Caving

Caving Logbook

I gave up caving a long time ago, once I had lost the necessary joint flexibility for all of the wriggling and squirming that was necessary, but I have a lot of caving memories to look back on.

I qualified as a Local Cave Leader in June 1998 and as a Cave Rescuer 11th February 2000.

The following table lists my personal caving trips in chronological order. Because everything you take caving invariably gets drenched, I never carried a camera.


NoDATEREGIONSYSTEMROLEGRADE
TYPE
COMMENTS
126-Jun-76GibralterLower St Michael's PM2
L1
taken through by a local army leader. A very thorough exploration
220-Sep-77YorkshireIbbeth Peril 1PM3
L1
some strenuous flat-out crawling, but worth the effort.
322-Sep-77YorkshireCounty PotPM3
Laddered
to the Minarets and back
423-Sep-77YorkshireLancaster HolePM3
Laddered
525-Sep-77YorkshireDow CavePM3
L1
to Second Choke, surveying
626-Sep-77YorkshireAlum PotPM3
Laddered
an easy but tiring ladder exercise
728-Sep-77YorkshireHeron PotPM3
Pull-through
very tight exit; had to remove lamp belt
829-Sep-77YorkshireBar PotPM3
Laddered
to Gaping Ghyll Main Chamber
909-May-78PortlandAriel CavePM3
Abseil
also called Blacknor Hole. Abseiled down cliff and swung in; exit via same rope to cliff foot
1012-May-78PortlandPersil RiftPM2
Laddered
quite a bit of crawling
1114-May-78MendipsManor Farm SwalletPM3
Laddeed
to Florence's bathtub
1215-May-78MendipsSwildon's HolePM3
L1
to sump 2
1316-May-78MendipsEastwater CavernPM4
L1
wet and strenuous
1417-May-78MendipsStoke Lane SlockerPM4
L1
to sump1. A smelly cave with a lot of horrible crawling
1518-May-78MendipsGB CavernPM3
L1
to Great Chamber and back
1619-May-78MendipsGoatchurch CavernPM3
L1
Round trip of whole system - to terminal chamber
1714-Jun-78PortlandSandy HolePM3
L1
a lot of horrible crawling
1803-Jul-78PortlandArial CavePM2
Abseil
tight in places
1923-Jan-79South WalesLittle Neath River CavePM4
L1
strenuous and tiring
2024-Jun-79South WalesPorth Y OgofPM3
L1
Thorough exploration. Through trip. Welcome swim in river on exit
2125-Jun-79Peak DistrictP8 (Jackpot)PM3
Laddered
to terminal sump and back
2210-Nov-79Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
Laddered
Anticlockwise round trip, inwards low, outwards high.
2310-Nov-79Peak DistrictP8 (Jackpot)Leader3
Laddered
to terminal sump and back
2424-Jun-80Peak DistrictCarlswark CavernLeader2
Pull through
Eyam Dale Shaft to Gin Entrance
2512-Nov-80Peak DistrictGiant's HolePM3
Laddered
Clockwise round trip, inwards low, outwards high
2617-Nov-81Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
Laddered
via Giant's Walk to Eating House and back
2717-May-82Peak DistrictGiant's HolePM3
Laddered
Anticlockwise round trip, inwards high outwards low.
2824-Apr-82YorkshirePippikin to LinkPM3
Pull Through
Exciting trip with NPC. Link exit pre-laddered
2926-May-82North WalesGlan AlynPM2
L1
some interesting mining artifacts
3016-Jun-82North WalesPoachers CavePM2
Laddered
a few crawls and a lot of mud
3107-Jul-82Peak DistrictKnotlow CavernPM3
Laddered
Climbing Shaft Route, 3 pitches of 15m, 12m ad 12m
3201-Aug-82ArdecheunknownPM2
L1
4-5 hours exploration underground. Big system, no survey, no guidebook
3325-Aug-82North WalesOgof Hesp AlynPM5
Laddered
First 3 pitches only, of 8m, 25m and 10m. Strenuous
3425-Jun-85Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
Laddered
Anticlockwise round trip, inwards low, outwards high
3530-Jun-86YorkshireSwinsto to Valley EntranceLeader4
Pull Through
Vally Entrance pre-rigged. Party of 4
3608-Aug-87YorkshireCounty PotPM3
Laddered
to Main Drain and back
3709-Aug-87YorkshireYordas CaveLeader2
L1
with party of novices
3826-Jun-88YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
with my daughter Tracy, aged 12. Twice through, descending waterslide into Dr Banister's Handbasin
3925-Nov-89Peak DistrictP8 (Jackpot)Leader2
Laddered
to terminal sump and back
4020-Oct-90YorkshireSwinsto to VEPM4
Pull through
Valley Entrance pre-rigged. Party of 4. RAFMA Meet
4110-Nov-90Peak DistrictP8 JackpotLeader3
laddered
to terminal sump and back
4211-Nov-90Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
laddered
Clockwise round trip, inwards low, outards high
