Amy Returns?

[ChrisJC]

Agreed - the Coniston Coppermines through trip from Levers Water to Hospital Level takes in a few nice blue things.

Chris.

 

[Katie]

Not been since 2007 but Black Rabbit was accessible then.
I wouldn't want to be in the boulder choke at the end during the week when there was any chance they might be blasting at Blue Circle though!

 

[caverbabe]

HI Amy,

I remember hearing about you from my Wessex buddies.  I'm an American living in Devon, and I'll be assisting with the lectures at this year's Hidden Earth.  Been a bit of an armchair caver for the past year due to a shoulder op gone wrong, but would be happy to meet you/ drink beer with you, to catch upon on what is happening back stateside. My dear girlfriend, Mel (Melgarita) Eady was a TAG caver and I sure miss the Appalachian karst...

And while I'm at it, would you like to give a brief lecture (pictures and talking, nothing formal) on the difference between American and European caves/cavers and techniques?  I think it would be very insightful to get another American perspective there....I'll make it worth your while with free HE entry one day, and beer on me...

All the best,
Paula (caverbabe) Warke

 

[mrodoc]

I see you have the Frozen Deep on your hit list. As i could not help you out last time and I feel I owe US cavers a favour after some excellent trips in the States in 2009 and 2011 I would be only too happy to take you into Reservoir Hole. I am a leader for some other very nice caves so send me a PM if interested. I am retired so midweek daytime caving is not a problem. I am away last 2 weeks of August.

 

[mrodoc]

My other half has also reminded me we have a week away mid September but I am still confident with advance warning we can fit you into the schedule and, if not me, I know some other people who can help.

 

[Amy]

Yay and yay!!! Yes mid week caving will be desired and awesome. Happy to help on dig projects too. We don't have many of those in this area. There is still much ridge walking and big holes to explore and passage in known caves to push that digging for leads is just not really done yet. Would love to learn more about techniques and passage stabilization and all that!!

I really want to make it happen. I need a flight to be $900 or less preferably. Plan on being there for three weekends final of which would be HE. So far best flights I've found are $1150. Anyone know of deals from HSV (Huntsville) to London (or some other city) let me know! Are there other airports that are cheaper? I just use tube/train/bum rides from cavers to get around.

 

[Benfool]

Have a look on skyscanner. I found a flight from Huntsville to London 11th Sept to 30th Sept for ?571 all in, flying with US airways.

 

[Blakethwaite]

There is still much ridge walking and big holes to explore and passage in known caves to push that digging for leads is just not really done yet.

Sounds brilliant! Not entirely sure though why you're in such a rush to get to England where pretty much everything that has been found has been surveyed, guide booked, trip-reported & rigging-guided to death when you have all that on your door step.  :-\

 

[estelle]

Anything with Rabbit in the name I must do! (My nickname here is Cave Bunny!)

Rabbit Warren and Rabbit Warren Extension in St Cuthberts for when you are on Mendip... I can do some midweek evenings if you wanted a trip down there!

 

[Bob Smith]

Have a look on skyscanner. I found a flight from Huntsville to London 11th Sept to 30th Sept for ?571 all in, flying with US airways.

ah, but would you able be to actually buy it, I have ceased using skyscanner for just this reason.

 

[Amy]

Have a look on skyscanner. I found a flight from Huntsville to London 11th Sept to 30th Sept for ?571 all in, flying with US airways.

ah, but would you able be to actually buy it, I have ceased using skyscanner for just this reason.

I think it's like ita software, have to go to the airline website to purchase. Ill have a look, that should be only like $850. Of course, who knows maybe they give you A better price for whatever reason. In 2009 I flew Delta but in 2010 it was us air. Delta was much more comfortable us air kinda sucks seats have no cushion it's like a frigging folding chair without reclining for 8 hours

 

[Amy]

Well turns out I'm getting extra hours at work, so this is going to happen.

I just got the time off approved.

Expect me Sept 12/13 - Oct 1/4th ish somewhere in that time range =)

So....where am I going when?? I like booking my train in advance it's much cheaper.

Mendips are a must.

South Wales and hidden earth is a must

I would love to do some trip where I at least see GG (even if not that drop, that's okay...ya'all say it's wet and frankly I'm not a super fan of bunches of rebelays )

Titan, anyone? I hear it's 2 rebelays, that I can manage

Also...unlike in 2010...I have a oversuit...and a (shorty 2/3mm) wetsuit.  I can barely wear the wetsuit here even wet caves are warm. But then again in 2010 I did everything in a single long layer polypro and every called me "hard". HA!

I figure the most logical path is up towards the north the first weekend. Then down to Mendip. Then finish in Wales.

And then as soon as I get back I return the favour, one of your cavers is staying 3 weeks with us starting oct 4th =)

<3 international caving!!!!!!! Woop woop! 

 

[pwhole]

If you want to do Titan, make sure it gets booked out in plenty of time for when you want to do it. And staying at the (in)famous TSG headquarters for the evening (just a hop, skip and a jump away) would probably make sense

 

[Groundhog]

Hi Amy.
Titan does have only 1 rebelay but it is freehanging and has caught some people out. Provided it is rigged well and you can handle freehanging changeovers it should be no problem. It is very intimidating but someone who has done Golandrinas will be fine!
Few bookings for September ( http://www.peakspeedwell.info/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=month.calendar&catids=46|45&Itemid=43&year=2013&month=09&day=27 ) as yet.
My pals and I would be happy to sort this out for you if you wish. Let me know as soon as possible and we can sort, booking, ropes, and team etc.  14th or 15th would be no problem or we may be able to do a midweek trip.
Chris.

 

[Amy]

Hi Chris,

Oh sweet only 1. Contrary to belief, we do use rebelays in the states when required. I've done El Capitan now to (2650ft). If it's rigged nicely that's always helpful. How offset is it? The offset ones (as CapnChris calls, umbrella) are the ones I struggle with - make it but it's not fun! And here, we don't put anyone on rope who can't do a free hanging changover, and free hanging knot crossings. And then for anything longer, free hanging crossing to a different line - we drop a "pigtail" into the pit to get people over the edge when tandom or triple climbing.

I'd like to confirm my flights and transport before reserving, unless it's easier to reserve and then cancel? Not sure I want my first drop in the UK to be titan - something a bit shorter to get used to your ropes and rigging I think would be smart. I have and will continue using our EZ bend 9mm to practice, assuming it's a close approximation to your ropes. In order to climb that distance I will need to be in my ropewalker variation (which is what I practice with & use) and I am used to a rack - I've been mostly using my micro on the 9mm ezbend. But on the offchance your ropes are realllllly different, perhaps it would make sense to not do Titan first.

 

[Alex]

You got the 50m entrance pitch to practice on lol. But there is some nice easier caves in Derbyshire to practice in such as P8 or Giants with short pitches to get used to the ropes.

 

[cavermark]

If you can organise it, doing Titan to JH (or vice versa) would give a really different trip to anything you may have done before - a Peak District classic with bits of lead mine and some archaeological artefacts, intersecting massive mineral vein cavities and passing through some dug out connections...