I spoke with the tour operator this morning, he is open for business as of today and our cave tour is still on. Because of the ongoing issues with the virus I think it best that everyone drive to Crystal City in their own vehicles. He mentioned that he has been having trouble with his credit card reader so it would be best if everyone could bring cash $$$$$. Here is a link to Crystal City Underground.

https://crystalcityunderground.com/

Gary, I don’t see the prices on the website. Do you know how much it is?

As I noted in the trip information section the tour will cost $40/person. If we get eight or more people to go he will drop the price to $35/person. At the present time there are 7 people signed up for the tour. Considering that is about what we would pay an outfitter for a shuttle on a river trip it doesn’t sound too bad for a unique experience.

I would imagine most people will paddle individually, if you want to bring a tandem kayak or canoe to paddle with another person that is entirely up to you. All the trip information is on the club website: Calendar > August > Cool Cave Tour > Trip Information. At the bottom you will see a tab [ Invite Friend ]
Gary

Actually I don’t know what that does for sure, I’ve never used it. I do know that when you sign up for an event you have the option to register as a group, but I’ve never done that either.
Gary

I’ve done it in the past. It gets quite Cold in there so dress appropriately. They supplied their kayaks which weren’t great , but avoided trying to haul them to cave opening and back . A head lamp would be good to bring. Have fun. Kathy

I’ve done this before. It definitely is worth going one time. I had brought my kayak, but it would have been easier just to use theirs – same cost. As Kathy notes, not the best of kayaks, but not a big deal for this.

I spoke with the tour operator again today and he said they have 30 kayaks of all types available for anybody that doesn’t want to bring their own. Personally I feel more comfortable in my own boat. He said that if you bring your own boat you would not have to carry it very far to get it in the water.
Gary

What date? I would like to make it again if I’m free it is a fun trip..

SYOTW
Randy

The cave tour is now a little over a week away. There are 12 people signed up at the present time, one of these is a limited member and will owe $5 to the club for one time participation, two people are not active members in the club this year. I will require filled out ACA waivers from anyone who hasn’t already turned one in this year and $5 from anyone who isn’t an active member of the ACA. Also I will have waiver/release from communicable disease forms which must be filled out by every participant. The plan is for everyone to proceed to the location in their own vehicles and maintain social distancing from each other during the trip. Any other preventive measures may be taken at the individual’s discretion.
Looking forward to the trip. It ought to be interesting.
Gary

Either way works.

Curious, I know they have boats to use but was curious how many were taking their own boats? I am leaning towards my/our paddles and PFDs… thoughts?

Also, Stacy and I will meet everyone at the Cave. Looking forward to this paddle.

See everyone Saturday.

I’m hoping as many people as possible bring their own boats. When I contacted the tour operator yesterday and told him how many people had signed up he got worried there wouldn’t be enough boats. He has two other groups scheduled at the same time as ours. I told him I thought most of our group would bring our own boats. Please do so if at all possible or we might have a problem.
Gary

Thanks! We will plan on bringing 2 of our boats.

Yes I did see that.

So the trip is cancelled tomorrow?

No way. The trip is on. Two people cancelled their registration because they can’t go.
Gary

Awesome! Was a little worried.

See you tomorrow

Do you mean renting tomorrow? The tour operator has a limited selection of boats to choose from which would be included in the price of the tour. There are two other groups scheduled to tour at the same time as us so there is the possibility that if you don’t bring your own boat there might not be enough of his to go around.

I will bring copies of Bob Meyer’s book Big Wind, Big Water, Big Waves to the Cave Tour if anyone wants a copy, they are $20 each.

BTW It’s a good idea to have a flashlight or two of your own on the cave trip.

SYOTW
Randy

It was a great trip thanks for putting it together Gary!
Aven had a blast too.