Pitlamp
Well-known member
In my experience you can learn how to cave perfectly well from a caving club. There is nothing wrong with paying an instructor to learn specific skills of course, if that's what you choose (which I think is basically what The Bitter End is suggesting above). Several of my friends are instructors and they're very good at it. Many are also club members. I suspect most of them would agree that what they offer is better regarded as an adjunct to club membership, not a substitute. Joining a club gives you so much more.
Gollum mentioned the YSS as an example of a good Dales-centred club, which I'd not disagree with. There are others of course. You don't need to join a club in your own area (although you do have good clubs based near you). It's worth considering Dales clubs which have their own hostels because you'll always then have a base to head for on a weekend - this approach gives you several good clubs to choose from. Some of the obvious contenders do have members in your area, so it's maybe worth contacting more than one and asking if they have folk local to you, as this may also bring transport sharing possibilities - and midweek social opportunities as well.
There are so many advantages to joining a caving club apart from just going caving.
Gollum mentioned the YSS as an example of a good Dales-centred club, which I'd not disagree with. There are others of course. You don't need to join a club in your own area (although you do have good clubs based near you). It's worth considering Dales clubs which have their own hostels because you'll always then have a base to head for on a weekend - this approach gives you several good clubs to choose from. Some of the obvious contenders do have members in your area, so it's maybe worth contacting more than one and asking if they have folk local to you, as this may also bring transport sharing possibilities - and midweek social opportunities as well.
There are so many advantages to joining a caving club apart from just going caving.