Dear me: what a long and tedious thread this has become: could be in danger of burning itself out. Still, can't let that happen just yet as gotta give the chat room geeks something to look forward to! Therefore I'm going to throw in my observations and see what happens. Now, am I going to be politically correct? Probably not, especially as many people use pseudonyms (and I hate that....).
Right, am I right in thinking that many of the detractors of the Try Caving Scheme seem to be drawn originally from the ranks of the climbing community? And that the climbing club scene died a death a long time ago? And that these people became disgruntled with the crowds at the crags? Hmmn, well I can never see a situation when the glamorous world of caving will be swamped with mincers in lycra muscle vests so can't see that as a problem.
I also gather that some of the more negative voices come from people who have never stayed in a club hut. Or are into rambling through mines. Was impressed with your delicate handling of that point, Chris J, as I'd have struggled not to have been a bit more direct!!
In 1994 I joined the Welsh Section of the CDG and was the youngest one there. I left the Group about six years ago (for no particular reason) and this year I rejoined. Imagine my surprise (and disgust) when I realised that at the grand old age of 37 I was still the youngest one. And before anyone harps on about the CDG not being representative of the caving scene in general I'm afraid that it is. Some of the finest explorers we've had have been the poverty-stricken youngsters thumbing a lift to the back-of-beyond. They're just not around anymore.
Now don't get me wrong: I'm not a massive fan of clubs. In fact I've been banned from the odd one here and there and there's not a lot of love lost between us! However, I spent my formative years as a club caver and even though I may not like specific groups I still support the club system in general. Although I've been an independent caver for many years I realise that it is extremely difficult to fully understand the bigger picture if you've never been a part of it in the first place. And forget the political correctness: this is not just my opinion, it's fact. So there!
I have to admit that I am very, very guilty of a crime (other than winding people up): I've recruited and trained hordes and hordes of new cavers over a period of many years. Many of these people join the Dachstein Expedition every summer, and a very small percentage of these keenies turn into genuine explorers. It's a great feeling seeing some of your proteges heading off on big expeditions to remote parts of the world, or playing kerplunk in the middle of a wobbly choke in the Brecons. For me this is the ultimate goal.
And as a part of that goal I, just like Chris J, do not want to be an eighty year old duffer climbing avens or pushing sumps at the bottom of nasty caves. That is the job of the younger generations. Unfortunately, though, there are not enough keen youngsters coming through the ranks to take over the mantle so broken-down, grey-haired smoothies like me have to keep trying to motivate themselves.
This is a genuine problem. As a lad I was yapping at the heels of the great and the good, desperate to make my own discoveries. These days I limp to the caves, drag my battered remains down to the bowels of the earth, and where are the youngsters? They just don't exist in anything like the numbers that they should. It's depressing, demoralising, and wrong. And as Mr Sparrow put it, when you've been at the pointy end for a long time it is not enough to just be doing an activity that you enjoy. Some of us want to put something back. And I believe that this is the root of the issue: do you or don't you feel the need to get involved and put something back into caving? Of course this isn't the only way, but I still think that people like Chris should at least be recognised for their efforts in trying to slow the decline, regardless of how successful (or not) it might be.
So unless people realise that caving as an activity is on the decline, and unless they realise that this is ultimately a problem, then I have a horrible feeling that kitesurfing, the playstation, and a lack of concern and motivation on the part of the caving world are going to sound our death knell.
Keep it up, Chris, and ignore the "we don't want more cavers" of this world. They're wrong. And that's a fact! Oops: hope I haven't upset anyone too much.........
