Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of NCKMS operations. The transformation of a symposium from vision to reality requires months of dedication, passion, and commitment to our mission. The team's task is to create a solid platform for our participants to network with other industry professionals while gaining modern insights into cave and karst management.
Our 2025 production team will grow in the next several months and multiple roles still need to be filled. If you think you might be interested in joining the 2025 NCKMS team, please check out our volunteer page. The Western Cave Conservancy welcomes your participation!
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Financial Auditor
Treasurer
Hospitality Director
Project Director
Marketing Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Field Trip Logistics
Field Trip Logistics
In July of 1986, Life magazine labeled Ely, Nevada's Highway 50 as "The Loneliest Road in America" and suggested drivers should have 'survival skills' for the trip. The name was intended as a pejorative, but Nevada officials seized it as a marketing slogan. The name originates from large desolate areas traversed by the route, with few or no signs of civilization. The highway crosses several large desert valleys separated by numerous mountain ranges towering over the valley floors, in what is known as the Basin and Range province of the Great Basin. Photo by Matt Bowers, Third Media.
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.
Sitting at Nevada's eastern edge of the "Loneliest Road in America," Ely is a remote mountain town where history, art and outdoor adventure thrive. Ely was founded in the 1870s as a stagecoach stop and trading post called Murray Station, but it would become one of the country's major copper mining regions.
The Nevada Northern Railway arrived in 1906. Now, this well preserved short-line railway draws visitors from all over the world to ride on its queens of steam and historic diesel engines.
There are 48 miles of perennial streams, and over 400 springs in the South Snake Range, home to Great Basin National Park. Over 75% of wildlife species are dependent upon these riparian areas for food, water, and cover at some stage of their life cycles.
A chance of rain showers and patchy blowing dust before 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Showers and thunderstorms before 4am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. South southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.