Important: Every item that is worn or carried into the cave will become completely covered (and permeated with) cave mud. Cave mud is a lot like Scout Camp mud -- it's mostly red clay and is difficult to wash out of fabric. Do not take anything into a cave that you cannot afford to lose or break!
| Required Pre-cave Items | ||
| Item | Quantity | Comments |
| Health form | 1 | Your health form must be current, just as if you were going to Scout Camp. If you went to camp last year, the Troop may still have a valid form on file for you. |
| Required Carried Items | ||
| Item | Quantity | Comments |
| Cave pack | 1 | A small, securely closable pack you can strap to yourself and carry without using your hands. A school backpack will work for novice trips, but a pack with snaps, hooks or drawstrings is preferred over one with zippers (zippers malfunction when filled with mud). |
| Flashlights | at least 2 | These lights are in addition to your headlamp. Ensure that the lights are waterproof, that they work and that their batteries are fresh. Mini-Mags are good -- small, lightweight, long-lasting, waterproof and they come with a spare bulb. If available, headlamps or head-mountable lights are preferred over hand-carried lights. |
| Batteries | 2 complete sets of spares for each light | These batteries are in addition to the ones already in the lights; each light should be ready-to-use and also have two complete sets of spares. Don't forget 2 sets of spares for your headlamp as well! Ensure the batteries are fresh. |
| gallon Ziploc bags | 3 | For emergency use. |
| 1 liter canteen | 1 | Your canteen will take some abuse as you throw your pack around, lean against it and sit on it. Bring a canteen that won't break. Be sure to fill it with water before you leave! |
| Trash bag | 1 | Bring a strong bag big enough to fit yourself into -- lawn & leaf bags are perfect. |
| Small candle wrapped in foil | 1 | For emergency use. |
| Lighter | 1 | Ensure it works properly and pack it in something waterproof to keep the flint dry. |
| Pocketknife | 1 | A Swiss army knife is perfect. |
| Plastic jar with lid | 1 | This is in case you have to go to the bathroom. An old peanut butter jar is perfect. |
| Medication | everything you require for the next 48 hours | Write down the dosages and times they are needed. Put the instructions in with the medications. Pack them so they will stay dry. Make the trip leader aware of your conditions/medications and the instructions. |
| Pencil | 1 | For emergency use. |
| Duct tape | at least 10' | Wrap it around your pencil or your canteen for safe keeping. |
| Personal first aid kit | 1 |
Bring your hiking first aid kit. It should contain, at minimum:
|
| Snacks | enough for several snack breaks | Bring high-calorie, high-carbohydrate food for quick pick-me-ups. Chocolate and granola are perfect. |
| Optional Carried Items | ||
| Item | Quantity | Comments |
| Camera | 1 | Make sure it's not fragile and it's packed in a waterproof container. Be sure to bring a camera with a flash! |
| Toilet paper | as much as you might need | For bathroom breaks. |
| Anti-fog spray | 1 | If you wear glasses, you'll appreciate having an anti-fog spray on your lenses. |
| Required Worn Items | ||
| Item | Quantity | Comments |
| Hard-soled boots with good tread and good ankle support | 1 pair | Waterproof boots are not recommended -- wading through water is very common in caves and water can't drain out of waterproof boots. |
| Warm socks | several layers | Do not wear cotton socks! Wear only synthetic fabrics or wool. Polypropylene boot liners are highly recommended to keep the moisture away from your skin. |
| Knee pads | 1 pair | Bring a pair that fits well and doesn't slide down easily. Do not bring pads that are riveted together -- get some that are sewn. |
| Gloves | 1 pair | Work gloves are preferable -- whether they are cloth or leather doesn't matter. |
| Underclothes (long underwear) | thin layers | Because of the moisture and humidity in caves, polypropylene underwear is recommended. If that's not available, wear synthetic fabrics -- no cotton! Caves in this area are 57°F year-round. |
|
Coveralls
OR sturdy pants and a long-sleeved shirt |
1 | Bring synthetic fabrics if possible. This isn't as critical as with the underclothes but it's still important. |
| Hard-shell safety helmet | 1 | A working chinstrap is vital. The Grotto can loan helmets if necessary. |
| Helmet-mounted headlamp | 1 | The Grotto can loan headlamps if necessary. The Grotto is not responsible for the batteries, however. |
| Optional Worn Items | ||
| Item | Quantity | Comments |
| Elbow pads | 1 pair | When belly crawling, elbow pads are very nice to have. |
| Kleenex or handkerchief | 1 | It's nice to be able to blow your nose or wipe your face on something that isn't covered in mud. Be sure to pack these in a waterproof container. |
| Post-cave Items | ||
| Item | Quantity | Comments |
| Extra water and snacks | enough to munch on | Caving is hard work; you'll want a refresher after you leave the cave. |
| Heavy-duty trash bags | 3 | Necessary to put your muddy gear into and possibly to sit upon for the trip back to the campsite. |
| Complete change of clothes | 1 | Bring spare shoes, underwear, socks, pants and shirt. After leaving the cave, you may be completely soaked and muddy from head to toe. You may have to change completely before you can get in a car. |
| Soap, shampoo, towel and toiletries | 1 | You'll need to wash off the mud and clean up after you come out of the cave. |