diff --git a/handbook/index.htm b/handbook/index.htm index ac8210a1f..2b964ffb6 100644 --- a/handbook/index.htm +++ b/handbook/index.htm @@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ This is a scientific expedition - the Austrian government allows us to wander ar

Topcamp info

Things that are likely to be relevant at topcamp.
@@ -96,26 +94,23 @@ Things that are likely to be relevant at basecamp.
  • Expo leader checklist - For leaders: check these before you leave UK.
  • Expo treasurer's guide - For treasurers: tasks, tips.
    • -
    + +
    - diff --git a/handbook/l/bosch.htm b/handbook/l/bosch.html similarity index 68% rename from handbook/l/bosch.htm rename to handbook/l/bosch.html index 3d5e19719..b6591ffec 100644 --- a/handbook/l/bosch.htm +++ b/handbook/l/bosch.html @@ -1,4 +1,3 @@ - @@ -24,26 +23,29 @@ rebelays are needed, and especially on bolted climbs or traverses such as "Three Wise Men". The drill was in such demand for this type of rigging that a second one was bought (and a third may be borrowed...), and a number of members of the club have invested in -drills for their own use.

    +drills for their own use [1990].

    Photo © Andy Atkinson, 1990

    -
    + +
    + - + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/handbook/l/rbelay.htm b/handbook/l/rbelay.html similarity index 53% rename from handbook/l/rbelay.htm rename to handbook/l/rbelay.html index 86272e5ae..f6db78aaa 100644 --- a/handbook/l/rbelay.htm +++ b/handbook/l/rbelay.html @@ -1,4 +1,3 @@ - @@ -6,31 +5,42 @@ -
    Approaching a rebelay

    CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook

    Approaching a typical rebelay

    + +
    Approaching a rebelay
    + + +

    Tina White approaching a typical rebelay from below in Kaninchenhöhle. -Note that there is little slack in the rope above the rebelay, though there -is no doubt that a lot will appear once the rope is loaded. This is something +Note that there is too little slack in the rope above the rebelay, though there +is no doubt that a lot will appear once the rope is loaded. +

    This is something to watch out for on the descent: when the slack disappears as the upper rope is unloaded, it is possible to find that you can't remove your descender from the rope without attaching an ascender to re-load it.

    +

    This is an mild example of an unnecesarily acrobatic rig which should be re-done on any route with heavy traffic.

    Photo © Mark Dougherty, 199x

    - -

    This photo is to illustrate the (as yet unwritten) Expo Rigging Guide.

    - -
    +
    + - + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/handbook/l/rltyrl.htm b/handbook/l/rltyrl.html similarity index 100% rename from handbook/l/rltyrl.htm rename to handbook/l/rltyrl.html diff --git a/handbook/nerd.html b/handbook/nerd.html index b199a29a5..7d47ef41d 100644 --- a/handbook/nerd.html +++ b/handbook/nerd.html @@ -6,23 +6,25 @@

    CUCC Expedition Handbook

    +

    Placeholder

    This is not the page you are looking for.

    This will be replaced with the information you want as soon as someone gets around to writing it. Why not find out how to do this yourself ? -

    diff --git a/handbook/rig/boltin.htm b/handbook/rig/boltin.html similarity index 56% rename from handbook/rig/boltin.htm rename to handbook/rig/boltin.html index be84a785f..593403571 100644 --- a/handbook/rig/boltin.htm +++ b/handbook/rig/boltin.html @@ -7,7 +7,7 @@

    CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook

    -

    Bolt belays - placing

    +

    Bolt belays - Hand-drilling and placing spits

    Once you've decided where to put your bolt, you have to actually physically place and set it. The methods used differ substantially depending on whether @@ -15,11 +15,13 @@ you are using hand bolts (spits) or Hilti HKDS's.

    Before you actually start drilling, it is wise to flatten the surface of the rock around the bolt site. This allows the hanger to lie flat against the rock. +

    Different types of hanger have different footprints; bollards have almost no footprint at all, rings and bends somewhat more, and twists a great deal. Remember, of course, that the next person who rigs the pitch may well use a -different type of hanger from the one you happen to have handy, and that the -club only has about ten bollards left! When dressing the rock, use the pointed +different type of hanger from the one you happen to have handy. +

    +When dressing the rock, use the pointed end of the hammer and tap gently, so as not to crack the rock below the surface.

    @@ -27,8 +29,8 @@ surface.

