I want to try caving out...

C

CJB1981

New member
Hello,

I thought I would register here as I have recently visited Peak Cavern in Castleton, Derbyshire, where I was shown some information about caving. I decided I would like to have a go.

I don't know anything about caving so I am looking for general advice really;
  • Where can I find a club? I spend most of my time in the Peak District.
  • How fit do I need to be to begin? I'm 32 years old and a little overweight (I'm working on that! :cry: )
  • What kind of budget do I need to set for equipment?

Any general advice that can be offered is gratefully received. :)

I'll start looking around the forums now. :D

Thanks
Craig
 
The Old Ruminator

The Old Ruminator

Well-known member
I wish you well. Caving is a great sport. I think its fair to say that joining a club is advisable specially for the insurance it offers .I have been caving for 50 years and still try to go every week. I have had my fair share of " wonders to behold ". Take your time and see where it leads. Kit can be expensive but caving is certainly cheaper than many hobbies. This forum has advice on lighting and protective wear. Dont be afraid of asking questions here as we all had to start somewhere.
 
Brains

Brains

Well-known member
Most clubs will be able to hire / lend you kit like an oversuit, helmet and light, as well as more technical stuff for going down and up ropes. Kit like wellies (preferred to boots), neoprene socks, PVC gloves, maybe a thin hat hat or buff to go under your helmet are harder to borrow but make life a lot more pleasent. Most people wear a one piece undersuit made of synthetic fleece, with or without thermals - bit like a "onesie" but not in cotton! Old clothes (not really expensive out door kit!) will do to get you started. Some venues can be easily eplored with a cotton boilersuit. Always take a full change of clothes, and some beer tokens.
Weight and fitness are less important than a desire to get underground!
Which area of the Peak do you visit most or are based in - this may affect your club choice :D
 
pwhole

pwhole

Well-known member
The TSG headquarters (The Chapel Works) are right in the middle of Castleton, opposite the school - indeed, you probably walked past us on your way to Peak Cavern. One of the most venerable clubs in the country, with great facilities. We're always happy to take new members, and monthly meetings are on the first Friday of every month, around 8pm. Feel free to pop in then.

http://www.tsgcaving.co.uk/

Castleton is maybe harder than most areas for newcomers, as so much is vertically-oriented (though Peak Cavern does have vast areas of easy and spectacular passage), but there are also plenty of other areas nearby with easy walking/crawling stuff to get used to the idea, especially the Bradwell, Stoney Middleton and Matlock areas.

As for fitness, 'averagely fit' will suit you fine for walking about in caves, but climbing and/or crawling on hands and knees for any length of time will quickly sap your strength if you're not used to it, and there is plenty of that to do. Climbing ropes even more so. That said, caving will get you fit pretty damn quick compared to many activities, as your whole body gets used most of the time, rather than just one part. Also you'll learn to be flexible and adaptable, which can be more satisfying than you might think on odd-shaped passages!

The key quality IMO is stamina, rather than brute strength or agility, both of which will develop over time. Being able to pace yourself over a trip and being able to keep going all the way to the end is key. After all, you have to get out to go home, so on a large system you need to take it steady and easy on the first half so that you have plenty of energy left to get out again - especially if you have to prussik 200m up ropes as the grand finale. Getting rescued for being exhausted or terrified shouldn't really happen if you plan trips accordingly.
 
M

malcolm smith

New member
I've not been at it a long time, but I reckon caving can be anything you want. A wonderful sociable stroll in the park type experience, through to a wonderful sociable sheer exhaustion and terror type experience. Depends on the cave, the only constant is the great people you'll meet :) Give it a go!
 
C

CJB1981

New member
Les W said:
It's better to promote http://www.trycaving.org.uk/ now as the site has moved to BCA's servers and is using the new .org.uk domain. The .co.uk one will continue to forward for some time yet though.
Click to expand...

I've been looking through that site - it's very good from a beginner POV. :)

bograt said:
Visit;

http://thedca.org.uk/

For all things to do with Peak District Caving.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I'll have a read of that too. :D

pwhole said:
The TSG headquarters (The Chapel Works) are right in the middle of Castleton, opposite the school - indeed, you probably walked past us on your way to Peak Cavern. One of the most venerable clubs in the country, with great facilities. We're always happy to take new members, and monthly meetings are on the first Friday of every month, around 8pm. Feel free to pop in then.

http://www.tsgcaving.co.uk/

Castleton is maybe harder than most areas for newcomers, as so much is vertically-oriented (though Peak Cavern does have vast areas of easy and spectacular passage), but there are also plenty of other areas nearby with easy walking/crawling stuff to get used to the idea, especially the Bradwell, Stoney Middleton and Matlock areas.

As for fitness, 'averagely fit' will suit you fine for walking about in caves, but climbing and/or crawling on hands and knees for any length of time will quickly sap your strength if you're not used to it, and there is plenty of that to do. Climbing ropes even more so. That said, caving will get you fit pretty damn quick compared to many activities, as your whole body gets used most of the time, rather than just one part. Also you'll learn to be flexible and adaptable, which can be more satisfying than you might think on odd-shaped passages!

The key quality IMO is stamina, rather than brute strength or agility, both of which will develop over time. Being able to pace yourself over a trip and being able to keep going all the way to the end is key. After all, you have to get out to go home, so on a large system you need to take it steady and easy on the first half so that you have plenty of energy left to get out again - especially if you have to prussik 200m up ropes as the grand finale. Getting rescued for being exhausted or terrified shouldn't really happen if you plan trips accordingly.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info - I've had a quick look at that website already and I probably did walk right past the club without even knowing it!

I've never done caving so I'll be sure to keep your advice in mind. I don't want to go and end up being a burden!

malcolm smith said:
I've not been at it a long time, but I reckon caving can be anything you want. A wonderful sociable stroll in the park type experience, through to a wonderful sociable sheer exhaustion and terror type experience. Depends on the cave, the only constant is the great people you'll meet :) Give it a go!
Click to expand...

The social element is definitely a big pull. :)
 
bograt

bograt

Active member
Hi Craig, we still don't know which area of the Peaks are handier for you, most clubs prefer to specialise in a particular area so if we knew your locality we could perhaps offer more specific advice.
 
kay

kay

Well-known member
The other thing is not to join the first club you come across without making sure that it is the right club for you. One club may be better for a fit young person keen to challenge themselves physically, whereas another may be better for one less confident about their fitness or wanting to take a more contemplative approach to caving. The probationary member period isn't just for the club to make sure you're not a lunatic, it also gives you a chance to find out if the club does the sort of caving you'd like to do.
 
C

CJB1981

New member
bograt said:
Hi Craig, we still don't know which area of the Peaks are handier for you, most clubs prefer to specialise in a particular area so if we knew your locality we could perhaps offer more specific advice.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I missed that!  :-[

I actually live near IKEA off J26 of the M1, so I guess the most accessible areas of the Peak District would be the areas around Bakewell, Buxton, etc. The furthest I tend to go is Hope Valley but that also happens to be one of my favourite areas.

chrisporcheret said:
Pm sent.
Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris - will have a read.

kay said:
The other thing is not to join the first club you come across without making sure that it is the right club for you. One club may be better for a fit young person keen to challenge themselves physically, whereas another may be better for one less confident about their fitness or wanting to take a more contemplative approach to caving. The probationary member period isn't just for the club to make sure you're not a lunatic, it also gives you a chance to find out if the club does the sort of caving you'd like to do.
Click to expand...

I hope to try at least a couple - thanks for the advice. :D
 
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