cave rigging overview
There are two traditional rigging systems used in caving that are driven by both geography and culture:
Alpine Technique. Utilizes 9 mm semi-static rope, mostly artificial anchors (bolts), and deviations and rebelays to keep the rope from contacting the cave wall.
Indestructible Rope Technique. Utilizes 11 mm static rope, mostly natural anchors, and uses rope pads and a more durable rope sheath for when the rope contacts the cave wall.
In many modern rigging situations a hybrid approach is used, but the ascending and descending systems used with each type of rigging system are also complimentary. Alpine rigging is better suited to bobbin descenders and a Frog ascending system; whereas IRT works well with brake bar racks and Ropewalker ascending systems.