Derbyshire : (Nearly)Newbie signing in

[Keith L]

Hi All

Probably best to treat me as a newbie again, it's been a looonnnggg time since I went down any holes! About 25 years ago I was a WSG member, did a fair bit in S Wales with trips up to Yorkshire and over to the Mendips. Living in London a caving weekend was a pretty major undertaking and it's the distances involved that eventually put an end to it.

Fast forward over 20 years, and I've just moved to Matlock. Knocking around the garage when I was packing things like a couple of Oldhams, helmet, an assortment of ascenders, descenders, krabs, malions and the like came to light. Need to get to CS to sort out the light situation and I need an oversuit, but other than that most bits seem serviceable, it's just the owner that may be a bit on the rusty side  : So... has much changed over the years? SRT rigging seems to have progressed a long way since rope protectors and chuck it down the pitch , battery and light technology has moved on a pace, progressive training schemes seem to be more common. What else do I need to know and where can I find it?

As I now live in Derbyshire that's where my interests lie, I'm developing a growing fascination for industrial archaeology and mines are something that I've never experienced. I've just joined Masson CG, I'm seriously thinking about joining the PDMHS. As I'm new to the area (I only moved here in November) I'm still finding my way about, I'd like to get involved in the local caving scene, so if anybody local can point me in the direction of any easy/novice trips going on then I'm up for it.

So I'm looking forward to getting back into caving and meeting some of the locals, any help for a returning newbie more than welcome.

Keith

 

[Brains]

Matlock you say? Thats handy for Devonshire, Wapping Cumberland and Holme Bank just along the road at Bakewell, and all 3 are old mines with lots to see and explore. These will do to get your u/g feet again and then start on the more vertical  stuff as well. Next time I am heading that way I'll drop you a PM....

 

[martinb]

Me and a mate should be having a wander into Wapping Mine (more or less opposite Masson Mills Shopping complex) just after New Year, I'll PM you when we agree a date.

 

[Keith L]

Thanks for the welcome guys, as I now live in Derbyshire it's more a matter of getting back on my belly rather than on my feet  I consider anywhere in The Dales as local, I've been out walking whenever I can, I've been stunned by the amount of mining activity that has been going on in the past. I hope to get myself sorted gear wise pretty soon, I just have to excavate the disaster area that is my garage to find the stuff, so drop me a PM by all means as Masson Mill is just down the road from me.

Keith

 

[paul]

There's plenty of novice trips in the Peak besides the already mentioned locations and I'm sure you'll get plenty of opportunities for trips with the Masson (I'm an Orpheus member myself we're based at Parsley Hay a few miles form Monyash). You'll not be a 'novice' for long.

Don't walk into any caving shop with a wad of dosh without asking around first on other cavers' opinions on gear... You'll find that the biggest change in choice in the past 20 years is in lighting options.

 

[neontube]

Don't walk into any caving shop with a wad of dosh without asking around first on other cavers' opinions on gear... You'll find that the biggest change in choice in the past 20 years is in lighting options.

being a member of some of the local caving clubs gets you 10% off at some caving shops.

 

[Speleokitty]

Hi Keith

I'm in Matlock too and have a special interest in mines as well as caves. PM me if you want to organise a trip some time.

Kitty

 

[Keith L]

Well... after a major dig (my garage  ) I managed to find several bits of kit. The Oldham I found was pretty dead, it's got old 20AH NiCads in it and they weren't up to much when I last used it. A helmet, belts, harnesses, two complete sets of SRT kit, descenders, numerous krabs, malions and other stuff has surfaced. Some of the tape loops and cows tails I've binned but more than enough personal kit is perfectly OK and has been salvaged. I've put the Oldham to one side for now, I'll resurrect that as some kind of little project later, having done a bit of research I've gone for the FX3 as the primary light source. I had an old diving furry lying around that didn't sell on eBay so I've reclaimed that, a spare pair of diving gloves were in my bits box, an embarrassingly new oversuit and a cheap pair of boots sees me just about sorted!

See you all around The Dales at some stage no doubt.

Keith