Personal Equipment Requirements

CLIMBING HELMET
 UIAA or CE approved mountaineering style helmet with a three or four point suspension, and a non-elastic chinstrap          

THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT
 All must be capable of allowing you to exit the cave. At least two should be electric and two should be helmet-mountable.

BOOTS       
Sturdy, rubber soled 
          

RUGGED CLOTHING (see clothing note below)                                 

SIX LOCKING CARABINERS  
These must be independent of your ascending or descending systems
                                      

DESCENT DEVICE  Any of the following four devices are acceptable:      

   1. A standard rack           
2. A three-bar Micro rack with a hyper-bar (4 bars total)                                  
3. A Bobbin with an off-set "safety" carabiner  
4. A ''Rescue Eight'' with ears  
                                           

SEWN SEAT HARNESS             

ASCENDING SYSTEM

Must be a complete working system with 2 gripping points of attachment connected to the seat harness; 
One of these ascenders must be a mechanical ascender that can be manipulated with one hand; 
Must also include a tether attached to the seat harness with a carabiner (non-lock OK) on the free end,
 independent of an ascender; An optional, additional mechanical ascender or prusik may be used for 
changing over, crossing knots, etc.

 

GLOVES

    Must have leather palms and full fingers

 

WET SUIT

    Required for Level 3 only

 

WATER BOTTLES

    Two quarts recommended

 

SMALL, PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT

    Optional, but recommended

 

SMALL, HEAVY-DUTY PACK     

    Used to carry personal gear around underground

 

2 - 20 FT PIECES OF 1-INCH TUBULAR WEBBING  

 

 

Environment/Area/Caves/Clothing

Daily high temperatures can be expected to average around 74º F on the mountain with nighttime lows averaging near 48º F. Mentone gets an average of 4.7 inches of rain in both April and May. Expect occasional showers. Relative humidity will be 50 to 80 percent.  Elevations in the area range from 600 to 1800 feet above sea level. Be prepared to hike to caves through vegetated areas with poison ivy and mosquitoes. Long pants, short sleeve shirts, hats, sunscreen, sturdy boots, and plenty of water are recommended for comfort and safety during outdoor activities.

Cave temperatures average 56-57 °F (17 °C) and are frequently wet and muddy. Rugged clothing (caving coveralls or caving pants), kneepads, sturdy boots, and leather gloves are recommended.

 

 

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