Beginner Caving at New Trout Cave

OVERVIEW

If you’ve never been caving before and are interested in trying it, come check out New Trout!

The New Trout Cave in West Virginia is a beginner-friendly cave that offers some larger rooms as well as obstacles to climb over or crawl under. A portion of the cave is tall enough to walk upright since saltpeter was mined there during the Civil War. However, there are some tighter spaces near the back that you can crawl through if you want to. Keep an eye out for fossils since people have found old salamanders and seashells and other stuff like that in there. We’ll also most likely see some of the resident bat population sleeping on the ceiling.

This cave isn’t too large, so we’ll be able to explore to the back of it. We should also have plenty of time to stop somewhere to eat lunch and do a lights-out moment. If you’ve never experienced absolute darkness before, caving is one of the best ways to see (or not see) it. Our total time underground will probably be around 3 hours.

** Driver’s Needed (since I don’t have a car)! Club Reimburses ALL Gas + 50% tip (show up to Echols with a FULL tank of gas)

Logistics:
– Leave from Echols at 0800
– Drive two hours to the cave
– Gear up, talk safety, and adventure through the cave for a few hours (1000 – 1400)
– Hike back, clean up/change clothes, and drive home
– Arrive back in Charlottesville around 1700

Equipment list:
– 2 headlamps
– backup batteries for your headlamps (I do not supply batteries, so if you want to be able to see stuff you should bring batteries.)
– helmet [go for the caving helmets (dirty white or red suspension helmets), not the climbing helmets (grey foam helmets)] – 2 trash bags (one for hypothermia kit; the other for dirty clothes/gear)
– gloves
–wearing pants/long sleeves is highly recommended
– water
– snacks/emergency food supply
– sturdy closed toed shoes
– backpack that can get dirty
– change of clothes
– container for human waste (try to avoid this situation, but a water bottle will suffice)
– optional: money to grab food on the way back – may or may not happen depending on how we’re feeling

Important notes:
– You MUST read the Caving Checklist provided by the club. It can be found under the Member Resources tab (policies > officer policies > caving checklist).
– You are responsible for gathering all of your own equipment. Most of the gear is available at the club’s gear room.
– You should be comfortable crawling around in tight spaces and being in the dark.
– Because caving is such a dangerous sport, I will be very strict in ensuring you have the proper equipment
– It is a good idea to not have anything important scheduled for the evening of the trip just in case we are delayed.