Vertical caving can be a fantastic and exciting way to experience some truly awe inspiring caves, using caving techniques that require the use of ladders or ropes attached to anchors to descend and ascend cave passages. The SUI Training Team provides courses teaching Single Rope Technique for safe progression in caves, and the SUI Bolting Group manages the Union’s Bolting Policy to ensure the safe and sustainable bolting of caves in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. As the National Governing Body for caving in Ireland and Northern Ireland the SUI encourages all cavers to adhere to the principles of this policy.

When entering a cave containing vertical caving sections, the SUI strongly recommend that any anchor points (both natural and artificial) be thoroughly inspected before use, see the following guide for recommended inspection techniques.

The SUI maintains a page containing Rigging Topos for caves that have been resin bolted and placement inspected by the SUI Bolting Group

For the latest news on resin anchor placements, and notifications of safety issues with existing bolts, please see the Bolting Notices page.

It is the responsibility of every caver to confirm the safety of any anchor they plan to rig from. To assist us in maintaining anchors please let us know of any defects you observe using the Defective Anchor Reporting Form, or for more general concerns or queries you can email the Bolting Group at bolting@caving.ie.