Customer Reviews

Vertical

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'Vertical', by Alan Warild, has become a standard reference text for most, if not all, vertical cavers in New Zealand. Alan begins the book with an introduction to general caving equipment, then goes into further depth about specific equipment, techniques and tools of vertical caving. Descent equipment and techniques, ascent equipment and techniques, rigging of caves - both Alpine and American styles, safety, surveying and expedition caving are all covered in great depth in this excellent book.

Many techniques are discussed, such as crossing knots, rebelays and redirectors on both ascent and descent; different methods of ascent such as the Frog method used in New Zealand and the various ropewalking methods such as Gibbs and Texas; the pros and cons of various techniques and items of gear; and much valuable information on the safe rigging of caves.

The book has become a common reference used on rigging courses run by the New Zealand Speleological Society and is even used by New Zealand Department of Conservation staff who are involved in climbing trees, using SRT techniques originally from caving, to check bat roosts or nests of rare birds.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to any caver who is interested in vertical caving and rigging - both novice and expert cavers will gain much from it.