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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.

  • UTG Meeting Minutes — April 15, 2026

    Location: UT Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Room 104.

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

    Presiding officer Enzo Monfre called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm

    Official Announcements

    • Enzo Monfre announced that there would be a poll of membership at the end of the meeting concerning potential affiliation with the Better MoPac Coalition. London Darce spoke about the potential affiliation, which is supported by UTG’s officers.
    • Enzo expressed UTG’s appreciation to the meeting’s hosts, the UT Brackenridge Field Laboratory, a sentiment strongly echoed by the ~70 members in attendance.

    Unofficial Announcements

    • Stricklandia’s 50th Anniversary Party will be on May 2nd. All cavers are invited.
    • The Texas Speleological Association’s spring convention is this weekend, April 18-19 at Cave Without a Name. Registration Link. Eléonore Le Corvaisier gave a preview of the event, noted that all workshops are full excepting the cave speleothem repair workshop, and requested that attendees bring drinking water and help clean up on Sunday. Dane Smith asked that attendees bring utensils and bowls. Jim Kennedy spoke about the TCMA auction and the need to bring cash for the action and other vendors.
    • The Texas Cave Management Association will meet at the TSS Spring Convention on Saturday, April 18 at 11am.
    • Jim Kennedy and Peter Sprouse have copies of the latest Association for Mexican Cave Studies publication for sale.
    • Jim Kennedy has various cave stickers for sale. Patty Calabrese has NSS stickers for sale.
    • Drew Thompson encouraged members to attend the 2026 NSS Indiana convention. Joel Haus is heading the 2026 convention’s art salon. Contact Joel if you are interested in submitting artwork to the salon.
    • Jim Kennedy reminded members that the 2027 NSS convention will be in Del Rio, Texas in early June 2027, and noted that volunteer positions are still available. Jim encouraged all volunteers to attend the 2026 NSS convention.
    • Jim Kennedy noted that the attendance at this meeting was the highest in recent years.

    Upcoming Trips

    • There will be a Tuesday Night Dig at Whirlpool at 6:30pm on April 21st. Contact Liz Frank if interested.
    • The beginner trip to Whirlpool on April 22nd still has openings. Contact Liz Frank if interested.
    • Eléonore Le Corvaisier and Joel Haus will host a vertical training night at the Thicket of Moderate Discontent at 6:30pm on Thursday April 23, 2026
    • Patty Calabrese announced that the final Honey Creek trip of the year will occur on the last weekend in May. The UTG-designated spots are full but there may be openings available in other grottos’ allotments.

    New Attendees

    There were many new persons in attendance. Several of these persons were affiliated with the Travis County Master Naturalist program and had been invited by Eléonore Le Corvaisier. Other new people included persons affiliated with UT Brackenridge field laboratory and someone interested in Airman’s Cave.

    Formal Presentation

    Dr. George Veni gave an excellent and engaging presentation entitled “How Geology Creates Endangered Cave Species and Controls Where They Live” and then answered numerous member questions.

    Following the presentation, Enzo Monfre displayed a link to a poll concerning UTG’s potential affiliation with the Better MoPac Coalition.

    The meeting concluded at approximately 9:10pm.  Pizza was served in the hallway outside of Room 104. There was then an after-meeting social gathering at a local nearby brewery.

    The UTG’s next meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on May 6, 2026 in room 104 of the UT Brackenridge Field Laboratory.

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.