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  1. caving_fox

    Cwm Dwr rockfall - please avoid

    Wow. On the main through route? That's somewhat disturbing, given how much traffic it gets. Consequence of all the winter's rain?
  2. caving_fox

    How big is the average UK caving club?

    I think these wouldn't appear in BCA stats because they register in which club you're paying your fees. Unless you are paying the BCA twice for insurance.
  3. caving_fox

    What can caves teach us about climate change?

    (Note if anyone is struggling to access academic journal articles* please so post on here - UK research is primarily funded by UK taxpayers -you- but the results are often only available at exorbitant costs through the research journal structures.) You never know when someone might be around and...
  4. caving_fox

    Do you wash your wet socks?

    As to no detergent - I've been on more than one trip accompanied by delicate lilac smells emanating from someone's washed kit. Caves are so remarkably free of other aromas that it takes very little to stand out.
  5. caving_fox

    Do you wash your wet socks?

    I wish I had a dedicated caving washing machine, but for caving gear I don't use detergent in my home one.
  6. caving_fox

    What's your cowstail & ascender setup...?

    I know that initially I was introduced to Cow's Tails's it was as a safety feature, not an integral part of progression - perhaps to avoid having too many things to consider at once.. They were there to catch you if you get it wrong - so you always clipped them in. Hence it took a long time for...
  7. caving_fox

    how did you get into caving

    I think my very first cave was a school trip to goatchurch. I know my family went on holiday to the Dales and we did GG on the winch (before floodlights), we did have to come back the next day to make the trip, having bemusedly walked past a short queue in the late afternoon and asked what was...
  8. caving_fox

    Chatgpt sums up Cothelstone

    For context a lot of Lechuguilla Cave is thought to be hypogenic, so the possibilities could be immense!
  9. caving_fox

    Fixed Aids and Safety Installations

    I think this is the point - someone has to draw the line between Janja Gabaret being able to free climb it wihtout "mortal danger" so it needs no aid, to a blind quadriplegic can't access it so it needs a lift installing. The Question is then who gets to choose where that line is - The...
  10. caving_fox

    Climbing wall rules

    Also had one of my climbing friend's harness banned on the same grounds (can't remember which wall) was given a free loan for the session which seems the sensible way of going about it. Seems reasonable enough to me, and a reminder to all of us to check our gear more often!
  11. caving_fox

    Garlands Pot anchors

    What's the expected set-up for a ladder rig?
  12. caving_fox

    Cowstail Lengths

    Re- adding extra loops ot your barrel knot. Don't. I have done so in the past and the friction is then so high that they don't contract around the krab properly and don't grip it, so that krab rotates o the knot on the gate etc. (and it's annoying). It may be safer on the very rare occasions...
  13. caving_fox

    Landjoff suit feedback wanted

    Do you also stock the PVC option? Would be great to have a UK supplier.
  14. caving_fox

    Landjoff suit feedback wanted

    I'm happily using the the LJ PVC which replaced by worn out Meander that was no longer available in the UK. I bought directly from LJ, which once you'd allowed for postage was about equivalent cost. I'm 6'2", 70ish Kg and bought the Large. It's about right for me. Don't bother with the LJ...
  15. caving_fox

    Wretched Rabbit Entrance Repairs

    Nice little trip through today, all looks very professional and a substantial amount of work involved - Thanks all! Hopefully it will last for many more years. I know it's been wet everywhere recently. Beck was dry outside WR itself, no water on the climbs. What the CNCC guide described as...
  16. caving_fox

    replacing gear

    SRT yes mainly in Dales.
  17. caving_fox

    replacing gear

    See pictures for 25 years wear. Teeth seem fine but everything else is worn, the moreso that I look at it!
  18. caving_fox

    Cave snacks

    I wouldn't worry too much. It's a very nebulous and ill-defined term, poorly and variably researched mostly through post-hoc analysis of different studies. And as with all health advice, based more on averages then exceptions. Unless you're caving everyday (I wish) the vast majority of your diet...
  19. caving_fox

    Cave snacks

    Hydration is more important than fuel! I used to take saus rolls in a tin, but I've either toughened up or become more efficient as although I still pack a few choc bars (dark choc bounty for preference), I don't always eat them. Capri-sun do screw top drink packages (not the silly straw...
  20. caving_fox

    replacing gear

    I've not been out on expedition style deep muddy caving, mostly just UK sport. Teeth are fine. Heard such bad things about the new petzel, so am trying the CT equivalent which feels more robust in comparison.
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