RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 13 DUE TO WEATHER and ROAD CONDITIONS

Join OACS as we explore The Lost Sea! This is our first of two easy caving adventures. Our second will be a trip to Worley's Cave in February. For this event no experience is necessary. All ages are welcome. Kids get through the caves easier than we adults!

Don't worry about this cold weather either. It's a nice 58 degrees in the cave always!

The Lost Sea in Sweetwater Tennessee will guide us on their Wild Cave Tour and then we'll stay the night in the cave! We'll be treated to a regular cavern tour as well as an exciting tour into the undeveloped cave rooms where one crawls through cracks, crevices, nooks, and crannies. Experience total darkness if you like! Don't worry if you suffer from claustrophobia there are alternate routes for many of these passages.

Our guides will point out many striking formations such as anthodites (cave flowers) which are so rare that the Lost Sea contains 50% of the world's known formations. Also, visitors view rooms where ancient jaguar roamed, moonshine was made, and saltpeter was mined for gunpowder by Confederate soldiers. At the bottom of the cave you will board a glass-bottom boat for an exciting trip on the Lost Sea, America’s largest underground lake. The lake covering more than 4 acres, is recognized by the U.S. Department of the interior as a Registered National Natural Landmark. This is due to the natural phenomenon of the lake as well as the abundance of a large collection of rare anthodites.

The overnight portion will be held in one of the large rooms in the cave. It is suggested that you bring minimum equipment. There will be access to a toilet (port-o-john), however there is no shower or wash basin so you will need to bring wet wipes to clean off before bed. You will get muddy! Wear clothes that you do not mind ruining. Some of the mud may not come out.

Please understand that we will be in a National Landmark and that by just touching the cave formations you will kill them. There is a hefty fine associated with this.

Here a video from a Scout Troop's trip into the cave. It should give you a good idea of what to expect.

Required Items: Flashlight / Headlamp, Ground Cloth (maybe a sleeping pad), Sleeping Bag, Change of clothes (light jacket is recommended), Snacks (no cooking is allowed in the cave), Water - 2 liters.
Recommended Items: Camera, Small Tarp, a Smile!

Rating: Easy
Expected Duration: Overnight Event

Drive time: 1 1/2 hours

Carpool Location: Rock Creek Outfitters at 2200 Hamilton Place Blvd (Hamilton Crossing) Chattanooga, TN 37421. This is next to the TJMaxx store and near the ToysRUS. Please park awa from the stores and look for my orange car and OACS signs. Atlanta group will rendezvous with us here so please be on time.

Carpool Time: 2:15pm with departure at 2:30pm sharp. We cannot wait for those arriving late. Please gas up and take restroom breaks before arriving.

Carpool Costs: Your driver will determine the actual costs and divide among riders. Please be courteous and pay your driver. Distance is 126 miles round trip. Approximate cost is $5 per person. Assumes 20mpg and 4 persons per vehicle.

Important Notes:

We will rendezvous at The Lost Sea at 4pm for a quick briefing then head into Sweetwater for our last chance to eat above ground. There are several options for dining and we will break up into groups so as not to overwhelm any restuarants. I'll have a list of restaurants and directions. Meet back at The Lost Sea at 5:30pm.

For those interested we will offer a nearby day hike on Sunday.