Welcome to the Paha Sapa Grotto!
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    • Jewel Cave Project
    • Wind Cave Project
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    • Request Access to Members Area
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    • Meeting Minutes
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  • BHCNC
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    • ORIENTATION TO CAVE RESCUE

Who Are We?

     
The Paha Sapa Grotto is an internal organization of the National Speleological Society located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and is dedicated to the study, conservation, and enjoyment of caves.

Browse this page below or our events or projects page to find out more about what 
specifically we are involved with.  

The Paha Sapa Grotto usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in Hill City , at the Chute Rooster.  Each meeting normally begins with a presentation about caves, caving, or geology, followed by the business meeting.  Current Grotto projects are discussed at the meeting.  We also offer caving trips once a month for beginners!

FEBRUARY: NO MEETING ON FEB 2
AUCTION HELD ON FEBRUARY 19

For our February Meeting, come check out the annual Grotto Auction held at Adam Weaver's house on February 19!  Details will go out by our e-mail list.  If you are not on the list and need the address, please use the contact form.
Zoom Link
There are many benefits to joining the Grotto: Access to the web site's member features, a subscription to our newsletter, The Carbide Flash, and entitlement to grotto activities, and cave trips.

At just $12 a year, it's a deal!
Already know you want to join?
CLICK HERE

What Do We Do?
(Besides go caving! For that, check our Cave Projects Page!)



 Signs and Registers 
The grotto has placed signs and registers in seven caves on the Black Hills National Forest, in order to monitor use levels, encourage visitors to protect cave resources, inform the public about the grotto, and assist the Forest Service with cave management. 

Forest Service Agreement 
The Paha Sapa Grotto has entered into an official agreement with the Black Hills National Forest.  Under the agreement, the grotto provides volunteer services and expertise to the Forest, and the Forest consults with the grotto on activities that could affect cave resources.  The grotto has provided cave management recommendations to the Forest, field-checked proposed quarry sites to ensure that cave resources are not affected, monitored cave visitation with registers (above), and surveyed numerous caves on Forest Service land.

Adopt-a-Highway: U.S. Highway 16
Through the SD-DOT Adopt-a-Highway program, the grotto has adopted a section of U.S. Highway 16 through Jewel Cave National Monument.   Our first roadside cleanup was held in May 2007.

Davenport Cave Gate 
This Forest Service cave has a gate designed to allow use by bats.  After the gate was breached by vandals in 2003, the grotto provided the design and skilled labor to repair and upgrade it.

Wind and Jewel Cave Restoration Camp  
Several grotto members have participated in the annual Wind / Jewel Restoration Camp, which is hosted by the National Park Service each year.  Volunteers have helped the parks to remove accumulations of lint and hair from cave tours, trail construction debris, and wax from old candle lanterns.

​Cave Managers and Owners 
The grotto has a long history of interactions with cave managers, including government agencies, private landowners, and operators of commercial caves. If you are an owner or operator of a local cave and would like to become involved with the Grotto, or would like to request grotto assistance/advice feel free to come to our next meeting!

History

The Paha Sapa Grotto was founded in 1966, and began as a student organization at the
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.  The first meeting was held at the school in September of 1966.


Paha Sapa Grotto Officers, Past and Present

2022 (Current):

Chairperson: Chris Pelczarski
Vice Chair: Marcy Dimond
Secretary: Sara Booth / Jessica Ketel
Treasurer: Adam Weaver
​Carbide Flash Chair: Ethan Oleson
New Member Committee Chair: Larry Shaffer

2021
Chairperson: Chris Pelczarski
Vice Chair: Adam Weaver
Secretary: Chris Sterling
Treasurer: Matt Mordfin
2020
Chairperson: Chris Pelczarski
Vice Chair: Adam Weaver
Secretary: Karl Emmanuel
Treasurer: Thang Nguyen
2019
Chairperson: Chris Pelczarski
Vice Chair: Adam Weaver
Secretary: Karl Emmanuel
Treasurer: Thang Nguyen
2018
Chairperson: Chris Pelczarski
Vice Chair: Adam Weaver
Secretary/Treasurer: Steve Curtis
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013

