Carlsbad Cavern, Eddy County, New Mexico
May 2021
Gate Type: BASIC, with swinging door
Carlsbad Cavern National Park personnel contacted us about replacing an increasingly-dangerous gate on the tour route. This gate was at the end of a tunnel blasted through the cave wall in order to bypass a precarious ledge where two previous visitors fell to their deaths trying to sneak into the cave. After all the permitting and review, we were given the green light. But we had to wait until after the tours finished for the day. And we had to be done before the evening bat flight programs began. This gave us a 3-hour window, turning what should have been a long day’s project into a four-day marathon. At the prescribed time, we would back the truck to the entrance and the CaveGators team would jump out, deploying extension cords, generators, welders, saws, drills, and other equipment like the pit crew at an F-1 race. Truly a marvel to watch. All photos © Jim Kennedy, except where noted.








