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Alabama

PostPosted: Jul 18, 2013 1:18 pm
by Rankin
Hi Folks, Rankin here from Alabama. It was suggested that this site is the authoritative forum for caving. I'm looking forward to reading, learning and interacting with experienced caver's. I have much experience in industrial climbing and sport rappelling.

An Engineer by profession, and have somewhat of a reputation for climbing/rappelling to limited access areas. Very few Engineer's have the luxury of being able to gain access to many areas of a structure or natural feature for inspection or field determining details that don't exist otherwise. I work for myself and have for the last 19 years. Before that I worked for one Engineering firm for 18 years.

I have zero experience directly with caving and recognize it is often quite different form any sport climbing/rappelling, most notably getting back up the rope!

I will probably have many questions and concerns, I'm not scared of heights, but not too wild about “skinnying” down holes not much bigger than I am! I'll guard the rope and you can tell me about what you saw!

Re: Alabama

PostPosted: Jul 18, 2013 4:26 pm
by trogman
Hi, Rankin- welcome to the forum!

What part of AL are you in? AL is a great caving state, depending on where you are located.

Trogman :helmet:

Re: Alabama

PostPosted: Jul 18, 2013 5:38 pm
by Rankin
Thank you, I'm in Mobile so I know most of my exploring will include a long well planed drive,,,, as are most of the climbs!

I remember visiting at least one cave in Jackson, AL just about 45 miles north. It was mostly just horizontal caving, and about 30 years ago.

Re: Alabama

PostPosted: Jul 18, 2013 8:36 pm
by Scott Shaw
There are a couple of cavers near you, Jim Selby in Mobile, and David Jarrell in Satsuma.

Re: Alabama

PostPosted: Jul 19, 2013 3:45 pm
by trogman
There are actually quite a few caves a little north of Mobile, although most if not all of them are horizontal. But the really big and deep stuff is up here in the north/northeastern part. If I understood you correctly, your primary interest seems to be in vertical caving. For that, you will have to drive a few hours.

Trogman :helmet: