Cable Ladders for Carpenter Pit

The Carpenter-Swago Cave System is one of West Virginia's finest. The Swago entrance follows the stream down a series of waterfalls to the master cave beneath.

The Carpenter Pit entrance is 150' deep, and slightly offset.

We've got five thirty-foot cable ladders coiled and ready for action. I sometimes prefer cable ladders for shorter pitches, but nowadays I would probably just SRT it.

The big hunk of Bluewater over Grog's shoulder is for belaying the top bit. I see there's a pulley there so we can belay from the bottom, too. I've got a coil of Goldline over my shoulder. Check out the carbide lamps on our construction helmets. I've got a proper helmet these days, but I still love my carbide! A nice cheery warm flame.

The photo was taken on August 2, 1980.