|
EVENT: |
GRUNGE Caving Day Trip SOLD OUT!!! |
|
DATE: |
Feb 18, 2012 (Sat) |
|
COST PER PERSON: |
$25 ...$16 (16th Anniversary Special Price!!) (includes lunch) |
|
TO REGISTER: |
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PREREGISTER!!
Call or email ASAP to reserve spot! Pay online or by check to lock-in your spot. |
|
START TIME: |
10:30am (in Ocala) |
|
ENDING TIME: |
|
|
LOCATION: |
Ocala, FL (White Cliff Cave) |
|
ADDRESS: |
Brick City Park - 1211 SE 22nd Rd, Ocala, FL 34471 |
|
MAP & GPS: |
Click here for MAP | GPS: 29°09.957'N; 82°07.364'W |
|
CANCEL DATE: |
No Cancel Date! |
|
MIN. PEOPLE NEEDED: |
5 |
|
MAX. PEOPLE: |
25 |
|
AGE RANGE: |
6 years old & older (12 & under must be accompanied by an adult) |
| TRANSPORTATION: |
Carpool (Transportation is not supplied by GTD) |
|
DEPARTURE INFO: |
MEET-UP SPOTS: There are 3 different meet-up locations to choose from. GTD does not supply transportation or organize carpools for this event, but we will have a representative at each location to help coordinate the convoy =). Please be early or right on time!!
1) Largo (8:00am): Meet @ Smiley's Coffeehouse [MAP]
12685 Ulmerton Rd, Largo Florida 33774 (First Baptist of Indian Rocks)
Meet in the rear lot of Smiley's (see map). Thank you!
2) Wesley Chapel (9:15am): Meet @ Publix (Hollybrook Plaza) [MAP]
From I-75 take Exit 279 (SR54) East for 1/2 mile. Publix is on Right.
Meet in the southwest end of the Publix parking lot (see map).
1211 SE 22nd Rd, Ocala, FL 34471 (GPS: 29°09.957'N; 82°07.364'W)
**Park in the "CAVING PARKING AREA" as seen on map.
GTD CAN NOT GUARANTEE VEHICLE SAFETY AT ANY LOCATION! |
|
RETURN INFO: |
RETURNING SAT NIGHT:
Our goal is to finish up at Brick City Park around 3:00pm. This is a goal. Many factors can influence the time of completion. Since this is a carpool event you may depart at any time during or after the event. |
|
REQUIRED WAIVERS:
[Please print & complete prior to arrival] |
|
Caving Waivers (sign at cave) |
(Any participant under 18 must
also have parent/ guardian
sign each waiver) | |
|
PHOTO ALBUMS: |
Click here to see some pictures from previous trips. | |
| ABOUT CAVING |
|
|
|
Caving is also known as "spelunking" and it is the recreational sport of exploring caves (not to be confused with speleology which is the scientific study of caves). Caving can be fun, exciting and adventurous; it can also be challenging - both physically and mentally. In addition to walking, cave exploration may require a caver to crawl, climb and squeeze in, over, under and through passage ways in order to navigate through the cave. Because of this, caving gear & basic instructions are supplied in order to help add safety, comfort & efficiency to this underground adventure. Let's take a look at the basic caving gear, an overview of the cave, and some basic safety instructions. |
| BASIC CAVING GEAR SUPPLIED BY GTD: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Helmet |
Headlamp |
Knee Pads |
Bottled Water |
Snacks |
| (See Clothing & Gear Checklist below for items you need to bring) | |
| ABOUT WHITE CLIFF CAVE & SOME BASIC CAVING INSTRUCTIONS |
| WHITE CLIFF CAVE SPECS |
 |
BEGINNER LEVEL CAVE: White Cliff Cave is considered a great starting place for new cavers as well as a good challenge for experienced cavers. Beginner level doesn't mean it's easy. This cave will work you out. Heavy use thru the years makes it good for groups. Conditions are total darkness & warm year round. Ground ranges from dry to muddy. No bugs. |
 |
ELEVATION CHANGES & ROUTE: The entrance of the cave is an immediate drop of 3 feet. After traversing 75 feet across, the cave drops down another 12 feet. There are 2 main brances of the cave to explore. Each branch forms a loop and eventually returns to the start. About 60% of the cave requires crawling. Approx 2-3 hrs to explore the entire cave. |
|
WARNING: Caving can be a tight squeeeeeze!
