OMEmx4

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 101: Peter Johnson

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Pete shares his varied caving life starting in West Virginia's Germany Valley all the way through Grand Canyon exploration, Lechuguilla, Tears of The Turtle (the deepest cave in the US), and shares his experience rewiring the electricity for Carlsbad Caverns National Park. He also shares some big NSS news as a member of the board.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Pre-register for Indiana Cave Capers:

https://cigcaves.com/cave-capers

Fall MVOR: September 19-22

https://fb.me/e/5n6OMEmx4

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 100: Colin Magee

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Colin Magee is a Canadian caver originally from New Zealand who has been on high-profile Mexico expeditions like Cheve where he participated in the National Geographic Explorer episode “The Deepest Cave.” He discusses the importance of proper SRT and rescue training, as well as his initiative to gather data from the world’s caving clubs.

Colin’s website, mentioned in the podcast:

https://www.caver.ca/

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Cave Week 2024!

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/cave-week.htm

Pre-register for Indiana Cave Capers:

https://cigcaves.com/cave-capers

Fall MVOR: September 19-22

https://fb.me/e/5n6OMEmx4

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 99: Katarina Kosič Ficco

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 May 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Katarina Kosič Ficco is a cave and karst field scientist with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage focusing on subterranean biodiversity. She shares her genesis in the world of caves and karst, having grown up in the classical Karst in Slovenia where the term originated. She also talks about discovering Petra, an exquisitely preserved Pleistocene feline skeleton found in Virginia less than a decade ago, as well as several expeditions that resulted in finding miles and miles of new cave.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Cave Week 2024

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/cave-week.htm

Find your local grotto:

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 98: Mike Drake

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Mike Drake heads up exploration of the Studebaker/Wayne Cave system in Indiana’s Garrison Chapel Valley just west of Bloomington. He talks about the genesis and ongoing effort to survey the area’s longest cave. Plus, a bonus talk on Cave Week 2024 in June!

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Cave Week 2024!

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/cave-week.htm

Pre-register for the 2024 NSS Convention in Sewanee, TN:
https://caves.org/convention/2024-registration/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 97: Dave Brumbaugh

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Dave Brumbaugh has been a cave guide in several show caves, including back home in Pennsylvania. He has also worked at Carlsbad Caverns and indeed still works for the National Park Service in Yosemite National Park. We talked about his extensive caving career, which included helping the FBI locate and dispose of unexploded ordinances in a Carlsbad backcountry cave.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Cave Week 2024!

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/cave-week.htm

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 96: Rand Heazlitt Part 2

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Rand Heazlitt is currently leading the continued exploration of Indiana's longest cave, the Binkley Cave system. He shares his perspective as the leader of the group that endured a 2016 flood that threatened the lives of him and his survey group in Binkley Cave. He also talks about current and future exploration of Alabama's Fern Cave, as well as dramatic expeditions in Mexico.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 95: Rand Heazlitt Part 1

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Rand Heazlitt is currently leading the continued exploration of Indiana's longest cave, the Binkley Cave system. He shares his caving genesis, key moments in his caving history, and the story of the loss of a dear caving friend in part 1 of a two-part conversation.

Donate to the NSS!

https://members.caves.org/general/custom.asp?page=donate&_gl=1*5ppa8h*_ga*MTIwMTYxNDk3Mi4xNjg2MDYzMzYy*_ga_F1RQ2X41B0*MTcwMTE5NjcyOC4yLjEuMTcwMTE5NzgyNi4wLjAuMA..

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 94: Jessica Jernigan

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Jessica Jernigan is a TAG caver who has been at it for just over a couple of years, but has accomplished a lot in that time. We had a great talk about what caving does to fulfill not only our sense of adventure–indeed defining adventure as we looked at it through the lens of caving, but also how that fulfillment applies to other aspects of life.

Donate to the NSS!

https://members.caves.org/general/custom.asp?page=donate&_gl=1*5ppa8h*_ga*MTIwMTYxNDk3Mi4xNjg2MDYzMzYy*_ga_F1RQ2X41B0*MTcwMTE5NjcyOC4yLjEuMTcwMTE5NzgyNi4wLjAuMA..

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 93: Mike Mansur

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Mike Mansur is the author of The Cave Formation Repair Project. He and his team of volunteers have worked hundreds of hours repairing and restoring cave formations in such high-profile caves such as Carlsbad Caverns, Fort Stanton Cave, and Caverns of Sonora, among many others.

