Holy Grail Caving Trip – 11/22

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Recreation Department
Skoglund and Tostrud Center
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN 55057

P 507-786-3715 E recdept@stolaf.edu

Holy Grail Caving Trip – 11/22/25

"*" indicates required fields

Date: 11/22/25

Van Departure Time: 8:00AM

Van Returning Time: 5:00PM

Van Departure/Return Location: Skoglund faculty and staff parking lot

Trip Location: Holy Grail Cave, Spring Valley MN

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting: Monday (11/17) @ 6:00PM. Location will be shared when registration is approved.

Trip Description

Embark on a thrilling caving expedition to Holy Grail Cave in southeastern Minnesota—a dramatic underground world revealed by a rare supercell rainstorm in June 2008, when collapse of a dome created a gaping 50-foot shaft entry. Descending into 48°F depths, your team will navigate joint-controlled corridors averaging 15 ft wide and 10 ft tall, climb through debris from sinkhole collapses, and peer into vertical pits that drop into water-filled lower levels. This guided trip offers a rare opportunity to witness some of the largest known rooms in the Tri‑State region, explore the evolving face of karst geology, and trace the possible path toward the legendary York/Odessa network—believed to hold 50+ miles of passages. Prepare for tight squeezes, vertical drops, and unforgettable subterranean vistas—an electrifying adventure deep beneath rural Minnesota.

What We Provide:

Experienced guides, helmets, gloves, headlamps, breakfast, lunch, and transportation.

What You Should Bring:

Muck/hiking boots, extra water, small pack, change of clothing for after the trip, pee bottle, and clothing that will keep you warm in 48 degree Fahrenheit, even when wet and muddy. St Olaf College is not responsible for lost or damaged electronic devices. Bring them at your own risk.

First Name*

Last Name*

Gender Identity

I identify as:

Student ID*

Email*

Phone*

Medical Information

Please provide information below that would be valuable to have in an emergency situation:

Are you allergic to any insect bites or bee stings?*

Yes

Please elaborate:

Are you allergic to any foods or beverages?*

Yes

Please elaborate:

Do you have any dietary restrictions?*

Yes

Please elaborate:

Do you have any medical conditions that may affect you on this activity or trip (e.g. diabetic):*

Yes

Please elaborate:

Policies and Procedures

Nondiscrimination Policy

St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment.

Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College’s Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights or both. St. Olaf’s Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College’s Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu, (507) 786-3465.

Ole Expeditions Trip Cancellation Policies*

Ole Expeditions recognizes that various circumstances can impact students’ ability to attend activities that require pre-registration. As such, the Recreation team applies the following approach to respect the reality that plans can change while also honoring the financial investment of organizing and facilitating student trips. This policy only applies to trips organized by Ole Expeditions for which pre-registration is required, as noted within the registration form.

Trip Cancellation by Ole Expeditions

The Recreation department reserves the right to cancel an event due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable. If the Recreation department postpones an event, registrants will be promptly notified, and an alternative date will be shared. If Recreation cancels an event, registrants will be promptly notified, and if participants pay a registration fee, a full refund will be issued.

Registration Cancellation by the Participant

Unless expressly stated on the event registration form, the deadline to notify the Assistant Director of Recreation that you can no longer attend an event is ten (10) business days prior. Cancellations received after the stated deadline will:

If no participation fee has been paid, a charge will be incurred to the student’s account for the amount invested in materials/meals for the presumed attendee.

If a participation fee has been paid, the student will not be eligible for a refund unless a participant on the waitlist is able to take their spot on the trip. If that happens, 50% of the participation fee will be refunded back to the initial participant.

Cancellations made from the Monday of the Pre-Trip meeting through the day of the trip, are not eligible for a refund of any sort.

Additionally, the above applies to those who choose not to attend an applicable event without advanced communication. Notification of cancellations will be accepted by email (herfin3@stolaf.edu) and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline. Students who cannot attend an applicable event can identify an alternative student to participate in their place IF there is not already someone on the waitlist. They will then receive 50% of their initial participation fee. They must do this before the Monday of the Pre-Trip meeting to be eligible for a refund. Cancellations due to family emergencies or other uncontrollable circumstances are understandable. In these cases, please connect with the Assistant Director of Recreation.

Pre-Trip Meeting

All participants are required to attend an informational, pre-trip meeting before they can participate in the activity. The pre-trip meeting will be on Monday at 6:00pm the week of the trip. If you are unable to attend the meeting, contact the Assistant Director of Recreation ahead of time (herfin3@stolaf.edu). If you decide not to attend the meeting and do not contact the Assistant Director of Recreation, you will forfeit your spot on the trip and the Registration Cancellation by Participant policies will go into effect.

Event Cancellation Statement

The following statement must be included in all registration forms for Ole Expedition events for which this policy applies:

This event is covered by the Ole Expeditions Event Cancellation Policy. If you can no longer attend this event, please contact our team before the Monday of the Pre-Trip meeting for that event. Failing to inform us of your cancellation or absence will forfeit your eligibility to receive any of your registration fee.

Students completing the registration form must acknowledge that they have read and understand the policy before submitting their event registration.

I agree to the cancellation policy.

Pre-Trip Meeting Policies*

Pre-Trip Meeting

All participants are required to attend an informational, pre-trip meeting before they can participate in the activity. The pre-trip meeting will be on Monday at 6pm the week of the trip. If you are unable to attend the meeting, contact the Assistant Director of Recreation ahead of time (herfin3@stolaf.edu). If you decide not to attend the meeting and do not contact the Assistant Director of Recreation, you will forfeit your spot on the trip and the Registration Cancellation by Participant policies will go into effect.

I agree to the Pre-Trip Meeting requirement