This course is an intensive study of the exploration of Mammoth Cave.  It is intended to introduce and deepen students understanding of the history of cave exploration at Mammoth Cave.  The course topics will focus on the exploration of the world’s longest cave system through different periods, and will mainly be covered in chronological order.  Lectures will focus on individuals and groups to provide insight into the effort and collaboration that has taken place while establishing the known extents of the cave system.  A background of Mammoth Cave’s geologic history will be provided before focusing on the human history of the cave: with a special emphasis given to different periods of exploration, the explorers, their discoveries, their motivations, the cultural impacts of their exploration, and current/future exploration endeavors.  The importance of mapping and science as tools to aid future exploration will also be discussed.  Illustrated lectures, maps, photographs, and first-hand accounts of discovery will be used to promote understanding of content prior to daily field trips.  Content will be covered in both a classroom setting and in the field.  Classes will begin and conclude daily at the Cave Research Foundation’s Hamilton Valley Research Station.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Participants must be in good physical condition. The daily field trips will require extensive travel both on the surface and underground within Mammoth Cave National Park.  Each day will consist of multiple miles covered via a combination of walking and crawling.  The underground trips will mainly require strenuous travel in completely undeveloped passages that might have extended periods of crawling.  Some portions of trips will follow old tourist trails that have not been maintained in decades.  Some trips may require short climbs, but no rappelling or vertical caving will take place during this course.  Possible field trips have the potential to last up to 8 hours on any given day of the course.  Several trips will require eating lunch in the cave.  Participants should be prepared for physically strenuous trips.  In addition to the cave environment, participants should also be prepared for hiking through the woods which could expose them to hot/humid weather, ticks, and venomous snakes.

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