| Vertical Contests
 All contestants must register with the contest administrator. Registration will begin at the race site approximately one half hour before racing is scheduled to begin. Registration will end at the time posted by the contest administrator. Exceptions may be made at the administrator’s discretion. Competitors must be prepared to show proof of OTR registration via a nametag. Competitors’ manes will be called in order, unless special consideration has been requested (i.e., sharing of rigs, juggling of other events, etc.).
The OTR vertical contests will follow the NSS contest rules. These rules will be given to each competitor when they register.
Due to time constraints, each competitor is permitted three attempts on rope. At the judge’s discretion, a climber may be awarded a scratch for safety or rule violations. A scratch indicates that the competitor has used one of his allotted attempts.
30 Meter Climb-Mechanical
Separate men and women’s contests will be held. The contestant will start with all devices below a mark, and will climb until the first device passes another mark 30 meters farther along the rope. The fastest time wins. Tension may be applied to the rope, but the contestant must furnish the person to apply the tension. Safety of the vertical rig must be approved by the judge prior to climbing. A separate sit-stand category will be held if participation warrants it.
30 Meter Climb-Knots
The contestant will start with all devices below a mark, and will climb until the first device passes another mark 30 meters farther along the rope. The fastest time wins. No carabiners, pulleys, or ascender boxes (i.e., no metal) may come in contact with the climbing rope or be an integral part of the climbing knot. Three knots, each capable of locking and holding the climber, attached to the climbing rope are required, as are "Chicken Loops". Use of a helmet is recommended. Due to declining interest, a women’s category will not be held unless there are at least five women contestants.
10 Meter Youth Climb-Mechanical Ages 4-8 ONLY
To encourage more youth to climb competitively, we are adding a climb at a more suitable distance for young people. Rules are the same for the other climbing contests, except the children may have help in putting on their gear. However, they MUST be ready to climb when their name is called. The contestant must have 3 points of contact on the rope. "Chicken Loops" are required. A helmet is recommended.
Ladder Climb
The contestant must wear helmet, gloves, and footgear that covers and supports the ankle. Open lace hooks must be covered with duct tape. A qualified belayer must be furnished. The contestant must first tie a proper bowline backed with an overhand knot, without help or coaching. In place of this, a seat harness with rope attachment may be used. Timing begins when the contestant touches the ladder with either hand or foot. The contestant climbs the ladder, slaps the top rung, and climbs back down touching every rung. No rungs may be missed while climbing up or down. Tension may NOT be applied to the bottom of the ladder.
Speleo-Obstacle
The object of this contest is to run the obstacle course as quickly (but safely) as possible. Best times are usually the result of finesse and perfection of basic caving skills rather than raw speed or brute strength. The contestant must wear a hardhat, long sleeve shirt and long pants (or coveralls). This is to more closely simulate East Coast caving attire. Any obstacle not completed in the prescribed manner must be re-started and satisfactorily completed before the contestant proceeds to the next obstacle. If your name is called and you are not ready to run you loose your chance and must sign up again.
Juniors may compete both days, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Safety rules will be enforced. Times are approximate and may vary on participation and the mood of the judges.
Cave Quiz
Approximately 20 questions will reflect the history of the NSS, the Old Timer’s Reunion and general cave-related trivia. Some answers might be found in the books on Vendor’s Row. However, no tutoring is allowed. You must own the books you use for reference. Answers will be posted Sunday afternoon at the pavilion. Cave quiz will have an adult and junior classification.
Survey Contest
The Survey Contest is designed to test the entrant’s ability to use survey instruments to accurately survey a closed loop of several stations. The course will be set up downstream of the vertical contests and will not demand participants to get excessively dirty. Entrants will not be required to measure the distances, only the azimuths and inclinations. These will be recorded on a pre-printed form, combined with the already-measured distances, and entered into a computer. The contestant with the smallest closure error is the contest winner. It will require a half-hour to complete the course, and contestants are expected to supply the survey instruments. (Bring insect repellant, mosquitoes may be waiting)
Lamp Assembly
 The contestants will start with a completely disassembled standard carbide lamp in a bucket or other container containing the lamp parts. The contestant is blindfolded, and then must assemble the lamp, charge it with carbide and water, and light it. Timing starts when the container with the lamp is touched and stops when the lamp is lit. Juniors must only rub the striker with their cupped hand, simulating lighting. Contestants must furnish their own lamp, carbide, and water. They may optionally furnish their own container. The judges will provide a standard container and blindfold.
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The Sleeping Bag contest was inspired by the practice of some cavers modestly changing clothes while in a sleeping bag. The contestant gets into a bag with certain minimum clothing. Gets completely undressed, and gets redressed; all while staying (mostly) in the sleeping bag. There are men’s, women’s, and doubles categories.