Holes in the Rock Cave is a newly discovered Nevada cave — a lava tube system with interesting interconnected passages located during a ridgewalking survey of the region. Like many Nevada cave discoveries, the location remains undisclosed for protection and conservation. If you are interested in Nevada cave exploration, reach out to your local NSS grotto or the Nevada Cave Survey to get involved responsibly.

Cova de Sa Gleda is one of the most significant anchialine cave systems in the world — at certain points holding the record for the longest surveyed anchialine cave. The system has massive submerged halls, dramatic halocline stratification between freshwater and saltwater, and formations of extraordinary delicacy. A cave diving destination for highly experienced technical divers only. Full cave training, proper configuration, and extensive zero-visibility navigation experienc

The Huautla cave system in Oaxaca, Mexico is one of the world's deepest cave systems — a legendary destination for vertical cavers worldwide. Cueva de la Pena Colorada is a key entrance requiring technical rope work, underground camping, and serious commitment. This was a return visit to continue exploration and documentation of the system. The experiences inside are unlike anything above ground — underground rivers, massive passages, and a constant reminder of how little of

After Dark Shadow canyon we head up Fall Canyon and march to the sneak route that takes us back up to the ridge and over to Crater of Doom Canyon. The crew was a little tired but everyone stuck it out — a great decision as the sun was casting golden hour light into the canyon. The sneak route is a 1,000ft hill of loose rock, scree, and broken slab limestone. Once we gained the summit, the sun was starting to set over the range across the basin so our time was limited to build

Davidson Peak is a summit in Nevada's Mormon Mountain Range — a remote desert summit reached as part of ongoing ridgewalking and cave discovery efforts. The Mormon Range has proven to have significant cave potential and Davidson Peak provided both a summit and excellent ridgeline access for cave prospecting. Summit views are expansive — the typical Nevada Basin and Range perspective stretching 60-80 miles in all directions. The Mormon Mountain area continues to be a productiv

Cova des Pas de Vallgornera is the longest cave in Spain and one of the most scientifically significant caves in Europe. The cave has both dry and underwater sections with extraordinary speleothem formations formed through hypogenic origins and anchialine conditions. The cave has drawn significant scientific attention for its unique mineralogy and rare formations. Strictly protected and accessed only with proper permits — an irreplaceable geological treasure requiring absolut

Death Valley National Park continues to hold my interest after nearly 7 years of visiting. Every year a gathering of canyoneers meets up to check out some of Death Valley's finest. Our group of 9 — Justin Pugh, Brie Aseltine, Eileen Beall, Yannick Chaigneau, Brian Shin, Jessica Leila, Nick Kowalczyk, Fredrick Farnstrom, and myself — headed out at around 8AM and followed the ridge up to the plain that leads to Dark Shadow Canyon. Dark Shadow had around 10 raps all under 200ft

Cova de Mitjana is a Mallorca sea cave with beautiful formations and ocean water entering from a submerged passage. A short 20ft rappel gets you into two rooms of remarkable beauty — stalactites, flowstone, and formations shaped by the interplay of fresh and salt water over thousands of years. This was the last cave visited on the Mallorca Spain trip — smaller than some others in the region but very interesting in its own right. A beautiful short cave worth visiting if you ar

Mallorca, Spain is home to some of Europe's most spectacular cave diving — anchialine blue hole systems, sea caves with dramatic halocline layers where freshwater and saltwater meet, and cave formations of remarkable beauty. The Balearic island geology creates a unique karst landscape with cave systems accessible from the sea and inland. The diving combines Mediterranean visibility with the technical challenge of cave navigation. Some of the sea caves have remarkable formatio

Deep Chasm Canyon is one of the premier technical canyons in Death Valley's Fall Canyon range. The canyon's dramatic chasm-like corridor walls make it immediately distinct from its neighbors. The main drop is over 200ft into this dramatic setting. Deep Chasm ranks just behind Crater of Doom in the Fall Canyon priority list — both can be combined in a full technical day from the Fall Canyon trailhead. Refer to ropewiki.com for current beta and rope lengths.

