Oregon High Desert Grotto

The Oregon High Desert Grotto was first created in 1989 by Dan Best.{{Citation|last=Best|first=Dan|title=Introduction to High Desert Grotto|newspaper=Oregon Underground|date=November–December 1989|edition=Introductory|pages=2–8}} It lasted only a year before complications terminated the Grotto.{{Citation|last=Carlson|first=Ric|title=Chairman's Corner|newspaper=Oregon Underground|date=Spring 1998|issue=5|pages=2–3}} In June1995, the OHDG was reactivated by the new founding members Jeff Sims and Ric Carlson, who were at the time an employees of the United States Forest Service.{{Citation|last=Carlson|first=Ric|title=We're Back!|newspaper=Oregon Underground|date=January 1996|issue=1|page=1}} The new officers were Jeff Sims, Chair, Ric Carlson, Vice Chair, Ryan Shuler, Secretary and Treasurer, Sarah Nichols. By 1997, the Grotto had over 30 members, a newsletter publication, and a growing knowledge of caves in the Central Oregon area and beyond. As of 2012, the OHDG continues to find new caves. Grotto member Matt Skeels has found over 100 new caves.{{Citation|last=Hansen|first=Joe|website=OregonLive.com|title=A dedicated group of central Oregon cavers have found hundreds of new caves|date=2012-10-20|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2012/10/a_dedicated_group_of_central_o.html|access-date=October 21, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Hannah|title=Into the Dark|work=Ethos|via=Issuu|date=Fall 2013|url=http://issuu.com/ethosmag/docs/ethos.fall2013/1|access-date=2013-10-06}} Today, the Grotto is actively involved with caving in most of Oregon and the adjacent states.{{cite web|title=Lava Caves|date=2009-02-13|url=http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1633?q=cave|access-date=2009-11-16|work=Oregon Field Guide|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608185909/http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1633?q=cave|archivedate=2011-06-08}}

{{Citation|last=Skeels|first=Matt|title=Oregon Caves National Monument Cleanup Trip|newspaper=Oregon Underground|date=Summer 2007|issue=21|pages=4–6}}

{{Citation|last=Skeels|first=Matt|title=Lava Beds National Monument Speleo-Ed|newspaper=Oregon Underground|date=Summer 2007|issue=21|pages=7–8}}{{Citation|last=Skeels|first=Matt|title=Oregon Caves Cleanup Trip 2008|newspaper=Oregon Underground|date=Fall 2008|issue=23|pages=9–10}}{{Citation|last=Skeels|first=Matt|title=Saddle Butte Trip Report|newspaper=Oregon Underground|date=Fall 2008|issue=23|pages=11–12}}

Members of the Oregon High Desert Grotto understand that caves are a fragile resource. They are dedicated to preserving these special underground spaces. Each year, the group organizes a number exploration trips, study efforts, and preservation projects. The group’s exploration work includes caving adventures, cave surveys, and photographic documentation of cave resources.Skeels, Matt, [http://ohdgrotto.caves.org/caves/caves-of-central-oregon "The Caves of Central Oregon"], Oregon High Desert Grotto, Bend, Oregon, 5 October 2013.

While members of the Oregon High Desert Grotto have explored caves all over the western United States, the group’s focus is on Central Oregon. Most of the known caves in Central Oregon are in Deschutes County, the group's home area. The Oregon High Desert Grotto has identified 813 caves in Deschutes County, 660 of these are lava tubes. Of the remaining caves, the majority are also lava-related formations including vertical conduits, fissures, bubbles, and lava molds. Of the 813 caves, there are only 52 that were not created by lava flows. Many of these are rift or fissure caves, some up to {{convert|150|ft|m}} deep. There are also a number of rock shelters, large rock overhangs created by water or wind erosion. These caves occur throughout Central Oregon, usually in rim rock areas. Finally, there are a few talus caves. Talus caves are found in cracks and open spaces between boulders along faults and in rock fall areas.

and mapping of the glacier-fumarole cave system at the summit of Mount Rainier in Washington.{{Citation|title=United States: Inside the Ice Caves of Mount Rainier|publisher=Petzl Foundation|page=9|year=2015}} Some Central Oregon caves are easy to explore, especially the larger lava tubes. However, other caves require significant planning in order to be explored safely. Many require a strenuous hike just to get to the cave; and while underground, dark spaces and tight passages can be dangerous for anyone who is not prepared. As a result, members of the Oregon High Desert Grotto are careful to bring along the proper equipment for each caving trip. Explorers always wear helmets to protect their heads. Each person brings three sources of light, and members never go caving alone.[http://ohdgrotto.caves.org/caves/cave-access "Cave Access"], Oregon High Desert Grotto, Bend, Oregon, 5 October 2013.

