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THE DESCENT

THE DESCENT

IN CAVE:

FEB 16, 2024

IN CAVE:

FEB 16, 2024

THE DESCENT

Darkness. Claustrophobia. Creepy crawlies. Caves are scary enough right? But throw in blind, carnivorous, pale-skinned cave monsters (we're not talking about the cave guides this time) and you've got the ingredients for an Halloween you'll never forget!

IN CAVE:

FEB 16, 2024

THE DESCENT

Darkness. Claustrophobia. Creepy crawlies. Caves are scary enough right? But throw in blind, carnivorous, pale-skinned cave monsters (we're not talking about the cave guides this time) and you've got the ingredients for an Halloween you'll never forget!

IN CAVE:

FEB 16, 2024

The Movie

A group of close female friends on a yearly adventure vacation find themselves trapped and hunted in a series of caves by an unknown force that lurks in the shadows in The Descent, the second horror feature from Dog Soldiers writer/director Neil Marshall. After suffering a devastating car crash one year before, Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) is lured to the States with her friend Beth (Alex Reid) to a special spelunking trip by the fearless Juno (Natalie Mendoza), who abruptly fled from the U.K. after Sarah's accident. Along with two old friends and a new acquaintance of Juno's, the group embark on a cave expedition that takes a turn for the worse after a rock fall leaves them stranded in an uncharted cave with no map and only a handful of supplies to last them the rest of the trip.

As tensions arise in the group, they are faced with another danger -- one whose love of the dark is as strong as its lust for blood. Opening to rave reviews in the U.K. in July of 2005, the creature-feature went on to show at the Venice Film Festival and garnered the top prize for Euro feature at Sweden's Fantastic Film Festival. The Descent was picked up for future U.S. distribution by Lion's Gate, whose work was cut out for them considering the tame opening of the similarly-themed stateside production of The Cave in late-August of the same year. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

ABOUT THIS MOVIE
  • Date Released
    2006
  • Director
    Neil Marshall
  • Starring
    Shauna Macdonald, Alex Reid, Natalie Jackson Mendoza
  • Rated
    R (for strong violence/gore and language)

Event Details

Event Dates: Feb 16, 2024

Start Time: 6:00 PM

Approximate Finish: 12:00 AM

Meet your guides at the Canmore Cave Tours Office in Canmore (129 Bow Meadows Crescent) and the adventure begins right away with a brief overview of the evening and signing the waiver. You'll watch the first segment of the movie at the office in order to prepare you for what's to come. Collect your caving equipment and then drive in convoy to the cave parking lot (approximately 7 minutes away). All of your caving equipment is provided. Please see the FAQ section for more information on what is provided and what to bring.

The hike to the cave will take approximately 30-40 minutes up a moderately steep mountain trail at a leisurely pace. Once you reach the cave, you will don your equipment and head underground. If you dare.

You will spend approximately 3 hours underground.

Please note: This film is rated R. Adults only please.

The Cave Cinema Experience

The Cave Cinema Experience

It's a little chilly in there!

Just a reminder that while the cave is likely to be warmer than the outside temperature, it is still only 5 degrees celsius so bundle up. We recommend bringing warm layers like fleece jackets or hoodies and long johns, and a winter hat to wear under the helmet. Bring more than seems reasonable - your guide will help you decide what will work and what won't.
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HOW TO BOOK

1. Select a Date

Choose your preferred date on the calendar to view tour availability.

Explorer Tour Availability

2. Enter Your Details

Complete the form with your personal contact information.

Privacy

Your Privacy is Important to Us

During the booking process we will ask you for your Full Name, e-mail address, phone number, and postal/zip code. We use your contact details in case we need to update you on your reservation for some reason, and we find that occasionally some payments will not complete correctly due to a missing postal code.

We will never share any of your information with another organization, nor will you receive communication from us that does not pertain directly to your reservation. We don't like SPAM either. During the reservation process you may choose to opt in to receive our monthly newsletter, which contains stories from the cave, national and international caving news, offers and upcoming events. You can always unsubscribe at any time.

3. Make Payment

Add your payment details to make a reservation instantly.

Cancellation Policy

Security

A Secure Booking Process

When you book your experience online with us you will be able to select the date and time of the experience while on our website and then you will be asked to enter your contact details and agree to our terms and conditions.

