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Robinson's Cave
Photo Page Three
The following photos were taken on a vertical practice/pleasure trip to Robinson's Cave on July 14th, 2001. Nora and Andrew Dickins hosted a cookout and grotto members attended. Thanks to Andrew and Nora for hosting a fine event. Enjoy the photos.
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Upper Cumberland Grotto (UCG) member Scott Masa descends into the pit entrance of Robinson's Cave.
UCG member Anne Elmore stops for a photo at the top of the entrance pit.
Anne Elmore and her son Clinton rappel into the pit in tandem. Clinton is 13 years old, has participated in a vertical workshop, as is quite adept at single rope technique.
New UCG member David Pelren. David is a biologist with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. He works territory in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Nora Dickins poses for a photo at the lip of the entrance pit.
Scott Masa and Nora Dickins rappel into the cave.
A safe rigging is demonstrated in this photo. A figure eight on a bight is used to attach two carabiners to the main rope. The rope is wrapped around the tree to put tension on the wrap and not on the knot. The rope descends straight into the pit from the wrap without bending at the carabiners. There is no tension in the knot or the carabiners in this type of rig. Rope failures occur at bends and knots and this rig minimizes tension at such bends and knots. Ordinarily the rope would be placed higher on the tree to assist with a lip climb-over during an ascent. However this tree is several feet higher than the pit entrance and provided a suitable angle.
This photo demonstrates a correctly rigged descending rack with stainless steel bars and a hyperbar. Three hands are proof that two people checked the rigging before stepping over the lip. UCG member Robert Perrin is the person rigged in.
Laurie Hoppe and Robert Perrin descend into the cave.
The group awaits Laurie and Robert at the bottom.
Clinton Elmore demonstrates the ease of getting into and out of a "frog" type of ascending device. Notice the webbing loop dangling near the rope. He has removed his foot from the loop to assist with the climb over at the lip. This device is very versitale and effecient. It has a reputation in the U.S. as being a popular climbing system in Europe. The only downside is that the constant squatting and standing is very strenuous and requires getting used to.
Scott Masa also demonstrates the use of a frog climbing system. He has both feet in the loops and is in the squat position, just about to stand up. His right hand is on his a petzyl ascender and he is about to shove it up the rope.
This photo of Clinton was taken by me as we rappelled into the pit together. Notice his rack and hyperbar. The hyperbar is used to tie off the rope to stop your descent. I was tied off with my hyperbar when I took this photo.
That's me, Jay, your web-author, rappelling in the pit entrance of Robinson's Cave.
Laurie Hoppe rappells into the cave.
Laurie's feet as she emerges through a tiny hole into a lower level formation room in the cave.
Robert Perrin rappels in the same area.
Robert navigates the climb-up from the lower level formation room.
Go to Robinson's Cave page one.
Go to Robinson's Cave page two.
Click here if you do not see an index to the left and above.