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Clyde
Mountain climber
Boulder
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The Conn's left their mark at Seneca before most of the graybeards here were a glint in their parent's eyes. Great folks!
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jogill
climber
Colorado
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Met them in 1957, I think. Visited them in the "ConnCave", where herb was doing some sort of electrical engineering experiment on a shelf of rock. I wouldn't call them climbing bums - that to me denotes a life essentially wasted on everything except climbing. They worked for the NPS, mapping more than 60 miles of Jewel Cave, kept the images on Mt Rushmore more or less intact, did other work in the area, and Herb kept up on his electrical engineering interests. Jan is quite a musician. They initially purchased about 15 acres in the forest near Custer and constructed their ConnCave, then later moved into a NFS trailor. At least that's the way I remember them at that time. If my memory is in error, please correct!
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Curt
Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
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Wow. Herb is absolutely synonymous with climbing in the Needles. RIP Herb.
Curt
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Awww.........what an incredible couple. HOpefully he's at the bar with Jack and the rest of the gang!
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Oplopanax
Mountain climber
The Deep Woods
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:(
The Jewel Cave Adventure was one of my favorite reads growing up. Herb and Jan are true legends of the sport.
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Congrats to both Herb & Jan for living memorable lives.
Best wishes to all.
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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From the Feb 1st, 2012 NPS Morning Report
Jewel Cave National Monument (SD)
Park Volunteers Inducted Into South Dakota Hall Of Fame
Two longtime Jewel Cave volunteers, Herb and Jan Conn, were recently inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in recognition of their pioneering effort to explore and discover over 60 miles of cave passages at Jewel Cave National Monument.
In addition to their diligent work of mapping a bewildering complexity of cave passages, they have inspired a second and even third generation to follow their example. Herb and Jan were the first to show that Jewel Cave to be a world class cave - today, it is recognized as one of the longest in the world.
The Conns were lured to South Dakota in the mid 1950s by the climbing possibilities presented by the granite spires known as the Needles. But, upon their first visit to Jewel Cave in 1959, they fell so completely in love with the notion of cave exploration that they all but gave up their previous passion for climbing. For over 20 years. they devoted all their energy toward the exploration, discovery, and mapping of a vast, three-dimensional maze of previously unknown cave passages.
Beginning in their late 30s, they each volunteered more than 6,000 hours over the next 22 years. Their dedication ultimately showed everyone that Jewel Cave was not the small cave it was once thought to be. Indeed, the 60 miles they discovered made it one of the longest caves on earth. Now, at over 155 miles, it is the second longest cave in the world, with no end in sight. Herb's pioneering 1965 study of the relationship between the cave's barometric wind and its volume has demonstrated that its current length is just a few percent of what remains to be discovered. Today Jewel Cave is internationally known as world-class natural treasure.
The Conn's discoveries led directly to a 1965 boundary adjustment and the development of the modern scenic tour route. First opened to the public in 1972, it accommodates up to 80,000 visitors each year and attracts visitors from across the globe.
The Conn's never viewed their work at Jewel Cave as a conquest of "man versus nature." Rather, it was a fun and friendly -- albeit challenging -- place to be. They freely shared their experiences with all who wished to accompany them and, before retiring from active caving, found and mentored enthusiastic young cavers to keep the spirit of exploration alive. Even today, the Conns enjoy their role as "arm-chair cavers," encouraging others from the sidelines. Thanks to their continued involvement, two successive generations of explorers have discovered 90 miles more than their original discoveries.
Though eschewing the limelight, the Conns have nonetheless enriched the historical record of the Black Hills by sharing their experiences via photos, song, storytelling, and the written word. They are respected throughout the world -- not because of any self-promotion, but because they found something wonderful in Jewel Cave, and couldn't help but share that sense of wonder with anyone they met. They inspire everyone to live their lives with an extra sense of adventure.
The Conns are an important and inspiring part of South Dakota history, and were inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame on September 17, 2011. In lieu of a formal acceptance speech, Jan played the guitar and sang one her own compositions, "The Yodeling Caver," which brought the house down as she performed the closing refrain by yodeling into a bowl of water. Then, wiping her mouth on her sleeve, and revealing a mischievous grin, she imparted words of wisdom to the audience of over 400.
"You have just learned a very important lesson," she said, "it is possible to grow older -- without ever needing to grow up!"
