Glo wrote:Hi,
I am an avid outdoorsman and Wildlife and Fisheries student. I am not new to caving, but I am very new to looking into caving information on the web and have been very disappointed. I completely understand and strongly agree with the idea of keeping cave locations a secret, however.. Most of the grotto websites I have seen make their groups seem more like a partying college fraternity than anyone who actually cares about the environment. I was wondering if anyone knows of any "more serious minded" grottos in the central or north alabama areas? I currently live in Birmingham and frequent the Sipsey Wilderness so any grottos between would be great. I also wouldn't mind just meeting a few individual cavers, sharing knowledge and maybe exploring together.
Thanks,
Brandon
Interesting comments Brandon. I belong to 5 grottos and all like to party but they are all loaded with responsible cavers. These 5 are discussed below.
I lived in B'ham for many years and was very active in the grotto there serving several terms as secretary and two as chairman of the grotto. Yes they like to party but there are alot of serious cavers there. A former NSS President is a very active member of the B'ham grotto. The B'ham grotto recently donated a huge sum to the SCCi and was recognized at the recent TAG Fall Cave-In for this donation. The grotto has donated to many conservation projects through the years I've been associated with them. (Been a member since 1994). They usually do one or two cave clean-ups annually and have participated and funded several gating projects to protect caves.
I'm also a member of Huntsville Grotto they are also, as was pointed out by another poster, a very active grotto. . . yes there is a contingent there who like to party but they are also good people.
Both B'ham and H'ville are very respectful of the caves and conservation. Both grottos have members who are very active in NSS activities and in activities related to the Southeastern Cave Conservancy (please check their website
http://www.scci.org )
Several members of both grottos are also members of the Sewanee Mountain Grotto based in Sewanee TN but many members are from places like Atlanta, H'ville (area) and some from B'ham as well. I live in Sewanee so I am a member of SMG. This grotto also donates money to conservation projects and participates in/organizes clean-ups. They too recently donated a large sum to the SCCi and also to a non-caving related venture to save Fiery Gizzard Trail and nature area. SMG also has a group who is very into cave surveying. Be warned however that SMG also has some member who really like to "throw down" and "party".
I also belong to Dogwood City Grotto (DCG) in Atlanta. They throw the biggest annual caving party each year on the weekend before Columbus Day (known as the TAG Fall Cave-In but referred to as many as just TAG). Annual attendance is over 1000 cavers. They issue grants for conservation and survey projects each year using the proceeds from the Cave-In. . . but many of their members love to "party".
My other grotto is Meremec Valley Grotto (St Louis MO area) . . . a bit far to participate regularly but a great group of conservation minded individuals and cavers many of who love to party. My husband and I are members because he used to live in MO.
All grottos have sub-groups. . . you just have to go and meet people and find your "niche"