Isn't it all made in China ???
I bet you will find LED headlamps over there cheap that are modern or
even better
than what we have here at our retail stores. But if you can afford
a Stenlight, then get
one.
If you are going to the really big caves, you will need lots of light,
meaning you
will need lots of batteries, or someway to charge a set of
rechargeable batteries
while in a remote area. I bet you can find cheap batteries over there.
Look for a mining apparel distributor like this one in Shandong:
http://www.tradeindia.com/fp354662/Mining-Helmet.html
Unless you are meeting up with cavers, you should try one of the eco-tourism
cave sites, or semi-commercial caves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwhtg63OTSM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy-hT-aU4GE&feature=related
There is a cave over there where you ride a bicycle on a high wire,
a 1,000 feet over the pit. That would be cool. It may be this one:
( check out those crazy parachuters ! )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RmL4RxyOXk
You need to custom tailor a nylon caving suit before going,
and make it baggy enough so that if you get cold, you can wear some synthetic
long-johns underneath.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/30/article-1081666-0248C31E000005DC-41_468x679.jpg
Bass Pro Shops has a new LED flashlight that cost $ 90 and has 3 bright LED's
that has a high and low switch. It looks promising for taking into
big passage.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10205235_325007004_325000000_325007000_325-7-4&hvarAID=vantage&hvarEID=
[ I hope to post a report on this as soon as I can get one. ]
My must-have list would include a pair of lightweight neoprene socks (
not scuba booties ).
http://www.patagonia.com/tsimages/49625_155.fpx?wid=360&hei=360&ftr=8&effect=dropshadow,0x000000,10,8,120,8&cvt=jpeg
I bet a large Swaygo pack would work well in a cave over there.
http://www.swaygogear.com/sinkpack.htm
A Petzl Transport Pack would be nice:
http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/MoosejawMB/PAAAIAHAFDPIOAOM_zm?$product325$
But for only $ 35, you can get a PVC pack at Costco that will be satisfactory.
Your choice of boots is subjective, but it is a critical piece of gear
that is often overlooked.
While a lot of cavers over there seem to use the big rubber industrial
boots, I would recommend you get some ( plain toe ) PVC boots that
lace up, and get them a 1/2 inch big, so you can wear extra neoprene
socks.
http://www.gemplers.com/product/127507/Lace-up-6-PVC-Plain-Toe-Boots
That is a $ 25 investment that you can't go wrong by, for any type of
stream passage.
There are 2 headlamps that are under $ 30 that I recommend. One is
at Gander Mountain
and sold under the Cyclops label. Another is a Pelican product
sometimes found at
Army Surplus stores.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110505062983&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXS%3F&GUID=0bd9ee441290a0e203f6c756fd88a48d&itemid=110505062983&ff4=263602_263622
http://www.amazon.com/Headsup-Lite-2640-3-Led/dp/B0006Z7O1W
If you are really planning on getting wet in the caves, you might
consider this one:
http://www.amazon.com/2680C-Pelican-HeadsUp-Recoil-Flashlight/dp/B001N3WN2G/ref=pd_sim_dbs_sg_4
You need to ask some cavers that go over there what the carbide
availability is. It might
be more economical to use a carbide headlamp.
There seems to be lots of cavers posting things about China. Here is just one
example:
http://www.hongmeigui.net/members.php?member=mikefutrell
So they might be willing to give you some tips.
I would think that instead of flying your gear over there on your flight,
that it would be cheaper to ship it some how. I think UPS does that.
You don't want them to lose this package, so pay for all the security stuff.
I hope that helps. Disclaimer: Never been to China, but sure do want to
go see some of those caves.
David Locklear
caver in Fort Bend County, Texas
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
