Caving

Caving is offered for sport credit during the Fall Term (September to early November). Practice is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and usually involves working on vertical rope skills on the Ritt Kellog Climbing Wall or on the Caver Ropes Tower on St. Stephen's 400 acre campus. With many caves in the Austin area, there are numerous short day trips throughout the term to places like Bracken Bat Cave, Beck Ranch Cave, and Whirlpool Cave. There are also two major overnight caving adventures during the term, one for the entire group and one for our most advanced students. In the past few years, the DCWP caving program has gone caving to places such as TAG (Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia), 0-9 Well in west Texas, and Montemejor, a 500 meter deep pit in northern Mexico.

The program is geared towards all levels of experience and ability. DCWP students learn the following:

-Essential rope skills for vertical caving (ascending, passing rebelays, and rappelling).

-Anchor construction and "rigging".

-Self-rescue techniques, including a Small Party Self-Rescue Course for advanced students.

-Map and compass skills.

-Fitness and strength training.

-Minimal impact camping skills.