The Deep Depths Caving Program

10:00 am        $60 per participant – ages 14 & up

Because this trip is so strenuous, regulative rules require that the Introduction to Caving program must be first given to all participants, so that that participants in this program may have an opportunity to “opt-out” for a partial refund, after seeing how challenging a caving trip through Laurel Caverns can be. Therefore, at about noon, a return trip is made to the park visitors’ center for a lunch break. (lunch is not included in the program.)

When all participants are ready for the afternoon phase, of this four-hour caving program, they are led directly to a large passage that leads to the deepest point reached by explorers in the nineteenth century. Participants exit via another large passage, and a recently discovered crawl passage, that returns them to the upper areas of the unlit portions of Laurel Caverns. From here, they exit the cave through its upper lit passages.

Participants must wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hiking boots, that lace above the ankles, with a quarter-inch tread. Due to regulative requirements, even a twisted ankle in the deep-depths zone, or a claim of fearing a heart attack, can lead to a six-hour “rescue” involving thirty or more EMS personnel. Participants are encouraged to bring a change of clothing. Laurel Caverns provides a hard hat with light.

A release form must be signed by all participants and lawfully co-signed for minors, then presented at the time one’s program begins. Minors must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Additional rules, not covered here, are found in the release form. Weekday tours are available to colleges, scouts, religion-based youth programs, and the like, bringing groups of ten or more, by calling: 724-438-3003. Please arrive 30 minutes early for registration.

  

Distance Covered: about two miles – 3.22 kilometers        Deepest point: 452 feet