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Has anyone been to the Cave Of Swallows?
I am actually a climber not a BASE jumper. But I am considering trying to rappell down the Cave Of Swallows if such is possible. I am wondering if one would need a single 1200 foot long static rope to rap down the cave or if it can be done in pitches. Also how do you BASE jumpes get back up? Is there a fixed line you accend or is there a way to hike back up?
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Re: [20kN] Has anyone been to the Cave Of Swallows?
I've been down there twice in the last six months... rappelling and ascending out is still allowed. I 1200 foot rope with lots of anchoring and webbing will get you down. Make sure you are using a caving rescue rappel rack as a descender..... a standard rescue 8 will burn the rope in half before you ever even get close to the bottom.
If you are serious..... you should be mega proficient in open air pit rappels.... this is the one you build up to...300 ft fist...then 600..then 900.... then 1200.
As far as getting out..... we used to use a gas powered cap-stand winch , but those days are long gone. Now I'd probably spring for a rope-walker setup from ON ROPE. I've seen someone ascend out with one in under 13 minutes.
I'll be down there in March.... I'll probably rap in just to take a look around at an old familiar friend.....
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Re: [basehoundsam] Has anyone been to the Cave Of Swallows?
What’s at the bottom of the cave? Is it completely close ended or are there other caves that run horizontal to the main cave which lead other places? What do you mean by rope-walker? I would assume if you rap down you would ascend with a set of jumars (which would completely suck ass and leave you numb for two days).

So from what I have seen there are often a fair number of people that jump there. Well 1,200 foot static lines cost four figures and no airline will let you take one on board considering they are too heavy, so what do most people do? Does everyone pitch in to rent one from somewhere or something?
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Re: [20kN] Has anyone been to the Cave?
20kN wrote:
So from what I have seen there are often a fair number of people that jump there.

negative.
the authorities no longer permit jumping there.
most information from the BASE community will be dated, since it was closed several years ago.

(BTW, we generally do NOT welcome people mentioning specific sites on these forums. since this site is closed, I'm not overly concerned about naming it. A little more research might give a better first impression.)
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Re: [wwarped] Has anyone been to the Cave?
i wanna see the video when you are coming out from therewith jumars :) it will take ages CoolCool
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Re: [basehoundsam] Has anyone been to the Cave Of Swallows?
basehoundsam wrote:
..... you should be mega proficient in open air pit rappels.... this is the one you build up to...300 ft fist...then 600..then 900.... then 1200.....

I really REALLY like that part.
I feel so much better now.