Post A TRIP
Want to add an event to the sanctioned FMG calendar? Please send us the details!
Photo by FMG member Rebecca Triplett
Saluda Cave Survey
The plan is to survey two caves, Pickpocket and Nimmon’s Tomb. The teams will also take a bio-count which may include bears. The pace will be productive and we’ll finish with dinner afterwards. There can be additional days of ridgewalking at some point this winter.
Limit: 4 people / team
Requirements:
helmet
gloves
knee and elbow pads
Provided:
Survey equipment
Fentress County Cabin Trip
Big South Fork is a spectacular place decorated with tall and featured sandstone cliffs, lush woods, and a lively, pristine river. Not far away is Fentress county, TN with one of the highest cave densities in the state. We’ll be combining the two by spending a few days in the area, some caving in nearby Xanadu and others climbing, hiking, biking, or even rafting (aka, whatever calls).
We’ll rent a rustic stone cabin and there are camping sites as well. Folks will need to pay their way for this wild weekend. It will be worth it. Many more details to come.
It’s not a requirement that folks spend the whole time, either!
Limit: None, 4 people /cabin
Beach's Nest
Explore the beautiful and varied caves on Don Beach’s property in Afton, TN. These caves range from vertical to horizontal; beginner to advanced.
Multiple Groups of <6. Bring your own lunch. carpooling from Asheville is highly encouraged!
Workshop: Formation Repair
We see broken formations all of the time; sometimes even in virgin cave and with some careful technique, we can repair these broken formations. We’ll practice systems outlined by Mike Mansur and the Cave Formation Repair Project on artificial formations in various positions.
Limit: 8 persons
Requiements:
helmet
gloves
knee and elbow pads
Provided:
simulated cave
PPE
Materials
tools
Workshop: Whitesides Rope Ride
We’ll be rappelling the 685’ face of Whitesides Mountain in Highlands, NC. Whether you’re looking to build confidence to drop deep pits, tune your ascent technique or just enjoy an incredible view, this will be a fun, though cold time to do it! There is an option for hiking back up if you do not want to ascend. We’re gonna be hungryyyy so I anticipate getting food in Cashiers afterwards.
Contact Zachary Lemcke if interested.
Limit: 12 people
Requirements:
Vertical proficiency and ability to pass knots, changeover with 30lbs of ropeweight, and cross a reblay.
14” rack
Frog, Mitchell, or Ropewalker system
Helmet
Leather Gloves
Provided:
1 rope/ 4 people
Rope pads
Annual FMG Christmas Party
Hang out in a potluck-style party complete with an auction and brief meeting! We’ll be voting in 2024 officers in this meeting so come participate in elections. Bring auction items that may interest cavers and feel free to stay overnight!
Carson Campbell Trip + Scouting
Beautiful plunge pools and stunning gypsum halls after wet and cobble crawls! This is a cold cave for most and we’ll be scouting a formation repair effort for 2024.
Trip Leader: Kim Lughart
Cave Survey Workshop: "Kidd" Cave and Landowner Trip
This is a unique opportunity to visit a very restricted local cave and guide the landowner’s family into the cave. We will be surveying the cave and pushing some small sections. The survey will be precise and paced for those new to it. Must be an active FMG member.
Contact Zachary Lemcke for more info.
Limit: 4 persons
Requirements:
Basic vertical knowledge
Frog or Texas System
Warm clothing
Provided:
Rope
some survey materials
Workshop: Vertical Maneuvers & Rigging
This workshop is a focused, in-depth workshop for establishing anchors, rebelays (re-anchors), and redirects (deviations) in a caving environment. We will cover some basic concepts then establish a route down a featured wall, set temporary bolts, and test out their handiwork! We may pause for a quick visit to a taco truck (yummmmm). Please note that participants will need to have their systems tuned but knowledge of the maneuvers is not required!. There will be upcoming introductory workshops soon!
Limit: 4 persons
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VTJ9RuQb7BGoT5s_1xB3XzxuKEvSiE_P1m4QPnsYPuM/edit#gid=1303943347
10am @ Home Depot on Fairview Rd in Asheville.
Requirements:
Helmet
Complete Frog, Texas, or Mitchell system
Cowtails (long and short)
Gloves
Descender
Provided:
Rope, and rigging gear
Bolts and drill
PPE
Patience :)
High Feast of Rhodney, Meeting, & Auction
Location: Worley’s Cave in Bluff City, TN.
Contact Person: Zachary Lemcke
Caving Trip: Cyclops Camping/Trip Leader Training
Location: Cleveland, VA.
Leader: Zachary Lemcke
Co-leader: Ashley Hes
Callout: Scott McCrea ( tentative) @ 12am 10.16
Group size: 6 participants
SCCI permit required. Grab yours here.
Requirements:
- You must have entered Cyclops at least once prior orrrrrr have prior cave camping experience (basic vertical skills still required)
- Must pack sleeping gear in compression bags. Bulk is a b****. Shared water filtration and cooking. All waste (bodily and otherwise) needs to be packed out.
- Must have batteries for a three day trip.
- Pleeeeease donate to SCCI since we'll be getting so much out of this experience!! You get a laminated cave map if you do ;)
This trip is intended to train future trip leaders... woohoo! We'll spend the first day entering and exploring the East Loop and the second day exploring Grey Ghost and Rapture River then exiting.
Workshop: Advanced Vertical Practice: Self-Rescue Technique-hauls/Lowers
Details coming soon…