Hi, and where to start?

[Deb]

Hi, I have been looking for a new activity recently and would be greatly interested in exploring caves, I just need advice on where to start?

I have been researching this topic on the internet, and realise there are different levels of caving, so it would seem advisable to start at level 1, which I understand is a fairly easy horizontal walk through?

Am I making sense so far lol?

With this in mind, what sort of gear do I need at this level? Also, is there a web-site with these caves and levels (google gave me lots of links to TombRaider lol)?

Im ok with most things, however unfortunately Im extremely claustrophobic, but am hoping to overcome this if I start slowly, infact, cant thinks of a better, fun way to beat a phobia!

Finally, if and when I find an appropriate cave, do I just walk in, or do I need permission?

Thanks, Deb 

 

[ChrisJC]

Best bet is to find your local caving club, tag along on a novice trip, and see if you like it.

Where are you based?

Chris.

 

[paull]

YSS in yorkshire , our next try caving weekend is in November ,
or you could try contacting the clubs training officer to see if they can help

www.yssuk.com

 

[Deb]

Hi, thanks for answering, and I live in Bedfordshire, so its a bit of a wonder which club to join as I will have a bit of a journey anyway, have come across two clubs so far, one in Brighton the other in Birmingham (Caving & Crag, I think?) both seemed a friendly bunch 

So I guess the first thing is to decide on which club  :-\

 

[zomjon]

Well, I can vouch for the Cave and Crag being a friendly bunch and a few of us are very active in the peak, doing all types of trips

 

[paul]

Have you also looked at the Try Caving website?

 

[Deb]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm quite exhausted after spending a few hours last night going on a 'vitual' field trip (cave trip) thanks to the members here that took the time to upload their vids and pics 

Priority then; Join a club and go with experienced people! I would have to be a moron with a death wish to wander into a cave otherwise!

Ive been checking out quite a few clubs so far, and crossed some off, some want experienced people only (fair enough) A few others seem more concerned with uploading pics of the more social side of things (well, I like a beer too, but long gone are the days where I put my knickers over my head and dance around a camp fire) 

Yes Paul, Ive been on that site, and many others.. Im quite serious about giving this a go, and I want to approach it without ignorance, and safely. I certainly feel more educated today than I did yesterday, with a bit more research and the right club..I could find myself in a cave soon!

 

[Oceanrower]

I think you'll find that most clubs require an amount of experience before you join. Sounds a bit "catch 22" but it's not really a problem. Many people on here will be happy to take you out for a few trips before you decide to join a club. Looking at your location, either the Mendips or South Wales would be nearest. If you feel the urge, I'd be more than happy to start you off with a Mendips day/weekend. Accommodation available at the Wessex if required. I'll pm you my number in case you want to give it a go. Nigel.

 

[kay]

I think you'll find that most clubs require an amount of experience before you join.

The clubs that welcome beginners (which a lot of clubs do, because there's natural wastage, so they need to attract new members if the club isn't to fade away) are happy to take beginners on trial trips - it helps the beginner know whether they enjoy caving, and lets the club know the beginner isn't a complete loonie or a stal-smashing maniac.

So the sequence is - choose your club, contact them, go on a few trips with them to see if you like them then join.

 

[Les W]

I think you'll find that most clubs require an amount of experience before you join. Sounds a bit "catch 22" but it's not really a problem.

Nigel, just to clarify your point above about experience.

Every article or book about caving gives the advice for people who are starting out to "join a club". It is very "catch 22" if the clubs then require experience before they allow you to join.

The reality is that most clubs welcome novices but often suggest you cave with a them a few times before parting with any reddies. A lot of clubs will offer "try out" trips before you join, in the company of experienced cavers and with the right gear.
Experience is something that needs a lot of time to build and is different for different people.

Our own club (Wessex) has a section on the membership form that asks for "experience" but this is really so that people can judge the level of the your caving skills and is not a hurdle that needs to be jumped towards membership.

The biggest hurdle is actually turning up! It is quite daunting to turn up at a strange place, meet strange (very strange) people and then go caving with them but very rewarding when you discover the pleasure of caving with a group of like minded and capable people.

 

[SamT]

Perhaps a trip down a few show caves would answer a few questions for you.  Visit Cheddar, South Wales or Castleton in the Peak District for a weekend, pay to go down a few of the show caves - which are all 'walk in' and see if your claustrophobia is really a problem.

99% of folks will state they are claustrophobic, when in fact, very few people truly suffer.  I used to be a guide at Treak Cliff Cavern as a youth and must have shown hundreds if not thousands of people around and I only ever had a few folks who were truly claustrophobic. They were easily identified as the ones who got no more than 10 feet into the entrance tunnel (a narrow walking sized corridor that required you to stoop slightly) and completely froze, turned about heel and fled. 

Very much the same as folks saying they are afraid of heights and true sufferers of vertigo, which has very physical symptoms - dizzyness/weak knees etc.

Anyway, just a thought. Try a few show caves.

 

[ChrisJC]

..... meet strange (very strange) people .....

It is lucky the original poster isn't proposing to go Mine Exploring as a typical grouping will have more facial hair than Chewbacca. 

Chris.

 

[moorebooks]

..... meet strange (very strange) people .....

It is lucky the original poster isn't proposing to go Mine Exploring as a typical grouping will have more facial hair than Chewbacca. 

Chris.

You have a beard now?

Mike

 

[Les W]

..... meet strange (very strange) people .....

It is lucky the original poster isn't proposing to go Mine Exploring as a typical grouping will have more facial hair than Chewbacca. 

Chris.

...and that's just the women... 

 

[Deb]

Hi again, thanks for the reply and advice!

'Les W' makes a very valid point, it is rather daunting meeting up with a complete stranger, and then needing to trust that person do introduce you to something completely new...and potentially a little scary (at least for a girls blous like me).

Anyway, I went down those excavated tunnels at West Wycome (real hard core..err no) as a member on here very kindly described his experiences, difficult describing 'what its like'..but he did a very good job, so thanks to him, he mentioned that 'indoor's but outdoors' feeling. So I went off to feel this, and test out if I would have the screaming abdabs (is that a word?).

Im happy to report I didnt make a scene  It was a little claustrophobic admittedly so I just took a moment to get it under control.

I am hoping to meet up with a member on here soon who has offered to take me on my first trip soon! So very much looking forward to that, and will share my experiences!