Members of the Oregon High Desert Grotto are always careful to protect wildlife. During the winter, grotto members avoid caves with hibernating bats. Waking a bat from hibernation is extremely stressful, and may cause the bat to expend its fat reserves prematurely which can lead to death later that winter or early spring. The group also avoids caves with bat maternity colonies during the summer months.[http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/docs/bats.pdf "Bats"], Living with Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Salem, Oregon, December 2000.

Over the last few years, the Grotto has been involved in the study and mapping of the Sandy Glacier Caves on Mount Hood in Oregon.{{cite web|last=Guth|first=Eric|title=Discovering a Giant|website=BBC|date=September 4, 2015|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150701-see-inside-oregons-elusive-giants|access-date=2015-09-04}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mocavesandkarst.org/images/pdf/btf_fall_13.pdf|title=Sandy Glacier Cave Project: Mt. Hood, Oregon|website=Mocavesandkarst.org|access-date=5 November 2017}}{{cite journal|last1=Pflitsch|first1=Andreas|last2=Cartaya|first2=Eddy|last3=Brent|first3=McGregor|last4=Homgren|first4=David|last5=Steinhöfel|first5=Björn|date=December 2017|title=Climatologic Studies Inside Sandy Glacier at Mount Hood Volcano in Oregon, USA|url=https://legacy.caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/V79/79_3_189.pdf|journal=Journal of Cave and Karst Studies|volume=79|number=3|pages=189–206|doi=10.4311/2015IC0135|bibcode=2017JCKS...79..189P |access-date=2023-01-16}} Their efforts were recorded by Oregon Field Guide in 2013 and aired on OPB in October of that year.{{cite web|last=Gallivan|first=Joseph|title=Shooting video inside ice cave on Mount Hood|date=October 2, 2013|url=http://portlandtribune.com/sl/196564-shooting-video-inside-ice-cave-on-mount-hood|work=Portland Tribune|access-date=2013-10-06|archive-date=2013-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006074537/http://portlandtribune.com/sl/196564-shooting-video-inside-ice-cave-on-mount-hood|url-status=dead}}

File:Oregon High Desert Grotto Partnership Award 2008.jpg The Grotto was also involved in the exploration.

The OHDG is an avid participant in conserving and restoring caves since many of the caves have been damaged from increased recreational activities, including rock climbing.{{Citation|last=Skeels|first=Matt|title=Grow North, Save the Caves|newspaper=The Source Weekly|url=http://www.tsweekly.com/opinion/the-mailbox/grow-north-save-the-caves.html|access-date=2009-11-17|date=2007-07-25|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717031144/http://www.tsweekly.com/opinion/the-mailbox/grow-north-save-the-caves.html|archivedate=2011-07-17}}{{Citation|last=Maben|first=Scott|title=Guidelines set to save C.O. caves|newspaper=The Bulletin|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x2IPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F4cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6483,806941&dq=deschutes+cave&hl=en|access-date=2013-07-11|date=1994-03-11}}{{Citation|last=King|first=Larry|title=Rock Climbing in Central Oregon Lava Tubes - Events of 1997|newspaper=NSS News|url=http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1233&context=tles_publications|access-date=2013-07-11|date=March 1998}} {{dead link|date=December 2022}} The Grotto often partners with the United States Forest Service (USFS) to help manage the caves of the Deschutes National Forest.{{Citation|last=Moscoso|first=Les|title=Discover the Natural World|newspaper=Volcanic Vistas|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/maps/brochures/2008%20volcvistas_letter.pdf

