COC CAVING

Jason in soda straws in Scott Hollow [photo: Simeon Warner]	Bats are our friends (Cemetery Pit, GA) [photo: Simeon Warner]	Delicate formations in New Mexico [photo: Simeon Warner]

Table of Contents

Going on a caving trip

Summary of what to bring:

• Clothes to cave in and caving gear (see notes below on clothing, lights and helmets and other gear),
• Clean clothes to change into (including footwear)
• Garbage bag to put wet/muddy caving gear in
• Small flashlight/headlight if you have one
• Snacks/drink (include a candy or granola bar for in cave)
• If camping or staying at the cabin you'll also need a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, perhaps a tent, more food/drink/money and anything else you require for an overnight.

Clothing

There are two key messages about caving clothes:

• Don't wear anything you care about -- it will get muddy, the mud will not come out.
• Avoid cotton -- especially next to the skin, you will get cold.

Caves in NY are typically cold, muddy and damp (some are very wet and a wetsuit may be appropriate). You will enjoy the trip more and the party will be safer if you are warm. Polypropylene long underwear is very good if you have it. Wool or woolblend pants, shirts, and sweaters are also good. Remember to bring a FULL change of clothing including footwear for when you get out.

Lights and helmets

Everyone must wear a helmet and the standard rule is "3 sources of light" for each person. The club has helmets and 8 headlights which require 3 "C" size batteries. There are also some little mag-lites for use as backup lights which require 2 "AA" batteries. If you have a suitable backup flashlight, please to bring that (preferably on a cord which you can dangle around you neck). If you have a headlamp feel free to bring your own. If you are intending to use a club light then you should bring batteries (there might be some in them but you can't trust them to last the trip).

The club also has a number of carbide lamps, if anyone feels like doing some work to get them going then there is work session credit available!...

Other gear

The club has a few kneepads (optional) and a few pairs of gloves (optional). If you particularly want gloves then I suggest getting a pair of inexpensive plastic-coated gardening gloves. We also have 3 sets of vertical gear.

Caving links

• National Speleological Society
• Syracuse U. Outing Club caving info and trip info sheet
• RPI Outing Club caving info
• The Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.
• Helderberg-Hudson Grotto
• Niagara Frontier Grotto
• Jason Meneely's caving page
• Simeon Warner's caving page

Trip reports

• McFails22May2004 - clean Ack's shack for 2004, tourist trip to sump 1

Inventory

CocCavingInventory

"Take nothing but pictures, Leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but time."

Emilie in the Thook entrance of Clarksville [photo:Kara Pivarski]	Jason going out the entrance of Morris Cave [photo: Kara Pivarski]	Ari and Jason caving in VA [photo: Kara Pivarski]