Highlights of the Caving Year 2016

Dudley Caving Club 2016 Round Up. What another eventful year it has been. Join us on our underground adventures.

Photos: Brendan Marris and Mark Burkey
Video: Keith Edwards

Eldon Hole

After meeting at Morrison’s in Buxton, us arriving later than planned due to us trying a different route than usual, and Ben’s breakfast arriving even later, we finally arrived at Eldon hole around noon. I rigged the West Wall whilst Andy rigged the South Gully.

Andy rigging the South Gully

After a little swearing from Andy’s end of the rift we were soon at the bottom and scrambling through the short grubby crawl in to the main chamber. Andy pointed out the pull through for Millers Chamber and warned that it could take some time to get the rope through, but Jess and I employed a pull-me push-me approach and managed to get it rigged in around 10 minutes. As Andy and Mel had been up there before, and as there would be a queue to ascend, they decided to start the prussic back up whilst the rest of us went to take a look.  It was nice to see the lads finally out of breath after the short ascent to Millers chamber, but I think they’ll agree it was well worth it with sparkling calcite slopes, 6ft stalactites and plenty of flowstone. After a quarter of an hour poking around and playing we made our way back down to the main chamber. For practice it had been decided that Ben and Carl would de-rig. Jess shot up the west wall followed by Ben and I went up the South Gully with Carl following. I think it’s fair to say that both lads found the de-rig tiring, but as youth trumps intelligence they were already looking forward to their next chance to play on the ropes whilst walking back to the car! The lads were in a hurry to get back (probably to start cleaning all the rope we’d given them ;), but Andy, Mel, Jess and myself finished the day with tea and cake at the café by Hitch ’n’ Hike.

Andy descending

Present: Andy Grimes, Mel Wakeman, Jessica Harding, Ben Marklew, Carl Knot & Mark Burkey

Eldon Hole - Derbyshire

Despite the horrendous gales on Saturday morning, the intrepid trio Graham, Mike & Em descended into Eldon Hole (although someone, who will remain nameless, got his north and south mixed up!). At times it was like being in a wind tunnel as we hung on the rope, but being a small team meant that we could at least move quicker. Afterwards, we headed to the new Derbyshire CRO HQ for a meeting and have got lots more ideas now!!

Present: Emma Porter, Mike Clayton and Graham Smith

Eldon Hole, Derbyshire

An SRT training trip in preparation for Titan. I rigged the West Wall route and Steve de-rigged while Brendan decided to take photos instead from North Gully. This was a real confidence booster.

The team: Keith (report), Brendan and Steve

Eldon Hole Derbyshire

Having been to Eldon before and not actually getting up in to Miller's Chamber I decided it was time I actually did it. So the team (all except Chris who couldn't make it due to car trouble) meet up at Morrison's in Buxton before setting off to the cave. Now I had decided to do the rigging on the West Wall which gave a virtually straight drop, but when I got to the first 'P' bolt I looked down and thought "Oh dear. That's a long way down. What am I doing this for? I hate heights!" When you go into the Main Chamber there is a pull through system to get your own rope up the pitch. Miller's Chamber is a well decorated chamber with a plaque saying "George Cooper" on the wall. 

The Team: AnCr, AnGr & MeWa

Eldon Hole, Derbyshire

This was arranged as a SRT training trip for Mr Webb, who unfortunately couldn't make it on the day - something called 'work' got in the way. Marris and Edwards decided to carry on anyway as we both needed to do some shopping for new shinny caving gear as well as needing to bush up our SRT skills. We descended the main shaft and also ascended the inner chamber, but decided against ascending Damocles Rift. Brendan rigged and de-rigged which meant that Keith got to use his camera! You will notice that Brendan is sporting his new caving helmet and speleo lighting system. Keith is sporting his new over-suit but as Brendan is a less experienced photographer than Keith he seems to have got him in silhouette!

Brendan on the descent of the West Wall.

Keith Edwards on the ascent.

The Team: KeEd & BrMa