As a child growing up in Steamboat Springs, Aaron Scott would pass the Sulfur Caves of Howelsen Hill on his way into town from his home in the Fairview area with friends.

Scott, 41, remembers trying to imagine what mysteries the cave held as he passed by it.

“Whenever I went down the ski trail from Fairview and out into town, I used to take a peek,” said Scott, now co-host of National Public Radio.The Daily Science Podcast “Short Wave“We had the courage to go inside each other, but none of us were brave or stupid enough to do it.”

This was a good thing, because the atmosphere inside the cave is a lethal mixture of hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. exposure can be fatal.

But nearly 30 years later, this summer, with the help of special breathing apparatus and protective gear, Scott got the chance to explore caves he could only imagine as a child.

Scott’s trip to the cave was led by Dave Steinman, a biologist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science who discovered a new species of earthworm over a decade ago..

“It’s far from a dream come true,” said Scott, who shared his experience on NPR’s national podcast, which he co-hosts with Emily Kwon.“I haven’t spent years dreaming about what’s inside a cave, but I’m very happy that this place has been a mystery to me since I was a kid, and that I get to go explore it as part of my job.” It turns out to be as wonderful a place as you can dream of.

Podcast “Lump of Worms from the Guts of the Earth” will be released on September 2nd and is one of many topics and issues covered in the “Short Wave,” which explores new discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind headlines.

“I can talk about someone learning something every day and exploring the world. It’s a total dream job,” said Scott. “He’s a science and environmental reporter for NPR who appears on the show for half the episodes and creates longer versions of the stories they report on ‘All Things Considered’ and ‘Morning Edition.

“We dig deeper into the story to create an extended version of their record, or have them talk about the news of the day, such as new pictures from the James Webb Telescope or an attempt to reorient an asteroid. There’s something going on about — that’s kind of how we cover topics that are more newsworthy. We are really excited and are hosting separately.”

Caves were Scott’s latest adventure as he grew up and lived in Steamboat Springs. When his parents divorced, he began devoting time to Steamboat and Pacific his Northwest.

He graduated from Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Washington in 1999 and attended Grinnell College in Iowa where he received a BA in Religious Studies with a focus on Gender and Women’s Studies in 2003. He holds a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Science Journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Scott says his curiosity drives his journalism career, which includes assignments covering art and entertainment, in addition to the outdoors and nature.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work for magazines, work on multiple radio shows, and work on a television show that deals with art and science,” Scott said. “I think what really drives me is just curiosity and meeting people doing really interesting things and pursuing passions in the world.”

Prior to joining NPR in 2022, he served as a producer and reporter on the science and environmental team for Oregon Public Broadcasting and on the nature television show “Oregon Field Guide.”,” I’ve climbed mountains with microbiologists, cleared native bush with ornithologists, snorkeled remote rivers with conservationists, and wandered the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest.

In 2020, Scott hosted a 10-part podcast for Oregon Public Broadcasting, Timber Wars,” It tells the story of how a small group of scientists and environmentalists, as a way to celebrate their 30th anniversary, has forever changed the way we look at forests and the natural world.^th The day the spotted owl was declared an endangered species.

According to Scott, “Wood Wars” examines the issue from all perspectives and is being incorporated into college courses across the country. It has also won multiple awards, including being the first spoken work to receive his Victor K. McElheny Award from the MIT Knight Science Journalism Program.

“I think part of this science and nature for me can definitely be traced back to growing up on steamboats and going hiking with my father,” said Scott. Being an engineer, he was always able to point out strata and name every flower we passed.”

Scott also remembers collecting tadpoles and salamanders at summer camps on Steamboat. He said his active outdoor lifestyle, which many people enjoy here, ignited his passion for the outdoors and science.

“As we grew up, our summer camps became rock climbing, backpacking trips, rafting and kayaking,” said Scott. “Being able to explore all the natural wonders around Steamboat instilled in me a love of the natural world.”

Scott began his journalism career covering art in dark theater and enjoyed the role, but said he was always drawn back by the opportunity to return to science and nature.

“One day, I spent enough time in the dark theaters of the city that I decided I wanted to get back to nature,” said Scott. “I wanted to explore the incredibly diverse landscape here in the United States, and spend time with people studying it and trying to learn more about it and our place in it. It was.”

That led him to ‘Short Wave’ and home. In late July, he interviewed a group of Georgia Tech graduate students who were led by Steinman to Sulfur Caverns.

However, tragedy struck the Scott family when Aaron’s father, David Scott, died on August 12 while hiking near Lake Mica in the Mount Zirkel wilderness region. dedicated to

“My father was a forest ranger at heart. That’s what drives his love of the natural world and not just seeing something and taking a picture and passing by, but also thinking, ‘Why does it look like this? How? How?’ What is the geological force that appears to be

Scott said living in Steamboat Springs also left its mark on his father’s desire to be close to nature and always connected to his family.

“He chose above all to live in Steamboat on the western slopes of the Colorado Rockies,” said Scott. “He turned down promotions and transfers because he wanted to stay here. I feel like I did something very similar in Portland, so that was a very valuable lesson.” I want to live in this city, in this community of friends and family, and I’m sure I will always find a job.”

Scott said he was delighted to have the opportunity to return home this summer and is looking forward to sharing the Sulfur Cave episode with his father.

“It’s sad he didn’t get to hear about the Sulfur Caves,” said Scott. “When I found out I was going to tell the story, I felt it was a gift I could give him. It’s part of the grief to know he can’t hear it.”

To contact John F. Russell, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatPilot.com, or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966.