Cave of Domes Closed

[joebartels]

The Grand Canyon is temporarily closing a popular cave because of concerns about the hantavirus.

http://www.theeagle.com/news/nation/gra ... e4a6a.html

[arizona_water]

Bummer. I was going there this weekend!

[hikeaz]

I smell a rat.......

[azbackpackr]

There have been Hantavirus cases in northern Arizona this year. A high school kid died early in the year. The Park isn't going to take any chances.

[chumley]

The Park isn't going to take any chances.

The park takes chances every single day. They don't build fences along exposed sections of trail or prevent people from hiking when it's excessively hot or close viewpoints when there's lightning. And as a result, people die from those things every year. A simple sign indicating the risks of hantavirus would be more than suitable and match what is done with regards to other risks in the park.

I agree with hikeaz. This is just a convenient excuse.

[ddgrunning]

Had that on my to-do list this summer as well. I'm leery of use of the term "temporary" ....

And why is this not listed on the NPS site?

[Sredfield]

And why is this not listed on the NPS site?

I'd guess because everyone above about a GS-9 is worried about the sexual harassment IG report making the news.

[RedRoxx44]

Hmmmm, I could say something but it would definitely not be the right thing at the right time. Wonder if a certain area got compromised.

[cactuscat]

That weird cave dust in there has always concerned me ... plus people do nasty things in there.

[azbackpackr]

Lots of things are dangerous at the Canyon: Heat, cold, heights, rock falls, Europeans driving rented motorhomes, etc. There is little the Park can do to protect the public from these "dangers" other than warning signs. (Beware of rental motorhomes! May be deadly!)

On the other hand, Hantavirus is found in limited types of areas. Talking to Dr. Orman of Tuba City about it recently, (he's a longtime GC backpacker) he has had patients with the disease. He says he feels the Park is correct in limiting visitation to a place with a known concentration of mouse dung and urine. Hantavirus is a horrible way to die, he told me.

I think the Park should put their money where their mouth is and actually test the cave for the presence of Hantavirus. However, I suppose that would be expensive. Signs are cheap.

[Hippy]

Ugh, have ANY of you even been in CotD lately??

It's disgusting!

Last 3 times I've been in there were awful... Last June I caught a guy taking a dump in the "Hidden Room", last September a chick was urinating in the first room to the right of the entrance, I snuck in the small South Entrance which leads right into that room and BAM! There she was...ew.

And last October just before my last r2r of the year I ran into a family of 4 on their way out, their youngest kid was in one of those carrying packs (don't get me wrong super cool they're taking their kids out at the right time of year but...) I was barely 30ft into the cave when my headlamp lit up not one but TWO dirty diapers and a bunch of used baby wipes...sure, they might've meant to pick everything up but...

If I've had 3 run ins with disgustingness in there imagine how much more goes on...then all that dust but nothing to naturally decompose the urine and feces...

Gross guys, I think the cave needs to be closed for a few years.

Hanta is a good excuse and I'm.okay with it. WAY cooler places to explore legally for y'all in that area anyway.

[Hippy]

here's a bad photo of the sign
igallery/image_page.php?id=5179

Brat. [-X

[RowdyandMe]

Well I have never been there and from what I have been reading I never will.

[Jim]

here's a bad photo of the sign
igallery/image_page.php?id=5179

Brat. [-X

I don't get it.

[Hippy]

@Jim_H he said it's a "bad photo", when in reality it's just a pic my bf took with his camera phone that I posted on the GCHBA Facebook page for all to see...hence...brat. :p

[Jim]

@Hippy
Ah, I see.

[azbackpackr]

Hmmm...I favor my own explanation for the confusion..."Born under a Bad Sign..."

[nikorock28]

Grand Canyon News Release
Release date: Immediate

Contact(s): Emily Davis

Phone number(s): 928-638-7609

Date: May 4, 2016

UPDATE: Cave of the Domes Reopened in Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The National Park Service (NPS) has reopened Cave of the Domes in Grand Canyon National Park. Cave of the Domes, the only cave open to the public within Grand Canyon National Park, has been closed since March 23 to investigate the area as a possible source for a hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) exposure. The NPS Office of Public Health has determined the cave was not the source and it can reopen.

Although the cave has reopened, the NPS Office of Public Health recommends that precautions should be taken in wilderness areas or other places that harbor mice. To prevent HPS, public health officials advise the following:

• When camping or recreating outside, do not sleep or spend time in close proximity to rodent nests, burrows, or in areas of heavy rodent activity.
• Do not make food or garbage easily available to rodents.
• If rodent droppings or nests are found in and around the home or other buildings, do not stir the area up by vacuuming or sweeping. Spray the area liberally with a disinfectant (such as 1 part bleach to 9 parts water) and allow to soak for at least 15 minutes.
• After disinfecting, wear rubber gloves and use disposable materials such as paper towels or rags to clean, and seal all materials in double plastic bags before disposal.

For more information about HPS prevention and precaution, visit http://www.coconino.az.gov/health or http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps.

Cave of the Domes, located near Horseshoe Mesa at the end of the Grandview Trail, is the only cave open to the public in Grand Canyon National Park. Old mines located near Horseshoe Mesa and throughout the park are also closed. With the exception of Cave of the Domes, permits are required to enter caves in Grand Canyon National Park due to the extremely sensitive nature of cultural and natural resources inside.

For questions about hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, please contact the Coconino County Public Health Services District at 928-679-8750 or Martin Stephens, NPS Office of Public Health at 928-638-7355.

-NPS-


Public Affairs Office
Grand Canyon National Park