Hello from Bury

Max420

New member
I am new to caving although have been practicing SRT techniques in trees and 'above ground' for a good 6-8 months now.

I was up in the Yorkshire Dales yesterday with my girlfriend, and we went to have a look at Low Douk cave. We realised how tight the cheesepress really was, my lovely companion was unsure, and I went ahead, making it to a hand line above the river channel, before coming back.

We had a mooch up to Ireby Cavern which we had spotted on the OS map, thinking a 'cavern' would be easy to enter... low and behold we were wrong

But as we turned up, 2 cavers were just exiting the section of RCP that is the entrance. We went down to talk to them, and lo and behold, they were 'Pegasus' and 'Badlad' from this forum! We had a chat and helped carry some rubbish back, that they had dragged out of the depths of the cave. The idea was given to sign up here in order to meet other likeminded people who could maybe 'show me the ropes' and enjoy days out with.

I've contacted MUSC but as I work evenings, I have yet to attend one of their meets. I will hopefully join a club of some description over the course of this summer.

Completely new to caving, I have done 2 trips up to the Yorkshire dales, and only done some basic pitches in Calf Holes.

Other caves I have visited include
Sunset Hole
Borrin's Moor
Thistle
Yordas
Great & Low Douk

Also an avid drainage/mine explorer, having visited countless drainage/sewage systems, and quite a few mines (Facit, Holme Bank Chert mine, Scout Mine, Box Mine, Ystrad Einion to name a few)

I have all my SRT gear and a couple of lengths of rope, lighting equipment, gas meter, just need some suitable kit bags and an oversuit.

Until I know what im doing, i'll be sticking to horizontal stuff but it would be really cool to get out with some people who are confident with their rope skills and maybe learn some rigging techniques ETC. I am a keen photographer so will post some trip reports on the caves I have already visited.

Nice to join a new community of people and hope to meet some of you soon!

Max  ;)

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Pegasus

Administrator
Staff member
Hello Max,

Welcome to UKC!!

Thank you again for helping carry the bags of rubbish and those horrible, smelly, heavy huge tubes from Ireby entrance across the fell and back to the car  (y)

I hope forum members are able to put you in touch with a club or group who can help - I can certainly vouch for Max's bag carrying abilities and willingness to help  ;)

All the best, Jane
 

skippy

Active member
Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for posting the superb photo of the open pot in Great Douk.
Are you looking at joining a club or do you want to meet up on an informal basis to cave?
Either way joining a club initially means you will meet like minded cavers who generally run regular meets to suit all abilities. You can then decide if you like a 'club' envirioment or once you've met other cavers arrange to meet up on a ad-hoc basis.
Loads of folk will be along soon advocating their group/club but as a starter for ten, take a look at Craven Pothole Club(CPC). Ether a web search for our rather dated web site..or our public facebook page to see what we're up to. We have regular meets for all abilities..and we have a suitable 'Caves of Ribblehead' meet in a couple of weeks aimed at new or novice members..
Cheers,
 

bograt

Active member
Yup, welcome Max  (y) (y), Maybe here you will learn a few access 'rules', for instance access to  Holme Bank, negotiated after a long process between the owners and DCA, access could be at risk from unauthorised access---
 

Max420

New member
Thanks all for the links, I will check them out.

As for a caving group, I would like to join one, i'll give you guys over at Craven an email or something and hopefully come along to your newb day, cheers Skippy! I'd also like to meet people on an informal basis because trips can be planned whenever I guess, I'm off Uni for the summer so would like to take the chance and the free time to learn new skills and do something productive, I don't mind driving or helping carry gear.

It was no problem helping you guys back, and the rain began shortly after we departed! Good timing :D Will hopefully be able to return to Ireby Cavern with someone experienced as we'd walked all the way up to it

bograt, I got my BCA card specifically for this and spoke to the owner of the mine, payed the fee and got the key. We found the small hatch 3 trips after the first  (y)
 

Antwan

Member
Hi max, Ill be about in the dales 11th of June if you would like to have a nosey at the YSS. Were just down the road from tha Craven whe I believe we have a better Pub  :ras:

Wouldnt mind a return trip down Ireby too at some point.
 

bograt

Active member
Max420 said:
bograt, I got my BCA card specifically for this and spoke to the owner of the mine, payed the fee and got the key. We found the small hatch 3 trips after the first  (y)

(y) (y) (y) Good on yer Max, only wish others would follow your lead --  :beer:
 

Max420

New member
Antwan said:
Hi max, Ill be about in the dales 11th of June if you would like to have a nosey at the YSS. Were just down the road from tha Craven whe I believe we have a better Pub  :ras:

Wouldnt mind a return trip down Ireby too at some point.

Hey, that would be awesome! I could meet up with a few clubs and see which has the best atmosphere I guess. If you know the time and place, let us know or give us a shout nearer the time :)


bograt said:
(y) (y) (y) Good on yer Max, only wish others would follow your lead --  :beer:

I try and keep as legit as possible,, its just a shame that some places dont allow permission to visit  :cautious: 
 

Antwan

Member
I'll send you a pm with details. But most likely meet at helwith bridge in the morning or stop Friday night.

You do right checking out a few clubs, were all a bit different.

You will either find a club for life or become a collector of clubs!
 
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