Anyone know who these four might be??

[Nigelh]

Well done! Well written report and good luck with your future explorations. Stay safe though eh?!

 

[Simon Wilson]

Why, in the name of god has this not got a gate on it, an approved access officer and a necklace of padlocks belonging to approved authorities?

If you've failed to gate a cave, you are totally responsible for this sort of craziness and damage that happens.

GET IT GATED NOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!

Thanks for trying to offer advice but no we won't. We don't gate caves in the North. We generally want to encourage people to go caving so we don't put unnecessary obstacles in their way and do our best to remove obstacles and facilitate caving.

 

[cooleycr]

Can't really argue with that. 

and who can blame them for assuming that it was just a cavers' thing -  anyone can go into an open cave/mine without any equipment at all and either enjoy the experience or for reasons unknown, trash the place (just look at Suicide in the Peak District).
These lads obviously enjoyed the experience so good on them..
we could get into a right old debate about whose responsibility it is to educate them, should the retailer have asked whether they were suitably trained with such equipment, should all systems be access controlled etc. but that would not be helpful.

Let sleeping dogs lie - they have acknowledged an 'error' and won't do it again.
I am heartened to see that as a community we are welcoming them into the fold.

 

[ianball11]

I have been asked to post this by one of the members of the group on the trip.

As I said earlier, and others have guessed, decent lads who are just having a go to the best of their knowledge and ability. 

I'm not too sure where to start with this one as it's been a little overwhelming reading all the comments both on facebook and on the forum. I tried to make an account on the forum but there seems to be some kind of validation system so I've chosen you as you seem pretty human and understanding. I suppose it would make sense to give my viewpoint and then maybe people will realise where I'm coming from.

Me and my brother's have always been the outdoorsy type people, always willing to go out and try stuff out. About a year ago we went up to Malham cove in the morning to watch the sunrise. Up there we saw a slackline across the cove and we thought," that looks ace", so we went out and we bought ourselves a slackline and learning the skills from the internet, as most people do these days.

Around a month ago, the same thing sort of happened. We went out for a walk to Gaping Gill and was blown away by it. We ended up looking around crevices as you do, just exploring the area. We came across a hole,(to which we now know is called Bar Pot) and saw the anchors in the wall. Instinct was to look down, we realised we would need some sort of rigging equipment to get down there.

Thats's where youtube comes in, I know it's probably frowned upon using youtube to learn things but we were curious on how we would be able to decend and ascend the hole. Had a lovely time at GoOutdoors getting "all the gear" (still no idea).

We came back after practicing what we had learnt and descended down the first drop and carefully made our way downwards until we found the larger 30M drop. Gutted yet amazed we headed home and left it for yet another day.

After another trip to go outdoors we arrived again, this time with more rigging equipment, It's probably not the best of ideas returning over and over after realising we are still yet unequipped but this all added to the excitement when we did return with enough equipment for the decent. We lowered ourselves down one by one and then began to head to Gill. We crawled through various tunnels until we heard the roar of Gill and finally got there and felt a real sense of achievement, We looked around and found loads of stals. I was saddened to see that some had been snapped off, maybe by accident or on purpose but nether the less it was a shame.

On our way back we noticed the amount of engravings saying which way was back. We then reached part of the passage where we could stand for a while and take a breather. As we were doing so we noticed that other people had engraved their names around this area of the passage and so there assumed that it must be where people engrave their initials. We also took part in this. I made sure that I did it out of the way others engravings as I didn't want to ruin an old marking. I'm not one to post everything on social media as I think it stops it from being special. We carried on our journey and returned home.

This morning my friend sent me the link to the UKcaving forum showing what we had done. I've been reading the updates on this throughout the day and taken into consideration every comment. Some are quite humbling, especially the opportunity to go with and gather some caving experience - despite doing what has upset a large amount of people from the caving community. I know the most sincere apology wouldn't change the circumstances because what's done is done. I can also tell that there's a lot of understanding people out there too who don't know where the line is drawn. We didn't even know there was a line, we didn't know what the SSSI is, who Natural England are, that you needed a permit to go caving. We literally just saw a hole and decided we wanted to go down it.

Hope this is readable as I'm tired yet unable to sleep trying to get this of my chest.

Thank you!

That's a cracking read, spirit of adventure is enticing.

 

[SamT]

Why, in the name of god has this not got a gate on it, an approved access officer and a necklace of padlocks belonging to approved authorities?

If you've failed to gate a cave, you are totally responsible for this sort of craziness and damage that happens.

GET IT GATED NOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!

Just ignore the Troll...

 

[royfellows]

Just a quick comment

The lads concerned are young and keen and obviously have the right attitude.

I was young and keen at one time and did leave the odd "RF" around, now, I am old and keen and leave nothing.

I know that mining needs new people who are young and keen, cant speak for caving though.

 

[Simon Wilson]

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the preserved inscription made by Jamie ... on one of his early exploits before he became famous for cycling to the South Pole then going on to descend the North Ridge of K2 on a child's sledge provided by his main sponsor GoOutdoors - all done wearing the same T shirt.

 

[menacer]

Why, in the name of god has this not got a gate on it, an approved access officer and a necklace of padlocks belonging to approved authorities?

If you've failed to gate a cave, you are totally responsible for this sort of craziness and damage that happens.

GET IT GATED NOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!

Just ignore the Troll...

But it was funny....well i thought it was...

Liked Ians point too.

 

[Pegasus]

.... really hope that they get involved with the caving community and do some more trips,

Me too.

Guys, hope you join the forum - lots of support, help and advice to be found here 

Remember, we're not all of us perfect ourselves - I cringe when I think about dumping carbide underground, didn't know any better 

...and there's your first question, 'what the heck is carbide?!' 

