National Geographic Explorer to Deliver 'Adventures in Caving' Lecture

Robbie Shone will share his breathtaking visuals and stories from the world's deepest, largest, and longest cave systems.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Washington State University's School of the Environment will host a free, public presentation titled 'Adventures in Caving' by National Geographic explorer Robbie Shone on Friday, February 20th. Shone, recognized as one of the most accomplished cave photographers in the world, will share never-before-seen visuals and stories from his expeditions exploring the planet's last true frontiers - the world's deepest, largest, and longest cave systems.

Why it matters

This lecture provides a rare opportunity for the Pullman-Moscow community to hear directly from a renowned National Geographic explorer and gain an insider's look at the remarkable underground world of caving. Shone's work not only appeals to environmental and earth science students, but also to artists and outdoor enthusiasts interested in exploring the planet's most remote and mysterious places.

The details

Shone's presentation will take viewers on a journey 7,000 feet below ground, illuminating and photographing scenes in some of the world's most extreme cave systems. In addition to his work for National Geographic, Shone has also collaborated with the European Space Agency, documenting astronauts during geological and microbiological field training.

  • The lecture will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Robbie Shone

A National Geographic explorer recognized as one of the most accomplished cave photographers in the world. His work has been featured in numerous publications and he has collaborated with major film and television crews, including for IMAX films.

Washington State University School of the Environment

The host of the free, public 'Adventures in Caving' presentation by Robbie Shone.

Jennifer Phillips

An assistant professor of wildlife ecology at WSU who led the search for the Lane Lecture this year.

L.W. 'Bill' Lane

The former publisher of Sunset magazine who, along with his wife Jean, established the Lane Family Lecture in Environmental Science at WSU.

Robert Lane

The son of Bill and Jean Lane, who is a 1983 WSU alumnus and helped create the Robert Lane Fellowship in Environmental Science to support graduate students at the university.

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What they’re saying

“We are excited to bring Robbie to WSU, because his work not only appeals to our environmental and earth science majors, but should also pique the interest of artists and outdoor enthusiasts in the student body and the greater Pullman-Moscow community.”

— Jennifer Phillips, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology (dailyfly.com)

“We are strong proponents of public service and hope that the annual lecture and fellowship encourage efforts to find solutions to some of the global problems that confront society.”

— Bill Lane (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The lecture is free and open to the public, with Zoom participation available for those not on the Pullman campus.

The takeaway

This lecture provides a unique opportunity for the Pullman-Moscow community to gain an insider's perspective on the remarkable world of caving from a renowned National Geographic explorer, inspiring both scientific and artistic exploration of the planet's last true frontiers.