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Welcome to the Grotto

The Underground Texas Grotto (UTG) is an Austin-based non-profit that explores caves in Central Texas and beyond, keeping alive traditions from 1951. We are the oldest caving organization in Texas and have served as the nexus for cave exploration all over Texas and Mexico for more than fifty years. Members range from total beginners to international expedition cavers. Any central Texan interested in caves is welcome. Learn about our meetings below.

  • Minutes of the Meeting of the Underground Texas Grotto

    Wednesday January 21, 2026
    (Trip Report Meeting)

    Location: Austin Public Library, Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Drive, Austin, TX 78723

    Officers in Attendance:   Enzo Monfre (President), London Darce (Vice President), Holly Klein (Treasurer), Aaron de la Garza (Secretary), Joel Haus (Webmaster)

    Presiding officer Enzo Monfre called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 pm.

    Official Announcements

    • UTG membership dues ($10 for existing members, $2 for new members) are due.  Dues may be paid online via a link at the UTG Website, www.utgrotto.org or by contacting treasurer Holly Klein.
    • Officer elections will be held during the February 18, 2026 UTG meeting.  Interested members should contact one of the current officers.
    • 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the UTG.  A party will be planned to celebrate this occasion.  Potential sites were discussed, and members were asked to assist Grotto officers with planning.

    Unofficial Announcements

    • A rope night will be held on Thursday January 22, 2026 at 6:30pm at the Thicket of Moderate Discontent.  Contact Joel Haus for location.
    • Volunteers are needed to assist with the planning and implementation of the 2027 NSS Convention, which will be held in Del Rio, Texas. 
    • Eléonore Le Corvaisier noted that the Texas Speleological Association’s Spring Convention will be held at Cave Without a Name (Kendall County, Texas) from April 17-19, 2026.  Eléonore discussed plans to visit Cricket Cave prior to the convention to scout it out for a potential bolting course and to assess a nearby lead; she sought volunteers for these visits.
    • Eléonore Le Corvaisier noted that the Texas Speleological Association’s winter meeting will be held on Saturday February 14, 2026 during the dig planned for that weekend. [Location of dig is near Kyle, Texas.  Specific location omitted from public minutes – contact Eleonore or a Grotto officer for details]

    Upcoming Trips

    • There will be a Tuesday Night Dig at Lost Oasis on January 27, 2026 starting at 6:30 pm.  Contact dig leader Drew Thompson for details.
    • Enzo Monfre noted that the dig near Kyle, Texas on the weekend of February 14, 2026.  Members should contact dig leader Drew Thompson to join or for more information.  There is likely space for additional diggers, but some prior digging experience is required.
    • Ethan Perrine is leading a dig trip near Hondo, Texas on the weekend of February 7, 2026, and dig trip to Real County the weekend of February 21, 2026.  Ethan also mentioned that he was planning dig projects in Kendall and Menard counties.  Members should contact Ethan to join or for more information.
    • Aaron de la Garza noted that the next Colorado Bend project weekend will be on the weekend of February 14, 2026.  Members interested in attending should contact project leaders Tony or Melissa via  cbsp.tsa@gmail.com.
    • Holly Klein gave a reminder of the regular Whirlpool beginner trips organized by Liz Frank.  To join or for more info, email whirlpoolcavetrips@gmail.com.  
    • Joel Haus would like to set up a trip to 0-9 Well in April or May.  He would like two or three members with 0-9 Well experience to join but intends that the remaining attendees be members who have not previously visited 0-9 Well.

    Trip Reports

    • Terry Raines presented on his trip to South America with Gill Ediger and shared his memories of Gill.
    • Aaron de la Garza presented on the September 2025 re-opening of Robber Baron Cave in San Antonio, and on his January 17th Honey Creek Cave trip.
    • Walt presented on palindromes, and noted that the longest palindrome of which he was aware was cave-related.
    • Eric Jorgenson presented on his visit to a salt cave near Carlsbad, New Mexico.
    • Bryce Smith gave a presentation concerning his last trip to Mexico with Gill Ediger and shared his memories of Gill.

    London Darce announced that the after-meeting meetup location would be the Mueller location of Torchy’s Tacos.  The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:45 pm. 

    Next Meeting: 

    The UTG’s next meeting is at 6:30 pm on February 4th at a location to be announced. 

Calendar

Meetings

Photo of a UTG Meeting

We meet twice monthly on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. The first meeting of the month is a formal meeting. Details are available on our email list, calendar, and Facebook page. Formal meetings feature presentations by guest speakers, trip reports of recent caving, announcements about upcoming trips and practices, and a chance to mingle afterward. Third-Wednesday meetings are more informal and include a series of short presentations on recent caving trips. Both meetings are held in-person at a rotation of venues.