Event Notice
It’s almost here, just over a week away, and all the details and plans seem to be coming together very well.
The planning committee wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of a few important things and let you know what to expect when you arrive.
Arrival Instructions
When you arrive at the Lion’s Club Three Rivers Rodeo Grounds, look for the signs we have placed to direct you to registration. After you check in, get your badge and other materials, you will be told where you can park and camp.
We plan to have a packet of printed information for everyone, including a schedule of activities, information on the facility and the town of Three Rivers, as well as other local attractions.
Special Notes
Regional Auction:
Please remember to bring one or more items to be included in the annual fundraising auction! Caving or camping related equipment, bat or cave art, decor, or t-shirts are all appropriate items to donate. This event is a major source of funding for the Western Region and goes to support the publication of the Western Caver, making possible grants for research funding and helping cavers afford cave rescue training, along with providing seed money for future regional events.
Regional Business Meeting:
This is a very important forum for addressing issues and questions that affect western cavers and caving. We hope that representatives from as many grottos as possible will be present to share the news from their grotto and present any problems or issues that they have. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear what other cavers around the west are doing and get ideas that you can take back to your own grotto.
Caver Story Time:
On Friday evening between 8:00 and 10:00 we will gather around to hear some great caving stories that folks are willing to share.
Cave Trips:
The trips are nearly full, with waitlists. In the next few days you will receive an email from your trip leader if you got placed on a guided trip. Nearly everyone who has filled out the Cave Trip Survey has been placed on a guided trip. There is mostly space left on the Sunday guided trips to Millerton/Guardian, and we are still confirming attendance so some spots may open up on other trips.
There is also the opportunity to go on self-guided cave trips, trips to the commercial Boyden Caverns, and the hope that a few more experienced cavers will find it in their heart to lead a last-minute Saturday or Sunday Cave trip. If you haven't filled out the cave trip survey yet, please do.
Bears:
We have just recently learned that bears have become a problem in Three Rivers. They are coming down from the Park and scrounging garbage and in some cases breaking into buildings. While the recorded incidents are in the area closer to the wild lands and not around the facility we are renting, we will still have to be very careful. All food, beverages, and toiletries (anything that has an odor) must be kept closed up in your vehicle at night or when you are not in camp. It is best to keep things out of sight, in a trunk or under some kind of cover. We will have to collect all garbage before everyone retires. Also, we are planning to have some volunteers patrol the area through the night. If you have a well-behaved dog and are willing to help with this task, the dog might be a good early warning system!
We are looking forward to a great Regional and seeing so many western cavers!