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

Dan Yr Ogof, South Wales

Having completed many trips in DYO neither Marris nor Edwards had ever managed to visit a area of the system known as Dali's Delights. This situation was rectified on this trip. The route to Dali's involves going through the lower series to the Abyss after the Long Crawl. A rope climb near to the Abyss leads up to this region of the cave which is renowned for its rock sculptures. The area also has a number of very tall avens.

Keith in Dali's Delight - Dan Yr Ogof.

Keith in Dali's Delight - Dan Yr Ogof.

Keith in Dali's Delight - Dan Yr Ogof.

Keith in Dali's Delight - Dan Yr Ogof.

See more Dan Yr Ogof photos here 

The Team: KeEd & BrMa

Gaping Gill, Clapham, Yorkshire

After a trip down the Main Shaft courtesy of the Craven Pothole Club winch, the route we followed was: Mud Hall (to experience the mud traverses), Mud Hensler's Crawl (to show Del wat real caving is all about), Hensler's Stream Passage (very nice), Hensler's Passage, The Blow Hole (an entertaining squeeze), New Hensler's Crawl, bottom of Bar Pot, Sand Cavern, some of North West Extension (more mud) and back to the Main Chamber for a ride out.

The Main Chamber during the winch meet.

Derek in Hensler's Master cave

Derek in Hensler's Master cave

Derek in Hensler's Master cave

The Team: KeEd, BrMa & DeRo

The Great Oxbow Series, OFD2, Penwyllt, South Wales

A trip to a very pretty part of the cave along with a short excursion to explore passages between the corkscrew climb and Swamp Creek. Rigging the sky-hook pitch provided entertainment for several minutes, but it was well worth the effort as the photos show.

Derek viewing formations in the Upper Oxbow.

Derek viewing formations in the Upper Oxbow.

Derek viewing formations in the Upper Oxbow.

Derek viewing formations in the Upper Oxbow.

See more OFD 2 photos here 

The Team: KeEd, BrMa, MaRo, DeRo & ChWe

Lost Johns Cave, Leck Fell, Yorkshire

With the amount of rain that had fallen of late, and was still falling as we set off, the only possible route down the cave was via the dry pitches: Hammer, Mud Pot, Centipede, Candle and Shistole. We looked along Battle-Axe Traverse and heard the water thundering below before setting off back up the pitches. When we surfaced after about four and a half hours the rain has stopped and the sun was sunning. Definitely a system to return to.

Rachel ascends Mud Pot in Lost Johns.

Rachel ascends Mud Pot in Lost Johns.

Rachel ascends Centipede Pot in Lost Johns.

Rachel ascends Centipede Pot in Lost Johns.

The Team: KeEd & BrMa + Colin, Rachael and Richard from WMCEG

Huglith Mine, Shropshire

A rare trip into a mine for Keith and Brendan using Silly Rope Technique. Thanks go to members of SCMC who arranged and led the trip.

Mineral deposits in Huglith Mine.

The Team: MiCl, KeEd, BrMa, MiNo, EmPo, GrSm & JeSm + SCMC Members

Mazeways - Dan Yr Ogof

A trip to Mazeways. The place is super fantastic - totally out of this world, a maze of phreatic tubes in beautiful limestone that meander, criss-cross and go up and down. We took a picture or two, fortunately for Chris I filled the memory card before hypothermia took over.

Chris Webb in a phreatic tunnel in Mazeways.

Chris Webb in a phreatic tunnel in Mazeways.

Chris Webb in a phreatic tunnel in Mazeways.

Chris Webb in a phreatic tunnel in Mazeways.

See more Dan Yr Ogof photos here

The Team: BrMa & ChWe