Spirit in the Mountain
Join us underground on December 14th for an unforgettable evening as Eddie Shedder brings their unique blend of mountain folk and jam to the depths of Rat’s Nest Cave. Surrounded by stunning rock formations and bathed in the natural acoustics of the cavern, this one-of-a-kind concert promises to be an intimate and awe-inspiring experience.
Eddie Shedder
Descend into the heart of Rat’s Nest Cave on December 14th for an unforgettable underground concert featuring Eddie Shedder, where the echoes of the cave will amplify their unique blend of mountain folk and jam. In this intimate, otherworldly setting, the band’s music will come alive in a way you’ve never experienced before, blending perfectly with the natural acoustics of the cavern. Surrounded by ancient rock formations and illuminated by the soft glow of cave lighting, you’ll be immersed in an evening of music that resonates as deeply as the cave itself.
Eddie Shedder, honed in the shadows of the Canadian Rockies, will deliver their signature sound—a dynamic mix of driving jams and soul-stirring ballads. Songs like “Troubled Water” and “Picking My Way” will pulse through the underground air, while “Lens National” and “Empires” will flow gently like an underground stream, evoking the spirit of mountain life and the quiet power of the natural world. Their music, inspired by mountain trails, river currents, and the joy of togetherness, will take on an entirely new dimension in this awe-inspiring venue.
The cave experience will be intimate and profound, with limited seating ensuring every guest feels the connection between the music, the cave, and the moment. The band’s members—Trent Pipson (guitar/vocals), Joe Titus (bass), Brian Bailey (mandelion, guitar/vocals), and Chris McKenna (guitar/vocals)—will create a performance that feels both personal and epic, inviting you to reflect on the beauty and raw power of nature.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Eddie Shedder’s music in the breathtaking setting of Rat’s Nest Cave. It’s more than a concert—it’s a journey into the depths of the earth and the soul of their sound, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Spirit in the Mountain
Date:
Dec 14, 2024
Starring:
Trent Pipson, Joe Titus, Brian Bailey, and Chris McKenna
Event Details
Event Date: Dec 14, 2024
Start Time: 12PM
Approximate Finish: 6PM
Meet your guides at the Canmore Cave Tours Office in Canmore (129 Bow Meadows Crescent) at noon, where your festive underground adventure begins! After a warm welcome and a brief overview of the day’s schedule, you’ll sign your waiver and gather your caving equipment. The Christmas spirit continues with a short drive in convoy to the cave parking lot, just seven minutes away. Once there, you’ll embark on a guided hike to the cave entrance, where the magic of the season meets the wonders of nature. All caving equipment is provided—please see the FAQ section for details on what to bring to ensure you’re fully prepared for this unforgettable holiday experience!
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.
You will spend approximately 3 hours underground.
It's a little chilly in there!
Reserve Online
It's as easy as 1-2-3! Simply click "Book Now", fill in your personal details and then make payment via credit card. That's it!
The system will automatically send you a confirmation of your tour with the relevant details and it will even send you a reminder two days before your tour so you don't forget!
Our Cancellation Policy
For bookings of 8 or fewer we require a minimum of 48 hours notice to cancel with a full refund. 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 with a full refund.
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.
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, notional and international caving news, offers and upcoming events. You can always unsubscribe at any time.
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.
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.
For youth groups where a parent may not be present on the tour we can arrange for the waivers to be signed ahead of time, or an adult who has been granted guardianship by the parent can sign the minor's waiver (in loco parentis). In all other cases the waiver should be signed at our office in the presence of your guide once you have received your pre-trip briefing.
Talk to Us!
We're always happy to help answer your questions and choose the best experience. We can also recommend other great activities or restaurants to compliment your cave tour.
Contact UsTickets
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum age for this event is 18 years.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.