36. Caverns and Caving in Virginia's Karst Regions with Dave Socky, Blue Ridge Grotto

Virginia Outdoor Adventures

“Caves are otherworldly. You have the experience of exploration where you don't know what's around the next corner. One of the prime draws to caving is that you get to explore places that nobody's ever been before.” – Dave Socky, Blue Ridge Grotto
Imagine a hidden, underground world of stunning geologic wonders that few others have experienced before. Stalagmites and stalactites, streams and waterfalls, and beautiful stone and crystal formations are beneath our feet. Dave Socky, an experienced caver with the Blue Ridge Grotto, describes the otherworldly experience of caving, safety precautions to take in the subterranean landscape, important conservation considerations, and how to appropriately gain access to some of Virginia’s 4,000 wild caves. Dave also shares an incredible recent discovery of an ice age-era Cheetah skeleton from a cave in Southwest Virginia. Let’s Go!
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Mentioned in this Episode:
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Find Your Local Caving Community

Guide to Responsible Caving

The Virginia Cave and Karst Trail

Virginia Natural Heritage Karst Program

Ten Questions About Caves and the Virginia Cave Board

Cave Conservancy of the Virginias

Recovery of Petra – Video by Dave Socky

Caving team discovers, retrieves rare ice age-era cat skeleton from Southwest Virginia cave, Cardinal News

Petra - Virginia Museum of Natural History

Commercial Caverns in Virginia

Butler Cave Conservation Society

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