Cerberus Canyon in Death Valley's Black Range lives up to its name — a demanding multi-fork canyon with dramatic rappels and the sweeping Badwater Basin views that define this premier winter canyoneering destination. Best visited November through March. Cerberus, Charon, and Deimos make an exceptional trio for a multi-day Death Valley technical trip. Refer to ropewiki.com for current beta.

Fossil Snail Canyon is a Death Valley technical canyon in the Grapevine Mountains named for the fossil snails visible in the canyon walls — a remarkable geological feature. The canyon has a dramatic amphitheater character with interesting technical sections and expansive Death Valley views. Best combined with nearby Crater of Doom and Dark Shadow canyons for a full technical day in the Fall Canyon area. Refer to ropewiki.com for current beta and anchor conditions before visit

Day 2 in our Death Valley gathering, we head over to one of the great Death Valley classic routes on the Black Range — Deimos Canyon. Eight of us headed over to the parking spot. Yannick was on the first descent with Scott Swaney when they discovered this canyon back in 2009. We drop into the canyon and start to descend into the red corridors — a beautiful fiery red color with narrow and deep walls. Over 20 raps up to 125ft in length. Some casts over the edge into a fiery inf

North Canyon is one of the classic Grand Canyon technical canyons — accessed by packrafting across the Colorado River. The redwall narrows are stunning and the canyon delivers the full Grand Canyon experience with technical rappels and big views. The Colorado River camp at the beach was a highlight — falling asleep to the sound of rapids and waking to canyon walls in morning light. North Canyon is a benchmark Grand Canyon canyoneering experience. Research independently and co

Hidden Falls Canyon is a 3AII technical canyon in Nevada with a beautiful waterfall hidden in the desert — one of those finds that reminds you why desert exploration rewards persistence. Short canyon but delivers a stunning payoff. Location remains undisclosed for conservation purposes. Always research canyon beta from ropewiki.com before visiting any technical canyon.

Checkerboard Canyon is one of Zion's most exotic canyons — remoteness, time commitment, and geologic VARIETY define this route. Three distinct segments each with a unique personality. Well protected by a 4-mile Dakota Ridge bushwhack approach to the first rap. Group: Clint Poole, Andy Orr, Heather Sabatello, Paige Gilmore, James Edwards. First drop ~180ft near-sheer wall. Following 11 drops short with awkward starts. A varnished sandstone cliff dominates mid-canyon. First nar

Great Basin National Park was one of the most surprisingly beautiful parks I've visited in a long time. 5 hours from Las Vegas — worth every mile. Campground sits at 10,500ft — be prepared for weather change and altitude. Blue hour start through birch forest into prairie fields with flowers and aspen pines. Stopped at Stella Lake for a beautiful alpine morning before heading up to Wheeler Peak. Snow consolidated at the top — easy to navigate. Rock shelters offered wind breaks

With many trees in this forest still standing before the era of Christ — some still alive — the Bristlecone Pine Forest of Great Basin National Park is one of the most unique living places on Earth. Bristlecone pines grow at 9,800–11,000ft in harsh environments that stunt their growth. High winds and cold conditions cause the wood to become incredibly hard, protecting the trees from rot and insects. Some have been documented living up to just over 5,000 years old. After our W

Antenna Canyon is a State Line canyon located just southwest of Las Vegas. There are four canyons in the area — Antenna provides rapid fire raps with a dramatic last rappel of around 200ft. The canyon reminded me of Desperado Canyon and was interesting to see how it narrowed in sections. I'd rate it roughly equal to Desperado with Desperado having more narrow corridors. The approach gains 1,200-1,400ft of elevation — not bad but you feel it. Anchors were in decent shape but a

Getting over the edge I started to smell the fresh scent of aquatic life, the mineralized water, and the sound of falling water sparkling into the sunlight. I look further back and see an opening with a series of green drops pointing toward the milky blue Little Colorado River. The canyon was filled with life and color in a place so barren and potentially fatal to most forms of life. Spring water flows year round from the lower portion of Big Canyon — shedding water for over