The Caving Podcast

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

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

"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 PODCASTLearn 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

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

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.

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

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

Kirsten Alvey-Mudd is the executive director of the Missouri Bat Censushttps://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

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

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

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

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

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-2021The 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

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

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

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 PODCASTRegister for the NSS “Virtual Topics in Cave Rescue” at this link:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-GgpjouHdwIdzOugQThZebcwV8tsUGUMAY 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

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-GgpjouHdwIdzOugQThZebcwV8tsUGUFind your local grotto HERE:https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

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-GgpjouHdwIdzOugQThZebcwV8tsUGUFind your local grotto HERE:https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

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-GgpjouHdwIdzOugQThZebcwV8tsUGUFind your local grotto HERE:https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

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=11330034Support 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

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

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

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 $300Donate 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-expansionThe Caving Podcast is now on Spotify! Find it here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0D4XtstAxSxRkRnhHxA4O6Join the SCCi at this link: https://saveyourcaves.org/join.html

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/

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/

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/

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.shtmlNSS Virtual Convention 2020July 27th-31sthttps://nsscon2020.org/

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 offAll regularly priced orders over $300 can save $20 with promo code "PODCAST"Support this month's karst conservancy: Cave Conservancy of The Virginiashttps://caveconservancyofvirginia.org/

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/conservationSave 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.

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-appealVisit the Australian Speleological Federation at https://www.caves.org.au/

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 Conservancyhttps://www.pahasapagrotto.org/bhcnc.html

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 HawaiiP.O. Box 7083Ocean View, HI 96737

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 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/

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/

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-2019Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy: http://www.mocavesandkarst.org/Bats, Beer, and Bluegrass: https://saveyourcaves.org/calendar/eventdetail/22/-/bats,-beer-and-bluegrass.html

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

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 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/

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.