![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCsoKkIt7R6OjjrT7yWVFK6_di0pDFkhYPUZc2OvjqsYHmR-qjDMVfQ2D_dzJxeuhTe3OCchSgaWrYHnKyfhoIBxe9KxeXBUq-Hqf50iUvv_qu6aioVBXsJ0f2nPGJVlspiGohnK3heI/s400/1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdup2OBxKRLTHroDN3ovYqQn8xco4fkmCplxOSQrUqmfr3lcqZL-24Ni_xnG9YroJ4yRTixKvu8Fn1kCfEKzD2Gykn6N1SOT8MNWfXduIADIXvLRz0J_jWhYbS3tTuY8HyXgwS-CQ6hk/s400/0.jpg)
We were having record high temperatures this weekend, so about in the middle of the day we decided it was too hot to stay outside. So we rappelled into the cave with enough gear to do our practice sessions inside the cave.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWLeRAwcK1UPSwdmBhyphenhyphenIXXmigLYvY4DUMCzL4QT-xer_HpCe1hK4hOCKZOVIiSRm5x1nACXB4L-CJhfeRplbHauBrEYJUPMyTJhyphenhyphenRjrMql0Dmh30Zd9eaNRhlMHv43IIDuRZ7Jldjfnw/s400/4.jpg)
I didn't take all that many photos during the weekend because I was concentrating on what we were doing, but I did manage a few.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbC-q6BlkuCuov1gWUel-sdWPAOI-awF_8Q5M1m3h-vK4ypP5UNwfpqIsFuRAhT4y3_9Oe6zyrckm0c__Ld9J44iSVBwabnSHhEY74NVNd5AuW4F8Fi9AnHKNDleQi9QVPS_i5MIoSrog/s400/7.jpg)
We found several good pits right in that area to do some vertical practice.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjV0L123lUdX4FSqXT-pzwhkHeCDrpZd6geMS18DBhUd6ToigxlkGDo46rspbMG9vuKhmL89qJnaLheVBAjcZm2ZZUbiqlICP66HQgT-nPqpyCQYKUQUFsFvw_6psjdyr1a8VVGBp1vfY/s400/11.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWXmo_XBo0JEfdTENqzglnsRrXIjLzrMYXfIJg2ypybeaNprbyav0T14JNvEqAlmLV6YDHgtIofLEyW3iqW5N5ZXxyE7MWjI75CpeLFovdwhIwYEvlU9WzIXCSEaeLHHNcB0SFNracYw/s400/6.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8DS5H7v1GkqEBqhLuGkgql67Y7lcsdac8Zl5l9AhfDZSkFZASezStezQlNBpeoetJ6VMl463lOyWfk628T54tdROk4GXb55ufgDOQnZ-lVaPYwnQEQi3rrB94h6i5FPA5WQOLuStLI8/s400/5.jpg)
I always recommend that people who go caving take at least a basic rescue class. It certainly makes you cave a little safer if you realize what it will take to get you out of a cave if you get hurt.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFFv8DMUsjePpAOptVxsKLFvvpXXW7aLg5uSpGEX6elbzVOD-_GvEqv5QhO6slxVPocR_nHKde57t4vZI4GhGUvJCEKFEDWXydPivEm7Ev1nyi2blDMz4LqUpfbxxBdP2eS1CjdvUfHM/s400/3.jpg)
The next morning we got back together and reviewed what we had done the day before. I challenged the class to set up a haul/lower system, belay, and attendant line in 20 minutes at the cave entrance. They managed to do it in about 30 minutes. Then we went on to practice counterbalances and some basic rope climbing skills down in the cave.
Another group was visiting the cave, so we had to use some different anchors than we had the day before. We found that one worked better for doing a haul, so it was good to be forced to think outside the box.
The other group had started climbing out before we did, but they were using some primitive climbing gear, so it didn't take long for our group to pass them. We had nearly all the gear put away and were getting ready to go back to the trucks when we heard a call for help from down in the pit.
One of the guys had climbed a few feet off the ground, but he couldn't go up or down and was exhausted. At first we thought it was a joke, but when we took a better look at him, we realized he was seriously stuck. He was drenched in sweat and so tired he couldn't help himself at all. He had a buddy down below him, and their wives and kids were up near the top. They wanted the wives and kids to start pulling on the rope to help him get up.
We said we would be happy to assist, and quickly rigged up a haul system, and created a belay and edge attendant lines. Earlier in the day it had taken 30 minutes to do this. Now, after a little more practice and in a for real situation, it only took about 10 minutes. Ten minutes later we had the man out of the pit.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf44v6l66SsBd9MHsf6yh3RE1IJjMXfiRGYP7pgrPJM30iMb84rzu-ICqqmD5JoSLUWGKDz4rTbmlFpH9XPrv0GEBx1hadXE95-w2PcmXQuUQm6fP7Q4I_aCjfiUAeMFBCtl0v8vymQoc/s400/2.jpg)
We all learned a lot during the weekend, too. This was a sharp class, and they learned fast. Now we need to keep practicing those skills so we stay fresh and ready for the next incident.