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Over the past decade, the availability and variety of glue-in bolts (a.k.a. chemical anchors) has dramatically increased due to their widespread use in rock climbing. Glue-ins are the gold standard for high-strength permanent anchors aboveground. Unsurprisingly, caving presents unique challenges and the application is not a viable option for many caves due to logistical reasons. However, high traffic vertical caves such as managed preserves can greatly benefit from this upgraded hardware for a number of reasons.
This talk will cover the basics of installing glue-ins and some of the products commonly available, as well as discuss the pros and cons of these anchors. I will share my experiences bolting / rebolting for managed preserves, in National Parks, and beyond. Additionally, a variety of hardware and "glue guns" will be brought in for show-and-tell.
Rachel Saker