The Vertical Section does still provide a session called Discover Vertical Caving Workshop   (was previously the "Vertical Techniques Workshop"). The DVC is a 4-hour workshop held annually at the NSS Convention). (The DVC is not Training, but simply provides exposure to different systems and techniques available to those interested persons).

Discover Vertical Caving

Learning knots is basic	Trying out the Frog system	A 150 years of experience

This 4-hour workshop is conducted at every NSS Convention. The students are given a basic overview of climbing equipment, techniques, and safety considerations for American-style Single Rope Techniques. They experience hands-on sessions on knot tying, belaying, rappelling, and several ascending systems ... the Gibbs and Mitchell ropewalkers, the Frog, and Prusik knot systems. The workshop is conducted by experienced instructors of the Vertical Section.

While not an alternative to a thorough training course, this intense workshop will give the novice climber a good exposure to different systems. The student can try different systems in a controlled environment, with ample opportunities to ask questions of the instructors, while actually performing the different techniques.

The Discover Vertical Caving workshop can only accommodate a limited number of students each year, so a low ratio of students-to-instructors can be maintained. Cost and availability for the Workshop is available from the Convention Registration staff prior to each NSS Convention. Registrations are generally sold out during the pre-registration period, so don't wait until your arrival at the Convention to register.

Questions about how the Workshop is conducted may be directed to the Discover Vertical Caving Coordinator, Mark Chai, via E-mail at:   chai202@aol.com.

Please direct requests for attendance at the Workshop to the NSS Convention Registration Committee. Their address is located on each year's NSS Convention Web Page.