Return to the mines: I miss VA caving so much (Beginner Caving)

OVERVIEW

Y’all thought I wouldn’t be leading caving trips cause I graduated and moved to a different state….you thought wrong lol! Truly though, the caves in Pennsylvania are not nearly as cool as Virginia so I’m returning for one day only (!!) to get my underground fix. (Also, that’s why we’re doing this so late in the day, I’m driving in from Philly that morning.)
We will be going to Lowmoor mine/cave! Lowmoor is super fascinating because it was an iron mine from 1875-1898, but now is abandoned. The front part of the cave is the mine, but it transitions to being natural cave passage in the back. We will get to explore both sections, featuring the enormous main rooms of the mined section and some cool features in the back half. Also, if it doesn’t have the coolest parking lot you’ve ever parked in, I’ll eat a rock.

Schedule:
12:00pm – Leave Echols
2:00pm – Arrive at cave and go over safety/conservation information
2:30pm – Start caving
6:30pm – Finish caving, return to car
9:00pm – Back at Echols

Gear YOU need to Bring:
– caving helmet
– 2 headlamps
– knee pads (optional)
– Water
– Snack/Lunch
– 24 hour emergency food supply
– A trash bag for hypothermia kit
– A container for any human waste – pack it in, pack it out
– Clothes that can get dirty/ripped/ruined (GLOVES, long pants, and long sleeves are mandatory)
– Close toed shoes that can get dirty/ripped/ruined
– A bag or backpack that can get dirty/ripped/ruined
– Backup light source (can be a headlamp, flashlight, phone flashlight, etc.)
– Clean clothes/shoes for the car (please please)
– Trash bag for dirty clothes, shoes, and backpack (make sure it’s big enough)

Please text me at 703-850-9725 if you have any questions about gear/caving/anything!!

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.

**Drivers needed! You will get your gas reimbursed**