2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

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2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby Komebeaux » Dec 11, 2008 8:43 am

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Last edited by Komebeaux on Apr 14, 2009 9:58 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby MUD » Dec 11, 2008 9:02 am

That's a beautiful area to have the VAR. This one is on the calendar! :bananabat:
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby pacaver » Dec 12, 2008 8:49 pm

Yep, it looks to be a good event. Hopefully the campsite isn't next to an active railroad line like Fall VAR. :laughing:
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby Cheryl Jones » Dec 12, 2008 10:41 pm

pacaver wrote:Hopefully the campsite isn't next to an active railroad line like Fall VAR. :laughing:

Nope -- that's a rare privilege! We can't expect such exciting 24-hour entertainment every VAR! :panic: But hey, maybe Blacksburg will host us again soon down by the New River.... :big grin:
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby Scott McCrea » Jan 15, 2009 8:57 pm

Click here to download a PDF of the registration form for Spring VAR 2009.
Last edited by Scott McCrea on Mar 15, 2009 7:26 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Registration form and link have changed. New info below.
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby Carl Amundson » Jan 16, 2009 10:11 am

It should be a lot of fun.
I will be leading another trip this year (no water involved this time though). :big grin:
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby Komebeaux » Feb 3, 2009 1:56 pm

As many already know, the Trout Rocks Caves are closed due to the latest WNS development. This closure has now also impacted our led trips planned for Kenny Simmons Cave now being canceled.
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby VACaver » Feb 24, 2009 8:15 pm

Danny,

Some folks are wondering...are Thursday night arrivals gonna be permitted? It'd be nice not to have to drive up early on Friday to go on one of the Friday lead trips.

Thanks!
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby Komebeaux » Feb 28, 2009 4:12 pm

No Thursday night arrivals unless you get your own campsite. Grand is hosting another event that week and we will be unable to come in and set up until Friday morning.

Also, we now have to take Breathing Cave off the trips list. As most know, it is closed due to WNS.
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby VACaver » Feb 28, 2009 4:38 pm

Thanks for the info!
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby George Dasher » Mar 8, 2009 10:01 am

A small thing:

It is Trout Rock caves, not Trout Rocks.

The actual rock was located at the bottom of the cliff (along the limb of the anticline), and in the sharp turn on the highway.

However, the highway department removed it several decades ago. Maybe even back into the 30s.

Kinda like that big nose of rock the big Canadian gift shop is named after at Niagara Falls. The rock is long gone (thanks to dynamite and gravity), but the name is still used.
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby mcjames » Mar 14, 2009 2:47 pm

Due to unforeseen circumstances the host group and some details of the upcoming VAR have changed, but the time and place remain the same: April 24-26 at Grand Caverns. You can follow all the updates here: http://www.varegion.org/var/events/Spri ... gVAR.shtml

Good news! Registration has been LOWERED to only $30 for adults and $25 for children 5-15 and pre-registration has been extended until April 18th. There will NOT be a surcharge this time for on-site registration, but pre-registration is highly encouraged to help us plan events and order enough food. Breakfast on Sunday was previously ONLY available if you pre-register, but we may change that. You can find the NEW pre-registration form here:
http://www.varegion.org/var/events/Spri ... n_Form.pdf Please destroy any old forms. Checks should now be made to Sligo Grotto.

Despite everyone's worst fears, there will be caving trips (but please disinfect your gear before coming!). There will be a special kids caving trip to Fountain Cave and reduced admission to Grand Caverns for everyone. For those who chose not to cave, we plan on having a major sinkhole cleanup right on Cave Hill, a possible visit to the Crozet Tunnel, ridgewalking, a possible speleo-mini-golf tournament, and your favorite speleo-vendors. Other cave trips are being organized. Please volunteer if you would like to lead a trip.

The park buildings will be open for flush toilets and hot showers, and we will have additional portapots as well. A delicious and filling dinner and your favorite caver beverages will be served Saturday night, with DJ John Fox spinning the tunes afterwards. Sunday's VAR business meeting promises to be rambunctious and entertaining, and Chairman Craig may have to keep order with his BIG AXE.

There will be plenty to do, great food Saturday night, and lots of friends who you haven't seen since OTR. Come out and shake off the winter. Don't miss it!

To address some of the prior questions:
Registration will not open until Friday. Sorry, no Thursday arrivals.
The train tracks are about a half mile away, and there is usually only one or two trains per night. I camp there nearly monthly, and the trains are not a problem.

:bat sticker: :cave softly: :bat sticker:
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby VACaver » Mar 14, 2009 3:19 pm

Ya just had to bring up the trains from the Fall VAR, didn't ya? :laughing:
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby Carl Amundson » Mar 14, 2009 4:08 pm

There will also be a vertical seminar running during VAR.
Bring your vertical gear to practice change-overs, passing knots and what ever else you want to try.
If you don’t know how to do a change-over, we will teach you.
If you are getting ready for NCRC, we can help you work on your entry skills.
Last edited by Carl Amundson on Apr 4, 2009 7:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 2009 Spring VAR - Grand Caverns, Grottos VA

Postby VACaver » Mar 19, 2009 2:15 pm

Spring VAR at Grand Caverns is only 36 days away!

So far, IMO, Cavers Connection, and Speleobooks will be there, along with plenty of planned activities.

Spread the word folks! Get your registrations in! IT'S GONNA BE FUN!!!
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