Sisters caver to explore 'Hidden Caves of Oregon'

It is easy to forget that hidden beneath our footsteps is a rich and diverse landscape. Brent McGregor, chairman of the Oregon High Desert Grotto, presents a slide show at the Redmond and Downtown Bend libraries in August that takes a closer look at what's below. Both programs are free and open to the public and part of Deschutes Public Library's Summer Reading Program.

The presentations run Monday, August 12, 6 p.m. at the Redmond Library and Tuesday, August 13, 6 p.m. at the Downtown Bend Library.

Brent McGregor has lived in Oregon for 26 years and has combined his caving, photo and mountaineering skills to search out and document several of the most beautiful, unusual, historical and significant caves in the state. The "Hidden Caves of Oregon" presentation is the result of eight years of traveling the state in search of caves. During the presentation McGregor will share an in-depth account of Oregon that only a handful of people have seen.

"I have images and video of the highest, longest and deepest caves in the state, and we will also look at animals and plants that live in total darkness," says McGregor.

He will discuss the difference between caves that were formed by fire and those created by water.

"We will also see the shelter cave that holds the oldest human remains in North America, and a cave in Oregon where you can travel hundreds of feet down a lava tube in a canoe and view sunken rowboats below the water's surface."

In addition to McGregor's images, he'll discuss the need for conservation and protection as these fragile environments are in danger of careless acts of vandalism.

"Public outreach through programs such as this are much-needed to raise awareness of one of Oregon's great treasures," added McGregor.

For more information about this or other library programs, visit www.deschuteslibrary.org.