Buy the book:

https://speleobooks.secure-mall.com/item/The-Cave-Formation-Repair-Project-2nd-Edition-4132

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 92: Tray Heinke

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Tray Heinke appeared on an episode of Naked and Afraid, which was a big part of this talk, but he's been an Indiana caver for many years, exploring Indiana's longest cave, Binkley Cave; including a harrowing trip in December of 2016 that trapped him and his companions for more than 36 hours. He tells the story, and shares his adventurous plans for the near future.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 91: Patti Cummings

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Patti Cummings is the Vice President of the Richard Blenz Nature Conservancy, home of Indiana’s storied Buckner Cave. She talks about her caving history and life, as well as managing the NSS-owned Buckner property, and specifically the home of former owner Dick Blenz, who passed away in 2018.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 90: Zeke McKee

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Zeke McKee is a Tennessee caver who has explored and mapped many caves, including Heart of Gould, and Enigma–both of which we talk about at length, including details of a harrowing rescue in 2020.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!
https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 89: Cagle's Chasm

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Host Matt Pelsor visits Cagle’s Chasm in Tennessee and chats with Chris Lee, Jennifer Young, Jeff Rose, and trip leader Jim Minie. This episode is part two of a three-part series recorded remotely during SERA Cave Faire in early May, 2023.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Indiana Cave Capers: http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 88: Conley Hole with Justin Huffman & Co

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Host Matt Pelsor returns to Conley Hole in Tennessee for the first time since 2016 and talks with Justin Huffman about his successful effort to discover 500 new caves in a single year. Also along on this trip are Corey Ellis, and Alea Moore. This episode is part one of a three-part series recorded remotely during SERA Cave Faire in early May, 2023.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Indiana Cave Capers: http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 87: Shawn Williams

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 May 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Shawn Williams is a Missouri caver with a storied caving history and personal life. Both are on full display in this extended interview.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

https://sera2023.com/

Speleofest! http://speleofest.com/

Indiana Cave Capers: http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 86: Kevin Mulligan

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Kevin Mulligan helped develop the caving ropes course known as The Gauntlet, which has been seen at many caving events. We talk about how it has evolved since its inception, Kevin’s work with The Caving Academy, NCRC, and cave exploration.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Book The Gauntlet by emailing TheGauntletSRT@gmail.com

Contribute to The Gauntlet:

https://gauntletsrt.org/donate/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 85: Kelly Smallwood

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:11:00 +0000

Kelly Smallwood lives in the heart of TAG, and has been involved in many projects, including surveying for the Jack Daniels Distillery. She shares a lot about her caving life, including surviving a tough cancer diagnosis in 2017.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Check out Kelly’s YouTube channel!

https://www.youtube.com/@tag_caver

Pre-register for SERA here! May 4-7

https://sera2023.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 84: Joel Despain

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Joel Despain is a California caver, the new co-editor of the NSS News, and has made caving a big part of his professional life.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Pre-register for SERA here! May 4-7

https://sera2023.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 83: Miki Manning

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Miki Manning is a caver from TAG who is heavily involved with fundraising for the NSS. We talk about her active caving life, as well as specific ways to financially support the efforts of the NSS.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

More on the Carter Caves State Resort Park Winter Adventure Weekend:

https://www.winteradventureweekend.com/

To nominate directors:

apearce@caves.org

nominating@caves.org

Donate to the Vertical Bill’s Tower fund:

https://members.caves.org/donations/donate.asp?id=22409

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 82: Remembering Glenn Lemasters

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 16:43:28 +0000

Indiana caver and gifted cave map cartographer Glenn Lemasters died on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 at the age of 70.

Episode 81: Chad McCain

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Chad McCain is a caver based in St. Louis, Missouri. He shares a number of great exploration stories, and a few harrowing tales of what can happen when things go wrong.

RIP Marion O. Smith
AKA: The GOAT
1942-2022

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

More on the Carter Caves State Resort Park Winter Adventure Weekend:

https://www.winteradventureweekend.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 80: Remembering Tom Rea

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 17:58:28 +0000

Former NSS President Tom Rea passed away on Saturday. He was 88.