[Submitted by Mike Wiles, Chief of Resource Management]
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 4, 2012 - 01:18am PT
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Herb's survey maps of the Needles appeared first in his guidebook, then in Bob Kamps' Guidebook, and then in Paul Piana's Guidebook. But the maps he made of Jewel Cave, depicting all the layers of interconnected rooms, were simultaneously a marvel of classical surveying and mapmaking art.
I met the Conns in the mid-sixties. They were still living in the Conn Cave, an overhanging boulder they had walled in, which accommodated their diminutive frames but required most people to bend over. Hobbits! It was amusing to notice that they had built a garage for their VW van, which consequently had more modern digs than they did.
The Conn's followed their passions, and then, with open hearts, threw open the gates of their discoveries for others to continue and enjoy. Those of us who had the privilege of following, or trying to follow, their footsteps in the Needles owe them a debt that can never be repaid. The generations of cavers they mentored, and then cheered on as the Conn's 60 miles of Jewel Cave explorations were doubled in extent, must surely feel the same way.
Rest easy, Herb. You left the world quietly, as you lived in it, but left it much enriched. And peace to you Jan in this hour of sadness.
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LongAgo
Trad climber
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"They are respected throughout the world -- not because of any self-promotion, but because they found something wonderful in Jewel Cave, and couldn't help but share that sense of wonder with anyone they met. They inspire everyone to live their lives with an extra sense of adventure."
A life well lived. May we honor him and Jan too with our own humility and generous sharing of the best in life with others.
Tom Higgins
LongAgo
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SavantFandangle
Trad climber
DC Region
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I climbed many of his routes throughout the US. He was a particular legend in the DC metro area and Seneca Rocks, where he and his wife put up many routes. Many, many stories . . . He was an anchor of the local history here. He will no doubt be missed and best wishes to his wife.
Keep on climbing . . . .
RJB
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Dennis Hoffman
Trad climber
Sac
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Have climbed many a Conn route in the Black Hills. Herb will be missed.Condolences to Jan.
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Broken
climber
Texas
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I always admired their achievements and their relationship. A unique couple. Tough to imagine what it's like for Jan now.
I heard a few lovely stories about them from their grand-nephew, Seth Walker (an excellent musician who we hired to play our wedding).
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Amy Skinner Underwood
climber
Mancos, CO
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Herb and Jan are such heroes of ours! Love and affection to Jan - we are thinking of you!
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gimmeslack
Trad climber
VA
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“Don and the two of us climbed the south peak on a gorgeous moonlit evening, carrying sleeping bags, and spent the night on the narrow summit ridge. Don woke up in the night to see the lower half of Jan’s bag flapping over the edge. But Jan was safely curled up in the top half, still anchored to a piton in the rock.”. (PATC newsletter)
Definately an integral part of Seneca's history - what an amazing couple.
Godspeed....
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Marlow
Sport climber
OSLO
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RIP. A life well lived.
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pleasantOs
Trad climber
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a living legend passes. i still get a little spooked by the east face at seneca. to imagine them climbing back then and to look at all they have done and shown us. a courageous and ground-breaking couple in many "arenas". he was such a remarkable climbing pioneer and true inspiration. i didn't even expect them to still be living until i read that climbing article from '08. what the heck does a west coast kid know showing up to an east coast crag? a lot more now! may the legend of the climbing conn couple (triple C) live forever in climbing lore!
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Hilt
Social climber
Utah
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I'll be missing him. He was a great person to talk to full of wisdom and charm.
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Bob Culp
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Ah damn! Where's everybody going?
Herb was something else. I loved chatting with him and Jan. Did a new route with Paul Muehl once and the Conns came to watch. Herb thought maybe he might just give it a try. Jan said "You're too old for that." So he didn't. R.I.P pal.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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RIP Herb. I met them once or twice over the years but mainly know them for the their climbs which are unbelievably spectacular. My wife texted me the news as I was on my way to Cody. They led the way for many of us.
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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One time in the late 70's, while I was a caver but knott yet a climber, I watched my caving mentor Chas Yonge solo Conns' East on Seneca Rocks in West Virginia - in his running shoes. He said it felt pretty hard. I was totally gripped watching him. [Having my mentor ending up dead would not have been good]
We later found the guidebook, and it was rated 5.6. "It seemed a bit 'arder," said Chas.
Years later, the sandbag rating was up-rated - to 5.8.
RIP Herb.
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