ORGT Caving Overview
Georgia Tech cavers enjoy one of the best caving regions in the country. Known as TAG (Tennessee Alabama Georgia), the region contains over 10,000 caves, providing a fascinating variety of underground terrain to explore. The consistent cave temperature (55-60 degress in the southeast) provides an ideal environment to escape the heat in the summer, and stay warm in the winter; Thus, caving is an enjoyable sport year round!
Tech cavers do both horizontal and vertical caving. Horizontal caving can mean wriggling like a worm through tiny, wet passageways or walking upright through vast, open chambers, and almost anything in between! ORGT holds instructional schools for horizontal caving each semester. Caving basics, safety, and conservation are taught during these classes.
Vertical caving happens whenever there is a drop or "pit" which cannot be safely negotiated without a rope. Pits in the TAG region are numerous, and range in depth from 10 to 600 feet. The experience of rapelling down a rope into a pit that seems bottomless, then looking up to watch the sunlight at the opening fade, is difficult to describe! So is the experience of climbing all the way back up the rope! In vertical caving school, participants practice rappelling and ascending techniques in a controlled environment on Georgia Tech's campus.
Advanced caving trips frequently involve cave mapping, cave rescue techniques, advanced vertical techniques, or instructor training. ORGT provides all necessary caving gear at nominal fees. A wide variety of interesting people enjoy this unique activity!