Location: Southern ID
Strenuous. ~5 miles daily on rugged, volcanic terrain
Front country: primitive tent camping
This project would continue a systematic approach to gridding pre-determined areas to find & document potential caves for further exploration and study.
Service Project Details
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Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (CRMO) is home to thousands of caves. Many of these caves contain important resources which are currently unknown to CRMO staff (water sources, cultural resources, unique geology, endemic invertebrates, and important habitat for bats (hibernation sites, maternity colonies, and day roosts). However, only a fraction of CRMO has ever been systematically searched for caves. Nearly all currently known caves (669) have been found by chance. This project would continue efforts started in 2025 in which the Wilderness Volunteers found 98 caves by systematically gridding twenty-six 10-acre cells. No actual caving is required beyond entering the light zone of any opening to gather information. Volunteers will use iPads and Survey123 to enter all cave information. All cave gear will be provided for those willing to enter caves. Cave finds will be prioritized for future exploration by biologists, cave cartographers and potentially cultural resource specialists. This project will mimic efforts in 2025 but will expand the scope of the project by traveling to sites on the lava edge/s and semi-primitive/car-camping in order to access areas in the backcountry/ wilderness of CRMO far away from the developed area.
Project Leaders: Zoe Purtzer and Linda Zarzana
Check out the photos from previous projects in our photo gallery.
Agency Website
Itinerary:
Sunday, September 13th. The Volunteer group meets at midday at a time/place TBD. The group will go through check-in, introductions, orientation, and will help set up camp in preparation for the work week ahead.
Monday, September 14th. Workday.
Tuesday, September 15th. Workday.
Wednesday, September 16th. Day off.
Thursday, September 17th. Workday.
Friday, September 18th. Workday.
Saturday, September 19th. Break down camp, good-byes, depart.
Nearest Cities
Carey, ID
Arco, ID
Nearest Airports
Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF) – ~96 miles
Boise International Airport (BOI) – ~167 miles
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – ~195 miles
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – ~287 miles
Free Time Details
Viewing wildlife, exploring, hiking, photography, relaxing, etc.
Accommodations
Front country: primitive tent/car camping
Difficulty
Strenuous. ~5 miles daily on volcanic terrain
Task Details
Hiking, walking, uneven terrain, volcanic terrain, bending, crouching, kneeling, etc.
Equipment List
View Equipment List