Not all caves are created equal. Some include difficult approaches including snowmobiles, steep climbs, skiing and dealing with ice and snow inside the cave. This is all before the divers enter the water! Alpine cave diving includes logistical issues such as: climbing after diving, cold water equipment problems, vertical caving while hauling dive gear and high risk trips with little to no chance of rescue. When exploring alpine caves that involve diving there are several unique challenges that must be navigated and overcome:

• Remote locations
• Getting the dive gear to the water
• Staying dry (at least as dry as possible!) and warm
• Physical exhaustion
• Equipment selection, use and upkeep
• Long strenuous dives in near freezing water

Come learn more about alpinist (or "alpine style") techniques, gear considerations, team planning and the complexities, dangers and unique challenges of alpine caving and cave diving. Josh Thornton and Michael Thornton will share lessons learned (sometimes the hard way) from current and ongoing cave exploration projects including Ricks Spring, Main Drain Diving Project (MDDP) and others.