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| Trip Name: | Cave Management in New York: The Preserves of the National Speleological Society and the Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.
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| Trip Code: | 71 |
| Trip Summary: | The Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.(NCC) will welcome you to Albany and Schoharie Counties, 300 km (186 mi) north of New York City. Three of the National Speleological Society's (NSS) cave preserves are located here, and the NCC protects five additional properties. This camp will build on discussions begun at International Cave and Karst Management Symposium (ICKMS) during the Congress and provide an overview of the conservation and management of caves in populated areas. Most trips will be short and relatively easy; however, there will also be several opportunities for serious caving, including McFail's Cave, the longest in the northeastern United States.
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| Start Date: | July 29, 2009 |
| End Date: | August 1, 2009 (August 3 with two-day optional extension) |
| Starting Location: | Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York |
| Ending Location: | Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York |
| Minimum Size: | 6 |
| Maximum Size: | 15 |
| Contact | Emily Davis
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| Setting: | This camp will be based at the home of Mike Warner and Emily Davis, located in a hilly rural area south of the Adirondack Mountains and north of the Catskill Mountains. It is in the countryside surrounded by woodlands and farms. July is the warmest month of the year, with daytime temperatures typically in the high 20s C (80s F). August is about the same. Evenings can be cool but generally require no more than a sweater or light jacket. Summer rain showers are possible, but the weather is generally dry and sunny. Cave temperatures are around 12-14 ° C (54-58 ° F). Most of the caves in this area have some water and mud.
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| Trip Details: | This field camp will continue the discussion of a wide variety of cave management issues begun during the
International Cave and Karst Management Symposium (ICKMS) held during the Congress. There will be an emphasis on methods of cave management in populated areas. Full-group field trips will take place on July 30 and 31. These trips into NSS- and NCC-managed properties will involve short surface hikes and relatively short underground excursions in unimproved cave environments. Vertical experience is not required.
Optional evening trips will provide the chance for some real caving. McFail's Cave, owned by the NSS, is the longest in the northeastern United States. It has a 20-meter (65 ft) entrance rappel, wet and muddy crawlways, and lots of water. An exposure suit, vertical experience, and vertical equipment are required for the trip into McFail's. Alternate trips to less strenuous caves will also be offered.
Participants who choose to stay for the two additional days will have the opportunity to visit many more caves.
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| Accommodations: | Participants will camp in tents on the grounds surrounding Mike and Emily's home. The site has ample space, with both flush toilets and running water.
Meals will be traditional US cookouts with local products as ingredients. Special food needs can easily be accommodated.
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| Special Considerations: | - Although this camp is a logical extension of the ICKMS, participation in the ICKMS is not a prerequisite. Anyone interested in the issues of cave conservation and management will thoroughly enjoy this camp.
- Participants are responsible for providing their own sleeping bags. Tents will be provided, if requested in advance.
- Participants are responsible for providing their own basic caving equipment. Those wishing to participate in the trip to McFail's Cave,
or other vertical caves, must supply their own vertical equipment and have clothing appropriate for a cold, wet cave, such as an exposure suit or wetsuit.
- Vertical trips are optional. Those wishing to participate in vertical trips must have appropriate experience and equipment.
- This trip is not suitable for children.
- Adult non-caving participants will have the opportunity to visit antiques stores and museums.
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| Travel Information: | This camp starts three days after the Congress ends. Participants should arrange to arrive at the Albany International Airport (ALB) on July 29.
Northeastern cavers may be able to provide rides for some participants from the Congress to New York. These rides will not be part of the field camp, and riders will be expected to share expenses. You will have an opportunity to discuss a ride with the trip leaders by e-mail at a later date.
Transportation back to ALB will be provided on August 1 and August 3.
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 The 15th ICS Organizing Committee wants everyone to enjoy their trips and excursions, but cares about the safety of all visitors and the
protection of the caves, their contents, and the land in which they occur. ICS Trip Leaders will have the right to refuse entry to a cave or
property, or remove any person from a cave or property if that person's skills, equipment, or actions are likely to harm that person, other cavers,
the cave, its contents, or the property. For general information on accepted caving equipment, techniques, and conservation methods in the US,
see http://www.caves.org/safety/ and http://www.caves.org/info/policy.shtml
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