Episode 79: Fenn Spencer

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Fenn Spencer is a lifelong legacy TAG caver.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

More on the Carter Caves State Resort Park Winter Adventure Weekend:

https://www.winteradventureweekend.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 78: Marion Akers PART 2

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Marion Akers is an Indiana-based caver and cave cartographer involved in exploration in TAG, Indiana, and Mexico.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

More on the Carter Caves State Resort Park Winter Adventure Weekend:

https://www.winteradventureweekend.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 77: Marion Akers PART 1

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 17:30:32 +0000

Marion Akers is an Indiana-based caver and cave cartographer involved in exploration in TAG, Indiana, and Mexico.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

More on the Carter Caves State Resort Park Winter Adventure Weekend:

https://www.winteradventureweekend.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 76: Mark Dickey

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 17:19:18 +0000

Mark Dickey is an NCRC instructor and helped create a new comprehensive advanced alpine SRT caving course called Caving Academy, which will hold its first class September 10th through 16th in Budapest.

Learn more about Caving Academy!

https://cavingacademy.org/

Pre-register for Indiana Cave Capers HERE:

http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/cave-caper-registration/

Watch NatGeo Explorer: The Deepest Cave:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/movies-and-specials/explorer-the-deepest-cave

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 75: Aidan Campbell

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 18:44:30 +0000

Aidan Campbell is a land manager with the SCCi, and talks about that role and the passion he has for cave conservation. He talks about his caving genesis, and the various that have led him to and through his caving life.

Join SCCi or find more info HERE: https://www.saveyourcaves.org/

Pre-register for Indiana Cave Capers HERE:

http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/cave-caper-registration/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 74: Gretchen Baker

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Gretchen Baker is the current national coordinator for the National Cave Rescue Commission, but that barely scratches the surface of her credibility. We talk about her past and present work for the National Park Service, and her exploration efforts across the globe.

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Buy Gretchen’s book at https://www.amazon.com/Conventional-Murder-C-Cox-ebook/dp/B01FLHODPO

More on the 2022 NSS Convention in Rapid City, SD here: https://nss2022.caves.org/

Pre-register for Indiana Cave Capers HERE:

http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/cave-caper-registration/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 73: The people behind the IMAX film "Ancient Caves"

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

"Ancient Caves" was released for IMAX 3D and IMAX Dome theaters just days into the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, but thankfully the cycle for IMAX type educational films is years long, and this film could still be coming to a theater near you!
I was fortunate to talk to director Jonathan Bird about making the film, and cave diver Todd Kelly who talked about not only working on this film, but also his decades-long cave diving career.

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Learn more about "Ancient Caves" at the film's website:
https://macgillivrayfreeman.com/project/ancient-caves/

Pre-register for Indiana Cave Capers HERE:

http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/cave-caper-registration/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 72: Thomas Hawkins

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Thomas Hawkins has caved all over the world, but got started in one of the best places on Earth–West Virginia’s Germany Valley. He talks about caving via botany in Central America, salt caves in Chile, caving with some of my Hoosier friends in Mexico, and being part of survey efforts in a classic TAG cave.

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Apply for an NSS student scholarship to attend the 2022 national convention in South Dakota:

https://nss2022.caves.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NSS_Scholarship_Application.pdf

SERA Cave Carnival is April 21-24!

http://www.sera2022.com/

Pre-register for Indiana Cave Capers HERE:

http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/cave-caper-registration/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 71: Holly McClintock

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 18:00:00 +0000

Holly McClintock has chaired the Louisville Grotto since 2012. She is an active member of the Cave Research Foundation, Central Kentucky Karst Coalition, SCCi, KSS, and of course the NSS. She assists with management of the grotto’s own 126 acre Lone Star Preserve. She manages the SCCi Daleo Preserve, home of the Daleo entrance to Roppel Cave, where she spends most of her time underground. We talked extensively about her exploration efforts and discoveries made in Roppel, and what it’s been like to lead a grotto for a decade.

Episode 70: Reilly Blackwell

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 18:00:00 +0000

Reilly Blackwell has done an awful lot of caving since she first got serious about it in 2016. Since then she has worked for the NSS, been on several expeditions to Mexico, and served in various roles on several other projects throughout the country.

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 69: Matt Pelsor

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 18:00:00 +0000

Matt Pelsor has produced and hosted the Caving Podcast since July of 2016.

He is a radio personality and voiceover actor from Indianapolis.
In this episode, he and renowned caver Hazel Barton share a conversation about caving.

Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattpelsorradio/

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 68: Kirsten Alvey-Mudd

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 18:41:44 +0000

Kirsten Alvey-Mudd is the executive director of the Missouri Bat Census

https://www.facebook.com/MissouriBatCensus/

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 67: Devra Heyer

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:39:26 +0000

Devra Heyer is the Education Division Chief of the National Speleological Society.

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 66: Matthew Lachniet

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:18:39 +0000

Matthew Lachniet is a paleoclimatologist who studies cave formations to get a record of past climate history.

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 65: Indiana Cave Capers 2021

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:27:41 +0000

This month is a series of impromptu interviews conducted at Indiana Cave Capers, which is an annual event put on by the Central Indiana Grotto.

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 64: Crash Kennedy

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 17:29:57 +0000

Jim “Crash” Kennedy has been passionate about caves, caving, and bats for most of his life. He reveals the unfortunate incident that earned him his nickname, discusses gating caves, working with Bat Conservation International, chairing the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, and the 2025 convention in a delightful hour of conversation.

Find more on the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium at https://symposium2021.nckms.org/

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 63: Ceth Parker

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 15:06:31 +0000

Ceth Parker is a California-based caver who has done impressive research on iron caves in Brazil, which makes this podcast host re-think how most caves are formed. He has also designed experiments intended for the International Space Station and has tested them with parabolic flights aboard the so-called ‘Vomit Comet.” All of which are discussed in this episode.

Learn about the NSS Western Region’s Speleo-Ed event here: http://wr2021.nsswest.org/

Or skip straight to registration here: https://eventsnsswestorg.regfox.com/speleo-ed-2021

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/

Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 62: George Veni

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 18:51:48 +0000

George Veni is the executive Director of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (http://nckri.org/), and the president of the International Union of Speleology (UIS), who is responsible for the International Year of Caves and Karst (http://iyck2021.org/).

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/
Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Find your local grotto!
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 61: Remembering Dale Chase

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 07 May 2021 14:49:18 +0000

Canadian (former Hoosier) Dale Chase passed away on Monday, 5/3/21. He was a guest of the podcast on February 2018 after he wrote a book on his colorful caving life and shared several excerpts for this episode. You can buy his book here: http://www.blurb.ca/b/8493203-journey-to-the-center-of-the-earth

Episode 60: Martin Hoff

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 May 2021 11:25:48 +0000

UK caver Martin Hoff has enjoyed lots of significant European caves throughout his storied association with caving.

The Caving Podcast is sponsored by https://elspeleo.com/
Save $20 any full-priced order over $300 with promo code PODCAST

Register for the NSS “Virtual Topics in Cave Rescue” at this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-GgpjouHdwIdzOugQThZebcwV8tsUGU

MAY 12
-Search Operations in Cave Rescue: You Have to Find Them before You Can Rescue Them by Casey England

-Got Gas? Cognitive and Physical Effects of Bad Air in Caves by Sarah Truebe, Wil Orndorff, and Zenah Orndorff

MAY 26
-Stress Management for Rescuers by Billy Chrimes
-Rescue Pre-Planning: How to Avoid or Minimize the Pain by Gretchen Baker

Episode 59: Carol Vesely

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:50:05 +0000

Carol Vesely is a California caver who has been caving all over the world. She enthusiastically shares a small fraction of her caving life in this interview.

Support our sponsor!
https://elspeleo.com/
Save $20 off any light, or any regularly-priced order over $300 with the promo code "PODCAST" at checkout.

Sign up for the NSS series “Virtual Topics in Cave Rescue” here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-GgpjouHdwIdzOugQThZebcwV8tsUGU

Find your local grotto HERE:
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 58: Steven Johnson & Marianne Russo (Western Cave Conservancy

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:56:30 +0000

Steven Johnson and Marianne Russo are the President and Secretary (respectively) of the Western Cave Conservancy. Visit their website here to support and learn more about their efforts: https://www.westerncaves.org/

Support our sponsor!
https://elspeleo.com/
Save $20 off any light, or any regularly-priced order over $300 with the promo code "PODCAST" at checkout.

Sign up for the NSS series “Virtual Topics in Cave Rescue” here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-GgpjouHdwIdzOugQThZebcwV8tsUGU

Find your local grotto HERE:
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 57: Mark Wenner

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 21:08:41 +0000

Mark Wenner is a caver and cave diver in the TAG area, but has also done a lot in Mammoth and elsewhere.

