Northern Colorado Grotto

Do you like to cave? Do you like to party? Do you like to burn rats? What?

Whatever your answer to the last question, you'll want to head out past Rifle for the upcoming Burning Rat party. Check out the image (sorta map) for directions and remember to bring plenty of water and something for shade. Also, plan to pack out all of your crap on this trip, literally. The ground ain't conducive to cat holes and we cavers might be hard on our livers but not on the planet.

There have been a number of updates in recent weeks regarding the tragic outbreak of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). This has been especially devastating to bat populations in eastern caves. Caused by a fungus, WNS impacts the hibernation of bats causing them to consume calories at a faster than normal rate. This seems to lead to the bats waking from hibernation prematurely without an adequate food supply. Subsequently the bats starve to death. With over 500,000 bat casulties thus far, WNS has become a serious threat to bat populations throughout the eastern US.

 The 2009 NSS Convention and the 15th International Congress of Speleology will be held concurrently from July 19th to July 26 in Kerrville, TX. See the convention & congress websites for additional information.

A rapid response fund has been created by the National Speleological Society Board of Governors to help provide research money for studies related to White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). Visit the special WNS website here to learn more and donate to this important cause.

Check out this great train ride through a cave beneath Slovenia. Man is this a lazy way to cave!