Tray Heinke appeared on an episode of Naked and Afraid, which was a big part of this talk, but he's been an Indiana caver for many years, exploring Indiana's longest cave, Binkley Cave; including a harrowing trip in December of 2016 that trapped him and his companions for more than 36 hours. He tells the story, and shares his adventurous plans for the near future.

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Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Patti Cummings is the Vice President of the Richard Blenz Nature Conservancy, home of Indiana’s storied Buckner Cave. She talks about her caving history and life, as well as managing the NSS-owned Buckner property, and specifically the home of former owner Dick Blenz, who passed away in 2018.

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https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Zeke McKee is a Tennessee caver who has explored and mapped many caves, including Heart of Gould, and Enigma–both of which we talk about at length, including details of a harrowing rescue in 2020.

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

Host Matt Pelsor visits Cagle’s Chasm in Tennessee and chats with Chris Lee, Jennifer Young, Jeff Rose, and trip leader Jim Minie. This episode is part two of a three-part series recorded remotely during SERA Cave Faire in early May, 2023.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Indiana Cave Capers: http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Host Matt Pelsor returns to Conley Hole in Tennessee for the first time since 2016 and talks with Justin Huffman about his successful effort to discover 500 new caves in a single year. Also along on this trip are Corey Ellis, and Alea Moore. This episode is part one of a three-part series recorded remotely during SERA Cave Faire in early May, 2023.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Indiana Cave Capers: http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Shawn Williams is a Missouri caver with a storied caving history and personal life. Both are on full display in this extended interview.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Register for SERA here! May 4-7

https://sera2023.com/

Speleofest! http://speleofest.com/

Indiana Cave Capers: http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Kevin Mulligan helped develop the caving ropes course known as The Gauntlet, which has been seen at many caving events. We talk about how it has evolved since its inception, Kevin’s work with The Caving Academy, NCRC, and cave exploration.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Book The Gauntlet by emailing [email protected]

Contribute to The Gauntlet:

https://gauntletsrt.org/donate/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Kelly Smallwood lives in the heart of TAG, and has been involved in many projects, including surveying for the Jack Daniels Distillery. She shares a lot about her caving life, including surviving a tough cancer diagnosis in 2017.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Check out Kelly’s YouTube channel!

https://www.youtube.com/@tag_caver

Pre-register for SERA here! May 4-7

https://sera2023.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Joel Despain is a California caver, the new co-editor of the NSS News, and has made caving a big part of his professional life.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

Pre-register for SERA here! May 4-7

https://sera2023.com/

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml

Miki Manning is a caver from TAG who is heavily involved with fundraising for the NSS. We talk about her active caving life, as well as specific ways to financially support the efforts of the NSS.

Order a custom cave suit from our sponsor, Sophireaptress!

https://www.sophireaptress.com/

More on the Carter Caves State Resort Park Winter Adventure Weekend:

https://www.winteradventureweekend.com/

To nominate directors:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Donate to the Vertical Bill’s Tower fund:

https://members.caves.org/donations/donate.asp?id=22409

Find your local grotto!

https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml