Explore Crownover Saltpeter Cave - Sat, Apr 2 2011

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Explore Crownover Saltpeter Cave


The Basics:
Event Type:Caving
Event Location: near Sherwood, TN
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 2 2011  11:00 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 9:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Mar 21 2011 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Mar 31 2011 8:00 pm
Event Duration:8 hours (including travel time)
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Katherine Bennett
Dianne
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 11 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Come check out a scenic cave! This caving trip is designed for beginners or anyone who likes to cave. You will crawl through several tight spaces and you will get muddy!

A helmet and headlamp is mandatory. If you don't have a helmet, you can rent one from the trip leader for $10. You'll need to buy a headlamp that is bright enough (and waterproof) for caving.

You must wear shoes with good tread (no smooth soles). Hiking boots are recommended. You must also wear knee pads and gloves while caving on this trip.

Be sure to bring a change of clothes! You don't want to drive home in muddy clothing.

For those interested, we'll grab lunch after our caving event at Sugar's BBQ Ribs in Chattanooga. (Home to good food & some amazing goat viewing/grazing along the side of a hill!)  This restaurant is a Chattanooga classic!

http://www.sugarsribs.com


Required Items to Bring:
  • Helmet with BRIGHT Water Resistant Light (You can rent the helmet from the trip leader for $10, but will need to buy a light at REI. Make sure this light is meant for caving.)
  • 8 AA-size Alkaline Batteries (do not get the cheaper "Heavy Duty" ones). These are for the helmet lights. You'll probably only use 4. The other 4 are just in case the first ones die.
  • Old Clothes that can get wet, dirty and scuffed. The temperature inside the cave will be 58 degrees, so no jackets needed inside. A long sleeve T-shirt usually keeps me warm enough. You may get wet, so synthetic material may be advised. Try not to wear cotton, or very little of it!!
  • Hiking Boots or Trekking Shoes with good tread (no smooth soles). Caves are hard on boots so I use a $20 pair from Walmart just for caving.
  • Knee Pads (soft only, no hard plastic). These can be bought at Wal-Mart or Home Depot for about $6-8.
  • A Large Plastic Garbage Bag to put your dirty/wet clothes into.
  • Gloves. Wear what you like. The cheap gardening gloves with the little rubber beads are popular to use. Very tight gloves can be difficult to take off when they get wet and muddy (not good if you're trying to take pictures).
  • A Day Pack or Fanny Pack to hold water, snacks, camera, and anything else you want to bring in the cave with you. Put your stuff inside a ziplock bag inside the day pack to protect it from the mud.
  • Clean Clothes to change into after the cave (this includes underwear in case they get wet also).
  • Wool or Wynthetic Socks will help your feet stay warm when they get wet. Cotton will make you colder.
  • A Large Towel to wrap around you for modesty while you're changing clothes.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Snacks or Small Lunch to be eaten inside the cave. Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:From Atlanta, take  I-75 north toward Chattanooga. In Chattanooga merge onto I-24W toward Chattanooga/Nashville.

Exit 152 off I-24W. We'll stop at Walmart (near exit ramp) to pick up any last minute caving supplies, then head toward the cave. The cave is near: 14375 Sherwood Rd, Sherwood, TN 37376. All told, it is approximately a two hour drive to the cave.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):200Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 9:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $80.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
Let's have some fun getting muddy!
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:You can rent a helmet (without a light) from the trip leader for $10. You must bring cash and exact change. Thanks! You will need to buy/bring your own headlamp and it must be water-proof and strong enough to emit light in a cave.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.