    (36k image)

    Bolting by Hand

    +src="../../1623/161/t/boltin.jpg" width="113" height="152" />
    Bolting by Hand
    (click to enlarge)

    Old-style hand-drilled spits are self-drilling; the spit sleeve functions both as a drill bit and as an anchor. Screw it firmly onto the driver and tap it gently against the surface of the rock, turning it around slightly between @@ -70,84 +72,23 @@ hanger, and Bob's your uncle.

    - -

    Power-drills and Hilti anchors

    - -

    Using the Drill

    - -

    Since the first cordless hammer drills made an appearance on Expo 1990 -thanks to sponsorship from Bosch, drills have been enthusiastically adopted as -the best solution for large-scale bolting tasks; some of the fun and games of -recent years, like the 21-bolt traverse over Gaffered to the Walls in 2003, -would be unthinkable with hand bolts. However, drills are not suited to use -with ordinary spits, as the setting process depends critically on the bottom of -the hole being flat. It is possible to drill a hole part-way with a power drill -and finish it off by hand, but this is tedious.

    - -

    Hence we have found it easier to use Hilti anchors, which are specifically -designed for use in drilled holes.

    - -
    -
    -Hilti HDK spits before and after setting.
    -after setting - 1k png
    - -

    There are two versions of these bolts, the HKD and the HKDS. The latter are -easier to use, as they have a "shoulder" around the top of the bolt which sits -against the rock, meaning that the depth of the hole is not important.

    - -

    To place a HKDS, drill the hole in the obvious manner until it is deep -enough for the bolt to sit in without touching the bottom. If in doubt, drill -it deep! When the hole is deep enough, grab a setting tool and start bashing it.

    - -

    Start with very gentle taps. The reason for this is so the shoulder can hold -the bolt in position until it begins to grip the sides of the hole; if you -start by smashing it with all your might, the shoulder will bend and the bolt -will disappear, useless, into the depths of the hole. Once it has some grip you -can start hitting a bit harder.

    - -

    It is very important to hit the Hilti setting tools exactly square, as they -are made of very hard steel which is rather brittle and hence it is easy to -shear the end off. When the bolt is fully set, you should be able to see marks -on the shoulder of the spit from the four little teeth on the collar of the -driver; don't worry if you can't see all four setting marks, but aim for two at -least - one can easily be a consequence of leaning the driver over too far to -one side.

    - -

    Sometimes, in particularly hard rock, it can be impossible to get the -setting marks. Use your judgement; if you're not making any progress despite -sustained hammering, it's probably OK to stop!

    -
    - + + diff --git a/handbook/rig/boltplace.html b/handbook/rig/boltplace.html index e920f6cbf..e0b8de098 100644 --- a/handbook/rig/boltplace.html +++ b/handbook/rig/boltplace.html @@ -1,4 +1,3 @@ - @@ -85,30 +84,23 @@ wall; twists are best left for straight downward pulls. -
    +
    + diff --git a/handbook/rig/drillbolts.html b/handbook/rig/drillbolts.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..1a49303b7 --- /dev/null +++ b/handbook/rig/drillbolts.html @@ -0,0 +1,95 @@ + + + +CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook: Drilling holes + + + +

    CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook

    +

    Bolt belays - Drilling and placing

    + +

    Once you've decided where to put your bolt, you have to actually physically +place and set it. The methods used differ substantially depending on whether +you are using hand bolts (spits) or Hilti HKDS's.

    + +

    Before you actually start drilling, it is wise to flatten the surface of the +rock around the bolt site. This allows the hanger to lie flat against the rock. +

    +Different types of hanger have different footprints. When dressing the rock, use the pointed +end of the hammer and tap gently, so as not to crack the rock below the +surface.

    + + +

    Power-drills and Hilti anchors

    + +

    Using the Drill
    (click to enlarge)
    + +

    Since the first cordless hammer drills made an appearance on Expo 1990 +thanks to sponsorship from Bosch, drills have been enthusiastically adopted as +the best solution for large-scale bolting tasks; some of the fun and games of +recent years, like the 21-bolt traverse over Gaffered to the Walls in 2003, +would be unthinkable with hand bolts. However, drills are not suited to use +with ordinary spits, as the setting process depends critically on the bottom of +the hole being flat. It is possible to drill a hole part-way with a power drill +and finish it off by hand, but this is tedious.

    + +

    Hence we have found it easier to use Hilti anchors, which are specifically +designed for use in drilled holes.

