Northern Colorado Grotto

2005 Rocky Mountain Regional

September 2nd — September 4th

On Friday morning, Sept. 2, Neil Goetz and I loaded my plane for the 3 hour flight from the Fort Collins/Loveland airport to Spanish Fork, Utah. At the Spanish Fork airport, we were met by my friend, Jim Bulkeley, who provided transportation for us to the Regional site. We checked in at registration, set up camp, and socialized with other cavers. Jim Lawton along with his friend, and his two children, also represented the Northern Colorado Grotto by attending the event.

On Saturday, we visited Candlelight Cave, which involved a 95 foot rappel down a mine shaft. The cave was well decorated with gypsum coated walls. After exiting, we checked the entrances of several other caves and drove through an abandoned railroad tunnel. An excellent spaghetti dinner was provided Saturday evening. This was followed by a short business meeting and a power point show.

On Sunday, I rode with the Bulkeleys to check out Tabernacle Hill Lava Tube, near Fillmore, Utah. The tube system consisted of short tunnels connected by open trenches. This interesting area was dominated with lava fields. The day was completed with a welcomed soak in a nearby hot springs.

After breaking camp on Monday, Neil and I returned to Spanish Fork, where we departed for Loveland. We arrived at 2:20 pm, after a pleasant 2hour and 45 minute flight.

The Regional was well attended (approximately 100) and very well organized. The campsite, which overlooked Goshen Valley, was a good location. The guidebook, edited by Brandon Kowallis, was the best I have seen at any Regional. I found the entire time to be most enjoyable.

-Bob Stucklen