Caves of the Eastern Sun, Nevada

The Caves of the Eastern Sun are a new grouping of small caves and shelters found in the desert Southwest. I wouldn't have even given these features a name if it wasn't for the last shelter found in this grouping. The last shelter was highly decorated — quite possibly one of the most decorated shelters I have found. It never left the light zone but for cave documenting purposes, it is notable.

The ascent was quite steep — one of the more rugged approaches in the Southwest. We gained around 2,500 feet of elevation in under two miles, traversing steep sloping spurs with heavy packs. One lead was on a thrust fault with a grouping of holes and every indication there should have been a cave beyond the light zone, but none were found. The last shelter had one room completely covered in formations — everything a cave could be without actual darkness. The effort is not worth the squeeze to visit these caves, but the documentation is significant.