We will offer the following courses.
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| Image: Techniques for Cave Exploration. |
Main topic of this course is to learn solid basic skills in cave exploration. There will be topics about ropes and knots, security, rescue, rappelling in shafts, rope ladders and single rope techniques (SRT).
A detailed cave plan is essential for cave research. You will learn the basics techniques of cave survey and how to draw a cave plan by hand and with a computer. You will train the usage of different survey equipment as compass, clinometer, DistoX and also work with a theodolithe.
Methods for gathering information and documentation of the cave fauna will be shown. You will take probes in a cave and learn how to write documentation and interpret the data. The result should be to get a feeling about the status of flora and fauna in the cave and become more sensible about the cave as a fragile biological system.
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| Image: Geology - fossilized coral from the reef museum Gerstetten. |
Geology is investigating how caves form but also delivers valuable information for cavers. We will learn the basics of geology as reading of geological maps, profiles, tectonics, mineralogy and sediments which can show the climate during the last thousands of years. Depending on the weather situation, we will do practical field work in the Geo-Park Swabian Alb. We will hike to a meteor crater, visit remains of volcanism and collect fossils.
The participants of this course will attend real research projects in different caves on the swabian Alb. You will see different strategies to find new caves. Inside caves you will practice different methods to dig, split rocks and get practical experience how to secure shafts and tunnels. We will look for specific geological specialties as clay horizons, artifacts and special sediment layers and document it. We will also talk about security aspects and unsafe environment in a cave. Beside this digging efforts we will visit other caves on the swabian alb.
Radio direction finding, communication in caves thru wire and wireless, GPS navigation, etc. We will train usage of cave communication equipment to complete the theoretical knowledge.
We will show and explain equipment for climate data acquisition and transmission to the surface. Beside theoretical knowledge we will show and train the practical usage of the equipment.
Introduction into cave climate research. How does it work? Cave protection, exploration, air temperature and air circulation will be shown in theory and practical training. How to plan your own project? How to evaluate data?
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| Image: Practical Hydrology - measuring the production of the Blautopf. |
Measurements of water drain and water pile up experiments will be done to calculate unknown cave volumes behind springs. We will also do salt tracer experiments and analysis. Theory and practical work will be shown.
Maps, cave register, permits. We will talk about the approval processes especially in Germany and show the backgrounds. This also includes public relation which becomes more and more important.