New to UkCaving not Caving.

dalescaver

New member
Hi All
Hope you are all well.
Slowly returning to caving after nearly 20 years of life, work etc getting in the way!
Moving into the Yorkshire Dales and looking to join a local friendly club.
We have messaged a few but had no reply, just a general enquiry if they are taking new members yet after covid etc?
Some Facebook pages are quiet with no updates since last march.
Can anyone recommend a friendly active club in the Dales area who are seeking new members?
Thanks in advance.
All the best
Andy
 

Badlad

Administrator
Staff member
I think some of the clubs have struggled with activities over covid.  Some are on the decline I guess and don't offer so much.  I'd go with one who replies quite promptly and sounds like they really want you as a member. 

I understand the Craven are quite active and have just run a meet up at GG.  Try them.
 

Ian Ball

Well-known member
That seems unusual if I'm honest, perhaps your messages are finding an aggressive spam filter? Are you wanting to join a big club with a hut?

Enjoy your caving days :)  some decent caves found over the last 20 years.
 

alastairgott

Well-known member
YSS are a good club! I?ve had a text message exchange with one of their members tonight :) (no bias towards them vs craven, npc, red rose, or BPC. Just most recently contacted.
 

dalescaver

New member
Thanks for the replies, I enquired through club contact forms on their sites and facebook etc.
I don't know what the caving community is like these days? or how popular it is anymore?
Can`t imagine many youngsters today underground getting dirty? no wifi!
I did nearly all my caving from about 1989 through to 2005 ish, back then it was quite big and remember many great days in Bernies and New Inn at Clapham with many likeminded cavers prior to going out in the hills and afterwards.
Met many greats back then like Dave Elliot.
Most places are tourist cafes now with little sign of caving left.
Would like to get back into SRT, did some courses back in the early 90`s with Pennine`s Kev West and Nigel Atkins, awesome duo underground and above! great fun doing all courses in SRT, Rigging and rescue.
It was a group of us young lads then, these days its the two of us, one experienced but rusty the other a newbie with some previous experience.
Like to get back on a training wall and brush up, plus kit up again with all the gear and revisit all the classics from my youth!
Also enjoy walking, mountain biking and other stuff.
Thanks for your comments.
 

alastairgott

Well-known member
dalescaver said:
Like to get back on a training wall and brush up.

YSS/BPC then for the training "wall", YSS has a few more thingymajigs and wotzitcalled. but the Bradford (BPC) has some ropes inside too.
 

dalescaver

New member
CNCC Training said:
dalescaver said:
Like to get back on a training wall and brush up

Training opportunities in the Dales which may be of interest.

https://cncc.org.uk/training/

Brilliant Thanks!
So much new to discover in the online world of caving! all we had back then was the guide books and a few rigging guides!
 

dalescaver

New member
alastairgott said:
dalescaver said:
Like to get back on a training wall and brush up.

YSS/BPC then for the training "wall", YSS has a few more thingymajigs and wotzitcalled. but the Bradford (BPC) has some ropes inside too.

Great Thanks, good to see who has what.
the YSS are just down the road from where we are heading so handy and local. Thanks again.
 

dalescaver

New member
mikem said:
Kev West & Nigel Atkins are still active.

I bet, they were great fun, Kev was simply mental and so much fun.
He drove from Derbyshire to teach and caved everyday, then you asked him what he was doing at weekend? back caving of course!
Made you really relax and were great teachers, did 3 week long courses in the end.
Good to hear they are both well.
 

mch

Member
dalescaver said:
Would like to get back into SRT, did some courses back in the early 90`s with Pennine`s Kev West and Nigel Atkins, awesome duo underground and above! great fun doing all courses in SRT, Rigging and rescue.
Nigel is still running courses for DCA - his email is nigel@pennineorganisation.com.
 

kay

Well-known member
dalescaver said:
the YSS are just down the road from where we are heading so handy and local. Thanks again.

In that case, BPC will be close too. They're at Brackenbottom, just off the road from Horton to Helwith. And Craven are in Horton. So just see which of those three you like the best.
 
For the record....CPC also have a rope practice area (upgraded this summer) in Bridge End (opposite our Cottage in Horton), which enables all basic manouvers to be practiced in an indoor environment. Obviously it isn't as extensive as the YSS.
 

Caveman Ken

New member
Hi!. If your still looking for SRT training I can recommend the SRT courses put on by the CNCC. First class and very good value. I think they will be putting on some more in January.
 
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