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511164739/http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/maps/brochures/2008%20volcvistas_letter.pdf|archivedate=2009-05-11|access-date=2009-11-17|date=Summer 2008|page=12}}{{cite web|title=White-Nose Syndrome|date=2011-02-10|url=http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1774?q=syndrome|website=OPB|access-date=2011-05-13|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319223751/http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1774?q=syndrome|archivedate=2012-03-19}} Cooperation with private owners of caves has also been done.{{Citation|last=Nichols|first=Sarah|title=Horse Cave Community Restoration Project|newspaper=The Oregon Underground|date=June 1997|issue=3|pages=5–6}} On National Public Lands Day in September 2000, the Grotto participated in the gating of Stookey Ranch Cave.{{Citation|last=King|first=Larry|title=Stookey Ranch Cave Gate Project, September 23–24, 2000|newspaper=The Underground Express|date=Spring 2001|volume=21|issue=1|page=6}} Cleanup trips to caves in the area are common and are synonymous with the caving motto: "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time."{{cite web|title=Safety & Techniques|website=NSS|date=1995–2009|url=http://www.caves.org/safety/safety.shtml|access-date=2009-11-15|archive-date=2010-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613040937/http://caves.org/safety/safety.shtml|url-status=dead}}{{Citation|last=Sistum|first=Arnold "Buck"|title=Tales From The Triangle - Skeleton Cave Number Two And The Brad Austin Case|newspaper=The Underground Express|year=1996|volume=16|issue=1|pages=5, 9}}{{cite web|title=Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests and Prineville District, Bureau of Land Management Office of Communications|website=U.S. Forest Service|date=October 12, 2006|url=http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville/files/npld_project_fy06_redmond_caves.pdf|access-date=2012-11-25|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050609/http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville/files/npld_project_fy06_redmond_caves.pdf|archivedate=March 4, 2016}}

In late 2010, missing lavacicles from Lavacicle Cave were reacquired by Grotto member Eddy Cartaya while working for the USFS.{{citation|last=Cliff|first=Patrick|title=Deschutes Forest's Top Cop|newspaper=The Bulletin|date=June 5, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.opb.org/glaciercaves/|title=Thin Ice: Exploring Mount Hood's Glacier Caves|website=OPB.org|access-date=5 November 2017}} The lavacicles will be used as educational tools at Lava Lands Visitor Center.{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jim|title=Cave Robber Case Closed: Intrepid forest investigator hunts down missing lava cave formations|website=Source Weekly|date=February 2, 2011|url=https://www.bendsource.com/bend/cave-robber-case-closed-intrepid-forest-investigator-hunts-down-missing-lava-cave-formations/Content?oid=2137117|access-date=2018-03-06}}

The Grotto is involved with caving and conservation efforts beyond its local area of central Oregon. Grotto member Brent McGregor produced a video for the Oregon Caves National Monument promoting safe caving to conserve the off-trail parts of the cave. Other efforts have been done with Lava Beds National Monument in northern California,{{Citation|last=Skeels|first=Matt|title=Lava Beds Trip|newspaper=Oregon Underground|date=Fall 2004|issue=11|pages=6–7}} western Idaho, and Nevada. Ken Siegrist, of the Grotto and former employee of the Bureau of Land Management, has worked to protect many caves, including those of eastern and southern Oregon. Members of the Grotto have also worked in conjunction with the Department of State Lands and received a participation award from State leaders for their volunteer work with the state.{{Citation|last=Deto|first=Ryan|title=Protected by Darkness|newspaper=Proma magazine|url=http://promamag.uoregon.edu/?p=323|access-date=2012-11-25|date=2010-11-18|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720095852/http://promamag.uoregon.edu/?p=323|archivedate=July 20, 2011}} Additionally, the Grotto along with land management agencies, has helped collect and discover millipedes, campodeans, arachnids, and the Taracus marchingtoni, some new to science. Neil Marchington has helped discover the Trogloraptor marchingtoni of southwest Oregon.{{Citation|last=York|first=Julie|title=Into the Dark, A Journey into the Caves of Central Oregon|newspaper=Cascades East|date=Fall 2008|pages=30–34}}{{Cite journal|last1=Griswold|first1=C.|last2=Audisio|first2=T.|last3=Ledford|first3=J.|title=An extraordinary new family of spiders from caves in the Pacific Northwest (Araneae, Trogloraptoridae, new family)|doi=10.3897/zookeys.215.3547|journal=ZooKeys|pages=77–102|year=2012|issue=215|pmid=22936872|pmc=3428790|bibcode=2012ZooK..215...77G |doi-access=free}}{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Aaron|title=A Father-Daughter Journey To The Center Of The Earth|website=Oregon Field Guide|date=December 30, 2019|url=https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-deschutes-county-cave-explorer-spiders-trogloraptor-marchington/|access-date=2020-01-01}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.ohdgrotto.com/ Oregon High Desert Grotto]
• [http://glaciercaveexplorers.org/the-team/ Glacier Cave Explorers]

Category:Deschutes County, Oregon

Category:Caving organizations in the United States

Category:Environmental organizations based in Oregon

Category:1989 establishments in Oregon