Went to Laurel Caverns yesterday

[Huntingdonhavoc]

Me and the girlfriend went on the long drive to Laurel Caverns yesterday afternoon. We jumped in on the family tour since we didn't have any extra flashlights for the deeper tours. All in all pretty neat and fun way to spend a free saturday. It would be damn cool to do unguided tours. Adds more to the discovery rather then being told what cool stuff is around the corner, haha.

Has anyone else visited the caverns other deeper sections? They said do to the plague hurting bats they have haulted the tours to the lower cave which is a shame. Hopefully sometime we'll get to go all the way in.

[P-11 shooter]

No, but I keep meaning to get a caving trip together.
http://forum.pafoa.org/lounge-108/19...ving-trip.html

So, If anyone knows a good cave to go then let me know. Bear cave is highon the list but you have to fill out an application and get written permission. I can do it this week but we need to settle on a date.


Also, next time you want to go caving but don't have flashlights let me know. I might just have an extra one around here

[bert]

Me and the girlfriend went on the long drive to Laurel Caverns yesterday afternoon. We jumped in on the family tour since we didn't have any extra flashlights for the deeper tours. All in all pretty neat and fun way to spend a free saturday. It would be damn cool to do unguided tours. Adds more to the discovery rather then being told what cool stuff is around the corner, haha.

Has anyone else visited the caverns other deeper sections? They said do to the plague hurting bats they have haulted the tours to the lower cave which is a shame. Hopefully sometime we'll get to go all the way in.

"plague hurting bats"? Are they concerned about the bats, or the people coming in contact with the bats? Before you go off on your own to deeper sections, ask how many people need to be brought out by rescue crews? Unless it's changed in 10 years, make sure you have someone experienced with you.

[87th PVI]

Also, next time you want to go caving but don't have flashlights let me know. I might just have an extra one around here

Watch it P-11! You'll get Mickey excited with all that flashlight porn!

[Damage control]

Me and the girlfriend went on the long drive to Laurel Caverns yesterday afternoon. We jumped in on the family tour since we didn't have any extra flashlights for the deeper tours. All in all pretty neat and fun way to spend a free saturday. It would be damn cool to do unguided tours. Adds more to the discovery rather then being told what cool stuff is around the corner, haha.

Has anyone else visited the caverns other deeper sections? They said do to the plague hurting bats they have haulted the tours to the lower cave which is a shame. Hopefully sometime we'll get to go all the way in.

Where are these Laurel Caverns you speak of located?

Thanks

ETA: Found it but is it worth the Estimated Time: 5 hours 48 minutes Estimated Distance: 339.10 miles?

DC

[Huntingdonhavoc]

"plague hurting bats"? Are they concerned about the bats, or the people coming in contact with the bats? Before you go off on your own to deeper sections, ask how many people need to be brought out by rescue crews? Unless it's changed in 10 years, make sure you have someone experienced with you.

It is called "white nose syndrome" and from what I understand it causes the bats to wake up during the hibernation of winter which causes them to starve due to lack of food. I'm not sure how a human would transfer it but I believe many local caves have been trying their best to restrict access so it doesn't affect their native bats.

When they do tours of the deeper sections it consists of about 10 people and it is guided. They said the lower section of the cave is closed off due to the WNS. I'm not sure about the upper cave tours as I did the "family tour" which is only about an hour.

Where are these Laurel Caverns you speak of located?

Thanks

ETA: Found it but is it worth the Estimated Time: 5 hours 48 minutes Estimated Distance: 339.10 miles?

DC

Damage, I'd say no but the caving P-11 is looking to do might be. I haven't any experience with bear cave but i'm sure it'd be fun!! With laurel caverns the tour I took was a little rushed and kind of the roped off version of their actual deep tours I'd imagine.

[bowkillpa]

The LC is 5 mintues from my house yet I have to set foot in them. We use to go caving in Connellsville for free but they fenced the entrane based on bats being disturbed and our Jeep tracks going inside. Man what's up with the bats? They care more about them then DOT chewing up the damn roads in winter.

[MuzzleFlash]

Pelican explosion proof flashlights with air tight rubber O-rings, Maglites with adjustable flood/spot lenses, and various headlamps. Nice selection.

Where are these Laurel Caverns you speak of located?

Thanks

ETA: Found it but is it worth the Estimated Time: 5 hours 48 minutes Estimated Distance: 339.10 miles?

DC

Laurel Caverns alone isn't that interesting to be worth that kind of a trip, but it's close to Ohiopyle falls as well. I think it might also be close to a few forts and other historical places.
http://www.fay-west.com/ohiopyle/ohiopylefalls/
http://www.nps.gov/fone/

I google earthed Susquehanna County and it looks like you're about 60 miles north of Centralia if you're looking for neat places to go. I haven't been there but it's on my list of places to visit. It's a ghost town above a mine fire that's been burning for 50 years and it was the inspiration for the "Silent Hill" games and movie.
http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/the-story.htm

[Sandcut]

It's been about 20 years since I've been to Laurel Caverns. Went a couple times when I used to live in the Beaver Falls area. The non-public tour area is pretty cool. You do need to be in moderately good shape and you do need to be careful. You could jack yourself up pretty bad but it isn't so technical that you need a climbing harness or ropes. If you've ever done any bouldering up around Moraine State park (aka. scrambling over rocks) you'll do just fine.

Recommendations are:

1. Take along multiple flashlights/batteries in case they break, die, etc. Headlamps are always a good idea. You can get decent LED headlamps at WalMart for under $15. These free your hands up so you can focus on not falling.

2. Don't wear clothes you mind getting absolutely filthy. As I recall, I was surprised just how much fine dust was over everything. You come out looking like a miner.

3. Don't go if you aren't in shape. Going in isn't so bad. But remember, you have to climb UP to get out. If you get tired on the way down, you'll be fragged trying to come up.

4. Once down inside, turn off your lights and just sit for a couple minutes. You've never REALLY experienced absolute darkness before. Kinda freaky as I recall.

Also, if interested, here's a site for all the caves in PA that are open to the public http://www.pacaves.com. My girls' scout troop just went to Lost River Caverns in Hellertown about a month ago. Great place! No problem for 6-8 year olds. I think we'll do Crystal Caves in Kutztown over the summer.

It's worth the trip. Have fun. Be safe.

[mpi]

when i was a kid our school science club used to do a field trip to LC at least once a year, back then you paid and they let you loose and nothing was off limits. i loved the "unexplored" section. we used to look like mud sculptures when we came out.

nothing was roped off or restricted back then. my wife and i visited on our honeymoon [we stayed at the summit inn] and i was sooooo disappointed that it had been restricted so much. i know it's to keep self indulgent children [of all ages] from damaging things, but it was a memory damaged for me.

still, if you've never been there it's a worthwhile thing!