Registration: h
https://signup.com/go/ewsNxvR
Questions? Message or email us! (
TGV0c0dvQ2F2aW5nIHwgZ2NnY2F2ZXJzICEgY29t)
What?
A morning of skipping and exploring through the lit and walkable Great Saltpetre Cave while discussing safe and conservation-minded caving. We'll then don protective gear (provided by us) and hike, crawl, climb, and explore through a muddy & magnificent wild cave under a nearby hillside in a supportive team environment - all FREE and tailored for first time - beginner cavers!
We explore wild caves not advertised to the public and environments few are fortunate to see. These aren't the caves you visited with the paved walkways, electric lights, and an elevator! These are hole-in-the-ground, middle-of-the-wilderness, let's-go-on-an-adventure CAVES!
Who?
You and your family (ages 5+), a handful of other adventurous families, and experienced volunteer cave guides with the Greater Cincinnati Grotto (caving club)!
For other adventures tailored for adults or intermediate-level adventures check out:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/LetsGoCavingCincy/events
Where?
The Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve near Mt. Vernon, KY.
(A 2.5-hour drive from Cincinnati)
Why?
Because you and your kiddos enjoy challenging yourself both physically and mentally, meeting new friends, learning new skills, and being introduced to a whole community dedicated to exploration, conservation, and fun!
The Greater Cincinnati Grotto's mission includes the teaching and promotion of safe caving and cave conservation.
Each trip is limited to the first 16 who register via
http://tiny.cc/WildCaveAdventures (Make sure you sign-up for the correct date); additional information will be emailed to you the Monday before the trip. Please remove yourself if your plans should change. If the signup is full, please still indicate your interest on Facebook or email us at
bGV0c2dvY2F2aW5nIHwgZ2NnY2F2ZXJzICEgY29t as we'll post an update should a spot open up.
Loose itinerary:
10am-10:30am - Discussion on caving equipment, conservation, cave wildlife and formations, and rules for a safe trip underground.
10:30am-12m - Tour of the Great Saltpetre Cave.
12pm-1pm - Lunch and gearing up.
1pm - 6pm-ish - Drive to a nearby wild cave and crawl past the twilight zone.
The caves we explore are like pick-your-own-adventure books and have multiple routes. This means that we'll have appropriate adventures and challenges for all ages, physical abilities, curiosity levels, and endurances - so there will be some squeezes just for the youngest of cavers, climb ups for older cavers, and other passages appropriate for all.
With that said all of the challenges we'll encounter are optional to the individual so you won't be holding back the group and you won't be asked to do anything that you don't feel comfortable doing (we're not sadistic). You will be part of a supportive team environment as we explore outside of our comfort zones.
Lastly, while we can spend up to six hours in the wild cave your family is welcome to break off and exit the cave early / once the fun meter has been happily filled or temporarily surface for a bathroom break, with the assistance of a guide.
What clothing and gear do we need?
We're happy to outfit you and your family members with a helmet, headlamp w/ batteries, gloves, and knee pads that are all tailored for caving and in various sizes, or you're welcome to bring your own. Ensure that you have the following remaining required gear and clothing:
-Boots with deep tread and ankle protection and support.
Hiking boots 🥾✔
Tennis shoes 👟❌
-Sturdy and non-restrictive pants and long-sleeve shirt that you're okay with getting muddy and potentially torn
Jeans/durable trousers ✔
Yoga pants ✔
Sweat pants ❌
Skinny jeans ❌
-Backpack (Small, hands free, and sturdy)
Old school backpack ✔
Your younger sibling's backpack ✔
Fanny Pack ✔
Large hiking backpack ❌
-Water bottle & underground snacks
-Garbage bag (for dirty clothing)
-Extra set of cloths and shoes
The caves are 57°F year-round; we'll stay warm as we move around, but dress in layers if you choose to heavily insulate.
What else should I pack?
A lunch to be eaten between the two cave trips; we have access to a refrigerator and microwave. Also, bring a bottle of water and a snack for the wild cave trip.
Can I sign my name... on the cave? No... On a waiver? You betcha!
While we won't ask for your first born, we do require you to complete a waiver:
https://gsp.caves.org/info/rkcwaiver.pdf
Arrive with one filled out or we'll have blank ones available.
Is there an obligation to join a grotto?
Negative - although we wouldn't blame you if caving becomes your new favorite pastime :)
Do I have to live in/near Cincinnati?
Not at all!
What if none of these dates jive with my schedule?
A) :(
B) Let us know a date that does and we'll try to put together a trip.
10am?!? You've got to be kitten me - that's too early!
If you would like to attend but are unable to make it at the start time, let us know beforehand as you may be able to join in after lunch.
Can I camp the night before and/or after?
