When I did this drop in 2000, the trip leader ( who resembled one of the guys in the bolting photo of Minton's slide-show ), had a very low cost tiny walkie-talkie, and he went down first and the last person to go down of about 5 or 6 cavers had an identical walkie-talkie. "On rope" and "Off rope" were simplified.
I had been on drops before where those walkie talkies would have been helpful. I doubt that I have been on any significant drops or any drops since. I had big plans to make several trips to the upper entrance of Cueva El Abra in 2004, but I had some major work setbacks, and then under-estimated the demands of fatherhood and owning a fancy brick home in the extra-suburbs, etc. The home is half-paid for now, but I seldom if ever spend the night there. D.L.
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