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Hello from Kansas

PostPosted: Jul 16, 2014 9:57 pm
by jhoski
I'm sort of a newbie having to travel to Alabaster Caverns in Oklahoma for any public caves, hoping for more opportunities to come to light in my home state.

Re: Hello from Kansas

PostPosted: Jul 17, 2014 4:44 am
by Squirrel Girl
Welcome to CaveChat! :waving:

For "show" caves, here's a link to caves in the midwest:
http://cavern.com/Directory/default.asp?r=midwest

For "wild" caving, here's a link to local chapters (called "grottos") of the NSS:
http://www.nssio.org/find_grotto_overview.cfm?state=KS

They'll be your best resource.

Re: Hello from Kansas

PostPosted: Jul 17, 2014 10:00 am
by jhoski
I have emailed the Kansas grotto two times, once a month ago and another a week ago and have not received a reply.

Re: Hello from Kansas

PostPosted: Jul 17, 2014 4:00 pm
by GroundquestMSA
Howdy!
I first posted to Cavechat in frustration a few years back after emails and phone calls to various cavers from five grottos were entirely ignored. I mistakenly assumed the worst, that "cavers" were too elite to do anything for someone new. That's not the case, but a little patience may be needed. A few tips from my own experience:

Be aware that many grotto websites are poorly-maintained relics of a pre-facebook age. Contact links may lead to dead addresses etc. The more honest information you give about yourself, your location, and your experience, the better. Attempts to impress the holders of spelean knowledge with exaggerations and proclamations of noble intent don't help. Don't give up. Put out a ton of emails, and augment persistent nagging with your own hard work; searching for caves through impersonal online means and physical ridgewalking.

What county are you in? From the scant resources I have at hand, I know that caves exist in Bourbon, Butler, Barber, Cowley, Mongomery, and Woodson Counties. I have no details, but I will PM a couple of email addresses for Kansas cavers.

Have fun!

Re: Hello from Kansas

PostPosted: Jul 17, 2014 4:59 pm
by jhoski
I live in Reno county, thanks for the info!