Pegasus

 

[Dgreenwell]

It has been really interesting reading this thread.

On one of my very first trips I thumbed my initials into some clay as I didn't really know any better. I was told on that trip that was something I shouldn't do and now, 5 years later and with much more experience, I occasionally tell new cavers not to do the same thing. To me it seems part of the wider learning process that is key to caving and getting the most out of the activity that we all love.

The trip these guys had sounds great and their sense of adventure is evident, a sense of adventure that is hopefully still within all of us. Hopefully these guys keep having great adventures and, if they fancy it, join a caving club and get stuck in! 

 

[Pegasus]

and get stuck in! 

Nooooo, we don't want them getting stuck 

 

[Dgreenwell]

Fair point, my wording on that might not have been the best!

 

[David Rose]

It would be quite a challenge to gate Gaping Gill main shaft. And how on earth would you open it?

 

[owd git]

I for one, and it is my opinion only, don't feel the need to be 'in a club' I do .however believe in instruction/ learning good SAFE practice. This very forum is more than adequate to provide any info' guidance and opinion. Tho for many  a club is the way to progress in all types of activity,sport lunchon, fitness, BDSM sex activity etc'
Get on the forum then decide ( I advise the latter  )
Owd Git.

 

[andrewmcleod]

It would be quite a challenge to gate Gaping Gill main shaft. And how on earth would you open it?

In the same way the CNCC secret headquarter (bolting division) gate opens, obviously...

! No longer available

 

[alastairgott]

BDSM

You're showing signs of Lunacy...
Same hole, different time of year.

 

[Goydenman]

I have been asked to post this by one of the members of the group on the trip.

As I said earlier, and others have guessed, decent lads who are just having a go to the best of their knowledge and ability. 

I'm not too sure where to start with this one as it's been a little overwhelming reading all the comments both on facebook and on the forum. I tried to make an account on the forum but there seems to be some kind of validation system so I've chosen you as you seem pretty human and understanding. I suppose it would make sense to give my viewpoint and then maybe people will realise where I'm coming from.

Me and my brother's have always been the outdoorsy type people, always willing to go out and try stuff out. About a year ago we went up to Malham cove in the morning to watch the sunrise. Up there we saw a slackline across the cove and we thought," that looks ace", so we went out and we bought ourselves a slackline and learning the skills from the internet, as most people do these days.

Around a month ago, the same thing sort of happened. We went out for a walk to Gaping Gill and was blown away by it. We ended up looking around crevices as you do, just exploring the area. We came across a hole,(to which we now know is called Bar Pot) and saw the anchors in the wall. Instinct was to look down, we realised we would need some sort of rigging equipment to get down there.

Thats's where youtube comes in, I know it's probably frowned upon using youtube to learn things but we were curious on how we would be able to decend and ascend the hole. Had a lovely time at GoOutdoors getting "all the gear" (still no idea).

We came back after practicing what we had learnt and descended down the first drop and carefully made our way downwards until we found the larger 30M drop. Gutted yet amazed we headed home and left it for yet another day.

After another trip to go outdoors we arrived again, this time with more rigging equipment, It's probably not the best of ideas returning over and over after realising we are still yet unequipped but this all added to the excitement when we did return with enough equipment for the decent. We lowered ourselves down one by one and then began to head to Gill. We crawled through various tunnels until we heard the roar of Gill and finally got there and felt a real sense of achievement, We looked around and found loads of stals. I was saddened to see that some had been snapped off, maybe by accident or on purpose but nether the less it was a shame.

On our way back we noticed the amount of engravings saying which way was back. We then reached part of the passage where we could stand for a while and take a breather. As we were doing so we noticed that other people had engraved their names around this area of the passage and so there assumed that it must be where people engrave their initials. We also took part in this. I made sure that I did it out of the way others engravings as I didn't want to ruin an old marking. I'm not one to post everything on social media as I think it stops it from being special. We carried on our journey and returned home.

This morning my friend sent me the link to the UKcaving forum showing what we had done. I've been reading the updates on this throughout the day and taken into consideration every comment. Some are quite humbling, especially the opportunity to go with and gather some caving experience - despite doing what has upset a large amount of people from the caving community. I know the most sincere apology wouldn't change the circumstances because what's done is done. I can also tell that there's a lot of understanding people out there too who don't know where the line is drawn. We didn't even know there was a line, we didn't know what the SSSI is, who Natural England are, that you needed a permit to go caving. We literally just saw a hole and decided we wanted to go down it.

Hope this is readable as I'm tired yet unable to sleep trying to get this of my chest.

Thank you!

Takes me back to my first explorations of caves with two mates. If you're still following this thread lads always welcome to find new caves in Nidderdale with a bunch of us there...keep that spirit of adventure and lesson learnt eh...'leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photographs'

 

[cavemanmike]

on the 4th page already  :bowraise itself

 

[owd git]

You're showing signs of Lunacy...
Same hole, different time of year.
[/quote]
I have the certificates , let alone the signs!

In seriousness though. a club isn't always the way to do things. some do prefer to establish a 'looser' group of competant safe and trusted individuals to join in activities with, It depends on so many variables and attitudes.
O.G.

 

[NewStuff]

In seriousness though. a club isn't always the way to do things. some do prefer to establish a 'looser' group of competant safe and trusted individuals to join in activities with, It depends on so many variables and attitudes.

This.

Residing in North Wales, I saw the politics and was very anti-club for a long time. I still learned how to explore safely, treat the environment, artefacts, formations etc. Clubs have a place, certainly, but they are not right for everyone.