Varsity Scouts Caving

8/14/2019 Varsity Scouts Caving

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Varsity Scouts Caving

PreparationPlan at least 2 weeknights for preparation

1. File a tour permit early. Do not do this activity without a tour permit.2. Obtain permission slips from all the boys. Do not do this activity without permission slips.3. Show a movie on caving. For example the Planet Earth series has a great section on caves that

the boys loved and got them excited about going.

4. Discuss safety, equipment, trail buddy system. By trail buddy system, I mean explain that insteadof pairing up, each person is in charge of the person behind them. Do not ever go past a

junction or difficult spot before making sure the person behind you has cleared it and knows

which way the group is going. Also doing the paired buddy doesnt hurt.

5. Plan meals, transportation, etc.6. Present the particular cave youll be exploring. Show pictures if possible. Talk about its history,

etc. Explain what they might expect to see.

7. You could zip tie or duct tape 2 flashlights onto the top of your helmet. Keep your hands free.

Event DayAs boys arrive at your meeting place, make sure they have their permission slips if you have not already

obtained theirs. Make sure they brought the critical items on the list (water at flash lights).

In the beginning, practice the trail buddy system. You must drill it into their heads early, before things

get difficult and exciting. On your way out, when the boys smell the oats is too late.

At each area large enough for the group to fit in, stop and wait until everyone has arrived.

When you get to a secluded room large enough for your group, get everyone together and sit

comfortably. Get them to all turn of their flashlights and leave them off. This can pose quite a challenge.

Sit quite for some time. Have a reflection. Discuss what it feels like to be in total darkness. Consider

getting out of the cave without light. Discuss how Christ is light. Etc.

Everyone will be filthy when you exit the cave. I brought lots of water, wash rags and hand towels for

them to clean up with. Each of us went up a small river bed just up the road we were able to go up and

change into clean clothes. Alternatively, you can bring some shelter you can easily set up and use as a

changing room.

The CavePeppersauce cave is located about 8 miles south of Oracle, AZ. Google it for details. The cave is warm

and damp.


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Latitude/Longitude coordinates are: 32 31'33"N 110 42'23"W.

You can Google the cave to get some information and a map. It is a decent entry-level cave. There are

some tight spots and if you tried, you could get stuck. But, from what we found, its hard to get lost.

There are spray painted arrows and markings virtually everywhere. We also brought some shiny ribbon

that we tied off at some junctions which helped us exit more quickly.

As you descend, for the most part, stay to the left. Eventually youll come to quite a large room. Off to

the right youll come across a passageway to a ladder which takes you to the lake. The term lake is

quite generous. Its smaller than back yard swimming pools. I recommend staying out of the water. It is

not sanitary.

Back on the big room, if you explore the wall off to the left from where you came in, youll find a

passageway along the base of the wall which will take you though the rabbit hole and eventually to the

book room where there is a notebook that you can sign showing youve been there. I dont

recommend reading through the book. Note that the map you find on line, stops at the big room and

lake. Take the time to find this other area, as that is when the trip was the most fun and most

challenging.

When you come back to the big room, if you have time, you can explore some of the passageways you

missed on the way it.

Directions

From Florence, take 79 S for 42 miles to State Highway 77. Turn left (east) and drive 9 miles to the town

of Oracle. Take the first Oracle exit and travel 4 miles through town (on American) to Forest Road 38 (E

Mt. Lemmon Hwy). Follow FR 38 to Peppersauce Canyon (about 6-7 miles). Its about 2 hours fromGilbert.

At one point, youll come to an intersection. On the left is the campground. You can camp there if you

like, but we just turned right and found a spot of the road up a ways. I didnt want to pay, and I didnt

want to bother the campers with all the boys noise.

Continue on a couple miles to the cave. Youll pass a horse ranch on the left. Youll come across a bend

in the road to the left where there is a turn off down, to the left. Youll probably see quite a few cars

around. Dont feel shy to ask for directions. Yes, this means you.

The cave entrance is up a river bed on the right side about 100 yards. It is near a rusted metal sign. Ifyou follow the trail up, you cant miss it. Someone spay painted an arrow and cave to the right. That

leads to a boring shaft. The real cave is to the left of the sign and up the hill a bit.


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What To Bring

Small back pack/Fanny pack/day pack (it will get very muddy and beat up)

3 flashlights/headlamps - small is good

Replacement batteries for the lights

Compass

Helmet

Knee pads

Gloves

Towel

Clothes that you never want to wear again (they are going to get really dirty)

Boots/shoes that you never want to wear again (they are going to get really dirty)

Water

Snack

Change of clothes to wear home

Leader:

Camera

Not a bad idea to bring some rope or webbing for a couple places and just in case

5 gallons of water, rags, towels, etc to clean up afterwards


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CONSENT AND MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION

I hereby give consent for my child/self ______________________________ to participate in the Varsity

Scout Caving Campout on _____________________. I also hereby appoint any adult leaders and each of

them individually, in case of emergency, to act in my place for the purpose of signing for or consenting

to any medical, dental, or surgical treatment, including anesthesia, that might be needed by my saidchild/self during the course of the trip and activities.

__________________________________ ________________________________

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian / Adult Emergency contact phone number

Dated this ______ day of ________________, ____________.





to any medical, dental, or surgical treatment, including anesthesia, that might be needed by my said

child/self during the course of the trip and activities.

__________________________________ ________________________________


Dated this ______ day of ________________, ____________.





to any medical, dental, or surgical treatment, including anesthesia, that might be needed by my said

child/self during the course of the trip and activities.

__________________________________ ________________________________


Dated this ______ day of ________________, ____________.

Documents

Varsity Scouts Caving