Novice cave

[CaverA]

I know this has probably been covered before. But I'm thinking of take some friends caving, they have done Rods pot before and really enjoyed it. But I'm not really sure where to take them next?

I was thinking Goat Church, but I'm planning to go on a Sunday and I don't really want to hold anybody up, by filling the place with students well 4 students anyway.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Peter Burgess]

Goatchurch. Go for it.

 

[Stupot]

Definitely Goatchurch it's the only place that allows students on Mendip (so I have been told).

 

[cap n chris]

This probably sounds like a stupid question but: if you're leading a group underground surely you'd already know what sites are suitable?

 

[Vance]

CaverA >> I'm guessing by the word students you're part of a Uni/ College Club (or just a group of mates - same thing really). Are you in contact with any other Uni Club's or CHECC? If not PM me as we tend to help one another out and I'll be able to give you contacts and advice on stuff that's relevent to your particular situation.

Upper Series in Swildons is a good fun trip for novices as well.

 

[whitelackington]

See if you can borrow the key for timber hole :icon_321:

 

[Peter Burgess]

Naughty Whitelackington. It has been explained to everyone that Timber Hole is not a cave to which keys may be generally borrowed as it is still just an active dig, under the control of CSS. Naughty, naughty Whitelackington!

 

[wormster]

Aveline's hole??

 

[wormster]

Upper Series in Swildons is a good fun trip for novices as well.

Am I right in thinking that Swildons isn't a novice cave??

 

[AndyF]

Definitely Goatchurch it's the only place that allows students on Mendip (so I have been told).

It's alos the only one where you don't need a key..........and a form......and a cheque book......and a club memebership......and insurance........

 

[Peter Burgess]

Should it not be the nature of a trip that is novice or otherwise, not the cave itself necessarily? If you did a bolt traverse across the roof of Avelines Hole it would not be a novice trip.

 

[Vance]

That depends on how far you go down into the system. If you're gonna do the Grand Tour , free diving sumps one, two and three then no, it's not for novices. If you're going to have a nice wander around some interesting passges with multiple routes and have a look at the top of the 20, then yes, it is for novices.

 

[Peter Burgess]

Definitely Goatchurch it's the only place that allows students on Mendip (so I have been told).

It's alos the only one where you don't need a key..........and a form......and a cheque book......and a club memebership......and insurance........

....... yet. 

 

[CaverA]

This probably sounds like a stupid question but: if you're leading a group underground surely you'd already know what sites are suitable?

I do and I don't. They are an odd bunch, one is just under 5ft tall and the other is just over 6ft tall with the other three some where in the middle. Two of them struggled in Rods Pot.

The next step would be Goat Church, but as I said in original post I don't want to hold any body up. I think I might have trouble on the coffin lid and drain pipe. Swildons is another possible cave but, they don't have overalls or waterproofs and I think sending someone into swildons with a t-shirt/jumper and jogging bottoms is a bit dangerous.

Can I just add, it may not be dangerous but I would be uncomfortable with the lack of equipment. Maybe I'm over safe!

 

[whitelackington]

Reads Cavern :-\

 

[wormster]

they don't have overalls or waterproofs and I think sending someone into swildons with a t-shirt/jumper and jogging bottoms is a bit dangerous.

That is one hell of an understatement, I could died of hypothermia on my second trip just below the 20.

Last time I went into Swildons (with warmbac and furry) got just past the mud sump on the short round and had to turn back because I was cold.

I wouldn't go anywhere near Swildon's with a bunch of novices with no gear.

 

[mak]

That depends on how far you go down into the system. If you're gonna do the Grand Tour , free diving sumps one, two and three then no, it's not for novices. If you're going to have a nice wander around some interesting passges with multiple routes and have a look at the top of the 20, then yes, it is for novices.

As I recall the Swildons "No Novices" is a condition of access not a relation the the severity of the trip.

As they have been down rods pot - then they have been caving before and can thus no longer be considered as novices - initiates maybe.

Although I would restrict where you took them in Swildons.
Sidcot Swallet is another candidate.

 

[CaverA]

they don't have overalls or waterproofs and I think sending someone into swildons with a t-shirt/jumper and jogging bottoms is a bit dangerous.

That is one hell of an understatement, I could died of hypothermia on my second trip just below the 20.

Last time I went into Swildons (with warmbac and furry) got just past the mud sump on the short round and had to turn back because I was cold.

I wouldn't go anywhere near Swildon's with a bunch of novices with no gear.

Yesterday I went down with a all body thermal layer, warmbac and fur, and turned about just before the white room for the same reason. On the surface I saw a group from a well known school kitting up and everyone of them was wearing fur and warmbac....Goughs maybe??  :-[

 

[Stupot]

If you're gonna do the Grand Tour , free diving sumps one, two and three then no, it's not for novices.

And 4 and 5 

 

[cap n chris]

Where is the White Room?