Resources for basic bolting

Jimbbo2009

Member
Been learning little bits of SRT as of late and have a spot which shall remain anonymous, very near me. There is a tunnel cut off by a chamber, with easy access between.
I plan on putting some bolts into the tunnel to use the maybe 4-5m drop into the chamber as somewhere to figure some rope stuff out.
I’ve got access to near infinite M10 thru bolts, through work and have some anchor plates in the post. Just wondering if there are any good resources for the basics of putting some bolts in for this sorta purpose that anyone knows about?
 
I wouldn't recommend putting anchors in purely for your own training. All regions have ropework training facilities of one sort or another which are available with little or no cost to club/BCA members. Most regions have trained anchor installers who are willing to train other people, again with little or no cost apart from some commitment to do do some work 'for the wider community'. Where there are costs it is usually based on expenses and not making a commecial profit.
The BCA oversee the national anchor scheme and fund testing , documenting best practice etc. They don't actually install anchors as an organisation.

Info on BCA website.

Trees also make excellent training facilities for SRT.

Many clubs have specific places underground they have rigged for rope practice and are willing to explain the reasons why the rigging is done the way it is. These provide the perfect place to take the 'classroom' training to another level. Being able to do changovers and negotiate rebelays in the dark when your torches have packed up in a 'safe' environment provides a huge boost to confidence. Practice in different situations is what leads to competency. Repeated practice on the same small setup can lead to reinforced learning of bbad habits and complacency.

With that out of the way, Derek Bristol, has an excellent, easy to read, website covering many aspects of caving, caving equipment, techniques, rigging and anchors etc. Though American he does cover differences between US and European techniques.

Again though, I'd urge you to learn in person from experienced people.
 
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Bolting in mines is complicated due to widely differing rock types and local conditions. Caving Wales (Ex Cambrian Caving Council) has done a testing program on resin bonded anchors and asked me to look into the feasability of extending this to mines. I prepared a legthy report, the gist of which was 'forget it'.
A good catch phrase relative to mines would be "Bolter Beware"

Please note that I am their "Recreation Mine Exploration Officer" whci I believe is a first for any regional council. My remit is basically to deal with any incoming inquiries and to prepare an annual report on news and events over the previous year.
 
I wouldn't recommend putting anchors in purely for your own training. All regions have ropework training facilities of one sort or another which are available with little or no cost to club/BCA members. Most regions have trained anchor installers who are willing to train other people, again with little or no cost apart from some commitment to do do some work 'for the wider community'. Where there are costs it is usually based on expenses and not making a commecial profit.
The BCA oversee the national anchor scheme and fund testing , documenting best practice etc. They don't actually install anchors as an organisation.

Info on BCA website.

Trees also make excellent training facilities for SRT.

Many clubs have specific places underground they have rigged for rope practice and are willing to explain the reasons why the rigging is done the way it is. These provide the perfect place to take the 'classroom' training to another level. Being able to do changovers and negotiate rebelays in the dark when your torches have packed up in a 'safe' environment provides a huge boost to confidence. Practice in different situations is what leads to competency. Repeated practice on the same small setup can lead to reinforced learning of bbad habits and complacency.

With that out of the way, Derek Bristol, has an excellent, easy to read, website covering many aspects of caving, caving equipment, techniques, rigging and anchors etc. Though American he does cover differences between US and European techniques.

Again though, I'd urge you to learn in person from experienced people.
haha yeah I understand that self teaching SRT, is broadly considered a bit stupid, however I am a bit stupid!

I shall give that a read, thank you
 
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A brilliant thread & thanks for posting this .


I am a good supporter of derek bristols channel myself . we do a bit of drilling & bolting there are more experienced people on here than myself though .

His channel certainly has some good srt videos , bolting is much more complicated though . I wouldn’t advise learning to bolt from any video

Have you read life on a line ?


 
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