Necessary equipment for caving. Part 2: progression and safety.

In the first article We have already looked at how to choose clothing and footwear, today we will focus on the progression and safety materials in caving.

Today's speleologist's equipment is one of the reasons why we can now take on greater challenges than our ancestors, explore deeper caves, better withstand the climatic conditions inside caves or study and topograph large cavities. Will you join me to discover it?

Front:

Good lighting underground will make our visit more pleasant and comfortable, and will allow us to take good photographs! When walking at night in a forest or in a cave, it is much better to have a good light in one direction, complemented by another ambient light that allows you to have an overall view.

Depending on the type of use/need, I recommend these two different types of headlamps:

Scurion 1500 (high-end):

The Scurion 1500 is the most powerful headlamp manufactured by Scurion. It uses two XM-El LEDs, devices with the highest efficiency and an enormous light capacity that offer a light output of 2 x 725 lumens. Ideal for experts, amateurs or explorers who want powerful illumination. Ideal for large chasms and long routes.

Black Diamond Storm 500-R (low-end)

Ideal for a technical spelunker who expects full performance and features from his light, but values a small and compact size. Perfect for small or not very long caves.

Helmet:

Nowadays, there are many models on the market, such as the Boreo Caving by Petzl.

Waist harness or pelvic type harness:

The caving harness, unlike the canyoning harness, needs to have a lower anchorage point., because the lower it is, the more rope travel you will be able to do, as the maximum distance between the belay and the hand ascender is greater. On the other hand, it could also tip over because the anchor point is so far away from your centre of gravity, which is why we will combine it with a chest harness.

The caving harness must be well regulated and adjusted and must be fitted with a rather small equipment holder so that it does not get caught in tight spots, etc. Some models have a double lumbar and butt strap to be more comfortable when working in suspension.

For example, the model MTDE PEAKS is a very well configured and durable harness.

Chest harness:

As in caving we almost always climb up the ropes, we will also need a chest harness that is attached to our waist harness by means of the ventral blocker, which we will talk about later. The model Aventure VerticaleSpelshoulder is suitable, convenient and comfortable.

Maillon carabiner:

All our vertical progression equipment will be anchored to our waist harness by means of the maillon carabiner. They are available in different types and types of fasteners. Locked and tightened with a key, this aluminium maillon allows you to close any harness when it is necessary to connect the two attachment points.

Anchor rope:

Anchor ropes are the means by which we will secure ourselves to reach meetings, anchor ourselves to handrails, equipped passages, etcetera.

Anchor ropes should be made of dynamic rope and have a minimum diameter of 9 mm.

The dimensions of the anchor lines will be between 35-40 cm for the short line and 45-55 cm for the long line. The maximum length of the long line should be that which allows us to reach it with the arm stretched out, once we are hanging from it.

It is very important that it is well regulated for vertical progression manoeuvres.

It is advisable that carabiners for anchor ropes do not have a screw lock, as we are constantly opening and closing them. Nor should they be too large for better manoeuvrability during progression in caves.

The knot we use to tie the carabiners is the triple fisherman's knot.

The connecting knot to the maillon can be a figure of eight.

In caving, the usual practice is to make your own anchor line with dynamic rope, with the measurements mentioned above. Another option is to buy an approved rope of this length or to use an adjustable one like the one below, which is more common in canyoning or climbing.

Rope:

It is important to know that not all ropes on the market are suitable for caving. In caving we use semi-static ropes of different diameters and lengths according to our technical level and according to the complexity and size of the cave.

Petzl STOP descender + Brake carabiner:

If we want a descender for abseiling and to have more control over the speed of the abseil, as well as a locking lever, this is the one. Petzl Stop! It is used with ropes from 8.5 to 11mm in diameter and must be accompanied either with a symmetrical iron carabiner to give extra braking power, or with the Freino carabiner, which already has a built-in brake.

Simple descender:

The SIMPLE by Petzlis an easy-to-handle caving descender that does not have a brake/lock lever, unlike the Stop.

It is used with semi-static ropes of 8.5 to 11 mm diameter. Its reduced weight and volume simplify progression in narrow passages. The pulleys can be replaced. It can also be fitted with a carabiner brake.

Petzl Croll (ventral blocker):

To climb up the rope you will need the ventral rope clamp. Croll and the Fist (hand ascender). Both are available from Petzl.

The Croll is attached to the maillon carabiner which is attached to our waist harness and faces outwards so that we can pull the lever and open it to get the rope in and out as we progress, it is also attached to the chest harness.

Petzl ASCENSION hand cuff or ascender:

We will use this blocking device for rope ascents, always accompanied by the Croll. We will place our long anchor line on it, thus remaining connected to it, and we will also anchor a pedal to it to perform the rope ascent gesture.

It has a moulded handle and an ergonomic top, which ensures a comfortable and powerful grip during one- or two-handed pulls.

The blocking fist ASCENSION by Petzl has a large lower hole for easy connection of two carabiners for the lanyard and the pedal.

Petzl Pantín foot ascender:

This is a foot ascender designed to make rope ascents easier and less tiring. It is used in conjunction with the croll and cuff. Recommended for use with hiking boots for a better fit.

Caving bag:

To transport our safety equipment, ropes, personal equipment, etc., we will need a backpack or sack.

When buying one, it is important to differentiate between a caving backpack and a canyoning backpack because, although both are made of PVC and look the same, they are not. Canyoning backpacks are wider, with holes to drain water and with handles and a padded pelvic waist. This is unfeasible in caving, as the dynamic of caves is to crawl and crawl into tubes, crawlways and laminators. For this reason, caving rucksacks are usually long and narrow, without padding and without holes, as they could get caught and destroy the rucksack.

The 27 litres of RodcleThe caves are ideal for short distance caves where we will have to carry little material and for caves with narrow passages.

Other options are the backpack 50-litre Rodcle Friend or the Petzl Classique 22 litre rucksack.

WATERTIGHT BAG OR CANISTER:

As in canyoning, we will need to carry a first aid kit, safety equipment, a thermal blanket, a candle, a gas cooker, etc., as well as some food or spare clothes. All of this will be stored in a watertight container well protected from knocks when carrying or dragging the backpack inside the cave or in a watertight bag, which, unlike the watertight container, will weigh less.

They are available in different sizes depending on your needs.

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Necessary equipment for caving. Part 1: Clothing and footwear.

Outer suit, inner suit, pontoon, neoprene, booties... discover one by one the basics you can't miss in your caving equipment.

Article by Noelia Novoa, canyoning and caving guide at the head of the adventure company Barrancs LoPallars, underground cavity explorer and tourist guide.

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