Author Topic: Lucky caving helmet (Read 788 times)

Duck ditch · « **on:** February 18, 2021, 07:03:17 pm »

According to this book. Cavers are superstitious. Most have a ‘lucky’ piece of equipment like a lucky caving helmet. Enter the cave in the same order etc.
I think not, but maybe I’m wrong.

Cap'n Chris · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2021, 07:19:12 pm »

What is the title/author of this rather odd book which seems to be far too fictional?

Brains · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2021, 07:57:25 pm »

What book?
Not got any "lucky" routines, but once in Bar at the big pitch as I was rigging SWMBO said "We need to go out now!" After some grumbling we packed up and left.... All our lamps failed as we got back to daylight!

Duck ditch · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2021, 08:12:48 pm »

It’s a murder mystery. A work of fiction. The lucky equipment and the rockfalls don’t ring true to me as I have never seen a spontaneous rock fall or had any lucky equipment. Just wondered if it rang true with other cavers.

Brains · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2021, 08:23:20 pm »

Despite my earlier post, I would say a firm NO to that.
I have caved with a "sensitive" to the other side, and again nothing like that. We may have raised an eyebrow while the spirits were spoken to around us, but never felt it myself. Apparently the ghosts are curious

One time in Giants I was told the spirit wanted to know if we had paid the access!

Pitlamp · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2021, 09:41:11 pm »

Yes, spontaneous rock falls certainly are real.

As for the other mumbo jumbo . . . .

Ian Ball · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2021, 10:03:58 pm »

Rock falls can be absolutely spotaneous!

I always go caving with knee pads

ZombieCake · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2021, 11:21:22 pm »

In terms of rituals a packet of Polos is generally essential. If a bit of superstition and associated routine puts you in a comfortable place then why not?
Ghosts and witches are very nice things, albeit often offered with a garnish of pareidolia and the like.

andybrooks · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2021, 12:38:42 am »

This was my lucky skiing helmet . . .

Fulk · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2021, 08:36:41 am »

I’ve never known any caver who had a ‘lucky’ helmet or any other piece of equipment or clothing.

However, several years ago I was walking down Showerbath Passage in County Pot when I came across a pile of rocks – maybe a couple of feet high and extending over maybe three feet of passageway – that certainly hadn’t been there before. I subsequently heard that there’d been a minor earthquake associated with the Dent Fault, so I supposed that that must have caused the rockfall.
Also in the Easegill System, one day I noticed what I at first took to be spent carbide strewn all over a rocky ledge near Stop Pot; closer inspection revealed that it was, in fact, powdered rock left by a new rockfall.

PeteHall · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2021, 08:53:48 am »

My homemade rack is affectionately know as the "death rack" by some of my mates... I might suggest they rename it the "lucky rack" as I haven't died yet

Pitlamp · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2021, 09:41:06 am »

Quote from: Fulk on February 19, 2021, 08:36:41 am

I’ve never known any caver who had a ‘lucky’ helmet or any other piece of equipment or clothing.

Yes you have; you know me and I have what others have referred to as a "lucky line reel".

Don't blame me for that one though. However, I don't really like going caving without a number of alternative light sources. But I don't regard these as in any way "lucky" - it just seems common sense to me.

Graigwen · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2021, 11:45:38 am »

I think it is essential to have at least one piece of lucky equipment. You are probably better off having several. There are plently of examples of multiple deaths underground of cavers who had no lucky equipment - remember what happened to the Warwick University cavers.....

http://www.ogof.org.uk/cwm-pot-cave.html

.

Katie · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2021, 12:46:48 pm »

Interesting link Graigwen.
I have been caving for 16 years and in a cave rescue team for most of those, but had never even heard of that incident!
It surprises me as things such as Mossdale, Neil Moss etc are so well known of in the caving community.

Graigwen · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2021, 12:49:07 pm »

Quote from: Katie on February 19, 2021, 12:46:48 pm

Interesting link Graigwen.
I have been caving for 16 years and in a cave rescue team for most of those, but had never even heard of that incident!
It surprises me as things such as Mossdale, Neil Moss etc are so well known of in the caving community.

That proves it! You have just been lucky.

Follow the White Road.

.

Katie · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2021, 12:50:10 pm »

Doesn't seem to feature on here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UK_caving_fatalities

Graigwen · « **Reply #16 on:** February 19, 2021, 12:54:17 pm »

Quote from: Katie on February 19, 2021, 12:50:10 pm

Doesn't seem to feature on here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UK_caving_fatalities

I have provided all the REFERENCES you need.

It is all Brendan's fault not mine....possibly.

.

Katie · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2021, 12:58:13 pm »

Ok, so I haven't heard of it cos it didn't happen?
Sorry I am easily confused - and easily taken in by genuine looking websites!
Best leave the internet and go feed the sheep. I can manage that with confusion!

T pot 2 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2021, 04:28:13 pm »

Pete hall
I have an home made rack the frame is a good forty years old, I must be on 10th set of bars 😉
I consider it a good piece of kit

T

langcliffe · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2021, 04:47:00 pm »

Quote from: Fulk on February 19, 2021, 08:36:41 am

However, several years ago I was walking down Showerbath Passage in County Pot when I came across a pile of rocks – maybe a couple of feet high and extending over maybe three feet of passageway – that certainly hadn’t been there before. I subsequently heard that there’d been a minor earthquake associated with the Dent Fault, so I supposed that that must have caused the rockfall.

I believe that was caused by people messing about / digging in the high level chambers above.

Quote from: Fulk on February 19, 2021, 08:36:41 am

Also in the Easegill System, one day I noticed what I at first took to be spent carbide strewn all over a rocky ledge near Stop Pot; closer inspection revealed that it was, in fact, powdered rock left by a new rockfall.

I saw something similar in the same location. In fact, I posed a warning on the forum at the time.