2007 Crawlathon

[Sharon Faulkner]

The 2007 Crawlathon will be held January 26-28, 2007 at Carter Caves State Resort Park (Kentucky).

[Sharon Faulkner]

Event offers guided tour of caverns
December 11, 2006
By Allen Blair [e-mail]

OLIVE HILL — It’s that time of year again — time to slither through Carter County’s caverns.

Well, almost anyway. Staff at Carter Caves State Resort Park are finalizing plans this week for January’s annual Crawlathon caving event. “We’re expecting a big turnout,” said John Jordan, park manager. “And everybody’s getting excited.”

Naturalists and volunteers have more than 100 guided trips planned for the Jan. 26 to 28 event. It’s not only a lot of fun, as everyone from veterans to novices can explore an assortment of caves, not all of which are always open; but also it’s great for the park because it comes during its slowest season. “Plus, this year the Crawlathon was recognized as one of the top 25 attractions in the state,” Jordan said. And, it made it in the “Top Ten” festivals and events for winter in a contest sponsored by the Kentucky Tourism Council.

Crawlathon, which celebrates its 26th year this time, started in the early 1980s with about three guides and seven trips, with only about 30 signing up that year, according to park naturalists. Now, the park uses between 100 and 120 volunteer guides and gets about 550 participants every year.

Besides wild caving, sightseeing walks, canoeing and “pit plunging” using rope in vertical caves, the event offers plenty of educational and exciting experiences for participants of all ability levels. Some events offered at the easier level include a class called “Do it Right,” which is an introduction to caving, as well as walking tours through commercial caves and events for children.

Intermediate level activities are more “hands and knees” cave tours, and higher levels involve being underground for extended periods of time. Some activities require certain skills, such as rappelling or canoe experience, before you can even sign up. The event is worthy of its high ranking around the state because of its “uniqueness,” naturalists say. It’s different the way it brings together wild caving and many other fun activities, especially during winter — lucky visitors can even see “ice stalagmites,” for example.

As always, there will be a few new trips, different speakers for different cave topics, during Friday and Saturday’s evening programs, Jordan said. And the park has made more room for its “corrugated cave,” a cave made from enclosing hundreds and hundreds of cardboard boxes for a 500-foot-plus long crawl, he said. “Last year, it probably netted as much or more people than other trips,” he added. “It’s unique, and making it bigger will mean it’s even better this time.”

Everything’s on schedule so far, Jordan said. “We really, even the staff really, look forward to Crawlathon each year,” he said. “It’s a challenge to pull it off, and we rely very heavily on volunteers of whom we’re very appreciative, and we hope it continues to grow.”

Crawlathon information is expected to be posted online at its official Web site Friday or this weekend, when participants may book trips. Past trip schedules and photos are also available online. Check www.crawlathon.com or call [phone] for information.

www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_345231307.html

[Sharon Faulkner]

The 2007 Crawlathon website is now updated with registration information, a schedule of events, and cave trips available during the Crawlathon. Here are a few highlights that will be taking place at the January event:

On Friday there will be a series of presentations on a variety of topics that may be of interest to cavers. Known programs scheduled at this time include:

* Update from Mammoth Cave - Bruce Corrie
* Rockcastle Karst Conservancy & Great Saltpetre Cave - Andy Niekamp
* James Cave Restoration - Steve Duncan
* The Significance of Caves in Kentucky History - John Tierney
* Geyser Caving in Yellowstone - Jim Pisarowicz


Saturday's Keynote Speaker, Jim Pisarowicz, will present “HISTORY OF THE EXPLORATION OF CAVES IN THE BLACK HILLS”.

Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota are two of the longest caves in the world. At 137 miles of explored passages, Jewel Cave is the worlds second longest cave, and Wind Cave's 122 miles ranks it as the fourth longest cave. Both caves are actively being explored. Wind Cave also holds the distinction of being the first cave in the world to be a national park having been established as such in 1903. It also has the best and most extensive displays of boxwork of any know cave anywhere. Jewel Cave is the first cave designated as a national monument and is extensively coated with dogtooth and nailhead spar. Both caves have long and involved histories of cave exploration that is still ongoing.

Jim Pisarowicz of Wind Cave National Park has been involved with exploring and studying caves for about 45 years. The last time he looked at his caving diary he has been in something over 5000 caves all around the world. He is a fellow of the NSS and The Explorers Club (out of New York). He received the Lew Bicking Award from the NSS for caving in 1990. He has been the editor of the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies for the NSS for the past 11 years and has been the director of the NSS's Cave of Tabasco (Mexico) project for the past 20 years. He has published somewhat in excess of 200 articles on caves. He has a PhD in psychology and has worked for the National Park Service since 1984.

See the website for event details and registration information: www.crawlathon.com/

[jonsdigs]

Crawlathon pre-resigistration deadline is today
Tuesday, January, 16, 2007
Herald-Dispatch (WV)

Space is getting limited to take part in the one of country's best winter-time caving events as more than half of the trips for the 26th Annual Crawlathon at Carter Caves State Resort Park are sold-out.

Today is the last day to pre-register for the wild caving weekend that runs Jan. 26-28 at the park, as well as in surrounding Carter County, home to more than 200 caves. More than 60 of the trips that are sold out include: wild caving trips, canoeing, pit plunging, vertical workshops, proper techniques of caving workshops, and kids trips.


However, a few spots remain on some trips, mostly beginner level trips that would be good for children and anyone wanting to get their first taste of caving.

Registration is $30 for adults (ages 13 and older); $15 for children 6-12.

On site registration begins at
4 p.m. on Jan. 26. Cost includes three trips and a T-shirt. Payment must be received with the pre-registration. Call Coy Ainsley at [phone] or go online at www.crawlathon.com.

Article

[Clint Neill]

Is anyone here going?

I couldn't make up my mind about going because I was worried about nasty weather since I'd be coming from Pittsburgh.

So, I waited too long and only ended up with trips to Cascade and X Cave.

Do you think it would still be worth going?

(Hey KEGgers, anything planned for Sunday?)

Thanks,

[L Roebuck]

I have no plans to go to Crawlathon. But KEG should be able to let you know what the weather is like since you have concern.

[Tony Anders]

We don't have anything going on this weekend,

My caving is on hold for a few, I am trying to set up the first meeting if we get enough interested that is, so far one or two are interested.

[L Roebuck]

Here is another blurb about Crawathon. Sounds like guanonoggin may have written this?

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Squeeze Into Crawlathon

Dude, you just about missed out on one of the coolest caving events anywhere.

Luckily, there's just a few spaces left on about 25 trips for 26th Annual Crawlathon at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill, Ky. This wild caving event runs Friday through Sunday, Jan. 26-28, and guided tours through wild caves are offered including many unique caving opportunities not usually available. Late registration begins at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, to get two trips on Saturday and one on Sunday. Registration is $30 for adults (ages 13 and older); $15 for children 6-12. Cost includes three trips and a T-shirt. Payment must be received with the pre-registration. Call Coy Ainsley at [phone].

Full Article