Chattanooga Grotto logoGrotto
RegisterLogin

Participant Permit & Release

Trip Permits and Release Information

Review what you need to agree to before joining a trip. Some caves also require a separate owner permit (such as SCCI).

What you agree to

  • Caving has real risk, including serious injury or death.
  • You choose to participate and accept those risks.
  • You will follow leader instructions and all cave/property rules.
  • You will use required safety gear (helmet, gloves, primary light, backup lights, and trip-specific gear).
  • Remote caves may not have immediate emergency care.
  • If emergency care/transport is needed, you authorize it and accept the cost.

Cave access and stewardship

  • Leave No Trace is required: pack out everything, protect formations, and respect wildlife.
  • Clean-caving practices are required to reduce disease spread between caves.
  • Some trips require additional landowner/organization permits.
  • Minors must have parent/guardian authorization.
  • Trip leaders may restrict participation when safety skills/gear are not adequate.

Cave safety reference: saveyourcaves.org/cavesafely

Full waiver text used in trip signup

During signup, participants must read these terms, type their legal name, and explicitly assent.

  1. I understand caving and associated travel involve real hazards, including serious injury, illness, permanent disability, or death.
  2. I voluntarily choose to participate and accept all known and unknown risks for myself and any additional guests I submit.
  3. I agree to follow trip leader instructions, landowner rules, and Chattanooga Grotto safety expectations at all times.
  4. I will use required safety gear for the trip and will leave the cave and property as found, following Leave No Trace practices.
  5. I authorize emergency medical care and transport if needed, and I accept responsibility for related costs.
  6. I release and hold harmless Chattanooga Grotto volunteers, trip leaders, and cooperating property owners to the extent allowed by law.

Electronic signature notice: typing your legal name in signup is treated as your signature and assent to these terms.

This page is a simplified operating summary, not legal advice and not a replacement for full site-specific release forms.

Back to TripsView Policies