    + +
    +
    +Hilti HDK spits before and after setting.
    +after setting - 1k png
    + +

    There are two versions of these bolts, the HKD and the HKDS. The latter are +easier to use, as they have a "shoulder" around the top of the bolt which sits +against the rock, meaning that the depth of the hole is not important.

    + +

    To place a HKDS, drill the hole in the obvious manner until it is deep +enough for the bolt to sit in without touching the bottom. If in doubt, drill +it deep! When the hole is deep enough, grab a setting tool and start bashing it.

    + +

    Start with very gentle taps. The reason for this is so the shoulder can hold +the bolt in position until it begins to grip the sides of the hole; if you +start by smashing it with all your might, the shoulder will bend and the bolt +will disappear, useless, into the depths of the hole. Once it has some grip you +can start hitting a bit harder.

    + +

    It is very important to hit the Hilti setting tools exactly square, as they +are made of very hard steel which is rather brittle and hence it is easy to +shear the end off. When the bolt is fully set, you should be able to see marks +on the shoulder of the spit from the four little teeth on the collar of the +driver; don't worry if you can't see all four setting marks, but aim for two at +least - one can easily be a consequence of leaning the driver over too far to +one side.

    + +

    Sometimes, in particularly hard rock, it can be impossible to get the +setting marks. Use your judgement; if you're not making any progress despite +sustained hammering, it's probably OK to stop!

    + +
    + + + + diff --git a/handbook/rig/exporig.html b/handbook/rig/exporig.html index 5146f6846..7f6ddc266 100644 --- a/handbook/rig/exporig.html +++ b/handbook/rig/exporig.html @@ -1,4 +1,3 @@ - @@ -12,6 +11,8 @@

    There are many obscure tricks of rigging that are specific to the case of exploration, and are rarely used in UK-style SRT.

    +

    Read Sherry Mayo's SRT Guide - with diagrams! +

    Pendules

    A pendule is a technique for crossing a void more or less horizontally. It @@ -23,6 +24,8 @@ far end, starts to become tight, attach your jammers to it and pull rope through until they take your weight; now prusik on this side, pausing to let out the rope through your descender as needed.

    +

    Read Sherry's notes and diagrams on Pendules. +

    There are a number of pendules left rigged in CUCC's caves, to avoid having to repeat death-defying climbs and traverses that were originally used to reach the far ends.

    @@ -35,8 +38,11 @@ work.

    Tyrolean traverses

    - +
    + +Tyrolean: Becka
    Tyrolean: Becka being rescued
    (click to enlarge)     +

    A tyrolean is used in much the same places as a pendule - roughly horizontal traverses across voids - but is much more difficult to rig, and dangerous if not rigged right. The idea is to have a tensioned line across, which you can @@ -49,10 +55,12 @@ backups, or multiple spits - with a completely independent backup line rigged parallel to the main line (but not under tension). A Z-rig or something similar can be used to tension the rope.

    +

    Read Sherry's notes and diagrams on Tyroleans. + +

    Tyroleans are also important in rescue rigs, where they can be the only safe way to transport a stretcher across a traverse; this lies out of the scope of -this guide, and is well covered in Life on a line (available online -somewhere; on Exo there should be a copy in the tatty hut.)

    +this guide, and is well covered in Life on a line; on Expo there should be a copy in the tatty hut.)

    Rope protectors

    @@ -75,30 +83,23 @@ empty tackle sack or dangly bag - you may need to hold it in place until your weight is across it on the rope, which should then keep it secure.

    -
    +
    + - +> diff --git a/handbook/rig/index.htm b/handbook/rig/index.htm deleted file mode 100644 index d1653c5db..000000000 --- a/handbook/rig/index.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,58 +0,0 @@ - - - - -CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook: Contents - - - -

    CUCC Expedition Handbook

    -

    Rigging

    - -

    As no-one seems to want to volunteer to write this, I will adopt the -usual policy of writing something for others to disagree with and change. -The initial release of the guide is based on almost a quarter century of -experience in rigging pitches on expedition, but much of that experience -predates the widespread teaching of SRT to relative novices, and will -inevitably be biased somewhat towards techniques prevalent a decade or -more ago. The aims and principles are the same, but the advent of tools -like a cordless drill have changed what is considered achievable.

    - -

    As the Introduction will emphasise, it's not the same as Yorkshire ! -While much of the material will be familiar to those with extensive SRT -experience in the UK, every section will deal with factors unique to -expedition work, and some will cover techniques very rarely seen at home...

