It’s time to go on a Take It Outside field trip. Advertised as “one of the top ten coolest adventures in the world” this field trip definitely lives up to its billing. Caving with River and Earth Adventures, of Boone NC, will be one trip that you remember for a long time.

The cave that you will be exploring, Worley’s Cave, is located in Sullivan County, TN near the town of Elizabethton. Tennessee is a state that, with 8,400, has more discovered caves that any other state in the country. Worley’s Cave is a limestone cave formed in a 550-million-year-old limestone deposit when rainwater and groundwater reacted with the soluble rock. Mineral deposits in the rock created formations in the rock such as stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, draperies and soda straws.

Worley’s Cave, sometimes called Morril’s Cave, extends over 7 miles into the earth and has passages on two levels. Some of the upper level rooms have ceilings over 100 feet high while the lower level features a creek with white crayfish and salamanders.

If you have trouble telling stalactites from stalagmites, this trip is for you. River and Earth Adventures is the only outfitter that has a staff geologist. All of the trip guides are fully trained in cave history and geology. During your adventure they will point out all the different cave features and how they are part of the total cave ecosystem, making this trip a true learning experience.

The adventure starts when you meet your guide at the River and Earth Adventures outpost near the cave. You will be outfitted with helmet, high powered headlamp and special gloves to protect the delicate cave formations from the dirt and oils on your hands. Before you enter the cave, you will get a complete safety briefing from your guide and then your adventure begins.

But first, you are probably saying to yourself “I’m claustrophobic” or “I’m not in shape.” Most of the rooms inside the cave are the complete opposite of claustrophobic; some have ceilings at least 80 feet high and are ¼ mile long. As far as being in shape, it is a 3 hour hike on different ground surfaces such as gravel, mud and water. River and Earth Adventures compares some of the more challenging areas of the cave to “climbing up onto your kitchen counter”. The temperature inside the cave is always in the mid 50s, so a light jacket or fleece will come in handy. Now let’s get back inside the cave.

When you pass thru the entrance of the cave, your guide will educate you about the historical significance of Worley’s Cave and why caves are an important part of the earth’s ecosystems. Soon you will pass the middle zone of the cave where there is still a fluctuation between the inside and outside temperatures. Once inside the main chambers of the cave the temperature drops and the exploring begins.

The time inside the cave passes quickly as you explore the rooms and passages of the cave. Each room that you enter is better than the last one. With names like Hobbits Hallway, Tombstone, Thin Floor Room, Base Camp and Fairy’s Ballroom, you will be amazed. Bring your camera because you will want to take pictures of all the amazing formations inside the cave.

The Worley’s Cave tour is a year round activity, perfect for those rainy and cold days. The complete package, which includes an expert guide, lunch, equipment and transportation, is priced so all size groups will be able to enjoy it.

Take just one cave trip with River and Earth Adventures and you will be hooked; it is definitely “one of the top ten coolest adventures in the world.” You can contact River and Earth Adventures of Boone, NC at 1-866-411-RAFT or 1-828-963-5491. You can also check out www.raftcavehike.com for information on caving and all the other offerings that River and Earth Adventures has to offer. Take It Outside would like to thank Grant and Jeremiah from River and Earth Adventures for a field trip we will remember for a long time.