Dispatches from the Field, a new digital program designed to bring The Explorers Club community closer—wherever you are.
Each session kicks off with a 10-minute talk from a Featured Speaker, recorded and posted later to the public on explorers.org and our YouTube channel.
This will be followed by Campfire sessions—intimate, Members-Only breakout groups where you can connect, share ideas, and build relationships.
This edition features Michael Girard, MN’23, to present “Ice Age Bones in the Dark: Fossil Hunting in Mexico’s Caves“
In the jungles of Mexico, flooded caves hold fossils from the Ice Age, bones of mammoths, gomphotheres, and giant sloths preserved in darkness for thousands of years. On a recent expedition, Michael Girard and team worked through muddy chambers and tight passages, sections that flood during the wet season, while also deploying underwater drones (ROVs) to reach deeper submerged areas. This talk shares how exploration, science, and ingenuity came together to uncover a hidden record of prehistory in one of the world’s most demanding environments.
Members only – click here to register.
Michael Girard
Michael Girard is an explorer, author, and speleologist with extensive experience investigating caves and forgotten histories around the world. A member of The Explorers Club and the National Speleological Society, he specializes in documenting caves and artifacts through photogrammetry, underwater ROVs, and other field technologies. He has contributed to Northeastern Caver and other caving journals, and has co-authored scientific papers from international expeditions. His forthcoming book explores New England’s lost and forgotten caves. When not on expedition, he is often studying stone inscriptions, researching regional lore, or sharing his passion for discovery through public presentations.
