The Discovery and Exploration of Fiddler on the Roof Cave, Nevada

Following weaknesses in stone — cracks, faults, and joints — is the basis of most caving, canyoneering, and climbing. Usually we are going down when caving, but not this time. This cave went up! We had to aid climb our way into the entrance. Greg led the first pitch and I led the second up to a platform. The cave kept going up and to the right, appearing to be another room.

It turned out to be a dome room, so we headed back and Greg found another lead heading further up — he found himself in yet another dome room. The cave is now over 200 feet of passage and 160 feet high! Could this be the highest in-cave aid climb in Nevada? We named it Fiddler on the Roof since we were fiddling around just under the roof of the ridge. A survey team will need to return to get the map completed. I recommend this cave if you want to practice aid climbing and climb into a cave.