Thanks, Bill, for the China update.
>>>The lengths some people will go to to avoid a nice 491-meter free drop are >>>amazing. They have 37 rebelays in that shaft. TAG cavers would probably >>>bolt out a ways at the top to get a sporting free drop, instead of an >>>underground obstacle course. – Mixon<<<<< It’s partly a matter of philosophy, and part practicality. Are you interested in exploring a much virgin cave as possible in a remote and difficult area, or are you after a single gee-whiz descent? I can remember when rappelling was not a sport in itself, but rather something to be avoided if you could do so, from safety considerations. That’s not to deny my own sense of exhilaration and thrill on a Big One. Rope weight and volume is a significant consideration, not only inside the caves themselves, but just getting to the caves. Handling a single 500 meter rope can become a logistical nightmare. So in a practical sense, using several shorter ropes is a desirable idea for expedition caving. How many times do you really need a single rope that long? The answer is never, if you can get to a wall and set a bolt. Safety and speed are also improved using a number of rebelays, especially on exit after a long expedition. It’s nice to be able to rest without holding everyone else up. 1,500 feet is a long way to climb, even if you are using stairs and have no pack. DirtDoc
