In caves, ropes become roads.
When you’re exploring a vertical drop, SRT (single rope technique) allows you to travel safely up and down a rope – bypassing overhanging rock faces that would be impossible to climb.
The skills that make up SRT have more in common with commercial rope access than climbing and often are completely new to beginner cavers.
Whilst there are lots of caves that don’t require SRT, it is a good set of skills that starts to open the gates to more exciting and beautiful trips.
At its most basic, SRT is about going up and down safely, but there’s much more to learn to become independent at SRT.
Knowing when and how to lock off your descender and using your cowstails to keep you safe become building blocks for other skills.
Passing deviations, and rebelays helps you negotiate the common obstacles in more complex pitches.
Midrope changeovers let you escape trouble and return up or back off a pitch.
Learning these skills is a process, and can take a surprising amount of time.
Learning them above ground, under Ollie, Jessie, Marc & Krystal’s watchful eyes is one of the best ways to do it.
The Caving Crew regularly helps cavers new to cavers learn and practice SRT and you’re welcome to join us. Join our Facebook group and watch out for the post lockdown skill sharing sessions.
Originally posted on this post on Instagram