    - - - -
    - - - - - diff --git a/handbook/rig/intro.html b/handbook/rig/intro.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..fa75af0c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/handbook/rig/intro.html @@ -0,0 +1,74 @@ + + + +CUCC Expedition Rigging Handbook: Introduction + + + + +

    CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook

    +

    Introductory chat about expo rigging

    + +

    Prerequisites:

    + +

    This section of the Expo handbook assumes that you are familiar with all +the usual manoeuvres, such as passing knots, rebelays and deviations, +changing from abseil to prusik and vice versa. "Familiar" means you can do it +in the dark with cold hands, with complete confidence in your safety and with +reasonable efficiency. Choice of ropes is not covered, as by the time you are +on the expedition it will be too late ! Neither is this guide concerned with +personal SRT equipment except where the demands of caving in Austria require +gear in addition to that you would normally use on a typical Yorkshire +weekend.

    + +

    Self-rescue may also be important in Austria - this should be covered in +the rescue guide (but isn't - yet). It is recommended that you should +practice all these techniques somewhere safe and warm - preferably in the UK +before departure rather than up a tree behind the potato hut in a +thunderstorm!

    + +

    Differences from Yorkshire.

    + +

    This is new exploration, so you cannot rely on belays to have been tested +by previous generations of cavers. Similarly, loose rocks will not have been +cleared or dislodged by earlier parties. Natural belays may not be available, +so you will have to place bolts, rather than look for the shiny P-hangers +placed by CNCC parties. You won't know in advance how long pitches are going +to be, so the ropes you have with you may need to be cut or knotted. Party +size is usually small - everyone needs to be able to make a contribution to +safe rigging. The first one down may be rigging a new rope to replace a +damaged one, or one of less than ideal length. The second may have to remove +the old rope on his descent.

    + +

    Conversely, the caves are deeper, longer and colder than Yorkshire, so +parties need to move safely and efficiently to avoid exhaustion and exposure. +Flooding on pitches can be sudden and severe, water very cold, and the +location of flood inlets not always obvious - rigging for security in flood +is often critical. Ropes remain in place over several trips, and rock may be +very sharp - every party must be alert to the danger of abrasion and be +prepared to rerig if necessary. Finally, rigging points placed on exploration +may need to be used on expeditions for years to come, so maintenance of bolts +on the final derigging trips is important.

    + + + +
    + + + + diff --git a/handbook/rig/intro.htm b/handbook/rig/newpitch.html similarity index 58% rename from handbook/rig/intro.htm rename to handbook/rig/newpitch.html index 18639b9a0..206a712ef 100644 --- a/handbook/rig/intro.htm +++ b/handbook/rig/newpitch.html @@ -1,54 +1,14 @@ - -CUCC Expedition Rigging Handbook: Introduction +CUCC Expedition Rigging Handbook: A New Pitch +

    CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook

    -

    Introduction

    +

    Your first pitch

    -

    Prerequisites:

    - -

    This section of the Expo handbook assumes that you are familiar with all -the usual manoeuvres, such as passing knots, rebelays and deviations, -changing from abseil to prusik and vice versa. "Familiar" means you can do it -in the dark with cold hands, with complete confidence in your safety and with -reasonable efficiency. Choice of ropes is not covered, as by the time you are -on the expedition it will be too late ! Neither is this guide concerned with -personal SRT equipment except where the demands of caving in Austria require -gear in addition to that you would normally use on a typical Yorkshire -weekend.

    - -

    Self-rescue may also be important in Austria - this should be covered in -the rescue guide (but isn't - yet). It is recommended that you should -practice all these techniques somewhere safe and warm - preferably in the UK -before departure rather than up a tree behind the potato hut in a -thunderstorm!

    - -

    Differences from Yorkshire.

    - -

    This is new exploration, so you cannot rely on belays to have been tested -by previous generations of cavers. Similarly, loose rocks will not have been -cleared or dislodged by earlier parties. Natural belays may not be available, -so you will have to place bolts, rather than look for the shiny P-hangers -placed by CNCC parties. You won't know in advance how long pitches are going -to be, so the ropes you have with you may need to be cut or knotted. Party -size is usually small - everyone needs to be able to make a contribution to -safe rigging. The first one down may be rigging a new rope to replace a -damaged one, or one of less than ideal length. The second may have to remove -the old rope on his descent.

