The NSS 2010 Convention will have a “Gear Station” to provide, at no cost, caving clothes and gear for use during the Convention by cavers arriving from areas that are not affected by WNS.
Cavers coming from areas affected by WNS should bring their own gear.
We expect to have a good selection of typical caving gear. However we cannot guarantee the selection, nor will we handle batteries, carbide lights, or vertical gear. We will maintain a list of caver contacts at the Convention that may have vertical gear to lend. Batteries can be purchased from Convention vendors.
Gear in any quantity and quality is needed for our visiting cavers.
If you have gear that you can donate or loan, please bring it to the Convention for use by cavers visiting from non-WNS areas. If you have gear but are not going to the Convention, please arrange to transport it, for assistance email info@ctcavers.org and include “Caving Gear” in the subject line.
Typical caving gear:
- headlamps (electric)
- helmets
- boots
- cave pack, day packs
- overalls, coveralls, cave suits
- gloves
- pants
- shirts
- jackets, sweaters
- socks
- undergarments (poly-pro, wool)
- wetsuits, neoprene socks
- any other gear that would be useful
About Donating and Loaning Gear
Q. What gear does the gear station need?
A. Please see the list above, plus any other gear that would be useful to visiting cavers. If you have vertical gear that you can loan, we encourage you to put your contact info on the list posted at the Gear Station.
Q. Donate or loan – what is the difference?
A. You can donate gear, loan gear, or split your gear so some is donated and some is loaned:
- Donated Gear: This is gear you are giving to the NSS/NRO gear stash. There is no paperwork to fill out.
- Loaned Gear: This is gear you plan to pick up at or before the end of the Convention. This gear will be tagged to identify it as belonging to you. If you decide that you do not need it back, just leave at the Convention.
Q. Does loaned gear need to be left for the week?
A. No, you can loan gear for any number of days.
Q. What information is needed to provide when leaving gear to loan?
A. Your Convention badge, and you will be asked to complete a form listing what you are loaning and when you expect to pick it up. This form will have a simple release, stating that we cannot guarantee the return of any gear and you will not use it outside of confirmed WNS areas. As a reminder, there is no paperwork for gear you donate. Printing and completing the form in advance (other than the item tag number) can speed the drop-off process. See Caving Gear Lending Form.pdf.
Q. What responsibility does the Convention staff have to you if you loan gear to the Gear Station?
A. Your gear will likely be returned wet and perhaps more soiled than when left. Should gear not be returned to us when expected, we will do our best to locate the gear during the Convention. We do not guarantee that your gear will be returned to you, and will not replace it or reimburse or cover any inconvenience. If it appears that your gear will not be returned, you can pick equivalent gear from the donated gear.
Q. How is the gear identified so we know it is your gear?
A. Gear loaned will be tagged with a “wrist band” of the type used at concerts and fairs. You should also write your name on your gear.
Dropping off and picking up gear
Q. When can gear be dropped off?
A. For loaned gear, whenever the Gear Station is open to do the paperwork. For donated gear, either at the Gear Station or at alternate locations at the Convention. Ideally, drop off gear early in the Convention week.
Q. Can someone other than the gear owner leave gear to loan?
A. Yes, and that person will fill out the paperwork as if it is their gear. The actual owner can be listed on the form as an alternate contact.
Q. When can loaned gear be picked up?
A. Any time the Caving Gear Station is open and the gear is not out. The preferred time is Friday from late morning through mid afternoon. If you expect to pick up gear before Friday morning, please let us know in advance so the gear is not out.
Q. Can someone other than the gear owner pick up gear?
A. If that person is listed on the form as an alternate contact.
Q. What if the owner does not pick up their gear?
A. You can arrange to pick it up or have it shipped (at your expense). On Sept 1, 2010, gear not claimed will be considered donated to the NSS/NRO gear stash.
Q. What if gear is not returned in time to be picked up?
A. We will do our best to track down your gear. We will tell you, if you ask, who borrowed your gear. In general we will provide, to anyone who asks, any info from our records to resolve issues. To protect personal information, we will not allow general browsing of the records.
See Caving Gear Lending Form.pdf.
For more information on the NSS Convention and WNS, please see: http://www.nss2010.com/white_nose.php
More info on caving gear at the Convention is: http://groups.google.com/group/nro-nss/web/caving-gear-for-visiting-cavers-2
Questions, comments? info@ctcavers.org and include “Caving Gear” in the subject line.