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 10. Wind chill values as low as 0. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Partly sunny. High near 45, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -2. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunny, with a high near 49. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. South southeast wind 0 to 10 mph.
Partly sunny, with a high near 50.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Sunny, with a high near 49.
Mostly clear, with a low around 19.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
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.
The Cave Research Foundation is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to:
Facilitating research, management and interpretation of caves and karst resources; Forming partnerships to study, protect and preserve cave resources and karst areas; Promoting the long term conservation of caves and karst ecosystems.
Notch Peak, located in West Millard County, Utah, and visible from Great Basin National Park, towers above the desert valleys at 9,725 ft. elevation. This 3,000 ft sheer cliff is one of the tallest limestone cliffs in America.
Troglodyte Playing Cards
We're not entirely sure what these will look like yet, but we couldn't think of hosting NCKMS in Nevada without offering some themed-out playing cards. There's a good chance the card backs will feature a cave critter of some kind, but we still have some time to figure it out.
Located just south of Ely, Nevada, the Ward Charcoal Ovens are associated with the silver mining ghost town of Ward. They were built in 1876 by itinerant Italian masons known as carbonari. Charcoal prepared in the ovens was used in the nearby silver smelters.