    - -

    Conversely, the caves are deeper, longer and colder than Yorkshire, so -parties need to move safely and efficiently to avoid exhaustion and exposure. -Flooding on pitches can be sudden and severe, water very cold, and the -location of flood inlets not always obvious - rigging for security in flood -is often critical. Ropes remain in place over several trips, and rock may be -very sharp - every party must be alert to the danger of abrasion and be -prepared to rerig if necessary. Finally, rigging points placed on exploration -may need to be used on expeditions for years to come, so maintenance of bolts -on the final derigging trips is important.

    A New Pitch !

    @@ -90,6 +50,11 @@ minimum length of rope needed before a rebelay is required.

    Rigging it

    +
    + +Rebelay photo - 32k
    Rope to tight
    (click to enlarge)     +

    There are two two obvious tactical errors you can make when rigging a new pitch. On the one hand, you can spend ages bolting a perfect hang, only for the first person to find the pitch ends blind. On the other hand, you @@ -121,29 +86,22 @@ stand in - especially if the pitch above is short. Overmuch slack at a rebelay will result in a high fall-factor if the belay fails.

    - + + diff --git a/handbook/rig/rigit.htm b/handbook/rig/rigit.htm deleted file mode 100644 index e35a4c341..000000000 --- a/handbook/rig/rigit.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,71 +0,0 @@ - - - - -CUCC Expedition Handbook: Rigging - - - -

    CUCC Expedition Handbook

    -

    Rigging Pitches in Austria

    - -

    Although progress is achingly slow, there are some bits of a CUCC-specific -rigging chapter for this expedition handbook. So far we have:

    - - - -
    - -Rebelay photo - 32k - -
    - -

    As this doesn't cover very much, we recommend you look at Sherry Mayo's Rigging for alpine SRT -(Beta version). This is aimed at users in Australia, but is based on York -and Oxford U.C.C. practices in the Picos de Europa (N.Spain), which is in many -ways similar to Austria.

    - -

    It is intended to add rigging guides to the descriptions for each pitch -series in CUCC's major caves - these will be graphical, and based on sketch -rigging guides currently in various survey and log books. Look for the -rigging guide link in the descriptions. To help people add rigging -guides to the cave descriptions, it is essential that rigging -guides are drawn for any new rigging or rerigging each year. Ideally, this -should be done by the person who did the rigging the next time he is at Base -Camp (or even in the Top Camp log). It's also essential for future years to -record any gear left in situ, so that we can keep the Fixed Aids list up to date.

    - - -
    - - - - - diff --git a/handbook/rig/rigit.html b/handbook/rig/rigit.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..7d99458b5 --- /dev/null +++ b/handbook/rig/rigit.html @@ -0,0 +1,72 @@ + + + +CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook + + + +

    CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook

    +

    Rigging and Bolting Handbook

    + + + + +

    As the Rigging chat emphasises, it's not the same as Yorkshire ! +While much of the material will be familiar to those with extensive SRT +experience in the UK, there are factors unique to +expedition work, and techniques are very rarely seen at home...

    + + +
    + + + +

    We do recommend you look at Sherry Mayo's Rigging for alpine SRT +. This is aimed at users in Australia, but is based on York +and Oxford (OUCC) practices in the Picos de Europa (N.Spain), which is in many +ways similar to Austria.

    + +

    Writing up your cave rigging guide

    +

    At the same same as - or before - you draw up your survey notes for a new cave, you must sketch a rigging guide. +

    It is essential that rigging +guides are drawn for any new rigging or rerigging each year so that we can add rigging +guides to the online cave descriptions. +

    This write-up should be done by the person who did the rigging at the first available moment: usually this will be in the top-camp logbook. + +

    It's also essential for future years to +record any gear left in situ, so that we can keep the Fixed Aids list up to date.

    + + +
    + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/handbook/rig/sherry-mayo.html b/handbook/rig/sherry-mayo.html index a604df681..46d9a053c 100644 --- a/handbook/rig/sherry-mayo.html +++ b/handbook/rig/sherry-mayo.html @@ -1,14 +1,17 @@ - - -Notes on Alpine-style SRT + + + +CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook - Sherry's Notes on Alpine-style SRT + - +

    CUCC Expo Rigging Handbook

    +

    Notes on Alpine-style SRT

    +
    -

    Notes on Alpine-style SRT

    -

    from Sherry Mayo's Cave Page +

    Copied from Sherry Mayo's Cave Page

    These notes are the result of three of us here in Canberra teaching