Vertical Caving Crash Courses and Practical
In an attempt to encourage more OAR people to try vertical caving, Mike organized several crash courses and a local practical. Crash courses entail throwing a rope up into a tree, teaching people how to ascend up the rope and perform a changeover from ascent to rappel. Once you are familiar with the gear and the concepts, it is actually relatively easy. However, if you don't understand the mechanics and aren't familiar with how the different devices work, it can be extremely difficult. As the only one in the group other than Mike that had actually been vertical caving before, I found myself primarily teaching others. I like this though because in teaching, I was able to reiterate to myself what to do and it has become instinctive.
After several practices on trees, one night Mike took us to Shotgun Hole, a local "cave" with a spring. The cave itself is tiny and the rappel is only about 20 feet. Usually, the club uses a rope ladder instead of caving gear for ease and expediency. However, for the sake of education, we used the vertical harnesses, racks, and ascent devices. Shotgun Hole was a typical OAR adventure before my time but in recent years, we have only gone sporadically. I had never been before and though I have returned several times, I still cannot remember its precise location: somewhere in the middle of nowhere just outside of Gainesville. I am also uncertain as to the origin of its name, which I don't find particularly comforting. Regardless, our group of two cars headed to Shotgun Hole to show off our vertical caving skills. Though I didn't intend on swimming, we all ended up in the water, splashing around the spring. Ascending out was actually somewhat difficult despite its short distance, mostly because the rocks were chossy (a climbing term used to describe rock that crumbles at the touch or when you are gripping it). Many of us unintentionally kicked down rocks and sediments, calling out "rock!" to warn those below of the hazardous falling debris.
Events occurred: October 3, 10, and 17, 2012
After several practices on trees, one night Mike took us to Shotgun Hole, a local "cave" with a spring. The cave itself is tiny and the rappel is only about 20 feet. Usually, the club uses a rope ladder instead of caving gear for ease and expediency. However, for the sake of education, we used the vertical harnesses, racks, and ascent devices. Shotgun Hole was a typical OAR adventure before my time but in recent years, we have only gone sporadically. I had never been before and though I have returned several times, I still cannot remember its precise location: somewhere in the middle of nowhere just outside of Gainesville. I am also uncertain as to the origin of its name, which I don't find particularly comforting. Regardless, our group of two cars headed to Shotgun Hole to show off our vertical caving skills. Though I didn't intend on swimming, we all ended up in the water, splashing around the spring. Ascending out was actually somewhat difficult despite its short distance, mostly because the rocks were chossy (a climbing term used to describe rock that crumbles at the touch or when you are gripping it). Many of us unintentionally kicked down rocks and sediments, calling out "rock!" to warn those below of the hazardous falling debris. 
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