Yorkshire Dales May Bank Holiday Adventure

Over the second May Bank Holiday weekend, a group of Dudley Caving Club members headed north to the Yorkshire Dales for a fantastic few days of caving, climbing, and underground adventure. Armed with enough caving gear to sink a small ship and optimism that the weather forecast might be wrong, we settled into our accommodation and prepared for a weekend of underground entertainment.

Saturday was designated as a training day, which meant everyone was expected to remember all the SRT techniques they learned on previous trips. Some succeeded immediately, while others required a little gentle encouragement, a few reminders, and the occasional shout from below.A bolt-climbing session followed, providing a chance to gain height, build confidence and, in some cases, gain a whole new appreciation for the effects of gravity. Fortunately, everyone emerged with improved skills, intact limbs and a healthy appetite for the evening's refreshments.   

 

Rigging practice - photos Zeina Y. 

Sunday saw the group divide according to preference and energy levels. One team headed underground to tackle Short Drop Pot and Gavel Pot. The caves provided everything Yorkshire potholes should: flowing water, sporting traverses, awkward squeezes and plenty of opportunities to become damp despite the best efforts of waterproof clothing. The trip through Short Drop and Gavel proved particularly enjoyable, with the impressive passages and pitches reminding everyone why these systems remain classic Dales outings. There was the usual exchange of route-finding advice, some creative interpretations of survey information, and the inevitable debate over whether a particular section was "quite roomy really" or "absolutely horrible". Meanwhile, the surface dwellers spent the day trad climbing on the limestone crags at Twistleton Scar. Reports suggest that routes were climbed, gear placements were tested, and egos remained mostly undamaged. Whether the climbers enjoyed better weather than the cavers remains unclear, but they were certainly cleaner by the end of the day.  Back at the hut at evening, wet gear was hung wherever space could be found.

  

Twistleton Scar climbing - photos Dave B

The highlight of the weekend came on Monday when everyone reunited for a trip into the legendary Gaping Gill cave system. Entering one of Britain's most famous cave networks is always a special experience, and the vast chambers, impressive formations, and sheer scale of the system did not disappoint. From the moment we descended underground, we were reminded why Gaping Gill remains such an iconic destination for cavers from across the country.
The trip provided plenty of memorable moments: navigating boulder-strewn passages, marvelling at the sheer size of the caverns, and trying to capture photographs that somehow never quite convey just how impressive the place really is. 
By the time Monday afternoon arrived, the group was tired, muddy and carrying slightly more Yorkshire limestone than when we had arrived. Another excellent bank holiday meet was in the books, with plenty of laughs, successful trips and a reminder that some of the best weekends are spent underground with good friends.
A huge thank you to everyone who organised the weekend, led trips, shared their knowledge, offered lifts, carried tackle and generally contributed to another memorable Dudley Caving Club adventure. We returned home tired, muddy, and already looking forward to the next trip.

The Rigger... 

...The Model

Gavel Pot

Gavel Pot

Mud Hall

Gavel Pot entrance - photos Bartek

Report: Paulina

Midlands Cave Rescue practice in Shropshire

A few members of the club who are also volunteering with the local cave rescue team, have taken part in an underground rescue practice in one of the Shropshire mines.

On top of the usual communication, search and route-finding skills being practiced, the team members had a chance to participate in a scenario of simulated mine collapse. Mine passage stabilisation and shoring took place in a real underground environment. The exercise was a great success with few new members joined the team. 

More info: 

https://www.midlandscaverescue.org.uk/

&

https://www.facebook.com/midlandscaverescue/

Photos: Bartek Biela

New and returning members trip to Aggy - Music Room

Very happy bunch of full, new and returning members got together on the 9th of May for a simple, easy and joyful trip to the Music Room in Aggy. 

The trip was attended by a record number of members, hence a split to 2 smaller and more manageable groups. Few people ventured further into the cave to explore the Cliffs of Dover and beyond. Overall the trip was enjoyed by all, and hopefully we'll see new members turning up for more advanced trips. 

Raport: Bartek; Photos: Bartek