Ely experiences a semi-arid climate and consistently remains much cooler than southern Nevada. Our symposium dates in October should deliver a very pleasant surface temperature... but it's always wise to be prepared for anything!
The Western Climate Center reports that average October temperatures are a maximum of 65°F and a minimum of 28°F.
Mostly clear, with a low around 18. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunny. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 47 in the afternoon. West wind 0 to 5 mph.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West wind around 5 mph.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 0 to 5 mph.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
A slight chance of rain and snow after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
A slight chance of rain and snow before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
Cave ecosystems are often dependent on organic material carried in by water, which serves as the primary food source for the environment. In arid climates with minimal surface rainfall, the input of organic matter and nutrients into caves becomes limited, affecting the overall energy flow within these environments. The intricate interplay between surface conditions and cave biota presents unique management challenges for modern cave biologists. Image courtesy of Dr. Jean K. Krejca, Zara Environmental LLC.
The official event schedule for the 2025 NCKMS has now been updated. Please check our schedule page or download a PDF to your mobile device.
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Great Basin rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus lutosus) are the only venomous snake species in Great Basin National Park. These rattlesnakes rarely exceed 40 inches in total length, reproduce every two to three years, and feed primarily on rodents and lizards.
2025 NCKMS T-Shirts
Of course we'll have t-shirts! What would a caver event be without them?
It might look like this thing that an AI system suggested, but we're having real humans dress it up a bit. Might look completely different by the time our humans are done with it.
Our theme at NCKMS this year is "Hidden Waters - Hidden Life". So, we have a concept at least!
Nevada's Great Basin region contains the most active geothermal field in North America. The same geomorphology that created the basin and range landscape has caused Earth's crust to be very thin in this area. This close proximity to subsurface magma pockets allows super-heated water to form hot springs across the region.