This course will be held at three locations in the San Antonio area. Friday's session will be held at 11310 Whisper Dawn, San Antonio, Texas (Geary Schindel's residence). Saturday's field session will be at a local cliff (Medicine Wall). Sunday's cave session will be at a pit near Spring Branch.

The training will start at 9:00 AM on Friday, with starting times on Saturday and Sunday of 8:00 AM.

Lodging, if necessary, can be arranged with cavers in the San Antonio area by contacting the course coordinator (Geary Schindel) at [email protected].

Participants should anticipate being able to break for one hour on Friday to nearby fast food shops. On Saturday and Sunday, we will be at remote locations so participants should bring their own lunch and drinks which we will consume in the field. Breakfast and dinner will be on your own at nearby restaurants.

Participants must have their own helmet with chin strap, gloves, and sturdy shoes. They must have a commercially sewn harness, ascending and descending gear and a cowstail. We will provide you with more detailed gear requirements by email after registration; this information is also available in the student handbook.

Some loaner gear will be available with prior arrangements.

Student will be expected to have obtained, read and studied the course student handbook Basic Vertical Techniques prior to the course start. Students will also need to arrive at the course already proficient in tying a few basic knots used in vertical caving. We will provide you with the required knot list and knot-tying resources with your course registration materials; this information is also included in the student handbook.

For questions, contact Geary Schindel at [email protected].

Register

Participant Type

Student ($140.00)
NSS member price of $90 ( a $50 discount!) will be applied after you verify your current membership status.
VTC Qualified (or Continued) Trainer ($0.00)
Specialist ($0.00)
Support Staff ($0.00)

Are you a current NSS member?

Subtotal

$0.00

All students must purchase a copy of the VTC Level 1 student handbook Basic Vertical Techniques prior to the start of the course. Unless you already have the book or have ordered it, we strongly recommend that you buy it now, at a significant discount from the list price that will only be available during registration! Basic Vertical Techniques is also available from the NSS Bookstore and several caving vendors, including Speleobooks and Inner Mountain Outfitters.

VTC Level 1 Student Handbook - Basic Vertical Techniques

Purchase Basic Vertical Techniques ($27.00)
All course participants (including VTC course volunteers) may purchase Basic Vertical Techniques during course registration for a substantial discount from the list price. The price above includes shipping to your course registration address; if you need it shipped to a different address, please let us know in the "additional information" section below. This discounted pricing is for one copy only for personal use, and will only be available when this option is selected when registering.
No Book ($0.00)
For students, if you already have a copy of Basic Vertical Techniques or have made other arrangements to get one, you may choose this option. NOTE: any student who does not have the book before the course start will not be allowed to attend the course, and no refund will be provided!

Subtotal

$0.00

Cancellation Policy

VTC events require ample preparation by our team of volunteers - while we understand that individual circumstances and plans change, we have implemented the following cancellation policy to respect their efforts and your fellow prospective students:

Cancellation 21+ days before course - full refund
Cancellation 10-20 days before course - 50% refund
Cancellation less than 10 days before course - no refund

I would like to make a voluntary donation to support the nonprofit work of the NSS Vertical Training Commission (VTC)).

VTC is a commission of the National Speleological Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations may be tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.

Subtotal

$0.00

Personal Information

Name

Address

Mobile Phone Number

Yes, it's okay to send me text messages including confirmations, changes, updates, and/or promotions. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. View our terms of service & privacy policy.

Pronouns (optional)

Medical Conditions, Restrictions, Medications, and Allergies

Emergency Contact Name

Emergency Contact Relationship

Emergency Contact Mobile Phone Number

Communicable Disease Awareness*

By checking this box, I agree that if I display symptoms, test positive, or have other reason to believe I may be infectious with a communicable disease (including but not limited to Covid-19) that could threaten the health of other participants, I will withdraw with no penalty.

In the event I am exposed to or even contract a communicable disease (including but not limited to Covid-19), I agree to hold harmless the Vertical Training Commission, the National Speleological Society (NSS), their respective volunteers, and my fellow participants.

VTC recommends all participants be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Any additional information that you would like to provide us regarding your participation in this course:

You must sign the NSS/VTC waiver below to complete your registration. After you have registered for the course, we may send you any required additional waivers for landowners and/or site hosts at a later date. If the terms of any of the additional waivers are unacceptable to you, you may withdraw from the course at that time without penalty.

VTC / NSS Waiver

NSS Vertical Training Commission
Level 1 Basic Vertical Training Course
June 2025
San Antonio, TX

Release of Liability
Read Before Signing

In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the Vertical Training Commission (VTC) and National Speleological Society (NSS) program, related events and activities, the undersigned acknowledges, appreciates and agrees that:

1. The risk of injury from the activities involved in this program could be significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis or death, and while particular rules, equipment and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,

2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and,

3. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately.

4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS THE VERTICAL TRAINING COMMISSION, and THE NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, their officers, officials, agents, instructors, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event ("Releasees") WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, including but not limited to work with knots, climbing ropes and associated gear. This release is intended to cover any and all claims associated with any of the activities of VTC and all its volunteers to the fullest extent permitted by law.

5. Images of me taken can be used for promotional, educational and commercial purposes.

I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTIONS OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.

I, the undersigned, agree to the terms above.

Total

$0.00

VTC Level 1 Basic Vertical Training Course

Course Information

Register

Personal Information

Billing Information