Support our sponsor!
https://elspeleo.com/
Save $20 off any light, or any regularly-priced order over $300 with the promo code "PODCAST" at checkout.

Sign up for the NSS series “Virtual Topics in Cave Rescue” here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-GgpjouHdwIdzOugQThZebcwV8tsUGU

Find your local grotto HERE:
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 56: Bill Steele

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 19:53:07 +0000

We’re kicking off 2021 with a caving legend. Bill Steele joins us to talk about his early days in caving, plus leading expeditions to Huautla and other deep caves in Mexico.

Order Bill’s book from the NSS Bookstore: https://members.caves.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=11330034

Support our sponsor!
https://elspeleo.com/
Save $20 off any light, or any regularly-priced order over $300 with the promo code "PODCAST" at checkout.

Find your local grotto HERE:
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Episode 55: Chrissy Richards

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 20:10:11 +0000

Caver and cave diver Chrissy Richards has done some incredible work. This hour we talk about exploration in Florida, TAG, Mexico, and Hawaii. Also, a few things to consider if you want to get into cave diving.

Support our sponsor!
https://elspeleo.com/
Save $20 off any light, or any regularly-priced order over $300 with the promo code "PODCAST" at checkout.

Find your local grotto HERE:
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Danyele Green

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 21:35:41 +0000

Fellow Indiana caver Danyele Green is co-chair of the Bloomington Indiana Grotto. She's done a lot, and I had so much fun just nerding out about classic Indiana caves with her for an hour. Enjoy.

Grotto URL: https://bloomingtonindianagrotto.home.blog/

Support our sponsor!
https://elspeleo.com/
Save $20 off any light, or any regularly-priced order over $300 with the promo code "PODCAST" at checkout.

Find your local grotto HERE:
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Support the Indiana Karst Conservancy's expansion of the Shawnee Karst Preserve here:
http://ikc.caves.org/shawnee-karst-preserve-expansion

Steve Davis

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 14:48:42 +0000

Long-time TAG caver and founding member of the SCCi joins me this month, and what a talk we had.
TAG classics, rescues (and recoveries), Lechuguilla... Enjoy.

Support our sponsor, https://elspeleo.com/ and save $20 with promo code "PODCAST" on any order over $300

Donate to the Indiana Karst Conservancy to support their newest acquisition, an expansion of the Shawnee Karst Preserve. Learn more here: http://ikc.caves.org/shawnee-karst-preserve-expansion

The Caving Podcast is now on Spotify! Find it here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0D4XtstAxSxRkRnhHxA4O6

Join the SCCi at this link: https://saveyourcaves.org/join.html

Sam Frushour

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 21:12:59 +0000

Sam literally wrote the book on Indiana caves (https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Caves-Indiana-Natural-Science/dp/0253000963)
From his long expeditions in Sullivan Cave to the history (some sordid) of Indiana caving, we cover a decent portion of it in this interview.

Need a better light? How about the last light you'll ever need? Buy any light from them and save $20 with promo code "PODCAST" at https://elspeleo.com/

Bill Stone

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 13:40:21 +0000

Talk about a dream guest. Bill Stone has been to the deepest depths and the highest heights, if you really think about it. He's developed rebreathers for cave diving, which has helped him discover more deep cave than almost anyone else on the planet. He's also working toward discovery on OTHER worlds through his company, Stone Aerospace. Just listen and be amazed.

Need a better light? How about the last light you'll ever need? Buy any light from them and save $20 with promo code "PODCAST" at https://elspeleo.com/

KOR, TAG Fall Cave-IN, and Speleofest were cancelled this year due to Covid-19, so please consider membership or a donation to the following grottos:
http://louisville.caves.org/
https://www.gcgcavers.com/
https://dogwoodcitygrotto.org/

Pat Kambesis

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 13:20:38 +0000

The Caving Podcast celebrates four years with a dream guest. Pat Kambesis has been exploring caves for decades. She discovered the Chandelier Ballroom in Lechuguilla, and has been caving all over the world.

Need a better light? How about the last light you'll ever need? El Speleo's "Terra" is $50 off for a limited time. Or, buy any other light from them and save $20 with promo code "PODCAST" at https://elspeleo.com/

KOR and Speleofest were cancelled this year due to Covid-19, so please consider membership or a donation to the following grottos:
http://louisville.caves.org/
https://www.gcgcavers.com/

Tristan Stahl

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 01:17:51 +0000

If there were a "30 under 30" list of cavers, Tristan would probably be on it. We talk about his early days in Indiana, all the way up to his recent New Zealand expedition.

