(This information was updated on February 10.
The following is the announcement for the Mammoth Cave pre-convention camp. This announcement materials will also be posted on the <a href="http://www.nss2007.com/">NSS Convention website</a>, including registration materials.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Roppelcaver (Jim Borden)
Roppel Cave Pre-convention Camp
July 14-21, 2007
Organizer: Jim Borden (jimborden@gmail.com)
The Central Kentucky Karst Coalition (CKKC) and Cave Research Foundation (CRF) will be hosting a Mammoth Cave pre-convention camp at the CRF Field Station near Mammoth Cave National Park. The focus of the camp will be various guided caving trips into the Roppel Section of Mammoth Cave, some of which could include surveying, photography, etc.
Camp Highlights
Multiple trips to Roppel Cave, through one or more of the available entrances, of various lengths and difficulty.
Vertical skills or wetsuits are not required, although scrambling and some climbing skills are desirable. Some trips may be planned that require vertical skills, but these will be based on demand, and other options will be available.
Excellent facilities for a caver gathering, including a central meeting hall, bunkhouses, and a large kitchen and eating area.
Evening programs – slide shows, talks, etc.
Opportunities for “off-day” activities.
A display-quality map of Roppel Cave and other handouts.
Facilities and Accommodations:
The CRF Field Station is a world-class research facility located just east of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Facilities feature a central building with a large meeting /dining area, computer room, wrap-around decks, deluxe bathrooms, and a spacious, fully-equipped kitchen. Two separate bunkhouses have multiple rooms sleeping four each, each individually climate controlled. The grounds are spacious and open, offering stunning views of Hamilton Valley, and providing excellent camping.
The Cave
Roppel Cave, discovered in 1976, is an 85-mile-long section of the Mammoth Cave System. Roppel Cave became part of Mammoth Cave in 1983 when its length was 49 miles. With five entrances and a vertical extent of approximately four-hundred feet, Roppel is uniquely complex. It has some of most spectacular and beautiful cave passages in the region. Some are highly decorated with gypsum flowers, others are river passages, and many are just plain fun! Exploration is ongoing and an average of three miles of new passage is typically discovered each year.
Cave Trips
Cave trips will be planned and run based upon participants’ interests and abilities. Many trips offered should be considered moderately to extremely strenuous, and participants must be experienced cavers. Roppel Cave is known for a number of superb entrance-to-entrance through trips – some up to five miles in length (fourteen hours), as well as myriad intra-cave loops, so there will be good opportunities to see a variety of spectacular and interesting cave.
But also remember, this is the Longest Cave. Although we have some of the grandest walking passages in the world, the Longest Cave has some of the longest crawls, too. Some trips may have a fair bit of crawling, could be wet, and/or could require extensive underground travel. Participants should be physically fit, well prepared (appropriate equipment, sources of light, kneepads, suitable clothing, etc.), and be self sufficient.
However, we will also be offering shorter, easier trips to close-in sections of the cave – good for “off” days, less experienced cavers, or those who just want shorter trips. These trips will be no less interesting than the longer trips. We plan to be flexible and structure the trips to suit the interests and abilities of the participants.
Survey and photo trips may be made available, subject to demand and availability of suitable personnel (trip leaders as well as participants who know how to survey). There is plenty of virgin passage to be had.
There are a few nearby small caves available for self-guided trips. Details will be made available at the time.
The Organizer
Jim Borden has been caving in the Mammoth cave area since 1973, and has been involved in Roppel Cave since its discovery in 1976. He is the Managing Director of the Roppel Project. With Roger Brucker, he authored Beyond Mammoth Cave, the definitive book on Roppel's exploration. He will be assisted by other experienced Roppel cavers and CRF personnel.
Non-caver Participation
Non-caving spouses/partners/family are welcome, subject to space availability. Mammoth Cave National Park and the local region offer many activities – canoeing, commercial cave tours, hiking, theme parks, shopping, movies, etc. – so non-cavers will not be bored. Non-cavers who are willing to help cook and/or food shop will be especially welcome.
Cave Camp logistics
All fees include full room and board, and are based upon duration of participation. Although the camp is designed for cavers who will stay for the entire period (and they will be given priority), shorter stays will be accommodated to the extent possible. Evenings likely will include slide shows and other programs. Participants are welcome to present caving or similar slide shows in the evenings. Facilities are fully furbished – air conditioning, showers, etc. Comfy twin mattresses are provided, but each person must bring linens, including mattress cover, pillow, towel, sheets and a light blanket. (We do not recommend that couples try to share as the bunks are too narrow for that, and you may not put the mattresses on the floor).
The facilities and cooking will be managed through a collaborative effort – food preparation, dishwashing and cleaning of the facility are expected to be done collectively by all camp participants.
Fees
The full cost for the camp is $160 (seven nights, six full days); shorter stays will be at $35/day. Rates include all room and board (but bring your own cave food!), evening programs, handouts (including a color map of Roppel), etc. Carbide can be provided for an additional fee.
Other relevant information
Attendance will be limited, so we encourage early registration, and participants will be limited to those with suitable experience. Priority will be given to full camp registrants.
Participants over 14 and under 18 years of age may be allowed to participate on cave trips provided they are sufficiently experienced cavers, but will be required to cave with their parent or guardian. In any event, all minors in camp will be required to be supervised at all times.
Non-caving family and/or spouses are welcome, subject to space availability
No fireworks or firearms of any type are permitted.
No smoking allowed on the premises
Pets are not permitted.
All other Hamilton Valley or CRF rules will apply.
Weather and such
This is the southeast. Kentucky summers are hot and humid, ranging to the high 80s during the day and 70s at night. Cave temperature is 54 degrees. Cavers can expect some trips to require extensive wading, sometime up to the waist. Other trips are quite dry.
Logistics
The Mammoth Cave area is located in south-central Kentucky, midway between Nashville and Louisville, both ninety miles distant, and both cities are served by excellent airports. The nearest town is Cave City, five miles east, and the nearest large town is Bowling Green. The NSS Convention is located approximately two hours from Mammoth Cave.
Full camp participants must arrive on Saturday, July 14 (unless other arrangements have been made). Dinner will be provided, and that evening we will present a short orientation, review of plans for the week, etc. Cave trips will begin on Sunday. The last day of caving will be Friday, July 20. Camp will close after breakfast and a wrap-up meeting on Saturday, July 21.
(Additional information will be provided to registered participants).
Registration
Please contact Jim Borden (jimborden@gmail.com) for additional information, request for a registration form, etc.