AtlantaOutdoorClub
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Caving & Camping Weekend


The Basics:
Event Type:Caving
Event Location: Sparta, TN
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 12 2008, Sun, Apr 13 2008  7:00 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Mar 25 2008 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Apr 8 2008 11:59 pm
Event Duration:2 days
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tom Collins
Hilke Neuerburg
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Registration Date Changed to Tues, Mar 25

Caving & Camping Weekend

Previous caving or climbing experience highly recommended. We'll be doing 2 caves. On Saturday, we'll do Camps Gulf Cave. This is a huge cave with huge piles of breakdown to climb up and over. One room is over 7 acres! This cave is not pretty, but is strenuous and fun. We'll be doing about 4 miles (each way) of the 7 miles cave.
After the cave, we'll camp out nearby for the night. In case of rain, we'll get cheap motel rooms.
On Sunday, we'll head over to Blue Springs Cave (not Bible Springs Cave). This cave is easier than Sat's cave, but you'll be ready for something easier as you may still be sore from Sat. Blue Springs is the longest cave in TN at 33 miles and the 9th longest in the U.S. But don't worry, we'll only be doing about 2 miles of it (each way). The end of our trek in will lead us the the Cathedral Room with has a lot of very large & pretty formations.
We'll head back home after this cave and be back in Atlanta in time for dinner.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Helmet with chin straps and mounted, VERY BRIGHT Water Resistant Light
    (if you don't have one, you can rent one for $25. Let me know)

  • 12 AA-size Alkaline, Lithium , or strong NiMH Rechargable Batteries (do not get the cheaper "Heavy Duty" ones). These are for the helmet lights. You’ll probably only use 8. The other 4 are for backup.

  • A Small Flashlight to be used as a backup light. Verify before you leave that it works.

  • 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.

  • 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, flashlight, and anything else you want to bring in the cave with you.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • 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.

  • Snacks or Small Lunch to be eaten inside each cave. Granola or power bars work well.


How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):360Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $144.00 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:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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