Bearded Cavers

[knuckledragger]

When I was a teenage lad venturing into pubs for the first time (int80's) there were allways and especially at weekends, cavers downing pints of best, mild and other dark coloured liquids in pairs or groups or sometimes bus loads, literally. (Marton Arms, Wheatsheaf, Three Horse shoes) The thing I noticed then was that they were usually very hairy men. Often still sporting a layer of the mud from the cave/pot hole they had just emerged from.
Nowadays beards arent as popular, but are still seen, especially on that era of cavers who still cave and a few younger cavers too.
Can any bearded cavers tell us why beards were the norm back then? or I think it could be one, or all of the below....?

Insulation properties ?
Somewhere bits of food may be found later (after a Bernies full English)?
Something to stroke while thinking?
Couldnt be arsed shaving?
Or...was it a bit of a badge worn??

Personally, I cant sport a beard, It just doesnt look right.

P.S I am aware that beards were popular with cavers in the 60's and 70's also.


:-\

 

[cap n chris]

See also:-

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php/topic,1901.0.html
http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php/topic,1483.0.html

 

[knuckledragger]

Ahh, Cap'n. Didnt know it had been discussed before. Haven't had chance to read all of the 5000 + topics previously discussed, being a newbie an all that.. Didnt eve think about getting it caught in your descender!. Ouch! that ud smart a bit wouldn't it? spose back then it was all ladders... Take it your not a beardy? presuming thats you..

 

[ChrisB]

Cavers tend to be non-conformist individuals, which tends them towards not wanting to spend time shaving just to follow fashion. I've also noticed a number of participants on this board who don't watch TV - I suspect the reasons are similar.

Chris

(Bearded non-TV watcher)

 

[cap n chris]

Reminds me of a chappie, drunk, who was yelling at us in the pub to be non-conformists, "Just like me", to which I innocently enquired whether conforming with his desire would render the exercise invalid.

(non-bearded, non-TV watcher)

 

[ChrisJC]

I've often thought of equipping the members of my club with false beards at NAMHO conferences (equivalent of Hidden Earth but for mine explorers) and seeing if anybody notices.....

Chris (no beard, no TV)

 

[Dep]

I think it's a selection effect - you notice people who look odd.

I don't really think that the percentage of cavers with beards is much different to the overall percentage of beard-users in the UK (with the obvious male bias taken into account!)

non-bearded but often stubbled, selective (very) TV watcher.

 

[ian mckenzie]

I remember reading something about how growing a beard was an intermediate stage between being an Active and an Armchair caver....  ouch! 
I have a beard myself, and must admit to fitting rather uncomfortably into that category.. :doubt:

 

[Les W]

NAMHO conferences (equivalent of Hidden Earth but for mine explorers)

:-\ :doubt: :doubt:

 

[Peter Burgess]

NAMHO conferences (equivalent of Hidden Earth but for mine explorers)

:-\ :doubt: :doubt:

I think Chris means that Hidden Earth is the BCRA equivalent of NAMHO conferences.

 

[Les W]

I know what he meant but I was questioning the equivalence of the two events

 

[Dep]

I know what he meant but I was questioning the equivalence of the two events

Very similar indeed IMO - an opportunity for like-minded individuals from clubs (and non-clubs) all over the UK and beyond to come together. Plenty of demos, lectures and so on.

The only significant difference that I can see is that NAMHO usually involves field trips to the sites of interest in the region whereas HE doesn't. (AFAIAA)

This is why I do NAMHO each year and not HE, I've got life left in me yet; when I'm too old/unfit for active caving/mining only then will I travel to another part of the UK to sit down all day and listen to lectures. And by then I will have the experience to apreciate them more - or maybe be giving one of my own!

Just to clarify - this is not a criticism of HE in anyway, just my personal preferences.

 

[wormster]

I cave occasionally, mine explore a bit more and I have a beard - reason I can't be arsed shaving!!

 

[Pitlamp]

I'm delighted to learn that I'm not the only person to have no TV, from choice.

Having a TV and shaving beards off have a lot in common - they're both a complete waste of time.

(Regular caver and Radio 4 devotee.)

 

[ChrisJC]

I know what he meant but I was questioning the equivalence of the two events

Similar enough for the point I was making. I go to NAMHO events and try to do all the most extreme trips. It's usually rather fun! Not been to HE for a while now (but that's because I am primarily a mine explorer and only do a couple of caving trips a year)

Chris.

 

[menacer]

I'm delighted to learn that I'm not the only person to have no TV, from choice.
Having a TV and shaving beards off have a lot in common - they're both a complete waste of time.

(Regular caver and Radio 2 devotee.)

Hi pitlamp, another one down here with no Tv through choice. I dont shave a beard either.. but thats coz i hav'nt got one ....thankfully

 

[ttxela]

I went my first NAMHO last year and was very impressed, great trips and a great atmosphere. Not been to a HE yet but hope to soon.

There was a fantastic array of beards on display too.  

 

[Trog]

Menacer and Pitlamp,

I also have no telly (by choice) and no beard (nature)!

I didn't realise there were so many non telly owners out there.

 

[darkplaces]

I have a telly and now sport a beard because I wanted to be unique like everyone else!

 

[Trog]

Don't worry DP, you are unique!