Posted by: "Sam Lair" Sideways@gemstategrotto.org sidewayscaver
Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:45 pm (PST)

Now that it's the new year, it's time to start thinking about and
planning for the 2008 NCA Regional to be held Memorial Day weekend, May
24th, 25th, & 26th.

This year the regional is being hosted by the Gem State Grotto at the
site of the former commercially operated Crystal Ice Cave on the Wapi
lava flow.

The Wapi lava flow is part of the Craters of the Moon National Monument
and is situated on the Great Rift, a 65 mile long series of cracks in
the earths crust where lava pushed up and flowed out onto the surface,
or erupted to form spatter cones like South Grotto, which is supposed
to have been surveyed to over 600 feet deep.

The camping will be primitive so you will need to bring everyting. The
nearest town (American Falls) is about 1 hour away from the camp site.
The Gem State Grotto is going to offer a meal plan for at least some of
the meals, more details to follow. We will try to get the BLM to send
out a water truck but for now you should plan on bringing all the water
you will need. There will be port-a-potties on site.

Caving will range from easy walking family caves like Lariat, ice caves
like Moss, short drop vertical entrance caves like Sullivans (23 feet),
and deep vertical caves like Creons (190 feet) and South Grotto (325
feet, or more?).

We are working on a website full of information and there will be more
updates to follow.

We hope to see you all there, come check out this unique and
interesting geological area!

Sam Lair
Vice Chair, Gem State Grotto
NSS# 42779
sideways@gemstategrotto.org