How do i actually start this?

silly sloth

silly sloth

New member
Im 17 years old and have been caving about 5 times all times with friends and in Yorkshire dales as i live in yorkshire and its really cool I mean I love it ive been in great douk, long churn, thistle, weathercote and some others in that general area around chapel le dale and the yorkshire dales. I know its sort of stupid to just go into caves willy nilly like I have been doing with my friends I have no idea how to use ropes and have been avoiding caves with pitches but im going to need to learn how to do this and how to actually get into caving that isnt just going in caves with my friends, (though ive learnt a lot from just that)
 
Worth contacting the local caving clubs to see if they can take you under their wing. The CNCC also does intro courses. The New to Caving website has lots of helpful info too.

Remember to always leave a call out when you go underground!
 
CNCC

Thread 'October to December training'

1786117960861.png


We're pleased to launch our program of training workshops for October to December 2026.

We've got all aspects and abilities of SRT covered…
  • 10 Oct: SRT rigging (underground) 2:1 intensive
  • 10 Oct: SRT rescue foundations (indoors)
  • 11 Oct: New to SRT (indoors)
  • 18 Oct: SRT rescue (underground) 2:1 intensive
  • 24 Oct: Problem solving / SRT assistance
  • 7 Nov: SRT rescue (underground) 2:1 intensive
  • 8 Nov: SRT refresher (underground) - beginners
  • 14-15 Nov: New to SRT (1 day indoors, 1 day underground)...

October 17th in the Dales, see the page linked, lower down that page than the preview you might see above
 
legendrider said:
Yes, a big Welcome!

Worth engaging with others you meet on-site, I am sure that any Caver would be more than happy to offer some useful pointers.
Click to expand...
So far my interactions with cavers on site have been interesting and not welcoming really, we ran into some guy inside long churn and he basically told us we were un prepared and disrespecting the cave and shouldn't be here. (Though we were prepared to the best of our abilities with the map and torches despite we did not have proper caving suits which he was wearing)
 
Cantclimbtom said:
CNCC

Thread 'October to December training'

1786117960861.png


We're pleased to launch our program of training workshops for October to December 2026.

We've got all aspects and abilities of SRT covered…
  • 10 Oct: SRT rigging (underground) 2:1 intensive
  • 10 Oct: SRT rescue foundations (indoors)
  • 11 Oct: New to SRT (indoors)
  • 18 Oct: SRT rescue (underground) 2:1 intensive
  • 24 Oct: Problem solving / SRT assistance
  • 7 Nov: SRT rescue (underground) 2:1 intensive
  • 8 Nov: SRT refresher (underground) - beginners
  • 14-15 Nov: New to SRT (1 day indoors, 1 day underground)...

October 17th in the Dales, see the page linked, lower down that page than the preview you might see above
Click to expand...
Thanks for this ill probably end up doing the beginners trying caving one as ill enjoy that and it hopefully will be informative which im sure it will
 
silly sloth said:
So far my interactions with cavers on site have been interesting and not welcoming really, we ran into some guy inside long churn and he basically told us we were un prepared and disrespecting the cave and shouldn't be here. (Though we were prepared to the best of our abilities with the map and torches despite we did not have proper caving suits which he was wearing)
Click to expand...

Hm, he was probably concerned for your safety in the main and perhaps trying to make an impact. Get yourself on one of the CNCC events as discussed; you WILL be made welcome and you'll be with experienced folk from whom you'll learn a lot. These CNCC training courses have been evolving over many years and they're really good.
 
silly sloth said:
Im 17 years old and have been caving about 5 times all times with friends and in Yorkshire dales as i live in yorkshire and its really cool I mean I love it ive been in great douk, long churn, thistle, weathercote and some others in that general area around chapel le dale and the yorkshire dales. I know its sort of stupid to just go into caves willy nilly like I have been doing with my friends I have no idea how to use ropes and have been avoiding caves with pitches but im going to need to learn how to do this and how to actually get into caving that isnt just going in caves with my friends, (though ive learnt a lot from just that)
Click to expand...
Your journey into caving sounds very similar to mine and, I suspect, quite a few others? After exploring some caves like yourself I joined a club aged sixteen and it was one of the best things I ever did. Within a short time I'd acquired enough knowledge and experience to tackle the big systems here and abroad. I suppose lots of this is online nowadays but teaching myself various knots and where to use them was very useful. I used to get books out of the local library for this (I was getting into rock climbing as well and there is some crossover).
 
silly sloth said:
So far my interactions with cavers on site have been interesting and not welcoming really, we ran into some guy inside long churn and he basically told us we were un prepared and disrespecting the cave and shouldn't be here. (Though we were prepared to the best of our abilities with the map and torches despite we did not have proper caving suits which he was wearing)
Click to expand...
Wow... I'm genuinely surprised. One of the things about caving even more than other sports is just how friendly and helpful (even to complete novices) caver usually are.
I think you were particularly unlucky to be "told off" by someone, presumably his other hobby was being in the fashion police and your wellies were the wrong colour or something 🤣.

Please don't let that put you off. I'm sure that everyone at the beginners try caving I linked will be infinitely more friendly. Enjoy...
 
What Cantclimbtom said!

Fair play for taking a rebuff in your stride and actually reaching out to the wider underground community for some proper advice.

I wish you well
 
Cantclimbtom said:
Wow... I'm genuinely surprised. One of the things about caving even more than other sports is just how friendly and helpful (even to complete novices) caver usually are.
I think you were particularly unlucky to be "told off" by someone, presumably his other hobby was being in the fashion police and your wellies were the wrong colour or something 🤣.

Please don't let that put you off. I'm sure that everyone at the beginners try caving I linked will be infinitely more friendly. Enjoy...
Click to expand...
To be fair my wellies were a bit stupid looking haha
 
Lankyman said:
Your journey into caving sounds very similar to mine and, I suspect, quite a few others? After exploring some caves like yourself I joined a club aged sixteen and it was one of the best things I ever did. Within a short time I'd acquired enough knowledge and experience to tackle the big systems here and abroad. I suppose lots of this is online nowadays but teaching myself various knots and where to use them was very useful. I used to get books out of the local library for this (I was getting into rock climbing as well and there is some crossover).
Click to expand...
Id much rather do practical stuff like learning in real life with a club than learning online anyways. I reckon I will join one then as its what everyone is suggesting
 
In my case joining a club was prompted by starting caving with three school friends and only being able to afford to buy a ladder each and some rope for lifelining. We realised that joining a club would not only give us more knowledge and experience, but also access to much more gear and access to caves needing more than the three ladders we had!
 
Pitlamp said:
Hm, he was probably concerned for your safety in the main and perhaps trying to make an impact. Get yourself on one of the CNCC events as discussed; you WILL be made welcome and you'll be with experienced folk from whom you'll learn a lot. These CNCC training courses have been evolving over many years and they're really good.
Click to expand...
Do they have any requirements when someone is under 18? Just asking in case it's useful to the poster as our club had a discussion about age recently if caving without parent present and had to look at the BCA guidelines.
 
bagpuss said:
Do they have any requirements when someone is under 18? Just asking in case it's useful to the poster as our club had a discussion about age recently if caving without parent present and had to look at the BCA guidelines.
Click to expand...
Good point. I know BPC has young cavers, might be worth starting by asking them.
 
A lot of us started without the standard equipment!
Courses and a club are the next step - and if you go to university choose one with an established caving club :LOL:
 
Maybe if OP is reading this thread still... they could "accidentally" get the month of their DoB wrong by a few months to be recently 18. Or risk needing a parent/guardian or being turned away. Best not mention any of this again 🤫
 
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