Caving in California's Gold Country?

Absolutely! We're hosting the Western Region to show off just a portion of the cool caving opportunities in our area of Northern California!

Join us for a weekend of fun caves, interesting lectures, and engaging activities in our beautiful state!

Price includes:
Tent Camping Sites
Lectures
Organized Cave trips
Activities
Western Region Business Meeting
Other cool benefits to be announced!

Venue

The camping, lectures, and activities will take place at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora, California.

Caving will be focused on Grapevine Gulch and other nearby areas.

Trips!

More info coming soon!

Interested in leading a trip? Please let us know!.

FAQ

What is the camping situation?

• Your registration includes camping Friday afternoon to Sunday 4pm in the Grandstand lawn behind the Manzanita building.
• Cars, Campers, and RVs can park around the Grandstand lawn in designated spots. Tents can be set up anywhere on the Grandstand lawn next to the Manzanita building. Several RV 30A and 50A hookups are available on the lawn but we cannot guarantee them. Please be courteous with generator use. 
• There are no EV chargers at the fairgrounds.
• Apparently the tap water tastes bad. You will be happier if you bring drinking water. 
• Bathrooms with showers will be available. They are not coin operated. Please keep them tidy and as mud free as possible.
• We will have some picnic tables. 
• Camping stoves and grills are allowed but no campfires. It is fire season. 
• Wifi is available at the fairgrounds. Cell service is generally good in town, less good in caving areas.
• Quiet hours are after 10pm. 
• Please help keep the campground and Manzanita building clean. We are all volunteers and we do not have a cleaning service booked. 
• There is a political fundraiser in a different building happening at the same time as our gathering. Please don't get in disagreements with them. 
• Sonora has services including cafes, hotels, restaurants, gas stations and medical centers.
• There will be coffee and pastries for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. There will be GF and vegan options. We cannot guarantee available options and quantities.

What should I bring? 

• Bring decontaminated caving gear and charged headlamps. We will have some power outlets but not enough.
• Most caves are dry but you might want to bring a wetsuit if going on one of our wet trips.
• Bring your own Saturday dinner if you haven't bought dinner with your ticket. Only few meal tickets will be available on site.
• Bring your own lunch, snacks and drinking water.
• Bring cash. We will have awesome limited edition stickers for purchase and the auction!. 
• Bring items to donate to the auction! 

Any rules I need to be aware of?

• Yes! Our one and only rule is be awesome.
• If you are unruly, unsafe, a creep or a jerk you will be kicked out. We have no patience for any kind of harassment or bullshit behavior.
• If anybody is making you feel unwelcome or unsafe please tell one of the organizers in the red "got caves?" t-shirts.
• This also goes for our caves and our bats, be excellent to them.
  
  

Saturday Dinner and Auction: Who are the WCC and why do they want my money?

• The Western Cave Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to securing permanent protection for caves in the western United States. They purchase land with caves or manage access and conservation efforts for land owners.
• In 2021, the WCC acquired 150 acres of property near Volcano, CA, containing over 10 known caves (including Santa Claus/Pearl, Mushroom, Lulu Bell, and Connie’s), plus acres of karst with sinks, holes and flowstone fragments. This rare opportunity was made possible thanks to several large pledges from generous donors and WCC’s very own acquisition fund. This purchase will guarantee the preservation and conservation of these wonderful caves for years to come and grant cavers, like you, responsible access to enjoy them. 
• Proceeds from Saturday night’s dinner and auction will go towards paying off the loan needed to purchase the Volcano property and give cavers access to these amazing caves. You can also donate through the WCC website or at the Western Regional event (bring checks please!). 
• The WCC will be making several caves accessible during the Western Regional, check them out!

What whas the decontamination deal again? 

White-Nose Syndrome has not yet been seen in California’s bats, but the fungus causing this disease has been detected throughout the state (Shasta, Plumas, Inyo, and San Bernardino Counties). California is an At-Risk/Intermediate Management Area. 

If you have been caving outside of Tuolumne County, please decontaminate your clothes and caving gear prior to arrival.

How do I decontaminate my gear?

• Remove dirt and debris. Use brushes, washing machines, elbow grease, and/or conventional cleansers like Woolite® detergent or Dawn® dish soap to help. 
• Treat submersibles - soak in a >55ºC (131ºF) water bath for 5 minutes. 
• Treat non-submersibles - spray or wipe with Isopropyl Alcohol (≥ 70%), Hydrogen Peroxide Wipes (≥ 3%), Clorox Bleach, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Formula 409, Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, or Lysol All Purpose Cleaner. Other approved disinfectants are listed in the WNS Decon Protocol. 
• Rinse if necessary. 
• Let dry, go caving! 

Decontamination materials (brushes, hot water, isopropyl alcohol wipes and spray) will be available on-site, but taking care of this at home will ensure maximum time for caving and socializing! 

If you are coming from a WNS-positive area, please consider using dedicated  WNS-negative equipment or decontaminate your gear and clothing thoroughly (hotter and longer and more than once if possible). Give the inside of your car a nice spraying with one of those cleaning agents mentioned above. Thanks for supporting our bats. 

Want more info? Check out: 

• https://whitenosesyndrome.org/ 
• WNS Decon Protocol (October 2020)
• The Responsible Caver and White-nose Syndrome Decontamination (video, 21 mins, Cave Research Foundation 2016)