cap n chris
Well-known member
Saturday 25th March.
While it is reassuring to see lots of novices out and about (i.e. UK caving might not be such terminal decline after all) it is slightly worrying when one bumps into groups underground wearing normal clothes and no helmets.
A group of three (1 with helmet, 2 without) were clearly lost but didn't ask for directions so I left them to find their own way out. There was another large group this morning all wearing jeans and t-shirts but at least they had helmets and lights. I wonder whether it ever occurs to people in such groups why it is that other people are wearing caving suits, wellington boots, knee pads, helmets & lights etc.... doesn't anyone ever think "Hey, wait a minute... am I being led underground by some rank amateur maverick?".
Also, it would be nice if group leaders with children told them to pick up their litter rather than allowing it to be dropped in front of their faces.
But, hey, what do I know; I'm just a caver.
Got a photo of some beautiful blue polyprop hawserlaid in a shite condition ready to be used as a line at the exit.
One of the other group leaders, on seeing I had a camera, pointed to the bats in the main entrance chamber, suggesting I get a photograph of them. He went quiet when informed that it is illegal to photograph bats without a licence. Begs the question, what do these leaders know about caving?
While it is reassuring to see lots of novices out and about (i.e. UK caving might not be such terminal decline after all) it is slightly worrying when one bumps into groups underground wearing normal clothes and no helmets.
A group of three (1 with helmet, 2 without) were clearly lost but didn't ask for directions so I left them to find their own way out. There was another large group this morning all wearing jeans and t-shirts but at least they had helmets and lights. I wonder whether it ever occurs to people in such groups why it is that other people are wearing caving suits, wellington boots, knee pads, helmets & lights etc.... doesn't anyone ever think "Hey, wait a minute... am I being led underground by some rank amateur maverick?".
Also, it would be nice if group leaders with children told them to pick up their litter rather than allowing it to be dropped in front of their faces.
But, hey, what do I know; I'm just a caver.
Got a photo of some beautiful blue polyprop hawserlaid in a shite condition ready to be used as a line at the exit.
One of the other group leaders, on seeing I had a camera, pointed to the bats in the main entrance chamber, suggesting I get a photograph of them. He went quiet when informed that it is illegal to photograph bats without a licence. Begs the question, what do these leaders know about caving?