Its finally here!
Amicalola Falls clean-up (and rappel!) is scheduled for Friday, July 17th!
A few times per year, volunteers from the caving community clean up the area around stairs leading up to Amicalola Falls. The GA State Park service does not have the belay equipment/expertise to do this, so we do it for them. We always wind up taking multiple bags of trash that have been dropped from around the stairs.
Afterward, depending on the flow of the water, we rappel down Amicalola Falls, the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi.
Everyone helping will need to have their own helmet, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Also, bring lunch and plenty of water! You may want to bring some sunscreen depending on the weather. We will be out there most of the day.
You don't need to be vertical to do the clean-up - we belay you (or you belay us) on ropes we bring as you scamper up and down the steep slopes around the stairs. However, if you do have a harness, please bring it (you won't need any climbing/rappelling gear).
After we're done, we'll have lunch, then rappel the falls. You will need full vertical gear to rappel the falls. You will also need a minimum of vertical experience as the falls are -very- slippery and have sharp rocks. This is -not- for beginners new to SRT. If you have questions, feel free to ask.
Meet at the upper parking at 9AM EASTERN
We will cancel if the weather is bad, and if the flow is too high, it's possible that the park may not allow us to rappel the falls.
Don't be that person that shows up only to rappel the waterfall and not help out. If you are coming, help out!
Remember that you are representing the DCG, NSS, and other communities, and you should conduct yourself as such. Use your best judgement. We do not want bad publicity for any reason. We are there because they allow us to be.
You will talk to many folks passing by, families, kids, etc asking what you are doing. Think about what you are saying before you say it. Many will thank you for helping pick up trash and doing a great service for the park. Be mindful of what is going on around you.
It would also be wise to bring a towel and change of clothes. You will be dirty.
If you have any questions, reach out to Brandon Balkcom via his cell (470-525-4138) or Facebook.