Cave Trip Descriptions

LEVEL 3: These trips offer prolonged crawling and or belly crawls through small, constricted passages. Trips will last 3-6 hours. Wet conditions may or may not exist creating the possibility of hypothermia. 15 year old minimum, and must pass a 12 inch squeeze test.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED: Non-Insulated Coveralls or layers of clothing that can be adjusted according to climate conditions you'll encounter both above and below ground. Boots that cover the ankles, kneepads, gloves, a hard hat with chin strap, 3 light sources with one mounted on hard hat, small pack to carry bottled water, snacks, extra batteries ect. Elbow pads are required for level 3 cave trips.

If you have been on the bat cave backdoor trip and thought that the cave was for beginners, well think again. On this trip you will visit most of the tight long crawlways that you never new existed in bat cave. Extended hand and knee crawls and some belly crawls will leave you wet, sore and exhausted. Meets at Lodge; Transportation Needed.

Similar to the Bat Cave Extra Extreme only a shorter version. Meets at Lodge; Transportation Needed.

This is an extensive cave system with many dusty crawling and walking passageways. The dust will be flying in the crawls so if you have breathing problems this is not the trip for you. Highlights include encountering the famous Bills Crawl, a 100 ft. belly crawl utilizing only your elbows and toes. The trip to the cave entrance is a 300 ft. climb up a 30 degree banking, so you should be in good health to participate in this trip and have past caving experience. This cave is one with a long history including a short stint as a commercial cave in the late 1800s. In case of cold weather, it is suggested you wear a coat to the cave entrance and leave it until the return. These caves are on private property and we have permission to visit them during Crawlathon

These are two interesting wet caves with some nice cave formations. Flood cave starts with a belly crawl entrance and opens into a nice walking passage. Hands and knee crawling as well as light climbing are required for the trip. Fern cave starts with a plunge into at least 3 feet of water in the entrance passageway. There is virtually no walking passage in fern cave considering the majority of the trip you will be straddling a water filled canyon. A 20-foot ladder climb is required to access the really pretty upper level of the cave. The trip requires about a 20-minute hike through some steep terrain. These caves are on private property and we have permission to visit it during Crawlathon Weekend only! Meets at Lodge; Transportation Provided.

A BIG cave, with numerous entrances, just getting there is a challenge. You'll hike about 1/2 mile to the cave, through cow pastures and steep sloping hills and maybe snow and ice, and then you must decide: how wet do I really want to get (understanding that eventually you'll be making that 1/2 mile hike back to your vehicle). Wet gear is recommended if you want to get really wet, but most will choose only to get their boots wet. There are only a few short necessary crawls, but for you that love to crawl, opportunities will be available. Bring a change of clothes for afterwards. NOTE: This trip attempts to avoid as much water as possible. The cave is on private property and we have permission to visit the cave during Crawlathon Weekend only! Meets at Lodge; 25 miles of car travel round trip; Transportation needed.

Tygarts Gorge Hike & Cave Trek (Level: 3) - Duration: 4 hours - Limit: 10 people

This hiking/caving trip will take you into the beautiful Tygart’s Creek Gorge. This trip will consist of 1 ½ hours of scenic hiking through rough terrain and steep inclines around Tygarts Creek. Along the way you will get to see two different caves. Skyscraper Cave, seen only during the Tygarts Creek Regretta in the past, is considered by many to be the most beautiful in Carter County. On this trip you will have to navigate through a very narrow canyon passage and a very tight S-turn side crawl for about 15-20ft. But the formation filled room at the end makes it well worth the crawl getting there. After skyscraper you will venture off to another cave found within the Tygarts Creek Gorge. The cave is on private property and we have permission to visit the cave during Crawlathon Weekend only! Meets at Lodge; Transportation needed.