With all of this complete, the next step will be to make your payment, at which point you will be taken off of our website to a secure page hosted by our reservation system. You can tell that the website is secure by the green lock located in the address bar. Please do not send payment information via e-mail or any other digital messaging as we cannot gurantee its safety. If you'd prefer, we can take credit card payment over the phone.

Our Cancellation Policy

For bookings of 8 or fewer we require a minimum of 48 hours notice to cancel. Due to bank processes it may take a few days to a week to see the refund on your account. At the time of cancellation you will receive a confirmation that your reservation (or a portion of your reservation) has been cancelled.

For groups larger than 8 we require a minimum of 14 days notice for cancellation.

Cancellations are subject to a 3% credit card processing fee.

In the event of extreme weather, or due to the unforeseen lack of appropriate staff we may cancel a tour for your safety, at which point we will fully refund your reservation and do everyting in our power to help you find a suitable alternative activity.

4. Sign Waivers

Complete your waivers before your tour.

What's This?

View Our Waiver

Liability Waivers

Liability waivers are an unfortunate but necessary part of any adventure activity. We recommend that you take the time before your tour, or even before your reservation, to thoroughly review this legal document.

Anyone participating in a Canmore Cave Tours activity must complete a liability waiver, including minors. In the case of minors, it is very important that a parent or guardian also reads and signs the waiver.

Once you have completed your booking, you will receive a link that will allow you to sign your waiver online. We have included a handy video to explain all of the components of the waiver and to ensure the process goes smoothly. Again, it is recommended to review the waiver prior to making your reservation and if you have any questions please contact us.

Tickets

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum age?

The minimum age for this tour is 18 years - the movie is rated R.

Is there a maximum size?

Generally speaking, fitness is more of a concern than size. However, all participants must wear a safety harness which has a maximum waist size of 46" (116 cm) and a maximum leg size of 33" (84 cm). If you have any concerns about size please don't hesitate to contact us.

What is included and what should I bring?

We provide all of the necessary caving equipment including coveralls, kneepads, gloves, helmet & headlamp, harness & safety lanyard, and backpack. The backpack will be shared by two people and will not go into the cave.

You will need to bring good footwear, warm clothing, a camera (optional), 1L of water and a pocket-sized, cave-friendly snack. Also, if you will require medication during the tour it is a good idea to bring 2x what you would expect to use, just in case.

Footwear must be closed-toe and should have a sturdy tread. Hiking boots or shoes are best, but a sturdy running shoe will also work. Other options include rubber boots or winter boots (in the winter)

The cave is 5 degrees celsius, so warm clothing is recommended. Imagine what you would wear if you had to spend a few hours in a refrigerator. We recommend long pants, long sleeves, a warm sweater, hoodie or jacket. Synthetic fabrics are best as they will keep you warm even if you get wet.

Any cameras going into the cave will need to fit into your pockets. We do not allow backpacks in the cave. Small point-and-shoot cameras or smart phones are welcome but please keep in mind that the cave environment is not particularly friendly towards electronics. High humidity and dust can damage equipment, and screens can break if you accidentally sit on it. Electronics are brought at your own risk.

Is transportation provided?

No, transportation is not provided. If you do not have your own vehicle we can arrange a taxi to the cave for you at an additional cost. You can use Canmore's public transit to get to our office.

How hard is the tour?

The hike to the cave takes approximately 30-40 minutes and is uphill the whole way on a mountain trail. Most of our guests find this to be the hardest part of the day, but we do take lots of stops along the way to enjoy the scenery.

Once in the cave the pace is quite slow as we maneuver through the passages. This is not a flat walking tour. There are no handrails, walkways or fixed lighting. We climb, crawl, slide and wiggle our way around the cave so it is best to have a moderate level of fitness.Even more important though is your sense of adventure!

Are there rats or bats?

Rat's Nest Cave is named after the nests of Bushy-tailed Wood Rats found in the entrance. This species of super-cute rodents is native to the area and they use the cave as a home due to it's constantly warm temperatures and protection from predators. We rarely see the rats, and if we do there is usually just one.

Bat's are rarely seen at Rat's Nest Cave. The cave is not a hibernaculum (a place where bats hibernate through the winter). We usually only see the occasional bat in the summer as they are passing through the area.

Is this tour suitable for me if I'm pregnant?

Yes, but only up until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks).

It is always advisable to seek advice from your doctor when participating in activities like caving.