Alternative clothing?

[Sewer Rat]

I am going to OFD in September.
I have all my own gear.
However 3 more people first timers are coming alone to get a taste.
Just in case these folk think "thats that and im not doing it again"
We are going to hire the gear, but dragons dont hire furry suits.
Probaly for good reasons.
What can be used as a cheap alternative , that dosent hold much water.
the same applies to wetsocks, are thick hiking socks a reasonable alternative.

 

[danthecavingman]

Trips to the OFD streamway are not really suitable for novice cavers.
If you're not going to the streamway, OFD is not, in my experience so far, a particularly wet cave, if anything it's very warm. I would suggest that hiking socks, old clothes and boiler suits would be fine. Going into the streamway is a different matter altogether and wetsuits / neofleece are the best option.

Dan.

 

[cap n chris]

Don't get lost!

 

[mudmonkey]

I only got wetsocks this year having been caving around 9 years. They're not essential even for very wet trips - wellies keep the water from changing over very fast so water warms up quite quickly anyway.

Old clothes are fine for dry trips, if people are going to get wet, try and borrow furries from your caving mates (maybe get the newbies to wash 'em afterwards - that'll persuade them to buy their own kit)(actually maybe wash 'em before use - far mre pleasant....)

 

[SamT]

I just caved in my 'thermals' before I bought a furry.
synthetic fleece is best - avoid cotton/wool (or indeed cottonwool) as these get heavy and hold water. I actually find my thermals warmer to cave in (they are much closer fitting than a furry) but the only snag for caving is the bottoms can ride down or the top ride up when in tight stuff.

 

[Sewer Rat]

I am going with sombody who knows the cave well.
Ewglys Faen is about as much cave as i can remember how to get in and out of!

We will be getting wet!
Whats the point of going to OFD without falling into a sneeky hole in the streamway.
:up:

 

[cap n chris]

OFD1 is a great trip - you'll love it!

 

[graham]

Just don't tell SWCC 'cos taking novices in the water is a bit norty.

 

[Wolfart]

Did one of my first trips in Swildons 1970 as a novice in old clothes and boiler suit steel toe tector boots,bloody neer froze but i somehow enjoyed it and was hooked for the rest of my life. and after this weekend i am hoping to get underground again. old clothes and boiler suit and wellies is good enough in OFD II,not in OFD I+I dont think SWCC let novices in OFDI

 

[Sewer Rat]

I feel like a rebel now!
my 2nd trip under was in 1 and 2
3rd trip was 2 to cum dwyr
didnt like the exit tube

If you are in your in
it dosent matter what entrance you use, you can get anywhere in the system

But I do understand the worries of SWCC
But surely with a very experienced leader they dont mind
Thinking about it I had mentioned that i was a beginner when i was at the hut to loads of people both times and nobody seemed concerned.