Not So Lowkey Lowmoor- CAVING INTERMEDIATE

OVERVIEW

Hey lovely people! So I am utterly obsessed with Lowmoor and would like to go back this weekend! But, I want to explore some new, more tricky areas therefore I will be doing the first ever intermediate trip to Lowmoor! This will also be my very first solo lead trip so I am going to be a little pickier about making sure you have the experience to be able to do this trip. Since these are areas that have not been explored by UVA and I will not have a co-lead, you MUST have at least one of the following to qualify for the trip: 1) Been on at least 2-3 trips, not including Lowmoor or 2) been to Lowmoor prior. This trip is two hours earlier than usual so those going to Moab will make it back in time for the meeting (be ready to get up early!). Also, we will only be exploring the mine for a very short amount of time (I want to check out the hibernation roost we found last trip) but will be spending majority of the time in the cave. Notes about the routes: Although I haven’t been to the rest of the cave, other cavers have told me there is a lot of breakdown (loose rocks, large boulders, etc.) and you have to be very careful on climbs. Please please please only sign up if you are confident that you are ready for a more challenging trip! I know a lot of you will do amazing on this trip and I am SO EXCITED to explore a new area with you!!

Schedule:
8:00am – Leave Echols
10:00pm – Arrive at cave and go over safety/conservation information
10:30pm – Start caving
2:30pm – Finish caving, return to car
5:00pm – Back in Charlottesville

Gear: You absolutely need all the gear listed! Please contact me ASAP if you cannot get everything on this list!

Gear we have:
– Caving helmet
– No fewer than 2 working headlamps
– Gloves
-Knee pads (optional)

Gear to Bring:
– Water
– Snack/Lunch
– 24 hour emergency food supply (just anything that can last you a days worth of meals)
– A container for any human waste – pack it in, pack it out
– Clothes that can get dirty/ripped/ruined (Long pants, and long sleeves are mandatory- please try to avoid cotton)
– Close toed shoes that can get dirty/ripped/ruined
– At least 1 spare light (can be a headlamp or flashlight or even your phone )
– A bag or backpack that can get dirty/ripped/ruined (can be found at the gear room as well)
– Clean clothes/shoes for the car (please please! Also make sure you bring layers! It is still a little chilly out!)

Gear we have extra but please first try to bring your own. If you cannot get your own please notify us ASAP:
– A trash bag for hypothermia kit (Hefty trash bags work well)
– Trash bag for dirty clothes, shoes, and backpack (make sure it’s big enough and can be the same trash bag as hypothermia kit)
– AAA batteries (like 6)

Important notes:
– You MUST read the Caving Checklist provided by the club. It can be found under the Resources tab on the website. I have also linked it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lv1Hz8qOIvGb0BgVwFrU6NH1EyT3wPqt/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115487946960226883937&rtpof=true&sd=true
– 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 (i.e., if you are not properly equipped with EVERYTHING mentioned above, you are not entering the cave).
– It is a good idea to not have anything massively important scheduled for the evening of the trip in the unlikely event we are delayed

***Need a driver! You’ll get priority off the waitlist.

If you have any questions or concerns or are unable to pick up gear, my phone number is (970) 294- 8781 (Allie). Also feel free to reach out to me if you just want to talk about the trip! See you all Sunday!