AtlantaOutdoorClub
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Caving & Backpacking (Explorer trip)


The Basics:
Event Type:Caving
Event Location: Skyline WMA near Scottsboro, AL
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jun 14 2008  12:00 pm >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 12:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Jun 2 2008 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jun 13 2008 11:59 pm
Event Duration:1 1/2 days
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Trip Leader(s):
Tony Theriault
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Saturday, Drive from ATL to Skyline WMA near Scottsboro, AL. We will park the cars outside WMA boundary and walk or bike down 1000' into the cove around 3 miles with all camping and caving gear. There we will look for a suitable camping area somewhere in the area of Iron Hoop cave. We'll set up camp, locate the entrance, then either hike a couple more miles to some shorter caves or call it a day depending on time and energy. If the entrance gate happens to be open, we could also choose do drive down the gravel road in my 4wd and spent the extra time in the valley going to some caves or hiking more scenic areas. Sunday Morning we'll explore Iron Hoop cave. Iron Hoop starts with a vertical climbdown, followed by a a 300' belly crawl. There's also some breakdown pile crawling, tricky footing limestone sections, and beautiful formation rooms with stream passages. Be prepared to get wet as well. The 2 miles of passage (4 miles in and out) will probably take around 6 hours to cover. After caving and refilling the stomach, we'll haul all our gear 3 miles and 1000' back out of the valley floor. The drive back to ATL is around 3 hours. ****The valley has no motor vehicle access and no cell coverage. Please consult trip leader if you are diabetic, have serious allergies, asthma or other medical conditions before signing up on this event.****

Required Items to Bring:
Caving Helmet and Bright Headlamp (No Exceptions) 2 spare sets of batteries, backpacking/camping gear, food and water for 2 days, sturdy boots with ankle support to get muddy and wet in the cave, knee pads, gloves, smaller pack for the cave, synthetic clothing for in cave, second good flashlight or headlamp, food and drink for in-cave. ****Rental Helmets and Lights are available**** See additional notes below for info. 		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
3rd good light source (Cellphones, lightsticks or camera flash does not count as a light source!), Elbow Pads, ziplock bags to keep stuff like camera dry) cave, camera,

How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):325Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 12:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $130.00 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:
Helmet and Light Rental is $15, payable in cash or by Paypal to Tom Collins. Payee is Tom.Collins.88@gmail.com. This is an EXPLORER trip. D6 rating is due to combination of packed weight of camping and caving gear, summer heat, cave difficulty, elevation change, and the unknown factor. The trip leader has not visited this cave before and has not camped in this area. He did visit a different cave in the same valley recently. An option to hiking is to ride MTN bike in and out of the valley. The hill is steep with loose gravel, but the lower valley floor roads are great for riding.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: If heavy rains or severe weather are forecast.