AY Honors/Caving - Advanced/Requirements
Skill Level
3
Year
1973
Version
23.11.2024
Approval authority
General Conference
1. Have the Caving honor.
2. Obtain geological survey maps of the area where you go caving. Map out on them the location of all known caves you have explored.
3. Be able to give an explanation for how these caves were formed; what they have in common; what can be expected in them in the way of physical characteristics such as types and extent of formations, effects of prior water activity, presence and nature of fossils, presence and nature of life forms including bats.
4. Obtain proper rappelling equipment and learn how to use it either by studying a book on mountain climbing techniques or locating a person or club group already experienced who are willing to instruct you. Plan and execute a cave trip where it is necessary to rappel at least forty feet (12 meters) and climb back out.
5. Conduct a biological survey of a cave entrance, the cave twilight zone, the deep cave floor, the deep cave wall and the deep cave ceiling. Photograph single specimens of, and identify every form of plant and animal life in each of these troglodytic zones. Compare pictures with nearest natural history museum for help in identification. Publications on cave flora and fauna of the National Speleological Society will help also. Remember slogan, "Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints."
6. Log 100 hours of caving experience. Keep accurate records of each caving trip.
7. Conduct a caving course, to be climaxed by several field trips for a group of young people in your community or church.
8. Make friends with at least one cave owner. Determine what he expects of cavers exploring his cave, and do more than he expects you to do in following these directions.
