Dennis Melko
\nNSS 36693 \u2022 Pittsburgh, PA<\/p>\n
In 1971 I first visited show caves with my mother where my parents grew up, in what was Czechoslovakia (behind the Iron Curtain). I remember a guide pointing out bullet holes in speleothems where gestapo had chased partisans through a cave there. Another was high in the mountains.
\nMy first \u201cwild\u201d caving trips were in 1977 and 1978 with BSA to Bear and Lemon Hole caves. Sometime around 1990 I ran into Tom Metzgar, several times, just out in the woods, and he and Kim (Opatka at that time) encouraged me to sign up with their grotto while I was leading scout trips (that particular one to my very first \u201cwild\u201d cave, Bear). I had never heard of the NSS or grottos up to that point. I was just so fascinated with caves.
\nToday, I still maintain that same fascination with subterranean exploration and conservation. I\u2019ve maintained a personal philosophy about caving, that it is a \u201ccooperative exploration effort,\u201d and not a competitive and\/or sporting event.
\nIn the years since my early induction to caving I\u2019ve become proficient in, and taught, vertical skills; certified as a wilderness EMT (Pennsylvania); completed levels 1, 2, and 3 (twice) of NCRC cave rescue (would take level 2 again in a heartbeat and self rescue training); traveled to Mexico to drop deep pits 4 times; have caved in over a dozen states; have enjoyed numerous MARS, VARS, and NSS conventions; have met so many good people (who happen to enjoy caving).
\nIn the late 1990s I met and started assisting Ed McCarthy with photo trips and also John Pearson, with the Bubble Cave Conservancy, who introduced me to digging techniques.
\nI am profoundly happy to have met the Metzgars, and so many others, willing to share the joys of cave exploration. The MAKC is a wonderful organization dedicated to securing that joy for many future generations, and I hope to be of value towards that lofty goal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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