A Caving We Will Go!

As part of our wedding weekend there will be a cave trip with friends and family on Friday, May 2nd at 9am. Tumbling Rock is our destination. I'd expect our trip to get out of the cave around 1-2 pm. For those of you who are new to caving Tumbling Rock will be a fabulous first adventure into the wonder that is the underground caving world. (Boy did I just sound like an info-mercial) And as our former HSV grotto chair would say "Its a TAG classic!" You can see some photos of the cave here (Nathan's Flickr site) and here (Realms of Reality).

For you cavers this should be a fun little jaunt into TR to Topless Dome and back - just bring your regular gear. For the newbies - If your RSVP card said you'll be attending - we will have helmets and main headlamps for you to borrow. But there are a few other items needed for your first cave trip. Here's a list of basic caving gear that you will need during the cave trip:

1. Bandanna to keep your helmet from sticking to your forehead if you get sweaty and to control long and short hair in your helmet. (I never go caving without one - but some folks don't use one - your choice)


2. Kneepads (do not get hard plastic knee pads - they will slip) Volleyball knee pads that are covered in cloth seem to be the best kind.

3. Gloves - cloth garden gloves with the rubber-dipped palms like the Atlas pair above are excellent - you can get these at your local hardware store. Gloves are particularly important for two reasons: #1 Traction/Protection for your hands and #2 Protection for the cave - natural oils on your hands will harm formations and cause them not to grow. Formations should not be touched, but sometimes it is unavoidable - especially if you have to travel over or through them - which we will be doing.

4. Boots with good grippy tread that you don't mind trashing

5. Batteries (AA & AAA)


6. Small flashlight and/or stap-mounted headlamp (these will be your back up lights) Your local hardware store should have a good selection of these too.

7. At least 2 Bottles of Water
8. Snack/lunch - granola bars, Cheese and Crackers, trail mix, beef jerky, or sandwiches with Ziploc baggies to put them in


9. Small pack that you don't mind getting muddy to stow all your gear.

10. Clothes that you don't mind trashing - preferably NOT cotton. Synthetic materials insulate best. Try for old workout leggings, or long underwear underneath jeans or camo pants. Caves in Alabama run 58-60 degrees year round. So if you run hot or if you run cold - dress in layers (long sleeve T-shirt on top of sweatshirt) that can be put on and taken off when you get hot or cold. Warm socks like Smartwool, or synthetic hiking socks are a plus.



And for after the trip:
11. A FULL change of clothes including underwear, socks and shoes!
12. A big trash bag to put all your mucky clothes in.

13. Small towel or wet wipes (I always have a box of wet wipes for cave trip clean up)

Optional Gear:
14. Comb or brush for helmet hair
15. Camera - If you decide to bring a camera be sure to double Ziploc it and also pad it with a towel or rag.

If anyone has any questions - please post a comment and I will answer them.