incident at Horsethief Cave

Date
1st Apr 1975 approximate
Publication
ACA 1975 p. 12
Cave
Horsethief Cave
State
Wyoming
County
Unknown
Country
United States of America
Category
Cave
Incident type
Lost
Group type
Novice cavers
Group size
3
Aid type
Surface aid
Source
Unknown
Incident flags
 

Injured cavers

No injured cavers recorded.

Incident report

Three novices entered Horsethief Cave, but one turned back a short time later because his dog could not handle the cave. When the others did not return within the allotted time, the fellow on the outside went for help. He got his car stuck in a snowdrift but eventually walked to Lovell. Park officials organized a rescue. The other two people were found near the entrance after having finally found the correct way out.

Source: Report by Mary Alice Chester.

Incident analysis

Analysis: The novices learned of the cave through the local grotto, but they did not attend grotto trips nor practice sessions. This grotto now recommends: Never take anyone to a dangerous, complicated, or delicate cave unless you can be reasonably sure they won't go back later and get into or cause trouble.

This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.