Caving
Come exploring amazing world under the Earth with one of our exciting Caving Tours!
Our Cave Adventure is wild caving! There are no ladders, sidewalks, or stairs.
We currently offer 3 different Adventures!
See more details below
Paterson Lake Adventure -Option 1
(Multi-Sport Adventure)
We would meet in Campbell River and head out to the Paterson Lake area. Our guides will teach you how to canoe, then we will paddle for about 1 hour on Paterson Lake to where we will start hiking. The hike winds through the beautiful rain forest of Northern Vancouver Island, along a retired logging train route which is travelled after a rough but short hike from the lake. Then, as we get deep into the forest, we will go to several caves in the area. We will reverse the journey to get back to our cars.
Driving time: about 1 hour to Paterson Lake
Canoe/Hiking/Caving time: 6-7 hours
Total time: 9 hours
Paterson Lake
Adventure - Option 2*
We would meet in Campbell River and head out to the Paterson Lake area. We will hike along an old, retired railroad/logging trail through the beautiful rain forest of Northern Vancouver Island. Then as we get deep into the forest we will go to several caves in the area. We will reverse the journey to get back to our cars.
*No canoeing included in this option
Driving time: about 1 hour to Paterson Lake
Hiking/Caving time: 5-6 hours
Total time: 7ish hours.
Memekay Caving
Adventure - Option 3
We would meet in Campbell River and head out to the Memekay area. Then, there will be a short hike into the cave area. We will start with a short trip into Upper Scallop Cave. Then, we go through how rappelling works while outside Main Scallop cave. We will continue and head into Main Scallop Cave, where there is a possibility for rappelling, and will explore the length and depths of this awesome through-cave. We will end our tour with more caving if people are interested in 1 or 2 more shorter caves. Then we will head back to our vehicles and head home.
Driving time: about 1 hour and 15 minutes to the Memekay Area, one way.
Hiking: 30 minutes total
Caving time: 3-3.5 hours
Total time: 6-7 hours about
Pricing for Cave Adventures
All prices listed are per person except when booking in groups 4 to 6 then it is a group rate
1:1 Guide/Caver ratio: $379 + tax *
1:2 Guide/Caver ratio: $188 + tax
1:3 Guide/Caver ratio: $148 + tax
1:4-6 Guide/Caver ratio: $569 + tax
PRAS can provide transportation for up to 4 guests at an additional cost of $30/person.
*Note with only one person, there will be another PRAS staff on the adventure as a minimum of 3 people for caving is part of the way we manage risks in caves.
To reserve an Adventure, PRAS requires 25% nonrefundable deposit 14 days before or on the date of booking. The rest of the cost of the Adventures are due on the day of the activity before we get started.
We currently take E-transfer or cash.
Gear List and notes about caving:
Caves are cold (~8°C) and wet, so dressing well (and warm) is very important, as we will be underground for several hours. DO NOT BRING YOUR BEST CLOTHES UNLESS THEY ARE UNDER A PROTECTIVE LAYER AS CAVES CAN BE SHARP! Protective Layers are provided in the form of coveralls see other gear that is provided on the list below.
Listed below is the gear that will be needed for this adventure. A note about warm cotton layers: when cotton gets wet it loses its insulating ability, you are better off wearing wool, or a synthetic layer like polyester or fleece. These items are mandatory for this activity but if you need something please contact me and I will see what I can do to locate it for you.
Required gear/clothes
• Rain gear tops and bottoms
• Warm layers, both tops and bottoms
• Toque
• Hiking boots or old runner or gumboots/rain boots
• Gloves (rubber palmed gardening gloves are good option)
• Filled water bottle
• Snacks and lunch
• A change of clothes
Caving gear – included
• Helmet
• Headlamps
• Coveralls
• Harnesses for Option 3
Please note they do not make coveralls in non-adult sizes so it would be good to bring some old clothes to put over the kids warm layers
If you have any questions you can email us at: Info@purpleropeadventureschool.ca or click the button below