2011-12
Chairman-Dan Austin
Vice- Larry Shaffer
Sec/Treas-Lydia Austin
2010-11
Chairman-Dan Austin
Vice- Larry Shaffer
Sec/Treas- Sara Booth
2009
Chairman- Dan Austin
Vice- Mike Hanson
Sec/Treas- Sara Booth
2008
Chairman- Marc Ohms
Vice- Dan Austin
Sec/Treas- Sara Booth
2002-2007
Chairman- Marc Ohms
Vice- Mike Wiles
Sec/Treas- Rene Ohms
1999-2001
Chairman- Marc Ohms
Vice- Mike Wiles
Sec/Treas- Steve Baldwin
1998
Chairman- Marc Ohms
Vice- Stan Allison/ Myk Coughlin
Sec/Treas- Steve Baldwin
1996-1997
Chairman- Jim Pisarowicz
Vice- Marc Ohms
Sec/Treas- Steve Baldwin
1995
Chairman- Robert Preston
Vice- Dave Springhetti
Sec/Treas- Steve Baldwin
1994
Chairman- Rick Bogue
Vice- Myk Coughlin
Sec/Treas- Lottie Hufford
1993
Chairman- Dave Springhetti
Vice- Jan Harms
Sec/Treas- Lottie Hufford
1992
Chairman- Dave Springhetti
Vice- Jan Harms
Sec/Treas- Robert Preston
1991
Chairman- Rick Bogue
Vice- Dave Springhetti
Secretary- Mike Hanson
Treasurer- David Anderson
1990
Chairman- Mike Hanson
Vice-  Unknown
Sec/Treas- Lin Stanton
1989
Chairman-  Unknown
Vice- Unknown
Sec/Treas- Unknown
1987-1988
Chairman- Dave Springhetti
Vice- Ken Anderson
Sec/Treas- Mike Hanson
1985-1986
Chairman- Dave Springhetti
Vice- Walt Kaminski
Sec/Treas- Tom Barket
1984
Chairman- Unknown
Vice- Unknown
Sec/Treas- Unknown
1983
Chairman- Mike Pagel
Vice- Al Paulson
Secretary- Glen Alexander
Treasurer- John Groehn
1982
Chairman- Mike Pagel
Vice- Vern Novstrup
Secretary- Sheryl Charter
Treasurer- Eric Waage/ Mike Wiles
1981
Chairman- Mike Wiles
Vice- Vern Novstrup
Secretary- Sheryl Charter
Treasurer- Eric Waage
1980
Chairman- Mike Wiles
Vice- Gary Schilberg
Sec/Treas- Bert Weimer
1979
Chairman- Al Tigeler
Vice- Mike Wiles
Secretary- Doug Johnson
Treasurer- Ray Peterson
1978
Chairman- Al Tigeler
Vice- Monte Hieb
Secretary- Elaine Bonawitz
Treasurer- Jeff Farney
1977
Chairman- Paul Graves
Vice- Loren Johnson
Secretary- Cyd Durrett
Treasurer- Joe Schwartz
1976
Chairman- Paul Graves
Vice- Karl Martin
Secretary- Dick Kemnitz
Treasurer- Marvin Zaske
1975
Chairman- Bruce Zerr
Vice- Mark Grahek
Secretary- Jacky Ruter
Treasurer- Marvin Zanske
1974
Chairman- Mark Stock
Vice- Bruce Zerr
Sec/Treas- Unknown
1973
Chairman- Bruce Zerr
Vice- Mark Stock
Sec/Treas- Dave Hichcock
1971-1972
Chairman- Unknown
Vice- Unknown
Sec/Treas- Unknown
1970
Chairman- Larry Lockwood
Vice- Chuck Kliche
Sec/Treas- Doug Lykken
1969
Chairman- Dennis Bryan
Vice- Larry Lockwood
Sec/Treas- Ron Albertson
1968
Chairman- Dennis Bryan
Vice- Lin Seder
Sec/Treas- Doug Lykken
1967
Chairman- Dennis Bryan
Vice- Thomas Kiesling
Sec/Treas- Brian Tucholke
1966
Chairman- Unknown
Vice- Unknown
Sec/Treas- Unknown ​
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Merchandise
  • Caving Gear
    • Reserve Loaner Gear
  • Events
  • Meetings
  • Karst
  • Projects
    • North Cave
    • Jewel Cave Project
    • Wind Cave Project
    • Reeds Cave Project
    • Hideaway Mine
  • Contact Us
  • Members Only
    • Request Access to Members Area
    • Pro Deals and discounts
    • Meeting Minutes
    • Carbide Flash Archive
    • Grotto Meeting Recordings
  • BHCNC
  • COURSES
    • ORIENTATION TO CAVE RESCUE