VOC trips are organized by members like yourself, not professional guides. The trips go into wilderness areas where assistance is unavailable and unexpected events can occur. You could be seriously injured or die. You are responsible for your own actions. Please use caution.
Introduction to Vertical Caving · Fri. Aug. 30th, 2024 - Mon. Sep. 2nd, 2024
Warning: This is an old trip - it already happened
Warning, this trip has been cancelled : Lack of interest
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Start: Friday, Aug. 30th, 5:00 am
End: Monday, Sep. 2nd, 12:00 pm
Pre-trip meeting: Monday, Aug. 26th, 6:00 pm
Pre-trip meeting location: Zoom: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/67940593697?pwd=3aO7178KgAyJTOXptsnu75cbxkBUlK.1
Description:
This trip will be a multiday affair in which participants will have the opportunity to visit and explore an exciting cave system located on Vancouver Island.
This cave will require participants to ascend and descend static ropes, up to 11mm in diameter, potentially covered in dirt and swollen with water. For this reason, many devices typically used in the rock-climbing context (e.g., ATCs for rappelling; a GriGri for ascending/rappelling) fail to work. I have watched these fail on more than one occasion, especially during ascent. The result was a massive headache. Derek Bristol covers the ideal setup of the frog system here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mqwBHkLl8
It is acceptable to use a regular climbing harness, and I’ve seen this done multiple times. However, big gear loops can be problematic and get caught on stuff for segments of the cave in which the harness must be left on, which may or may not be applicable. A chest harness can be improvised with a piece of tubular webbing. I will offer several training sessions on SRT in the time leading up to the trip. I will create these as separate VOC events. I can help you sort out some of the finer details of your system at one of these (e.g., tying your cowstails, creating a foot loop). However, the more you can do in advance by yourself, the better.
Participants will only be listed as going if they have participated in at least two SRT training sessions and/or are given the go-ahead by the trip leader. If you have prior SRT experience, it’s possible I can make an exception to this requirement if we discuss your situation. As for other gear requirements, most of what is stated on the VOC Wiki page is great. See here: https://www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Caving. However, having at least one backup light is mandatory (not optional). Your cell phone light is not a suitable backup. It is not uncommon for trips to last 8–10 hours (or more), so you should also have backup batteries for your primary and backup lights.
A mandatory logistics pre-trip meeting will take place on August 26th via Zoom. I will be scheduling the SRT training sessions over the course of the next couple of days, so keep your eyes peeled and be sure to sign up for at least two of these.
Prerequisites:
- Can carry a 45 lb. pack for at least 10km with 700m of elevation gain.
- Know how you will psychologically respond to enclosed small, dark, and miserable spaces where the difference between moving forward or backward is potentially whether you are exhaling or inhaling air into your lungs. Trips will not be cancelled if you have a psychological breakdown in the cave, so know your limits.
- Attended at least two pre-trip SRT Training Sessions and/or given ‘Go Ahead’ by trip leader.
Posted: 2024-08-14 11:31:49
Last modified: 2024-08-26 17:51:15