F.A.Q.'s

   TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Wednesday Night Socials...
2. Membership Questions...
3. Rope Practice Sessions
4. Weekend Trips
5. General Meeting Questions

6. Purchasing Suits / Vertical Gear

7. Using the List-Serve

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 shields building. Be there between 5.30 and 6pm.  We leave at 6PM so try not to be late.
 

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 though it wouldn't hurt to drive over in case the space is needed.
 

What equipment do we need?

No caving equipment is needed. What you do need is a change of clothes, three new AA batteries, and something to put your dirty clothes in. Don't forget a change of shoes. Many cavers find gloves and knee pads desirable as well.  There is a possibility that the mud/dirt will NOT wash out so make sure that your choice reflects this.
 

Click Here for a more complete list.

What experience is needed?

Wednesday night trips require NO experience since they are specifically designed to give new spelunkers a feeling of what to expect. 

Experience for other trips will vary.
 

How much is membership?

$5/yr - Full time students
$15/yr - Other
Life time memberships also available

Is membership mandatory for club activities?

Membership is not mandatory for beginner wednesday trips and indoor ropes, but is required for certain weekend and non-wednesday night trips.

What do you learn at the ropes practice sessions?

We can teach various rope ascension, rappel, and traversal techniques as well as ways to switch between these on rope. We can also offer basic rescue instruction for the more advanced person.

Do I need any equipment for ropes?

Personal equipment is not required for the indoor practice sessions. If you have it we strongly encourage you to bring it; it is a benefit to use your own gear. However, participation on a vertical caving trip will require personal gear, inquire personally for further information.

Where do you go for your weekend trips?
Various caves in West Virginia make up most of our full weekend events. 

Caves that do not fall under the moratorium category and are within a couple hours drive will make up one-day weekend trips. 

Where do you stay?
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 sometimes announced exclusively at meetings. You'll get to know the members better. Also attendance to meetings allows you to attend the after meeting get together (free food & beverages). Further more, certain trips, such as the international trip have limited seating . . .

Where and When is the meeting?
Room 29 IM Building at 7pm.

Where can I go to purchase equipment ?
Appalachain Outdoors - Vertical Gear, Thermal-wear, Helmets, Head Lamps, etc...

Jim's Army Navy - Inexpensive coveralls, etc...
 

See Links section for addresses

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"

Put "subscribe L-GROTTO Your Name" in the body of the email.

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.