Carbide Calendar

Vertical Training No gear is necessary, absolute beginners welcome! Email Trevor Cicchinelli at trvcic@gmail.com if interested. Survey Efforts on the Barbara Schomer Preserve Email the board pittsburghgrotto@gmail.com if interested.

2023

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

Indiana Cave Capers Date: August 4th-6th Location: Harrison County Fairground, Corydon, Indiana. Fun weekend of caving and meeting other cavers, typically vendors are present to sell gear - camping. Website: http://www.cigcaves.com/indiana-cave-capers/all-about-cave-capers/ Fall MAR Date: TBD Location: TBD A weekend of some of the best caves in the Mid-Atlantic region! Website: https://mar.caves.org/fieldmeets.htm#spring MAKC board meeting Date: 10 AM, August 19th Location: Bob and Bev Danielson Center, Blairsville PA August Member's Meeting Date: August 23th, 7:30 PM Location: Room 4304, Gates Hillman Center, CMU The board will updating the Grotto on matters. Also a meet-and-greet for new members or interested guests. Old Timers Reunion (OTR) Date: August 31st-September 4th Location: OTR campsite, WV Annual gather of “cavers” in WV – generally a party atmosphere but caving is known to take place – Vendors for cave gear can be found here. You need an invite from a member of the TRA to attend. Website: https://otr.org/, Become a TRA member: https://otr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TRA-Application-082122.pdf

September

Grotto Fall Picnic Date: September 15th-17th Location: Laurel Caverns, Farmington, PA Camp out at Laurel Caverns! September Board Meeting Date: September 27th, 7:30 PM Location: TBD The board will be meeting to discuss matters. All members are allowed to sit in.

October

Fall TAG Cave-In Date: October 5th-8th Location: 2477 Old State Road, Menlo, GA Annual event that’s somewhat like OTR, but a bit more civil with southern hospitality – The deepest caves in the continental US are here at the intersection of Tennessee-Alabama- Georgia (hence TAG) – Vendors for cave gear can be found here. Website: https://dogwoodcitygrotto.org/TAG-Fall-Cave-In Hesston Cave Preserve workday Date: October 14 Leased by the MAKC. Contact Tom Metzgar for info. Bridge day Date: October 21st Location: Fayetteville, WV Annual event of rappelling and base jumping (for those that meet the experience requirement and are on a team) off of the New River Gorge Bridge – There is a cost involved and advanced training in vertical rope skills is required for the rappelling – Little fear or brains required for the skydiving – food and festivities to be found along the highway above – don’t plan on going anywhere else the day of. Website: https://officialbridgeday.com/ Fall VAR Date: October 21st-23th Location: RASS Field Station, Millboro, VA This year hosted by VPI CAVE CLUB, a weekend of some of the best caves in the Virginia region! Website: https://var.caves.org/index.php/events/fall-var October Member's Meeting Date: October 25th, 7:30 PM Location: TBD The board will updating the Grotto on matters. Also a meet-and-greet for new members or interested guests. Orientation to Cave Rescue Date: October 27th-29th Location: Brookhaven Volunteer Fire Department, Morgantown, West Virginia. Registration opens September 8, 2023. From October 27–29, 2023 an Orientation to Cave Rescue class will be hosted by the Brookhaven Volunteer Fire Department in Morgantown, West Virginia. This introductory level class will cover all phases of a cave rescue with classroom instruction and field work. This course is physically demanding. Participants must be in good physical health and must sign a liability waiver. The OCR's are an excellent opportunity for new cavers to learn about safe caving and about rescue. It's also a good idea for everyone to have at least a little rescue training, in case you're on a trip and someone needs help.

November

MAKC Board meeting and Elections Date: 10 AM, November 18th Location: Bob and Bev Danielson Center, Blairsville PA November Board Meeting Date: November 29th, 7:30 PM Location: TBD The board will be meeting to discuss matters. All members are allowed to sit in.

December

Grotto Christmas Party Date: December 2nd Location: TBD Annual get-together. A fun evening with cavers and pot-luck.