So You Want to Go Caving. . .

To some, caving is an insane activity that only lunatics participate in.  Others view caving as dirty and unappealing.  Chances are, if you are reading this, you have a different view on caving. Perhaps you have visited a few local caves in your area and were enticed by the excitement of exploration.  Whatever your views, the fact remains that caving is potentially a dangerous sport and should be treaded with great respect. 

Caving has changed over the years. The gear is far better, and far more expensive. There are more cavers and fewer landowners willing to provide access. Some of the caves are seeing far more traffic than they can support.  We do not encourage new people to join the sport. The more cavers there are, the more the caves get damaged. Yet, at the same time, there are many who are already caving and many more will pick up the sport as time progresses.  We do welcome new members and try to help out and see they receive the proper training so they can safely enjoy the sport without causing damage to the caves or to themselves.

• Join the NSS and the Cullman Grotto
  (or other grotto in your area). Your chance of doing any real caving without joining an organization is practically nil. You won't be able to find many caves, and if you do, you won't have the equipment or knowledge to see the best of them.

 

• Go caving with organized cavers.

  Our grotto usually has a cave trip every month for the group, but frequently have a trip going out every week with some members of the grotto. We lead several horizontal trips for beginner and youth groups each year and try to educate the proper practices of the sport.

 

• It is not for everyone.

  Do not go out and buy a lot of expensive equipment right off the bat. Take your time, be sure you are going to enjoy the sport. We've seen many people get many useless things or quit the sport after only a few trips. After several trips, if you see you want to stick with it, then get your own gear. We usually have gear you can borrow until that time.

 

• Don't jump into vertical caving without specialized training and equipment.

  Most of our trips are vertical. Whether it's pit bouncing or multi-drop caves, ropes are usually involved in our activities. We teach vertical classes and hold training sessions regularly.  You must have prior training before attempting vertical trips.

 

• Treat the caves and their owners with the respect they deserve.

  Ask permission from the landowners and respect their wishes, pick up trash, erase graffiti, leave no trace. Keep your caving low-key. Resist the urge to turn all your friends into cavers.

 

GROTTO TRIP RULES

Rules are in effect for all Grotto-sponsored events. You are encouraged to follow these guidelines on your own personal trips, yet you are in control of that matter. On all grotto activities, strict adherence of these rules shall be followed.

Ropes

7/16" rope used in all places.

1/2" rope for rescue, if possible.

Have adequate rope pads. Personal Equipment.

Helmets with a chin strap worn in most places.

Have your quick attachment safety (QAS) rigged into your seat harness. Have it ready for descent and ascent phases as well as rigging phase.

Have a strong seat harness that fits snug.

Descending

Before you approach the drop, have your personal gear on and ready to use.

Attach QAS first. Next attach descending device. While QAS is still engaged, check rigging of descending device. Do this on every drop, no matter how short!

Descend in an upright position.

Try, if possible, to insure that the main line is on the bottom. If in doubt, the first person down shall have their ascending-gear on, ready for a changeover if necessary.

A figure eight knot is to be tied at the end of each line going down the drop, and especially any edge / rigging ropes.

Ascending

3 point rig for field use. Each point should be able to support climber's weight. Chest rollers are not support points.

Trips and Training

All participants must sign the grotto release form.

If a person is not known to the grotto, they will have to produce proof of their qualifications.

Miscellanies Grotto Rules

On all grotto trips there will be no in-cave smoking. Smokers can smoke before the group enters and after they exit, but not within the cave. At an open air pit, smoking will be permitted only up top and not in the presence of non-smokers.

No alcoholic beverages at any time on a trip.

The release form shall be signed yearly at the time of paying dues or at the time of any given trip if participant has not signed beforehand.

Trip leader will be the acting safety-head. He/she shall enforce the rules set forth on grotto-sponsored events.

If any person willfully does not follow the rules, a warning will be given. If the warning is ignored and rules are broken again, the person(s) involved could be subject to reprimand or even grotto expulsion.

GROTTO VERTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The Following List Is Strong Recommendations. They Are Not Rules, However, We Do Recommend You Consider These Items and Use Them. At Any Time, the Acting Safety Coordinator, Which Shall Be the Trip Leader, Can Enforce These Recommendations as Rules on Any Given Trip. Strict Adherence to Grotto Rules Shall Be Required.

Back up rigging with a steel locking carabiner or large steel screw link or aluminum locking carabiner.

Have extra locking carabiners for QAS and descending device.

Descent device: A six or more bar rack for first choice.

Slow to moderate speed recommended on descents.

No un-necessary noise. ON ROPE and OFF ROPE should be the only loud talk.

Have something to make yourself an emergency foot stirrup and prusik knot.

QAS should be worn with any type ascending system.

Participates on vertical trips should be vertically qualified and 18 years of age.

Each person should have their own equipment as well as know how to use their equipment properly and safely and must adhere to the Grotto's safety rules.

Be neat and orderly. Uphold the high standard of the grotto. We take pride in our grotto, and we should present ourselves in a respectable way.