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up-we-go
Jan 14, 2010, 2:35 PM
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Registered: Aug 7, 2009
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Hey so i live in Pa, USA, I'm looking for some decent caves. i really do not care how big or where they are at, as long as they are not commercialized. So if anyone could help out thanks?
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marc801
Jan 14, 2010, 3:07 PM
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Registered: Aug 1, 2005
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up-we-go wrote: Hey so i live in Pa, USA, I'm looking for some decent caves. i really do not care how big or where they are at, as long as they are not commercialized. So if anyone could help out thanks? There are some near State College. Google for the NSS and contact your local grotto.
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dolphja
Jan 14, 2010, 3:28 PM
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Registered: May 18, 2001
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marc801 wrote: up-we-go wrote: Hey so i live in Pa, USA, I'm looking for some decent caves. i really do not care how big or where they are at, as long as they are not commercialized. So if anyone could help out thanks? There are some near State College. Google for the NSS and contact your local grotto. +1
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hansundfritz
Jan 14, 2010, 4:33 PM
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Registered: Sep 18, 2008
Posts: 139
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Most caves in the northeastern US are currently closed because of a new disease that is wiping out bat populations -- White Nose Syndrome. This is a major crisis that has been on the top of the caving community's agenda for a couple of years now. See NSS webpage for more info: Basic page: http://www.caves.org/WNS/ Good brochure: http://www.caves.org/...207~3~09%20FINAL.pdf It is extremely important for cavers (current and prospective) to cooperate with the ban on recreational caving for the forseeable future.
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bflank
Jan 15, 2010, 5:04 PM
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Registered: Jul 11, 2003
Posts: 48
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Just hook up with a local chapter (called Grottos) of the National Spelological Society. They will be able to tell you everything you want to know about local caving. Most grottos run frequent trips. As a previous poster noted, there is a very serious problem with White Nose Syndrome decimating bat populations, so there are significant restrictions on caving in many locations. Even where caves are open, cavers are being asked to take special precautions with cleaning their gear. One other note, cavers are particularly secretive about the locations of caves. They act this way to protect caves from damage by "yahoos" as well as to keep the unqualified away from the caves and prevent injuries ( which sometimes lead to cave closures). Once cavers get to know you and see that you understand "caving softly" and know what you are doing, they will generally be happy to point you the right way or invite you along.
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bflank
Jan 15, 2010, 5:05 PM
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Registered: Jul 11, 2003
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Meant to include a link to the PA list of grottos from the NSS website. http://www.nssio.org/find_grotto_overview.cfm?state=PA
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hansundfritz
Jan 15, 2010, 5:51 PM
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Registered: Sep 18, 2008
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Thanks, bflank. I should have said "find a grotto." Great advice. What's the difference between a caver and a spelunker? Cavers rescue spelunkers. Don't be a spelunker!
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