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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
batrotter wrote:Maybe you should join a conservancy instead of a grotto. Most grottoes are for more social interests whereas conservancies lean toward conservation efforts.
mgmills wrote: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".
NZcaver wrote:It's fair to say that as organizations, conservancies are focussed on caves whereas most grottos are more about caving. Caving is generally a group (and therefore social) activity. Personally I have connections with half a dozen grottos and a couple of conservancies. The grottos range from the more social "let's-go-caving-and-have-fun" type to the more structured "let's-talk-policies-and-cave-management" type, although the two frequently overlap. In my experience, many cavers happily play both sides of the field.
graveleye wrote:mgmills wrote: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".
sure we like to party... we throw a good one too, once a year! But that certainly isn't what it's all about.
Glo wrote:Thanks everyone for the replies. After reading everyone's post I understand a little better to not judge a grotto just by their website. The reason I felt like that to begin with is because one local grotto's website has tons of pictures of people partying and maybe 2 pictures of a cave and I guess it left an impression on me that most are more about a party than caving. However, after reading your post I see I need to look deeper and actually meet some of these groups.
My girlfriend and I are leaving out tomorrow for a 3 day trip to one of my favorite caving areas hoping to find a new one or two. When we get back Saturday I'll probably start contacting some grottos. Thanks again all!
trogman wrote:I guess the bottom line for me is that, while I don’t have a problem with people having a drink or two after a caving trip, or maybe the night before. But when it comes to total drunkenness, and especially when the illegal drugs are brought out, that’s where I draw the line. And to combine any on these things with caving is, in my opinion, very unsafe and irresponsible. Call me a prude if you like, but I think it is possible to have fun without involving drugs or excessive use of alcohol.
Glo wrote: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?
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