Morning All, I'm looking for a bunkhouse nearish to Castleton, although really anywhere within about 45mins drive would be fine. Needs to accommodate about 20 people, and be of a good standard (i.e. not a caving hut!). Any recommendations? Thanks, Chris.

I picked up a copy of "Cave Surveys from the Yorkshire Dales - compiled by Steve Warren" from Inglesport over the weekend, and very much enjoyed reading it. It led me to the authors website: http://www.mudinmyhair.co.uk/ A very pleasant read - highly recommended. Lots to think about. Chris.

Spotted the above registration southbound near Wetherby this afternoon. A cavers car perhaps? Chris.

All, The NAMHO Conference this year will be in Grasmere, between 7th & 10th July, hosted by CATMHS The conference website will go live for bookings on 1st February. The website can be viewed beforehand but it will not accept bookings until 1st Feb. Link to: NAMHO Conference website The...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-63993263

We did a bit of exploring in Parc yesterday and found a red rope hanging down from a wet shaft. There was a note at the bottom saying 'No red one' or 'No redone' signed Nige. Who is Nige? And were does the rope go? Chris.

All, I was walking in the far north, between Kildonan and the headwaters of the River Thurso. We covered a large distance over featureless peat bog. However, there were what looked like some sinkholes in the peat, and a few of them had actual cave passage in the peat! I didn't pursue them as I...

Sheep rescued from a mine shaft near Nantlle. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-62073174 Any idea which 'mine shaft' it was? Chris.

As per title - where are these two intriguing places please? Somewhere near Ravenstor Youth Hostel I believe. TIA, Chris.

All, Tom and I were in Parc on Saturday, and visited a location that I had last visited probably 25 years ago. Amazingly given my memory it was how I remembered it. Basically, the drive on Parc level 3 along the Reservoir lode ends at a sump. According to Mines of the Gwydyr Forest book 3, page...

We visited Eglwys Faen at the weekend. I'd forgotten how intriguing it is. The entrance is so huge, then the way is completely lost at the choke with the waterfall. The upper series seems to have a lot of potential and has been dug in a few places, but to no avail. It's very well visited and...

Morning All, A group of now middle aged cavers are considering a visit to Draenen. Politics aside, access seems to be straightforward and documented on the PDCMC website. I've been reading up on the description as none of us (6) have visited before. We plan to visit on Saturday 12th March...

Over the years I've read a lot on here about problems at Draenen, which has somewhat put me off visiting. But I just happened across a survey in Descent (reproduced below). It's so small that it hardly seems worth the trouble! All that hot air for such a little place, I would have thought...

Quite a sensible proposal from Tony Oldham that I found in a 1992 edition of Descent! Chris.

Recently I was given a collection of old Descent magazines. The top one on the pile (from 1986!) had the caption "Aggy - Daren link close?" Inside it had a short article explaining how a number of locations had promise, and were 'very close' ! Given that was 35 years ago, has 'very close' been...

https://www.teesdalemercury.co.uk/news/breaking-news-two-people-rescued-from-deep-mine-shaft-in-teesdale-in-a-major-999-operation Anyone we know? Chris.

Split from Covid-19 thread: https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=27369.0 I think you ought to stop reading The Guardian. It is clearly warping your sense of reality. Chris.

Has anybody tried looking for caves using Microgravity? If this is to be believed: https://www.keele.ac.uk/geophysics/microgravity/typicalsurveys/cavesystem/#tabs-6 then digging could be much better targeted to where there is definitely cave passage! Chris.

Looks like an interesting opportunity! https://www.dailymail.co.uk/property/article-9172025/The-Welsh-caves-sale-150k-Fred-Flintstone-appeal.html Chris.

Evening All, I am leading a small group into Box Mine in February next year, and I need to hire about 4 lid / light sets. Where's the nearest place to Box that I can get some? Thanks, Chris.