CAVES, CAVES, CAVES! Lots of choices from wild adventurous cave trips that will get you down and dirty, scenic walking tours that will have you shutter bugging all the way, to jaw dropping history tours associated with the underground world!

CAVES TRIPS REQUIRE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT.  BE IN THE KNOW.....READ BELOW!

FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS WILL KEEP YOU ON THE SIDELINES.


A Caving Equipment Checklist by the National Speleological Society.
Required Equipment For Level 1 Cave Trips:
Old clothes, gloves, comfortable (broken in) shoes that cover the ankle, a good flashlight with extra batteries. For additional information on WNS visit the WNS Web Page.


Required Equipment For Level 2 & 3 Cave Trips:
Non-insulated coveralls or layers of old clothing including an outer layer that can be removed and bagged after your tour. Having multiple layers will allow you to adjust according to climate conditions you'll encounter both above and below ground. Boots that cover the ankles, knee pads, gloves, a hard hat with chin strap, 3 light sources with one mounted on hard hat, small pack to carry bottled water, snacks, extra batteries, and supplies. NOTE: You cannot use the same soft cave gear on multiple cave trips. For additional information on WNS visit the WNS Web Page. See guidelines below for more information.


White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) and Decontamination Guidelines


White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease that is harming our bats and has no effect on humans. To help protect the bats you will be required to follow the mandatory guidelines and decontamination procedures for wild cave trips. WNS was found in bat populations in some caves at Carter Caves State Resort Park in February of 2013. Now that is found locally, it is critical to adhere to the decontamination guidelines following cave trips. Because of the seriousness of WNS, all wild cave participants are required to follow these guidelines.

✔ Participants are not to bring any clothing or gear that has been in another cave or mine outside of the Carter Caves Region since 2006 unless it has been decontaminated.

✔ Participants going on multiple wild cave trips during the weekend must have complete different sets of soft gear for each cave trip. Soft gear includes coveralls or outer layer of clothing, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves & cave pack.

✔ You cannot use the same soft gear on two different wild cave trips.

✔ Participants are to wear coveralls or an outer layer of clothing that can be removed and bagged after leaving the cave. Bags provided.

✔ Participants will also bag any other soft gear like knee or elbow pads.

✔ Participants must not take the clothing or gear used on a wild cave trip during WAW into another cave or mine outside of the Carter Caves Region without decontaminating using the guidelines in this document - National White-Nose Syndrome Decontamination Protocol - Version 04.12.2016

✔ Participants will have their shoes & hard gear (helmets, lights) decontaminated following the cave trips.

✔ Hard gear can be used on multiple cave trips during WAW.

✔ Participants in wild cave trips will sign the Wild Caving Agreement indicating they have read and understand the wild caving guidelines that have been set for the event.

✔ Guides can remove you from the trip if you do not follow these guidelines!

✔ For additional information on WNS visit the WNS Web Page.