bronzzhorse wrote:Scott, not to pick, but you send him a link to BASIC vertical site, and then tell him if he "knows all that he will be fine"...
Actually, what I said was, "Do all of the things listed in the "Challenge" and you could be ready for nearly everything." Yes, the skills are very basic and every vertical caver should know how to do them easily and quickly. Yet, lots of experienced (very experienced) cavers can not. How have they survived? Probably luck and being with people that kept them out of trouble.
Who is the judge that decides when someone has "earned" a trip to Ellisons...
Mother Nature is the judge and jury.
nobody has to "earn" the right to enter a cave!
True. But, you do have to earn an invitation to go back. Mother Nature keeps a pretty close eye on Ellison's and she can be a stickler with her invitations.
I did not feel comfortable telling the guys to have it. If they go with Bill Putnam or someone else that has earned many return invitations, then, go for it. They'll have a blast!
Am I cave nazi? Nah. Am I a safety nazi? You're damn right. I will do everything in my power to help someone earn a chance to go back.