Post-graduation caving kit

[BigDyl]

I'll just drop my current kit list which I've found satisfactory in Llangatwg (which tends to destroy kit):

Oversuit: Warmbac extra cordura version (only oversuit which doesn't get wrecked after about 6 months so enough said) - I've heard good things about AV oversuits for vertical caving though..
Undersuit: AV British Arphidia (This undersuit is really starting to f##### wind me up... the bloody zips are broken and everybody else seems to be having the same issue. Maybe worth looking into warmbac?? Though I suspect if you're just doing vertical caving it should be fine. Love the undersuit otherwise)
Light: HM70R (enough light on one battery to last a 3 day camp)
Helmet: CT Galaxy (assuming it's the same model, I've had it for 14 years!!)

Rope and krabs wise - I wouldn't bother. Just join a club and use their tackle. That being said, worth grabbing a few steel krabs (cheaper!!)

I love my warmbac undersuit, the zip works as well as when I bought it 1.5 years ago, and I have done some pretty hard caving.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

I've a warbac undersuit, my son has the AV Illamina. As well as zips I'd note that my Warmbac seems fitted for the slightly more generously upholstered wearer and very warm but the AV seems slimmer and looks cooler (but not worn it myself) so the best choice may depend partly on whether someone was more racing snake or hippopotamus.

Also in the mix is the Lomo fleece undersuit, which is about £30 and made from polar200 fleece. I've not worn one as only realised they existed *after* I bought my Warmbac one. For clarity it's not a diving undersuit (which wouldn't be good for caving), it's for active use like sea canoeing so I'd think it's worth investigating? https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/element-polar-fleece-drysuit-undersuit/

 

[snebbit]

+1 for the Lomo undersuits. Had mine 5 years and it's still pristine after...at least 250+ trips? I think it's slightly thinner material than the pricier dedicated caving undersuits - which tend to be too stifling for me anyway, as I run hot on caving trips.

 

[IanWalker]

You have helmet and light. Back-up light? https://www.inglesport.com/product/fenix-hm23-headtorch/

Oversuit and undersuit - try on as many as you can this year, and buy the one that fits best. If you like the club one you have been borrowing, get the same again, or even ask if you can buy it from them

Kneepads and elbow pads

Wetsocks or woolly socks (cheaper and more comfy)

WELLIES! I like the Dunlop Acifort for grippy sole compound but not all sizes are easy to find

Orange blizzard bag, knife, whistle, compass, notepad and pencil all cost very little but might be a lifesaver

Belay belt, 10m length of thin rope and a HMS krab will have many uses for the small outlay

Large bucket or box to throw it all in at the end of the trip. Something like a 50L Toughtrug, but any plastic storage box or drum will do

Buff or similar, mittens, large waterproof over jacket, large rucksack (50L plus) for surface carries

 

[alanw]

large rucksack (50L plus) for surface carries

I recently bought one of these:

Eurohike Nepal 85L Rucksack | Ultimate Outdoors

£25.00 | The Eurohike Nepal 85L Rucksack features a huge 85 litre...

www.ultimateoutdoors.com

for the long walk up to the dig. Plenty of room for my size 12 wellies, a helmet and a lunchbox as well as my undersuit, green PVC oversuit and angle grinder/drill/spare batteries/accessories etc..

A bargain at only £25

 

[Rachel]

A couple of slings are a good investment. I've lost count of the number of times I've been glad of having one with me.

 

[dougle89]

On the tackle front, clubs in the non-student world also have tons of gear you can use 90% of the times that I need rope and krabs, I just check them out of my club's store, it's what they're there for and a significant chunk of what your membership fees are paying for. I'm mostly caving with other club members even if not on club trips, so I don't feel guilty about using club tackle.

That way, you can get away with prioritising buying other gear and building up your rope collection later.

Is that why our stores always empty?!

 

[aricooperdavis]

SubZero also do some excellent value thermal under-clothes, both onesies and two piece arrangements: https://subzero.co.uk/collections/thermal-mid-layer-onsies

 

[Loki]

https://ironkeld.com/ do repairs in Kendal
Second the big old waterproof jacket that fits over all your gear for the windswept walk in the rain to or from the cave.

 

[ActionStash]

Speaking of Iron Keld, I recently got together a mini list of gear repair companies around the country who I contacted to confirm would repair caving gear, list is on here. Let me know if you know of any more to add.

 

[Ane]

Others have already commented on the obvious things, such as over- and undersuit, kneepads, wet socks, helmet, etc - and you’re already set for an SRT kit.

So here’s some stuff that I didn’t initially think to buy when starting to put together my own kit, but which I use all the time now, in no particular order:

• Belt
• Pantin - I’m pretty happy with Petzl’s, and it makes such a difference to prussiking: https://starlessriver.com/shop/petzl-pantin-right/
• A few slings, attached to my personal bags (see below) - they’ve come in handy countless times - and a few extra carabiners, living on my harness (they also save the day when you e.g. find yourself without a breaking crab halfway down Diccan )
• A hard case for my phone - I’ve got one from Inglesport: https://www.inglesport.com/product/inglesport-t3000-waterproof-box/
• A small personal bag, fitting a water bottle and my phone case (or a compact camera) - it’s a while since I bougth mine, but I think I’ve got something like this: https://www.inglesport.com/product/lyon-4-litre-bits-bag/
• A slightly larger personal bag, fitting my SRT kit - or a group shelter, first aid kit, and water bottle: https://www.inglesport.com/product/warmbac-riggers-bag/
• A good backup light (I thought I could make do with a cheep crappy one. I then dropped my main light down Valhalla in Lost John’s’ and learned the hard way that a crappy backup light makes for pretty unpleasant caving)

Something that I don’t use very often, but essential when actually needed: a small pulley, for hauling bags (or a friend in a pinch) - the micro traxion is small enough that I don’t mind bringing it as part of my standard kit (https://starlessriver.com/shop/petzl-micro-traxion/)

 

[Loki]

There have been several reports on here of people dropping thier lights down pitches. If you’re going to use an elastic head torch ffs make sure it can’t ping off your lid by using cable ties or something through vent holes for example.

 

[Loki]

Quite a while back I did a thread on underground camp equipment for different places. It brought out a lot of useful info.

 

[hannahb]

@deffonotmaria I have a big rucksack you can have for free. I think it won't fit you very well (it's too long for me, as most of them are) but you are welcome to it if you wish.

 

[hannahb]

Also, I recommend a Rab Powerstretch balaclava. Excellent piece of kit.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Quite a while back I did a thread on underground camp equipment for different places. It brought out a lot of useful info.

Where is that posted please?

 

[Loki]

Here

Underground camping experience and equipment

I could not find a thread dedicated to underground camping so I thought I?d put ?pen to paper? about my underground camping experiences and equipment used. I was asked by a uni group some years ago on this topic but at the time the only camping I?d done was in the Berger so not particularly...

ukcaving.com

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Addendum to my tackle bag suggestion. Make sure it can take a Daren Drum, if if you don't have one right now or any immediate plan to get one (or you might find it slightly too narrow and feel as annoyed about that as I did on Friday)

 

[caving_fox]

Backup light is a must if you don't have one this is the first thing you should get.
Also vote for a couple of personal slings - use to aid climbs, help on rebelays, carry bags, as well as occasionally in rigging.
SRT kit sized bag. Tony has one, there are others. Much nicer to walk up to GG et al with the kit off and gives a good excuse not to rig as you're still putting on your kit.
Buffs and hoods are good - neoprene if you're going to try ducks etc. Makes a huge difference to how comfortable I am putting my head into the water.