Geoff Yeadon RIP

[Badlad]

Sad news as this has come as a big shock to us all. Geoff Yeadon passed away today from a massive heart attack at an event with some of his family. He was attended by medical staff at the event to no avail. Small comfort that Geoff would have known little about it. He was, of course, a legend in caving and cave diving and will be sorely missed.

I'm sure full obituaries will follow. RIP Geoff, post caving beers will never be the same without you.

 

[Pegasus]

We will miss you, Geoff

A cave diving legend

 

[cavingbiker]

Very sad news indeed.

 

[Wardy]

Sad news as this has come as a big shock to us all. Geoff Yeadon passed away today from a massive heart attack at an event with some of his family. He was attended by medical staff at the event to no avail. Small comfort that Geoff would have known little about it. He was, of course, a legend in caving and cave diving and will be sorely missed.

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I'm sure full obituaries will follow. RIP Geoff, post caving beers will never be the same without you.

So sad, a true gent and an amazing life, lived to the full

 

[langcliffe]

That is sad news, indeed. I reiterate Wardy's sentiments. Geoff's name will live on in caving circles for a very long time.

 

[mikem]

Between The Ears: Dead Man’s Handshake

Appropriately enough everything about this account of a well-known cave diving incident in the Yorkshire Dales in 1978 chills the blood. The divers talk about near panic in a void of darkness, the …

robinthefog.com

 

[Lankyman]

Very sad news. I didn't know Geoff but he was legendary even back when I was a spotty youth in the Hill Inn in awe of the achievements of Geoff and Oliver Statham.

 

[JoshW]

Oh f***. Devastating news. What an absolute legend of the caving world he was.

Spending time on a Wednesday and Sunday down t’pit with Geoff (and chums) was a massive highlight for me, and something I look back on with great fondness.

 

[chunky]

Terrible news. A true legend in his own lifetime. It was a privilege to have had the chance spent time with Geoff. My condolences to his family.
For my part I will miss hearing his stories in the OT when up in the Dales.

 

[David Rose]

Such sad news. The only upside is that it must have been quick, while he was still so active and engaged. Getting him and Geoff Crossley on to the Observer front page after their amazing dive from King Pot to Keld Head was one of the absolute highlights of my journalistic career. The Underground Eiger documentary about his earlier dive with Bear Statham from the bottom of the West Kingsdale master cave is a great way to remember him. A kind and generous man who wore his stardom lightly.

 

[JAA]

That’s bloody awful news RIP “The grand master” wherever you’ve gone, I hope you have a line reel in your hand

 

[georgenorth]

Absolutely devastated to hear this. I don’t know how many of us Geoff must have been an inspiration to. Hopefully he’s captaining his own miniature submarine somewhere interesting.

 

[Chris Scaife]

This is really awful news. Geoff was a giant of the caving world and a damn fine person to boot.

 

[Maisie Syntax]

It would be rude not to.....
Cheers Geoff, we're really going to miss you,

 

[Franklin]

Geoff and the rare cave robin (Troglodytes rubecula, I think) in Pilgrim Pot, Kingsdale.

What an extraordinary man. RIP

 

[Pitlamp]

Dreadful news and a real shock. Geoff was truly inspirational; I learned so much from him.

 

[mikem]

When he got back into cave diving:

Thread 'Thinking of hanging up your fins. Never say never again.'

Aug 8, 2023

In 1974 Geoff Yeadon first surfaced and viewed in awe what would later become known as Aquamole Aven. Later in 2001, after some epic bolt climbing, it would be opened to the surface, creating a divers through trip which today is something of a right of passage for the new generation.
Geoff retired from cave diving in 1997, but at the weekend revisited the fruits of his labour, finally doing the through trip from Aquamole pot, through the sumps beneath West Kingsdale to exit Kingsdale master cave via 'Valley entrance'

• chunky
• Replies: 28
• Forum: Diving

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C

Post in thread 'Descent 294 - a new look'

Oct 31, 2023

Geoff Yeadon was a prolific cave diver in the 20th century, but hung up his fins in 1997. In Descent 294, you can read about his return to cave diving after a mere 26-year break.
In the photo: Geoff Yeadon in Frake's Passage, by Mark Burkey.

Descent (294), October 2023 – Descent Magazine

www.descentmagazine.co.uk

• Chris Scaife

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[Pitlamp]

Not for nothing was he fondly known to CDG Northern Section members as the "Grand Master".

 

[mrodoc]

So sorry to hear this. I was fortunate to do a couple of caving trips with him in recent years along with my daughter Sally. He was great company. Pictured here with Bryan Schofield (Scoff) and Martin Grass and in Pippikin.

 

[paul]

Very sad news indeed. RIP Aquamole.