Sat, Mar 14 2009 - Beginner Caving & Camping Weekend (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Jason Kotz, EB Participants: EB, Jason Kotz, Jason Hoffman, Melissa M, Meredith Fievet, Erin, Leslie, Elizabeth F., Jay G, Matt B., Nathan Smith

Write Up:
What a weekend!

We departed from the carpool in the rain, but without any issues, and arrived in Tennessee right on schedule. After a quick stop at Wal-Mart for flip-flops, cupcakes, batteries and snacks we were off to the first cave: Cedar Ridge Crystal Cave.

Cedar Ridge Crystal Cave is full of formations, and lived up to its promise of being a great first-timer cave. Nobody got lost, and everyone seemed pretty awed by the beauty of everything. We spent about an hour and a half inside Cedar Ridge (hiding from the rain!), before packing up and heading out for the 30 minute drive to Bluff River Cave :)

Thanks to some faulty directions that 30 minute drive turned into a little longer scenic tour of cows and various farm animals (*cough*4hours*cough*). We did eventually find our way to our known cave parking area, only to discover it was under an estimated 3 feet of water! Yipes. Knowing that Bluff River Cave can be 3 ft deep in some spots in drought season, we opted to cut our losses and avoid the most likely neck deep (and deeper) water that would have awaited us. All voted in favour of heading on to Tumbling Rock Cave to do two days of caving there.

We spent about 2-2.5 hours in Tumbling Rock on Saturday, and had a great time poking holes on the left side as well as belly crawling to what could best be described as a mud room. Spa, anyone? Some people pay good money for that!

After cleanup, we headed to our Goose Pond camping site, set up, took showers, then headed to the AOC standard of Mexican food for dinner. After dinner everyone promptly passed out before a massive rainstorm blew over. A few of us woke up to some wet gear, but nothing was too traumatic.

We had a quick breakfast at vegetarian-friendly Burger King before heading on to Tumbling Rock for round 2. We spent about 3.5 hours in the cave, and *everyone* got drenched in the King's Shower. What is normally a trickle was a gushing fire hydrant, adding a little cold and danger to the climb. Everyone exited safely, changed into dry shirts, and headed further into the cave to see the Christmas Tree. We did make it around the corner to see the cave's namesake, the Tumbling Rock, before heading back out.

Some folks continued on to Chattanooga for dinner, while others headed home after the cave. All in all, a great trip and a really super team of people.


Injuries to note: One team member sprained her wrist and did not cave on the second day.

Flora of note: Two team members saw a tiny plant growing in TR

Fauna of note: Cows, hogs, chickens, dogs, wild turkeys, goats, sheep, Albert the Salamander, cats...but no bats. Boo!

---