The Caving Podcast

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.

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REGISTER for the 2026 NSS Convention

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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