Want to start caving but need advice

[jakersHD]

Hi, I have been interested in caving for a while now but need some advice on how to get started.
Firstly I am 17, but I have read that that some clubs do not accept people under 18.
I live in Bristol so I guess my closest cave region is the Mendip hills.
What would you guys recommend in terms of clubs, beginner caves and kit?
Thanks
Jake

 

[martinr]

Hi Jake, and welcome to UKCaving

Mendip Caving Group accept members at age 16. Send an email to Jeremy Gilson, his email is:  contact "at" mendipcavinggroup.org.uk
or click here

Don't worry about caving gear to begin with - most of the Mendip clubs including MCG will have oversuits, helmets and lamps that you can borrow for your first few trips underground

 

[cap n chris]

Go to your local lending library and get The Complete Caving Manual, Alpine Caving Techniques, Venturing Underground, Mendip Underground or any other caving books you can get hold of; you'll pick up lots of good pointers (ignore the complicated rope stuff for starters, though!) on technique and local caves/caving regions (esp. in MU and TCCM).

 

[jakersHD]

Thanks for the help and advice, I will try to find those books and I will definitely contact the Mendip caving group.
Thanks again
Jake

 

[martinr]

Thanks for the help and advice, I will try to find those books and I will definitely contact the Mendip caving group.
Thanks again
Jake

You will find all those books in MCG's caving library 

 

[Aubrey]

Hi Jake

Look at www.wessex-cave-club.org

We have lots of members in the Bristol area & if you send me a PM I will send you the contact details for someone who is active & local to where you live.
Do you have transport to get to Priddy on the Mendips or will you need a lift?

Aubrey

 

[darren]

The fight for a new member has begun

 

[Stupot]

I thought the Wessex also had an age limit for members wanting to join.

I seem to recall this was set at 65 

Stu.

 

[jakersHD]

Thanks again for all the help. 

 

[Hughie]

I thought the Wessex also had an age limit for members wanting to join.

I seem to recall this was set at 65 

Stu.

I always thought you had to suffer from Compulsive Tea Disorder to qualify!

 

[rhychydwr1]

Hi, I have been interested in caving for a while now but need some advice on how to get started.
Firstly I am 17, but I have read that that some clubs do not accept people under 18.
I live in Bristol so I guess my closest cave region is the Mendip hills.
What would you guys recommend in terms of clubs, beginner caves and kit?
Thanks
Jake

You need to buy a book.

 

[cap n chris]

Perhaps.

But only after you've read it. For free. From a library.

 

[Alkapton]

In for sale/wanted section here is a link to get a copy of Alpine Caving Techniques as a pdf - it is the bible.

You Bristol so Wales is close by and we got caves - big uns!!!  And nice ones too.

 

[Maggot]

Welcome to the underworld Jake.
There's loads round here - Caves on Mendip, Caves in Devon just down the M5, Caves in Wales just over the bridges, Loads of old Stone mines round Bath. Plenty of underground fun on the doorstep. Don't have to be in a club but it definitely helps.

 

[Les W]

In for sale/wanted section here is a link to get a copy of Alpine Caving Techniques as a pdf - it is the bible.

It may be the Bible for vertical ropework (I may disagree on this) but it is hardly the best book for somebody just starting out in caving.

Mr Sparrows Caving Manual is probably a good place, if it is still available. I haven't seen the new edition yet though.

 

[Alkapton]

Why would you disagree that Alpine Caving Techniques is best book for vertical caving?    I've got first edition of Life on a Line - which is more about rope work than Alpine, but its emphasis is on rescue work not personal caving

Alpine is not just about ropes.  It covers all equipment, boots, lights, oversuits, undersuits etc.    It is about how to move through cave whilst conserving energy.    The vertical stuff takes up a lot of the book - but get the vertical stuff wrong and.....  Arrrrrrgggggghhhhh  SPLAT.

I found that not having ability to do SRT very quickly restricted my caving.    Learning SRT is so very easy...  In half hour you can be completely confident/competant  to do streightforward pitches safely.    That opens up a lot more caves And it is massive fun in its own right!!!

 

[cap n chris]

In half hour you can be completely confident/competant  to do streightforward pitches safely

Really?

 

[Les W]

Why would you disagree that Alpine Caving Techniques is best book for vertical caving?

I don't disagree that it is a good book, amongst many good books, however it is quite complex for a beginner and there used to be a far superior offering, now sadly out of print, but still available in the second hand market, ideally suited to beginners.

IMO "SRT" by Dave Elliot is the finest introduction to SRT that has been published, ACT is superb for somebody wishing to learn more but it contains too much complexity for beginners.

 

[jakersHD]

I downloaded the book but found it a bit in depth, some interesting bits though, particularly the chapters on "physical and mental aspects" and "moving through the cave"
Thanks for pointing me in its direction
Jake

 

[paul]

Learning SRT is so very easy...  In half hour you can be completely confident/competant  to do streightforward pitches safely.    That opens up a lot more caves And it is massive fun in its own right!!!

I first used SRT, instead of ladder and lifeline, in Alum Pot back in 1985. I cave very regularly and often use SRT. I'm still learning.

Could you cope with a "straightforward" pitch easily and safely if:

You are about to abseil and realise your descender is missing or broken?
You are about to prusik a pitch and realise that you've lost one of your jammers? Both jammers and footloop?
You are part way down a pitch and find that someone has had to tie a knot in the rope due to a damaged section?
Part way down a pitch you find you need to change-over to prusik back up again?
Part way up a pitch you find you need to change-over to abseil down up again?
Your caving mate is hung up on a rebelay - you need to assist him - could you assist?
One of your party is knackered or injured and needs help to continue up a pitch - could you help?


If it only takes half an hour to learn SRT to "completely confident/competant  to do streightforward pitches safely" then why have all accicents in Derbyshire involving abseiling in recent years been on Garlands Pot in Giants Hole (a straightforward pitch with a very easy approach/take-off - only 6 or 7 metres long - straight up-and-down with no rebelays or deviations)?