Caving Semi-Formal at Glade Cave (Beginner Trip)

OVERVIEW

You know what’s better than a caving trip? A cave semi. Yep, a semiformal: like the dress up, grab a date, and dance kind, but in a cave.

We will be heading to Glade Cave, affectionately known as the mud cave (and for good reason). Glade is characterized by its excessively muddy interior. I have never come out of Glade cave without every exposed surface being thoroughly covered in a thick layer of mud, so naturally this is the best place to have a semi. We will be making a stop at a thrift store before heading out to pick up button-ups, ties, and dresses that can face the abuse of caving.

Glade is a beginner-friendly cave, so this is a great introduction to caving if you’ve never been before. I will be imparting all the usual safety, conservation, and technique info for this trip, so feel free to sign up as a beginner. A brief note: caves are dark and are enclosed/confined spaces. I always encourage people to challenge themselves and try new things, but if you think you would have a major issue with darkness or being underground, consider sitting this one out.

Info for the semi-formal: we will be stopping by Goodwill on the way to the cave so that people can pick up clothes that can get dirty. If you already have clothes you don’t mind getting very muddy and potentially torn, feel free to wear that as well. I can say from experience that cave mud is very difficult to get completely out of clothing, but the clothes are usually salvageable for casual wear. Note that clothes must cover your arms and legs, and there should be no exposed skin (need leggings with dresses, long sleeves, gloves, etc.). If you’re bringing a “date” or a date/dates (queer/poly friendly), let me know in the trip survey so I can make sure you get on the trip together.

Schedule:
9:00 – Leave Echols and head to Goodwill
9:30 – Arrive at cave and go over safety/conservation information
10:00 – Start caving
3:00 – Back at Car
4:00 – Back at Echols
Gear to Bring:
– Water
– Snack/Lunch
– 24 hour emergency food supply
– Clothes that can get dirty/ripped/ruined (GLOVES, long pants, and long sleeves are mandatory) and/or some money for clothes at the thrift store (probably around $10-$15 depending on what you want)
– Close toed shoes that can get dirty/ripped/ruined (trust me, you will not want to be in chacos)
– Caving helmet (please don’t use the club’s climbing helmets; the caving helmets are the old Petzl Ecrin Rocs with a suspension system; NOT the foam protection black diamond helmets)
– No fewer than 2 working headlamps with spare batteries
– No fewer than 1 spare light (can be a headlamp or flashlight)
– Clean clothes for the car (please please, I really like my car)
– Trash bag for dirty clothes and shoes