You betcha! Pull up a seat to the campfire and bring your best tales of tomfoolery! While the Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve is not a public campground, we invite you to arrive after 4pm the night before and/or stay after, set up your tent, hammock, or camper/RV (car camping), and chill around the campfire with fellow cavers.
The preserve asks for a nightly camping donation of $9 per person, per night and offers latrines, potable water, a shower house, and a stocked kitchen with a fridge, freezer, microwave, stove & oven, and all of the pots, pans, and plates needed to cook and eat with. Pack food for any necessary meals and bring your cooking rig, cook over a fire, or use the kitchen. For campers/RVs the preserve offers a potable water hose to fill up your tank as well as sites with 15amp standard outlets (an additional $9 per site, per night).
Please email us at
TGV0c0dvQ2F2aW5nIHwgZ2NnY2F2ZXJzICEgY29t if interested in camping.
Should I bring any money?
-Caving: Free!
-Camping (Optional): $9 per person, per night.
Free...how?
Cavers, cave owners, and those before you have donated their time and resources to ensure that we have access to caves, quality gear that's cleaned and repaired between trips, and volunteer guides that are looking forward to sharing their passion with you!
Would you consider bringing a donation of $20 to help us continue our work?
I've heard of White Nose Syndrome; what should I know?
White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease that affects hibernating bats and is caused by a fungus that's moving through the bat population. The caves we explore are WNS positive. If you plan on caving elsewhere with the same clothing and/or gear that you use when caving with us please become familiar with WNS protocols:
https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/
https://caves.org/WNS/
Do these caves have walkways and railing?
No... and sorry to break it to you - there's no snack shack either 🙀(outside of what you pack in).
The Great Saltpetre Cave is easily walkable and has a relatively flat floor, but the wild caves have been left to nature's own beauty.
Video tour of the Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve:
Preview of wild caving:
https://www.derekbristol.com/getting-started
What else should I know about the caves?
-There are no bathrooms in the caves, but we are able to surface in an emergency and then return back to our mole people form.
-Tobacco use/vaping is not permitted in the caves.
-We will mainly be hiking, but also stooping, hands and knees crawling, army crawling, and climbing.
-No 4-wheel drive required.
Can I bring my camera?
Absolutely!
For the wild caves a protective case isn't a bad idea and since we'll be moving around a lot, large professional cameras aren't recommended. We'd be happy to let you know about other trips that are tailored to photo/videography.
Can I bring my dog, cat, parakeet, chameleon, and/or tarantula along on the adventure?
Just yourself and human friends please. We'll come across friendly cave critters though that we encourage you to name.
You are welcome to bring along your leashed/controlled pet, but they have to remain in camp/your car while we're caving.
Tell me more about the Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve.
Owned by the Rockcastle Karst Conservancy and managed by area grottos the Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve (GSP for short) is the home of a historic limestone cave once mined for saltpeter where people can experience the value of caves and enjoy their discovery, exploration, and history as well as their relationship to the environment; the surrounding land consists of 300+ acres of pasture and woodlands that are managed in an attempt to preserve a part of Kentucky's natural beauty for generations to come.
What happens if I attend and find out very quickly that caving isn't for me?
A) That's 100% okay!
B) A guide can escort you out of the cave.
C) Do pack your sense of adventure!
D) There's additional excitement to be had in the area to make a full weekend of fun:
https://www.rockcastletourism.com/things-to-do/outdoor-fun
https://visitberea.com/exploring
https://visitlondonky.com/attractions/
All of my family would like to tour the Great Saltpetre Cave, but only a portion would like to go wild caving portion - can everyone still come?
Absolutely. When it comes to the wild cave those that would like to stay back can stay with the car or explore the hiking trails, creek, and wildflowers of the preserve while you and others are getting muddy.
Note that a responsible adult (18+) must be part of your family that joins the wild caving trip; we are unable to take children underground without a responsible adult present.
This sounds awesome! I'm an organizer of a group; can we schedule a trip dedicated for us?
Absolutely! If you're a smaller group that enjoys meeting new folks feel free to sign up as individuals for these trips.
For larger and/or dedicated trips please submit a request through our caving outreach program:
https://gsp.caves.org/youthgroup.shtml
Will you be holding these events again?
Yes, but that's no excuse to not get unground this time around.
No car? No problem!
For carpooling please post in the event with the following info:
If you're looking for a ride or have an extra seat & how many.
Where you're driving from/wanting to be picked up from.
If you're camping or coming down in the morning or after lunch.
Alternatively, you can email us (
TGV0c0dvQ2F2aW5nIHwgZ2NnY2F2ZXJzICEgY29t) and we'll try to connect you with others.
The Caver's Creed:
Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but carefully placed footprints.
K*ll nothing but time.
Thank you to the Navarro family for sharing their muddy smiles for our event cover photo.
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