MudDonna's Caving Escapades

B. Cave

Enjoyed a fantastic trip this Labor Day weekend. Rick Rhinehart invited us to a "little" gem of a cave he's known about for some time. Also along was Donald Davis, John McClain, Ken Headrick, Mike, and Guano.

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Defiance Cave Preserve/Cave of the Clouds: Gate Project

In order to reduce vandalism to Cave of the Clouds and create a more secure area for bats, we are installing a gate. We have hauled 4000 pounds of cement (15-50 pounds at a time in backpacks) up the side of the mountain. Today, we undertake the brutal task of carrying up one of the steel gates.

Defiance Cave Preserve-Hauling the Final Gate

Thanks to all the volunteers who have jumped in and helped carry 4000 pounds of cement, steel and a very heavy generator to Cave of the Clouds. (add volunteer list) The following videos, showing a single steel gate being slowly dragged up the mountain, will give you an idea how difficult and dangerous the project has been at times.

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Defiance Cave Preserve, Cave of the Clouds Gate Progresses

Diamond Caverns, Kentucky

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DeSoto Caverns, Alabama

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Cathedral Caverns, Alabama

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Blanchard Springs Caverns, Arkansas

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National Speleological Society Bat Ball

Mike, Ken, Tracy and I had a great time checking out caves all the way from Colorado to the NSS Bat Ball in Alabama. I can't wait to go again!

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Alabaster Caverns, Oklahoma

Mike, Ken Headrick, Tracy White and I make our first stop at Alabaster Caverns, Oklahoma on the way to the National Speleological Society "Bat Ball" for New Year's Eve.

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Defiance Cave Preserve-Our First Visit

Mike and I and several caving friends (Patricia Malone, Layla Borgens, Dan Sullivan, LP Lawrence and Ken Headrick) visited Cave of the Clouds today. There is a possibility that the land owner may want to sell the property and we were curious to check it out and discuss making an offer on it.

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Cave Hunting-H & J

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Bat Show at Denver Museum of Science and Nature 2016

Autumn and I had a chance to see Rob Mies of the Organization for Bat Conservation today. Lots of cool bats. I especially enjoyed seeing the technology for studying bat calls. Try to catch him next time he's in town!

museum article

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Cave Hunting 2016

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Mexico Caving 2016 Highlights

Roca Partida, not too far from Veracruz. After taking a boat ride on the ocean and around the cave, we hiked to the top of the cliff and rappelled into the boat!

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Lehman Caves, Nevada

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A Few Iowa Caves 2015

While on a visit back to see Mike's family, we caught a few caves along the way. Unfortunately, due to it being winter, many were closed. We enjoyed what we could and hope to get another chance in the future...