White Cliff Cave entrance will accommodate participants up to 275lbs [More Pics] |
|
BASIC CAVING INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE NSS |
The following points will help you be mentally prepared, safer, and have a better caving experience. GTD is a member of the National Speleological Society (NSS). The following caving techniques & suggestions are summarized from those found on the NSS website:
BASIC CAVING INSTRUCTIONS
1) Three points of contact should be exhibited when moving over uneven ground to help prevent mishaps. This means having three points on your body supported on immovable objects. Whether it is a foot, a shoulder and a knee; an elbow, head and right hip; or your hand, bottom and back.
2) The group needs to stay together. Never cave alone. There should be a minimum of four people on each trip.
3) Know your limitations, rest frequently and watch for fatigue in others.
4) Do not leave trash behind, pick up others' trash, do not vandalize and do not take souvenirs. Everyone should know the importance of cave conservation on the trip. The caver's motto: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill nothing but time.
5) The slowest caver sets the pace. Caving is a team effort.
6) Don't take risks. Caves can be the most remote places you'll ever go. Even a minor injury could put your life at risk in a cave. Rescuing a person from a cave is a very technical and difficult operation.
7) Carry out trash. Take anything you bring into a cave out with you (including solid waste). If you find some trash pack it out with you. All responsible cavers do.
8) Do not touch formations. Even tiny cave formations take thousands of years to develop. The oil on your skin can kill delicate cave formations.
9) Panic is your worst enemy. If lost in a cave remain calm, conserve your light and stay in one place. Let the rescuers come and find you.
10) If your light fails: Stay put! Caving in the dark will lead to injury and possibly death. | |
| AGENDA OVERVIEW |
|
SATURDAY |
|
Drive to Cave Site / Collect Waivers
Set-Up Lunch / Eat
Distribute Caving Gear / Caving Instructions
Group Picture & Group Prayer
Start Caving (approx 2-3 hrs underground)
Underground Devotional & Individual Pictures
Exit Cave / Turn In Gear / Change Clothes
Depart | |
| ABOUT LUNCH & SNACKS |
We will eat lunch before caving. A sample menu for this type of trip may include your choice of sandwiches (turkey or chicken salad w/ sliced cheese or peanut butter & jelly) on whole grain bread served with chips. Typical beverages: water & lemonade. A typical snack during caving may be granola bars.
We don't supply a lot of snacks so bring them if you need them. Participants are usually very hungry after caving. If you are a vegetarian or have special dietary needs we will try to accommodate, but we need to know in advance (you may want to bring a few supplemental meals). |
| WHAT IS INCLUDED |
|
Full time guides, access to the cave, caving, all caving equipment & gear, lunch & drinks, small snacks, Christ-centered devotional, a lifelong memory! |
| WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED |
Transportation, additional snacks, water bottles, any meals during transit, items listed on checklist (see below). |
| PAYMENT OPTIONS |
| GTD events can be paid for with cash, checks, or debit / credit cards. To pay online with a debit or credit card scroll to the top of this link and click on the Pay Now button. Click here for cash & check payments.
GTD ALSO OFFERS PAYMENT PLANS |
| EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS |
GTD
1.888.697.2479 (GTD Main Office - Toll Free)
727-394-9483 (GTD Main Office - Tampa Bay area)
727-692-0250 (GTD On-Call cell phone)
727-692-5296 (GTD cell phone - Doug Garner) | | |
