VTC Level 1 Course – Basic Vertical Techniques – Redmond, OR

This is the Level 1 course created by the NSS Vertical Training Commission. The course objective is to prepare cavers new to vertical, or cavers wanting to gain better skills, to safely enter and explore vertical cave passages. The course will train and evaluate students on basic equipment, safety, and vertical techniques. After completing this course, students should be able to safely attend and follow on a basic vertical caving trip.

Students will practice skills on the training tower, which will be reinforced with a day of practice in vertical caves. The course will be physically demanding at times, but will provide participants with valuable skills that can be used to safely explore and enjoy vertical caving trips.

Students should plan to arrive and check in Thursday afternoon/evening, from 3 – 7 pm (Pacific), with dinner at 7 pm, and course overview and introductions at 8 PM. Course sessions will start each day at 8:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday sessions will be held at the training tower, and will continue after dinner until about 9 PM. The Sunday session will be held at a cave, and will conclude around 5:30 p.m. The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructors.

Students should come prepared each day with food, water, and appropriate gear and clothing for classroom, training tower, and cliff or cave activities.

Personal vertical gear: All students should bring their own helmet, gloves, lights, and personal vertical gear. There IS vertical gear for loan on a limited basis, so please advise the course lead (see below) if you anticipate needing it. See below gear list. If your system does not pass safety inspection for completeness, condition or function, you will not be allowed to participate in the course.

Pre-course reading and practice: Students will be expected to have read and studied all written course materials before the start of the course, including learning and practicing the required knots. The VTC Level 1 student handbook - Vertical Caving Techniques - must be purchased for the course: Cost is $15.00 NSS Member, $30.00 non-member. The handbook is currently in print; ordering information will be provided when it becomes available.

Attendance: Students will be expected to attend ALL course sessions it order to pass the course.

Debrief and evaluation: To complete this course, students will need to pass a performance evaluation consisting of two elements - a skills demonstration and a written exam. The skills demonstration includes knot-tying, basic techniques on a rope treadmill, dealing with unexpected obstacles on a rope treadmill, and entering a cave using vertical caving techniques. The multiple- choice written exam is closely linked to the student evaluation questions at the end of each module of the materials. Students are required to obtain a minimum passing score of 80% in this exam.

VTC events require ample preparation by our team of volunteers - while we understand that individual circumstances and plans change, we have implemented the following cancellation policy to respect their efforts and your fellow prospective students:
- Cancellation 30+ days before course - full refund
- Cancellation 14-29 days before course - 50% refund
- Cancellation less than 14 days before course - no refund

Cave exercises will be in one of two caves. Charlie the Cave, a multi-level lave tube is about 35 minutes away. Pits range from 15 to 35 feet. McKenzie Pits, a pit complex featuring drops from 85 feet down to 170 feet, may also be used. Floors vary from smooth lava to large rugged breakdown. Cave temperatures hover in the mid to lower 40s. Caves are dry and contain no streams. Knee and elbow pads are strongly recommended. Lava rock is very rough, and will pick apart loose knit fabrics and stretch woven fabrics. We recommend sturdy, tight knit materials with few pockets or things to get caught on. Other caves / pits may be used depending on class size.

The training center is at 3400 feet elevation. Cave elevation is between 4000 and 4900 feet. Early May is a transition month. For early May historical averages are high 50’s in the day and high 30’s at night. Typically not much rain…this is a dry area, but light late spring snow is not impossible. Check weather forecast for Redmond, Oregon prior to coming and pack accordingly.

The seminar classroom, camping, and vertical course will be held at the residence property / training center of Eddy Cartaya in Redmond, Oregon. Camping is on the 10 acre property near the alpine caving tower. Porta-potties and field sink will be on site. Water will be available in tanks on site, as will power via electrical extensions. Two small tents with hot propane showers will be available at all times. Camping in vehicles and parked RVs is also permitted. No hook ups are available but we may be able to run power and hose to one. Food will be provided on-site indoors (hot meal breakfasts and dinner). Lunches will be catered in. (Please note any dietary restrictions or allergies on your registration form when you register!) A fire ring is available for after hours, if weather and wildfire conditions permit.

Tipi and Cabin: There is a 3 cot carpeted Native American tipi (25’ high) and a 3 bed rustic cabin available to rent on site. Both have electric heat and power to run phones, laptops, etc. There is no running water in these. Cost is $60 per person ($20.00 / night for 3 nights Thursday, Friday, Saturday night).

1. HELMET. Caving or climbing helmet, UIAA or CE approved, with a 3 or 4-point non-elastic chinstrap.
2. LIGHTS. Three dependable, helmet-mountable, and independent sources of light.
3. RUGGED CLOTHING. Cave suit optional. Must have insulating, wicking layers, and an outer protective layer.
4. GLOVES. Leather or leather-palmed work gloves, or caving gloves that still permit dexterity in tying knots and operating vertical systems.
5. BOOTS. Sturdy, lug-soled hiking boots or rubber boots with good support. NO tennis shoes!
6. FOOD. Quick energy, ready to eat (trail mix, candy bars, cheese, etc.).
7. WATER. 2 liters minimum.
8. SMALL PACK. Rugged enough for the cave environment.
9. TWO CARABINERS. Two extra locking carabiners that are not part of your SRT gear.
10. VERTICAL CAVING GEAR.
- Commercially sewn seat harness.
- An ascending system that includes:
- A minimum of two points of attachment connected to the seat harness; including a
mechanical ascender that can be manipulated with one-hand.
- Tether connected to the seat harness, with a carabiner (may be non-locking IF not part
of the handle tether)

- approved descent device: standard rack, 4-bar micro-rack with hyperbar, bobbin style device. ATC type devices, Gri Gri, plate type devices, Scarabs, industrial rope access devices are not approved for this course. We will have extra devices to loan you if needed.
11. WEBBING (1”) or ACCESSORY CORD (7+ mm). 15+ feet long, 10+ kN minimum breaking strength (MBS).
12. First Aid kit: For yourself.
13. All your necessary medications and toiletry kits.

For questions regarding gear, logistics, or seminar material, contact course coordinator, Eddy Cartaya, glaciercaveeddy@gmail.com or 541-213-6257.