Want the last light you'll ever need? Visit our sponsor, El Speleo https://elspeleo.com/

Vote for the NSS Board of Governors! Voting closes June 25th. https://caves.org/committee/nominating/Platforms2020.shtml

NSS Virtual Convention 2020
July 27th-31st
https://nsscon2020.org/

Jennifer Pinkley

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 May 2020 21:18:57 +0000

TAG caver Jennifer Pinkley wrote the book on Fern Cave, and worked for the NSS for a time. We talk about her long caving life, as well as a funny rescue story.

Visit our sponsor! https://elspeleo.com/
Terra lights are $50 off
All regularly priced orders over $300 can save $20 with promo code "PODCAST"

Support this month's karst conservancy: Cave Conservancy of The Virginias
https://caveconservancyofvirginia.org/

Sil Iannello

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 19:46:39 +0000

All the way from Australia to talk about her rich caving life, and the effort to help save the Australian karst regions devastated by the recent bushfires. You can donate to that effort here:
https://www.caves.org.au/conservation

Save Cyclops Cave in Virginia!
http://savecyclops.org/

Support our sponsor, ElSpeleo!
https://elspeleo.com/
Terra lights are $50 off right now, or use promo code "PODCAST" to get $20 off regularly-priced orders of $300 or more.

Richard Rhinehart

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 20:07:46 +0000

Colorado caver Richard Rhinehart has led a significant caving life and is still fighting for caves. He's currently part of an effort to save Witches' Pantry Cave from a quarry development, which would threaten it and a whole karst region from destruction.

This month's episode is sponsored by El Speleo caving lights--visit https://elspeleo.com/ for $50 off a Terra light (for a limited time), or $20 off any regularly-priced order over $300 with promo code "PODCAST"

Give to this month's karst conservancy, The Australian Speleological Federation Karst Conservation Fund. Contribute to their Cave Landscape Bushfire Rehabilitation Appeal at https://www.gofundme.com/f/cave-landscape-bushfire-rehabilitation-appeal
Visit the Australian Speleological Federation at https://www.caves.org.au/

Zach Englebert

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 20:31:23 +0000

Zach started in TAG before heading West in his van. Despite how new he is to caving, he has done an awful lot in some big ways.

Donate to this month's cave preserve: The Black Hills Cave and Nature Conservancy
https://www.pahasapagrotto.org/bhcnc.html

Emily Davis

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 20:10:14 +0000

Speleobooks owner and 50-year caving veteran Emily Davis has dedicated her life to caving and conservation. She was also the subject of the 1991 rescue in Lechuguilla.

Emily's links:
http://speleobooks.com/
http://www.necaveconservancy.org/

Give to this month's cave conservancy!
https://www.hawaiicaves.org/
Cave Conservancy of Hawaii
P.O. Box 7083
Ocean View, HI 96737

Adam Weaver

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 03:29:50 +0000

This South Dakota caver spends a lot of time in that cave-famous southwestern corner of the state, but he's done his fair share of exploration in plenty of other significant caves.

Learn more about this month's featured cave conservancy, the West Virginia Cave Conservancy at https://wvcc.net/

Gilly Elor

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 23:59:01 +0000

Gilly has participated in several expeditions to Mexico--one of which was pretty harrowing. We also talked about her trip through Krubera, which she wrote about in the March 2019 edition of the NSS News.

Support this month's cave conservancy!
http://www.westerncaves.org/donate-now/

Derek Bristol

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 12:10:34 +0000

Colorado caver Derek Bristol has been on a number of major expeditions, including several to Lechuguilla. We talk about his early days, return to caving after a 14-year dry spell, and his popular YouTube channel.

Support this month's cave conservancy! The Northeastern Cave Conservancy: http://www.necaveconservancy.org/

Christine Walkey

Matt Pelsor — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 14:47:58 +0000

SCCi’s Christine Walkey talks about caving for work, and about her love for TAG.

