Southern California Grotto
is proud to present
Western Regional
in
Tecopa, California
October 23-25 2026
::
Western Regional is an annual gathering of western grottos in the United States. Cavers come together to explore new caves, generate and maintain friendships, and meet to help the organization grow.
Join us and experience Death Valley underground!
Presentation Schedule
Friday
8:00 pm
California Cave Survey Meeting
CCS Board
In-Person & Online
CCS Board meeting
Saturday
9:00 am
Western Cave Conservancy Update
Steven Johnson
Steven Johnson gives an update about the conservancy.
9:30am
New Discoveries in the Carrizo Badlands
Fredrik Farnstrom
Exploration of a little visited desert area has resulted in the discovery of a number of mud caves in the last few years, including the longest mud cave discovered in California to date. The presentation includes an overview of the area and the history of the exploration project, some results so far, and how you can join us for new cave discoveries just hours away from the cities of Southern California.
10:00am
Nevada Cave Survey
Randy Paylor
..
10:20am
Introducing the Monte Neva Initiative
Matt Bowers
Monte Neva hot springs in eastern Nevada offers a rare opportunity to study hypogenic cave development and geothermal systems in action, while providing a valuable environment for research, STEM education, and public outreach on green energy.
The Monte Neva Initiative is a public-private partnership established to explore the feasibility of building a premier field laboratory for interdisciplinary geothermal, environmental, and hypogenic speleological research at Monte Neva Hot Springs.
10:40am
California Cave Survey Update
Joel Despain
In-Person & Online
In the last year the California Cave Survey made progress in many areas. Our web page is up and getting great reviews. We have made key decisions on managing our cave data, and have started entering data to develop these databases. We have been working on developing our membership program and will have our first election for officers this fall. Check out our presentation to see the details of what we have been up to.
11:10am
Harness Hang Syndrome
Dr Roger Mortimer
We have known for a while that prolonged suspension on rope can be harmful. Active work on rope is safe but passive hanging after an accident is not. Misinformation has circulated on the proper treatment of persons hanging on rope. Anyone taken down off rope should be laid down like any other casualty. Roger Mortimer will talk about the history of suspension syndrome and discuss recently published international guidelines for its management.
6:00pm
Dinner
..
7:00pm
Western Region Business Meeting
Boof Truchan
The yearly business meeting. Each grotto should send an officer to two to give a small update with their large accomplishments and missions.
8:00pm
Western Region Benefit Auction
Please donate your cast-off gear and cave-related clothing to benefit the Western Region!
Sunday
8:00 am
WCC Benefit Breakfast
..
9:00 am
North Cascade Caving
Erik Jorganson
A look at caving in the Cascades
9:20am
Northern California Caving
Michael Stark
The Cave Research Foundation Klamath Mountains Project shares its 2026 season, from backpack-in trips to Scorpion Cave to the first-ever mapping of Ringtail Cave. Expect lots of photos, new survey, and a look at what’s next.
9:40am
Marble Mountains Caving, Past and Present
Mark Fritzke
Mark Fritzke will talk about his 51 years and over 250 trips to explore caves in the Marble Mountains of northern California, which now contain over 34 miles of passage, including Bigfoot Cave, the longest alpine cave system in the Western Hemisphere.
10:20am
A Caving Documentary
Michael Stark
The “Shared Passage” teaser offers a first look at a multi-year documentary about how Northern California’s cavers pass on what they know. Featuring interviews and underground footage, it’s a sneak peek at the story and the people behind it.
10:40am
Western Regional 2027
Steve Hobson
A first look at next year’s regional!
Event Overview
Held Friday through Sunday, the event is structured around a series of adventures, presentations, and an annual meeting on Saturday evening. This years’ event showcases a bizarre variety of cave types, fabulous abandoned mines, and geothermal hot springs. The Tecopa area is steeped in Death Valley history and the National Park isn’t far by vehicle if you’d like to extend your trip.
Amenities
| Tent Camping Spots | Provided |
| Car Camping | Provided |
| RV Hookups | Available |
| Trips | Friday PM through Sunday AM |
| Hot Springs | Yep |
| Giant mines | Yep |
| Bizarre Caves | Yep |
Weekend Events
- Region Fundraiser Auction
- Presentations
- Business meeting
- Cave and Mine Adventures
Tecopa History
Tecopa started life as a stop along the old Spanish trail centered around a set of natural mineral hot springs. The site has recorded use by Europeans as early as the late 1700s and evidence of native use much earlier. By the 1850s the town had grown into an important waypoint on the southern branch of the California trail before having its own silver strike in the 1870s.
The town supported several major silver, lead, and later, talc mines for over a century leaving behind some of the largest, most impressive and varied mine works accessible anywhere in the western United states.
Stuff to do in and around Tecopa
