 Some members of the Grotto circa 2011 | |
| Abbreviation | OHDG |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1989 |
| Purpose | Cave exploration and protection |
| Location | |
Main organ | Oregon Underground |
Parent organization | National Speleological Society |
| Website | Oregon High Desert Grotto |
TheOregon High Desert Grotto (orOHDG) is an Americancaving club, known as aGrotto. It is affiliated with theNational Speleological Society.
OHDG is involved with caving and conservation efforts in centralOregon and beyond, including theOregon Caves National Monument,[1] theLava Beds National Monument in northernCalifornia,[2] and caves in westernIdaho and southernWashington. Members of the Grotto have worked with theDepartment of State Lands and received a participation award from state leaders for their volunteer work.[3][4][5] In 2013, the Grotto was recognized byRegion 6 of theUnited States Forest Service for various volunteer hours working withcaves andbats. They received the R6 Volunteers and Service and Program Award.[6]
The Oregon High Desert Grotto was first created in 1989 by Dan Best.[7] It lasted only a year before complications terminated the Grotto.[8] 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.[9] The new officers were Jeff Sims, Chair, Ric Carlson, Vice Chair, Ryan Shuler, Secretary and Treasurer, Sarah Nichols.[9] By 1997, the Grotto had over 30 members, a newsletter publication, and a growing knowledge of caves in the Central Oregon area and beyond.[8] As of 2012, the OHDG continues to find new caves. Grotto member Matt Skeels has found over 100 new caves.[10][11] Today, the Grotto is actively involved with caving in most ofOregon and the adjacent states.[12][13][14][15][16]
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.[17]
While members of the Oregon High Desert Grotto have explored caves all over the westernUnited States, the group’s focus is onCentral Oregon. Most of the known caves in Central Oregon are inDeschutes County, the group's home area. The Oregon High Desert Grotto has identified 813 caves in Deschutes County, 660 of these arelava 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 arerift or fissure caves, some up to 150 feet (46 m) deep. There are also a number of rock shelters, large rock overhangs created by water or winderosion. These caves occur throughout Central Oregon, usually in rim rock areas. Finally, there are a fewtalus caves. Talus caves are found in cracks and open spaces between boulders along faults and in rock fall areas.[17]
and mapping of the glacier-fumarole cave system at the summit ofMount Rainier inWashington.[18] 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.[17][19]
Members of the Oregon High Desert Grotto are always careful to protect wildlife. During the winter, grotto members avoid caves withhibernating 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.[19][20]
Over the last few years, the Grotto has been involved in the study and mapping of theSandy Glacier Caves onMount Hood in Oregon.[21][22][23] Their efforts were recorded byOregon Field Guide in 2013 and aired onOPB in October of that year.[24]
The Grotto was also involved in the exploration.
The OHDG is an avid participant inconserving andrestoring caves since many of the caves have been damaged from increased recreational activities, includingrock climbing.[25][26][27] The Grotto often partners with theUnited States Forest Service (USFS) to help manage the caves of theDeschutes National Forest.[12][28][29] Cooperation with private owners of caves has also been done.[30] OnNational Public Lands Day in September 2000, the Grotto participated in the gating of Stookey Ranch Cave.[31] 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."[32][33][34] In late 2010, missinglavacicles from Lavacicle Cave were reacquired by Grotto member Eddy Cartaya while working for the USFS.[35][36] The lavacicles will be used as educational tools at Lava Lands Visitor Center.[37]
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.[1] Other efforts have been done with Lava Beds National Monument in northern California,[38] western Idaho, and Nevada.[13][14][15][16] Ken Siegrist, of the Grotto and former employee of theBureau of Land Management, has worked to protect many caves, including those of eastern and southern Oregon.[12] Members of the Grotto have also worked in conjunction with theDepartment of State Lands and received a participation award from State leaders for their volunteer work with the state.[3][39] Additionally, the Grotto along with land management agencies, has helped collect and discovermillipedes,campodeans,arachnids, and theTaracus marchingtoni, some new to science. Neil Marchington has helped discover theTrogloraptor marchingtoni of southwest Oregon.[10][40][41][42]
'It's my ... pleasure to present the 2008 partnership to the Oregon High Desert Grotto for their exceptional work at the Stevens Road property event.'