LINKS:
Montana Cave Camp: https://nrmg.regfox.com/cave-camp-2019
Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy: http://www.mocavesandkarst.org/
Bats, Beer, and Bluegrass: https://saveyourcaves.org/calendar/eventdetail/22/-/bats,-beer-and-bluegrass.html

Norm Pace

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 19:50:12 +0000

Caver and molecular biology pioneer Norm Pace joins us to talk candidly about his early caving days, cancer scare, and his storied professional career. Donate to this month's cave conservancy, the Indiana Karst Conservancy! To learn about their new preserve, click here: http://ikc.caves.org/lowry-cave-preserve

Hazel Barton

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 18:41:57 +0000

She's a terrific representative for what caving is all about, which is why she's been featured in films and documentaries talking about her profession as a cave microbiologist. She talks about her early days in caving, WNS, discovering Cloud Ladder Hall in China, and lots more. If you'd like more information on how to donate to this month's featured karst conservancy, visit http://caves.org/conservancy/mkc/

Johanna Kovarik

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 17:05:42 +0000

Johanna has been all over. She's led cave tours on National Forest land in Alaska, worked for the National Parks Service at Carlsbad Caverns, and served on expeditions in Mexico, Kentucky, and in Lechuguilla.
Support the podcast by supporting cave conservation. This month's featured karst conservancy is the Kentucky Karst Conservancy: https://kentuckykarstconservancy.org/

Rusty Riley

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 May 2019 14:08:04 +0000

Longtime Indiana caver Rusty Riley has led an interesting caving life. He was on the team that explored Two Bit Pit, and has taken several trips to Mexico, including one that was very tough on him emotionally.

For more info on donating to the Mid Atlantic Karst Conservancy toward the purchase of Sarah Furnace Cave, visit http://www.karst.org/index.php?section=134

Beth Cortright

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 16:26:09 +0000

New Mexico caver Beth Cortright has surveyed archaeologically significant caves in Mexico, worked in Lechuguilla, and more recently has been involved in major survey projects in Grand Canyon caves.

Rene Ohms

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 17:14:19 +0000

South Dakota's two best known caves (Wind and Jewel) have grown considerably thanks in no small part to Rene. She has also explored Lechuguilla, Ft. Stanton Cave, and Sistema Sac Actun/Dos Ojos in Mexico, among many others.

Aaron French

Matt Pelsor — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 17:17:21 +0000

Indiana caver Aaron French is making a name for himself exploring the Scottsburg Lowland and Muscatatuck Plateau, the less-explored Indiana karst. We talk about his fairly recent caving genesis, and discoveries.

Episode 31: Elliot Stahl

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 21:00:38 +0000

Elliot is a prolific cave explorer and photographer who has supported expeditions to the deepest limestone cave in the U.S., as well as big discoveries in TAG and Mexico.

Episode 30: Christian Stenner

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 15:36:54 +0000

Christian has been instrumental in the exploration of glacier caves on Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier. He was also part of the team that helped re-define the northern limit of bat hibernacula from the exploration of caves in the Northwest Territory. We talk about all of it in this episode sponsored by SwaygoGear.com

Episode 29: Don Paquette

Matt Pelsor — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 16:54:46 +0000

The former NCRC National Coordinator talks about his caving genesis, forming fixing the NCRC, and the numerous cave rescues he's been involved with.This episode is sponsored by SwaygoGear.com

Episode 28: Glenn Lemasters

Matt Pelsor — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 18:55:03 +0000

This month, Matt talks with a long-time Indiana caver who has checked off a lot of boxes when it comes to caving experiences. We talk about surviving a dangerous situation, making an historic connection, and cavers vs. state government in an episode sponsored by SwaygoGear.com

Episode 27: Bill Tozer

Matt Pelsor — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 14:57:29 +0000

This former NSS President was one of the first to descend Ellison’s Fantastic Pit, as well as Sótano de las Golondrinas. He shares stories of his early days, and national leadership in an episode sponsored by swaygogear.com

Episode 26: Scott McCrea

Matt Pelsor — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 13:01:02 +0000

Swaygo founder Scott McCrea joins me to talk about his caving life. From the discovery and exploration of Cyclops Cave to his work with the NCRC, plus a big update on the Swaygo saga.

Remembering Dick Blenz

Matt Pelsor — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 17:37:27 +0000

Caving wouldn't be the same without Dick Blenz. I was fortunate to talk with him last year for the podcast. This is a slightly condensed edit from that two-part interview.
Mr. Blenz passed away Monday from kidney and heart failure.