Go Caving

Caving in a fantastic way to find new friends, acquire new skills, and experience one of the final frontiers of exploration. However it should be done so with respect and care to avoid damaging caves and people. The MSS, like all other grottos of the NSS, does not publish cave locations online. The best way to get underground is to join us and come on grotto trips! 

The NSS Guide to Responsible Caving is an excellent resource for preparing for your first cave trip, or as a refresher for your 100th. Here are a couple of other tips for Minnesota caving specifically:

• Caves in Minnesota are about 48°F year-round, which is cold enough to cause hypothermia if you are under-dressed and moving slowly. Most cavers in this area wear a synthetic or wool base layer and a one-piece outer layer such as a set of mechanic's coveralls or dedicated cave suit, or a set of sturdy work pants and long-sleeve top. A good set of gloves will also go a long way to keeping your hands warm. What to wear will vary slightly from trip to trip, so when in doubt, ask the trip leader what they recommend.

• Minnesota is a White Nose Syndrome (WNS) positive state, which has caused significant decline in our bat population. Before and after entering Minnesota caves, you should wash and decontaminate your gear to minimize the chance of carrying the virus from one population of bats to another. This is especially true if you cave in multiple states or in a wide area. You can read about WNS decontamination best practices here.