Dossing about underground...

[NickInTheMud]

Hi all

I live in Guildford - me and a mate of mine are keen to go caving in the Mendips or thereabouts within the next couple of months. Just wondering if there are any groups nearby really, and how we could get in touch with people. I'm a novice caver (only been down twice) but my friend is a lot more experienced. Anyhow if someone could point me in the direction of a bunch of cavers who don't mind a slightly eccentric girl (or two) tagging along I would appreciate it!

Cheers

Nicky

 

[Cave_Troll]

I'd be carefull, admiting you're female may well lead to lots and lots of replies

 

[NickInTheMud]

I'd be carefull, admiting you're female may well lead to lots and lots of replies

I want replies! God I'm so bored today - I need action and adventure even if I am a girl...

 

[SamT]

which is prehaps what she wants troll boy.

There are several Mendip based clubs - Cheddar - BEC - Wessex etc

Have a look under the Club links page on the forum (or google them) and there are plenty of references on the various pages in the forum.

Im not sure about a guilford (or near by) based clubs though.

You could always just turn up at the Hunters Lodge pub Nr Priddy, the local Mendip cavers hang out. Get chatting to a few of the locals over a pint or two. Im sure they'd see you right for a local introductory trip.

good luck.

 

[Brains]

...but dont get hung up on the Mendips, the peak and pennine areas have the best caves in England after all... :twisted:

 

[Peter Burgess]

The Wealden is a Surrey/Sussex based club. Around 80 members. Accommodation on Mendip. New members welcome. Monthly social meet (with optional underground trip locally) is tomorrow in Merstham. PM me if you are interested.

 

[NickInTheMud]

Cheers people! I was going on about the Mendips because that is the only place I've been caving. Went to some cave called GB and another called Swildons or summat. Wasn't the most encouraging experience as in one of them me and my friend managed to lose the rest of the group and nearly drowned trying to climb up a waterfall. God. Maybe I should just stay indoors and watch Eastenders... :roll:

 

[darkplaces]

You have the stone mines around corsham if its an underground scamper your after. More industrial history then geological. Box is a huge network and the old wooden cranes very worth seeing and all only an hr from the Mendips. I do tours, atleast I dont get people lost, not yet anyway.

 

[Brains]

Please no, not 'enders, anything but that! Don't worry about being temporarily misplaced - it happens to us all occasionally (even Father Ted...), and you have so much more fun that way. Bet you learnt more on your own than with the group!
There is a whole range of underground fun to be had, mines, quarries, bunkers, drains, culverts, and of course caves. Almost all the 'ologies can be followed to some extent, given enough patience. The main thing must be get out and get some fun away from the haunted fish tank.

 

[NickInTheMud]

Please no, not 'enders, anything but that! Don't worry about being temporarily misplaced - it happens to us all occasionally (

We weren't misplaced - we went off deliberately. The 'leaders' were religious nutters who ran the uni club and seemed to be taking us towards an underground altar for sacrifice. So we did a runner. Didn't get very far without a map though, and ended up sitting on the floor eating our Mars bars and moaning about our damp arses.

 

[Dave H]

I'm a novice caver (only been down twice)

Went to some cave called GB and another called Swildons or summat.

The 'leaders' were religious nutters who ran the uni club and seemed to be taking us towards an underground altar for sacrifice.

Glad to see yet another instance of University Clubs taking novices down GB, where no novices are allowed! :evil:

 

[NickInTheMud]

I'm a novice caver (only been down twice)

Went to some cave called GB and another called Swildons or summat.

The 'leaders' were religious nutters who ran the uni club and seemed to be taking us towards an underground altar for sacrifice.

Glad to see yet another instance of University Clubs taking novices down GB, where no novices are allowed! :evil:

Says who? Don't ramblers rights apply underground then? Whatever happened to the freedom to roam or at least scrabble about up to your armpits in mud? GB was much better than Swildons anyway. And me Granda was a coal miner so exploring tunnels is in my blood - novice or not!

 

[Brains]

Ramblers rights most definetly do not apply underground for many reasons in many places - I am sure elaboration will be forthcoming.

 

[NickInTheMud]

Ramblers rights most definetly do not apply underground for many reasons in many places - I am sure elaboration will be forthcoming.

No worries I think I get you - I should imagine it is extremely dangerous for inexperienced people to venture into the more challenging caves. All the same - if you are thrown in at the deep end it certainly forces you to learn quickly if nothing else...

 

[Peter Burgess]

Don't ramblers rights apply underground then?

Cavers, as a general rule, do not have rights to enter caves. Where access is possible, it should be called a privilege, and that privilege has associated responsibilities.

There are, no doubt, exceptions, but if someone allows cavers to enter a cave, then the cave should be treated like any other property where access is granted, such as a public park, shop, National Trust home or whatever. Each place has conditions and a list of things you are permitted to do and not permitted to do. Taking novices into G.B. Cavern is on the 'not permitted' list.

 

[Andy Sparrow]

Hi all

I live in Guildford - me and a mate of mine are keen to go caving in the Mendips or thereabouts within the next couple of months. Just wondering if there are any groups nearby really, and how we could get in touch with people. I'm a novice caver (only been down twice) but my friend is a lot more experienced. Anyhow if someone could point me in the direction of a bunch of cavers who don't mind a slightly eccentric girl (or two) tagging along I would appreciate it!

Cheers

Nicky

Cheddar Caving Club welcomes new members. If you visit http://www.cheddar-caving-club.org.uk/
you'll see our meets list. If you are interested in any of the trips let me know. You will also find our club forum hosted within ukcaving - I'm sure if you post there too you will get some invites on non-scheduled trips. We're having a social do on the 18th - a quiz night - if you want to come and meet us.

 

[chriscastle46]

The permit actually says that people should not be introduced to caving in GB, not quite the same thing.
Permit? What's that?

 

[cap n chris]

...... ahem! The permit actually has written on it "No novices or under 16s" on the front and "Novices must not be introduced to caving in the Charterhouse Area Caves" on the rear.

Seems pretty specific and unarguable to me :wink:

 

[cap n chris]

We weren't misplaced - we went off deliberately. ... ended up sitting on the floor eating our Mars bars and moaning about our damp arses.

Aha! KUCC, surely! - you were the two girlies sat down at the Bridge chomping chocolate, during the afternoon on Sunday 22nd January. Am I right?.... probably not. :roll:

 

[graham]

The permit actually says that people should not be introduced to caving in GB, not quite the same thing.
Permit? What's that?

Do I take it from this that the Cheddar no longer have any interest in the Charterhouse Caves?