'New to Caving' website launched

[Pegasus]

Hi Mike, I've started a 'Update New to Caving' list and your suggestion is on there 

In the meantime there's a link (in bold white type) at the bottom of each page thanking the photographers, with links to their portfolios where possible.

http://newtocaving.com/photo-credits.php

I'd just like to say again how grateful we are to the photographers for generously allowing us to use their photographs - we've had lots of messages and comments from folks who've seen the site and everyone loves the photos 

Posted by Teabag:

Great looking site - well done.
However, you clearly mostly cave in nice clean water-washed Yorkshire caves - "The caver may walk, twist and squeeze, they may climb, stoop and crawl, and they may plunge, wade and swim; ascending and descending through the wonderful spaces left between rock and water." In Derbyshire that would be "between rock and mud."

   We purposely avoided shots of tight, wet, muddy, caving loveliness as we wanted to inspire novices to go caving in the first place, once underground they'll soon find out about all aspects of caving and hopefully enjoy the challenges.  My second trip was down Peak - I got muddy    If I'd have known before I went it might have put me off, going at all however once there I loved it - almost as much as the fish and chips when we got out  . How many of us, when we say we go caving hear 'Oh I couldn't do that, I'm claustrophobic'?  Half the blummin population must be claustrophobic judging by the non cavers I've spoken to over the years.  That's why we avoided photos of very tight squeezes and even asked Claire to smile cheerfully as she came out of the Cheesepress 

[ZombieCake]

How many of us, when we say we go caving hear 'Oh I couldn't do that, I'm claustrophobic'?  Half the blummin population must be claustrophobic...

Spot on, when ever I say I'm a caver when it crops up in general conversation people tend to start reaching for the crosses, garlic and holy water.  Although to be fair that happens a lot anyway Then people are actually quite really interested, but there is a reticence / fear there.
Still, it's always an interesting situation when there's the bees knees super hero type that once did a log flume ride at Chessington World of Adventures joins in the conversation and pushes you to say what you do, and you answer .....
Still, there is an image issue with caving and a scant realisation that it can take many forms and not always covered in mud.  There's been a fair few articles on the BBC for example about early human discoveries, but I'm not sure there's a mental link in the populace between that and sport caving for example.
The new website is great.

[Antwan]

Looking sexy. Well done 

[The Old Ruminator]

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Not working for me today.

[Pegasus]

Bugger - on it 

[Pegasus]

Thanks to Q and Dan for both responding to e-mails and phonecalls on a Sunday 

So issue now in the hands of the professionals (though one is on a train!), hopefully NTC will be back soon

[pwhole]

It's back up

[RobinGriffiths]

Fnarrr.

[littlelegs]

Hello, Had a look at your new web site, really great, top work!!

[Balmerfish]

Site looks great ! - makes dangling on a rope in Bar Pot, having a nervous break down seem almost worth it! Well done guys.
Adele

[complex]

Hiya,

The new website looks good - I like the various photos that make caving look almost pleasant

Just to note that all the phone numbers on the caving instructor's page (http://newtocaving.com/contacts-instructors.php) have a link that will dial the same number (the hyperlink is tel:07921089793) no matter what is actually displayed as the contact number for the instructor. I don't know who's mobile number that is since it doesn't actually appear on the page!

Cheers,
complex

[Pegasus]

Hiya,

The new website looks good - I like the various photos that make caving look almost pleasant

Just to note that all the phone numbers on the caving instructor's page (http://newtocaving.com/contacts-instructors.php) have a link that will dial the same number (the hyperlink is tel:07921089793) no matter what is actually displayed as the contact number for the instructor. I don't know who's mobile number that is since it doesn't actually appear on the page!

Cheers,
complex

Hi Complex, Well spotted!!  Will get onto the tech guys asap, thanks very much  Pegasus

[Andy Walsh]

The Video on New to Caving re Long Churn  excellent 
Good caving (a classic trip I first did 60 years ago +family with candles  etc)  good memories