<p>November 17 & 18th Caving at Carlsbad Caverns in $10 Students (for camping, (Fri/Saturday) New Mexico breakfast, and van Limit 5-10 INFO SHEET: </p><p>Come explore one of New Mexico’s natural beauties: The clear, colorful cave of Carlsbad Cavern. The cave is located 750’ below the surface and is approximately 1.5 miles for the main cavern walk. Currently, the elevator to access the cavern is not working therefore, the walk down is required. In that case, the fitness level should be good. BUT, it’s worth the effort. The Cavern: The usual way to see the formations of Carlsbad Cavern is by one or both of two self-guiding walking tours - Big Room or Natural Entrance - which visit different parts of the chambers. The pre-trip meeting is at 6:00pm Thursday, 16th at the AC – we will discuss the departure time, group lunch, and trial options. All instruction – 2+ volunteer coordinators What does WT provide?</p><p>- Transportation provided to and from cavern</p><p>- Outdoor trip coordinator to drive and assist in logistics</p><p>- Entry fee to the camping and all gear you need</p><p>- Breakfast (Saturday group lunch planned by you)</p><p>The Trip! (tentative itinerary)*</p><p>Pre-trip meeting Thursday at 6:30pm -Sign waivers; *Itinerary: make a menu for the group in the Rec Sports Conference Room -circle up; meal @ breakfast in AC on November 16th -go over the itinerary, *Last minute questions -need gear – water bottle and flash light, tent, sleeping bag, pad Friday, November 17th We will Departure: How close to 1pm can Arrive 30 minutes before departure time decide departure time at the pre-trip we get? (we will decide at the pre- Friday to load items (volunteer meeting trip meetings at 6:30 on Thursday) opportunity on Saturday at the park) Depart from WT Outdoors @ AC & drive to New Mexico and eat along the way Saturday, November 18th We will Breakfast – We will plan and group *Site seeing and other fun decide return time at the pre-trip purchase this along the way learning activities at park meeting (pancakes? Breakfast burritos?) *Try the Great Room – 1.25 -you provide water for your hike miles-your cost is $10-they take -You pay for your cave tour & group cards, and cash can check on other optional treks into caves *Allow 1.5 hours Attention Self-Guided Tours (at your own pace) The second self-guided tour is walking Self-guided tours consists of two the "Big Room," another 1.25 mile path choices: The first choice is walking that takes you through a very large cave down the Natural Entrance 1.25 mile cha access the Big Room by walking down the Natural Entrance -OR- riding path, 750 feet into the cave. The the elevator into the cavern. path is a steep, asphalt, switchback route that winds down into the Big Room. Please assess your ability Tickets are not sold in advance for self- before choosing this route. guided tours, you must purchase them at the visitor center upon you arrival</p><p>We Hope These Answer Your Questions...  The cave climate is cool and averages about 56°F (13°C) year-round. You may want to bring a light jacket or sweater. Comfortable, rubber-soled shoes with good traction are appropriate.</p><p> You may carry plain water with you but no food, gum, mints, or tobacco/vapor products of any kind are permitted.</p><p> You may take pictures and use flash. Tripods are permitted on self-guided tours only.</p><p> Use of drones in the cave is strictly prohibited.</p><p> If you'd like to bring a flashlight, that's perfectly fine - you might see things you would not normally see!</p><p> Wheelchairs/Devices That Aid Walking: Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and similar devices are permitted within the wheelchair-designated portions of the Big Room ONLY. They are not allowed on the Natural Entrance path due to the steep grade, or any other areas of the cavern or other caves.</p><p> Canes/Walking Aides: The possession and/or use of a recreational walking stick within the cavern is prohibited. Visitors with limited mobility in medical need of walking assitance are permitted to use walking sticks. Visitors with walking sticks must only use them on the paved trail and are required to have a rubber or soft tip.</p><p>Please note: If you have been in any cave in the past 10 years with the same shoes/ equipment you are bringing to Carlsbad Caverns, we may ask to clean your items to protect our bats from the spread of a highly contagious and fatal bat fungus. For more information about the disease and park policies, click here.</p><p>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There are two ways to see the cave:</p><p>1. Self-Guided Tours (at your own pace) Self-guided tours consists of two choices: The first choice is walking down the Natural Entrance 1.25 mile path, 750 feet into the cave. The path is a steep, asphalt, switchback route that winds down into the Big Room. Please assess your ability before choosing this route. The second self-guided tour is walking the "Big Room," another 1.25 mile path that takes you through a very large cave chamber. You may access the Big Room by walking down the Natural Entrance -OR- riding the elevator into the cavern. Tickets are not sold in advance for self-guided tours, you must purchase them at the visitor center upon you arrival except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days when the park is closed. Entrance fee tickets are good for three days but do not include guided or other special tours. More...2. Ranger-Guided Tours Reservations are highly recommended for all guided cave tours and require 48 hours advance notice by calling 877.444.6777 or www.recreation.gov. A general entrance fee ticket is required in addition to the guided tour fee for King's Palace, Left Hand Tunnel, Hall of the White Giant, Lower, Spider and Slaughter Canyon Caves. Please pick up your ticket at the visitor center 30 minutes prior to your tour. Note:Children under 4 years are not permitted on any of the guided tours offered at Carlsbad Caverns. Minimum age requirements differ for each tour. More... *Sample Camping Gear List Clothing: (You provide)  Old t-shoes (no bare foot travel allowed)  Camp Shoes (sandals, etc.)  Socks (2 pair)  Long underwear –Under Armor type(in winter)  Pants (1-quick dry)  Shorts (1-quick dry – beach type are good)  Underwear (2)  Short sleeve shirt (1)  Long sleeve shirt (1)  Fleece Jacket/sweater (winter travel)  Rain gear (jacket or poncho)  Light gloves (in winter)  Stocking cap (wool or fleece- in winter)  Hat-wide brim for sun or cap</p><p>Camping Gear: (WT provides)  Dry Bag (we have 15 large backpacks)  Sleeping bag w/stuff sack  Sleeping pad w/stuff sack  Tent  Stove (2 burner) & fuel  Pots & pans  1 group Breakfast</p><p>Cooking Gear: (You provide)  Spoon,/cup, bowl, for the breakfast meal  Lighter/matches  Water bottle (1 liter bottle)  Your food; Bring snacks or eat out</p><p>Additional Gear: (You provide)  Headlamp (flashlight) with extra batteries  Sunglasses (crookies to keep from losing)  Sunscreen  Lip balm  Pocket knife  Camera (water proof case is a good idea)</p><p>Toiletries: (You provide)  Toilet paper  Toothbrush/toothpaste  Medicines/ personal hygiene</p>