Where do you go on Wednesdays?

We go to one of many local caves that are within driving distance.

Where do you meet?

In the parking lot next to the IST building (big lot). We leave at 6PM, so be there by 5:45PM.

How do you get to the caves?

We take our own vehicles. Usually enough people drive up to the Shields Building to be able to car pool everyone. If you have a vehicle, it wouldn't hurt to drive over in case the space is needed.

What equipment do we need?

No caving-specific equipment is needed. Wear clothes that can and probably will get muddy, torn, and beat up. Bring four new AA batteries, a large trash bag, and a change of clothes and shoes for the drive back. Gloves and/or knee pads are recommended. Click here for a more complete list.

What experience is needed?

Most Wednesday night trips do not require prior experience since they are specifically designed to give new cavers a feeling of what to expect. 

Experience for other trips will vary.

How much is membership?

$10/yr - Full time students ($5 if paid after the beginning of the spring semester).
$15/yr - Other (NGI memebership)(NGI)
Life time memberships also available (NGI)

Is membership mandatory for club activities?

Membership is not mandatory for beginner Wednesday trips or ropes practice, but is required for certain weekend and non-Wednesday night trips.

Rope practice sessions are ran by certain State College YMCA climbing instructors during open climbing times. Ropes practices are announced over the Nittany Grotto list serve.

What do you learn at the ropes practice sessions?

They teach various methods of ascending and descending ropes, methods of changing from ascension to decension, and methods of passing obstructions while on rope. They can also offer basic rescue instruction for more advanced members.

Do I need any equipment for ropes?

Personal equipment is not required for the indoor practice sessions. However, if you have your own, we strongly encourage you to bring it; it is a benefit to use your own gear. All gear is subject to insepection by YMCA instructors.

Where is the State College YMCA?

The State College YMCA is located on the corner of Waupalani and Whitehall Rd.

When are the open climb times?

Open climbs are:
Sunday - 3:30pm to 5:30pm - if the weather is nice, call after 1:00pm to make sure the climbing wall will be open
Thursday - 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Friday - 7:00pm to 10:00pm

What is the cost?

The cost for open climb is free for YMCA members, $3 for those with a valid Nittany Grotto or Penn State Outing Club memebership card, and $5 for anyone else. The front desk has current memebrship lists for both organizations.

What else can I do at open climb?

The primary use of the gym is for rock climbing during these times. Belay tests are REQUIRED for belaying (and are free). The fee at the front desk is for open climb. Being able to practice SRT at the YMCA is a privilege.

Where do you go for your weekend trips?

Various caves in West Virginia and Virginia make up most of our full weekend events.
Caves that are within a couple hours drive will make up one-day weekend trips.

Where do you stay?

This depends on the event and time of year. For winter months we generally rent cabins, but when the weather is warmer camping is more common.

What about food?

You are responsible for your own meals. If we are in cabins, they will have full kitchens.

Why should I go to meetings?

Trips are planned and often announced exclusively at meetings. You'll get to know the members better. Also attendance to meetings allows you to attend the After-Meeting Meeting (AMM) (free food & beverages). Furthermore, certain trips have limited seating . . .

Where and when are the meetings?

Our meetings take place every other Wednesday at 7PM in 114 Earth and Engineering Science (EES). For those who drive to meetings, you can park in the EES parking lot off of North Atherton and White Course Drive. EES is on the west side of campus in line with the IST building.

Where can I go to purchase equipment?

Appalachain Outdoors - vertical gear, thermal wear, helmets, headlamps, etc...
Jim's Army Navy - inexpensive coveralls, etc...

See Links

How to use the List-Serve:

The List-Serve is an email service provided by the university used to make the officers' lives easier. It distributes an email to all the individuals who have signed up for it. In order to get every important announcements and up-to-date information it is important to sign up for this service.

Signing up:
Send an email to "listserv@lists.psu.edu"
>Subject: "subscribe L-GROTTO Your Name"
>Boby:"subscribe L-GROTTO Your Name"

Sending an Announcement:
Send an email to "L-GROTTO@lists.psu.edu"
>Put all the information that you want in the body, but please remember that is is sent to EVERYONE and that everyone will know who sent the email.

Removing yourself from the list:
Send an email to "listserv@lists.psu.edu" from the email that you signed up with
>Subject: "signoff L-GROTTO"
>Boby:"signoff L-GROTTO"