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Return to caving

PostPosted: Jun 30, 2016 1:31 pm
by dirkomatic
Hi all... Grew up in Greenbrier County, WV and went caving quite often during high school. I'm much older now, and I'd like to get back into it... "Back in the day" I did a lot of through trips in Bone-Norman. I'd like to do the same trip again with some old friends, but I have a little bit of apprehension. The last time I did the trip was 13 years ago and even then, my memory was a little spotty. I missed a marking and took an unwanted side trip for about an hour.

I just signed up to join the NSS and I'm hoping to get a copy of the map from the 2012 convention book... Anyone know if the map is any good or even legible?

Thanks!

Re: Return to caving

PostPosted: Jun 30, 2016 4:08 pm
by GroundquestMSA
The 2012 map is legible and useful, especially if you have some idea where you're going. It is a pain to read though, as it isn't a fold-up but is on a dozen or more pages.
Have a good time!

Re: Return to caving

PostPosted: Jun 30, 2016 7:41 pm
by dirkomatic
Thanks! I'll try to track one down and maybe scan and crop a decent sized one together...

I just got an email from a guy with WVACS that said we might be able to camp up at the field station, which would be really helpful, too.

Looking forward to participating in this forum.

Re: Return to caving

PostPosted: Jul 1, 2016 3:08 am
by trogman
Hi, Dirk! Welcome to the forum, and also welcome back to the world of caving!

You may want to do one or two less intense cave trips before jumping off into a major caving venture, just to get your feet wet again. It would be better to only be 500' in when you realize you forgot that crucial piece of gear, rather than a mile or two from the entrance. :doh: Just a suggestion. :big grin:

Have fun, and cave safely.

Trogman :helmet:

Re: Return to caving

PostPosted: Jul 1, 2016 8:33 am
by GroundquestMSA
Yep, WVACS is a great base for caving in Greenbrier County. They also have sheet maps of BN and all the other major caves that are useful for route planning. If you go to WVACS on project weekends, you'll get included on some nice trips, assuming you're interested in survey, photography, bolting, or whatever projects the usually present geology students are working.

Re: Return to caving

PostPosted: Jul 1, 2016 8:44 am
by dirkomatic
trogman wrote:Hi, Dirk! Welcome to the forum, and also welcome back to the world of caving!

You may want to do one or two less intense cave trips before jumping off into a major caving venture, just to get your feet wet again. It would be better to only be 500' in when you realize you forgot that crucial piece of gear, rather than a mile or two from the entrance. :doh: Just a suggestion. :big grin:

Have fun, and cave safely.

Trogman :helmet:


Hi Trogman.

I agree... I actually went into the Norman end a few weeks back to get my feet wet. Literally!

The guys I'm taking are all pretty fit (moreso than me) and I'm getting my cardio up between now and then. Luckily, we aren't doing any vertical work except for the short climb at the Norman entrance which doesn't require any special gear.

Re: Return to caving

PostPosted: Jul 1, 2016 8:46 am
by dirkomatic
GroundquestMSA wrote:Yep, WVACS is a great base for caving in Greenbrier County. They also have sheet maps of BN and all the other major caves that are useful for route planning. If you go to WVACS on project weekends, you'll get included on some nice trips, assuming you're interested in survey, photography, bolting, or whatever projects the usually present geology students are working.


Great! They got back in touch with me and it IS a project weekend and we will be welcome. I expect a full day for us at BN, so we probably won't get involved in any of the WVACS stuff, unless they are going to BN!