4321-Sep-91YorkshireLancaster HolePM3
SRT
to the Minarets and back
4422-Sep-91YorkshireIreby Fell CavernPM3
SRT
via Shadow Route to Duke Street, back de-rigging Ding Dong Bell
4509-Nov-91Peak DistrictP8 JackpotLeader3
laddered
to termninal sump and back
4610-Nov-91Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
Laddered
Anticlockwise round trip, inwards high, outwards low
4707-Dec-91YorkshireValley EntranceLeader3
Laddered
to Master Junction. With novices
4816-May-92YorkshireSwinsto to VELeader4
Pull through
VE pre-riged, Part of 4
4903-Oct-82YorkshireIreby Fell CavernPM3
SRT
de-rigged
5010-Oct-92YorkshireBar PotPM3
SRT
to Gaving Ghyll main entrance
5111-Oct-92YorkshireSwinsto to VELeader4
Pull through
VE pre-riged, Part of 4
5229-May-93YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
With a party of children
5313-Nov-93Lake DistrictBonsor MineLeader2
L1
Full exloration, Somewhat loose and dangerous
5415-Oct-94YorkshireSwinsto to VELeader4
Pull through
VE pre-rigged. Party of 6
5513-Nov-94Peak DistrictP8 JackpotLeader3
Laddered
to terminal sump and back
5616-Jun-05Peak DistrictP8 JackpotLeader3
Laddered
to terminal sump and back
5717-Jun-95Peak DistrictMaskhill MinePM5
SRT
Very muddy! Led by Neil Brammer. De-rigged very muddy ropes, Ugh!
5814-Oct-96YorkshireSwinsto to VELeader4
Pull through
VE pre-rigged. Party of 4
5914-Oct-95YorkshireValley Entranceleader3
Laddered
To Master Junction. With novices
6015-Oct-95YorkshireBar PotPM3
SRT
to Gaping Ghyll Main Chamber
6116-Oct-95YorkshireBull Pot KingsdalePM3
SRT
de-rigged. A RAFMA Meet
6221-Oct-95YorkshireBar PotPM3
SRT
CSCA Meet. All but the bottom pitch
6322-Oct-95YorkshireIreby Fell CavernPM3
SRT
CSCA Meet. Ding Dong Bell route to Duke Street 1
6423-Oct-95YorkshireLancaster HolePM3
SRT
CSCA Meet. To the Collonades and back
6524-Oct-95YorkshireShort Drop CavePM2
SRT
CSCA Meet. Failed to find the route up to Gavel Pot, but saw daylight
6625-Oct-95YorkshireLost John's CavePM3
SRT
up and down Centipede Route to the top of Valhalla. Derigged. Led by Phil Oakley
6727-Oct-95YorkshireRumbling HolePM4
SRT
CSCA Meet led by Phil Oakley
6828-Oct-95YorkshireWretched RabbitPM3
Handlined
CSCA Meet. Led by Phyl Oakley
6925-Nov-95MendipsSwildon's HolePM3
L1
to sump 2
7026-Nov-95MendipsLongwood/August SystemPM3
L1
a lot of flat-out crawling
7106-Jan-96Peak DistrictEldon HolePM3
SRT
2 routes rigged on CSCA Meet. Followed Charlie Milton
7207-Jan-96Peak DistrictPeak CavernPM2
L1
to far beyond the show cave. Round trip with CSCA
7310-Feb-96Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
Laddered
Round trip, inwards low outwards high.
7418-May-96Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
Laddered
Round trip, inwards low outwards high.
7503-Aug-96YorkshireIreby Fell CavernLeader3
SRT
rigged and derigged
7605-Oct-96YorkshireBull Pot, KingsdaleLeader3
SRT
rigged ans derigged
7715-Dec-96YorkshireSwinsto to VELeader4
Pull Through
VE pre-rigged. Party of 8
7830-Jun-97YorkshireBull Pot of the witchesPM3
SRT
all 3 pitches
7901-Jul-97YorkshireShort Drop CavePM2
Laddered
suporting a trip by novices
8002-Jul-97YorkshireLancaster HolePM3
SRT
to the Collonades and back
8103-Jul-97YorkshireWretched RabbitPM3
Handlined
to the Main Drain and back
8216-Nov-97Peak DistrictPeak CavernLeader2
L1
to far beyond the show-cave, a round trip with CMC
8314-Mar-98MendipsSwildon's HolePM3
Laddered
through S1 to S2 to start of Blue Pencil and back
8415-Mar-98MendipsGB CavernPM3
L1
via Mud Passage to Picture Gallery, back via Devil's Elbow
8524-Mar-98YorkshireNew Goydon PotPM3
SRT
Improvised Rescue Practice with a patient and a Troll stretcher
8625-Mar-98YorkshireNew Goydon PotPM3
SRT
Stretcher raised to window vertically and via Tyrolean Traverse
8726-Mar-98YorkshireLong Churn SystemPM2
L1
water very high
8827-Mar-98YorkshireYordas CavePM2
SRT
similated cave rescue callout with Troll stretcher
8926-Jun-98YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
With my daughter aged 12, descending water slide into the basin
9008-Aug-98Peak DistrictP8 (Jackpot)PM3
SRT
thorough exploration
9109-Aug-96Peak DistrictStreak's PotPM4
L2
through trip following Jim Carr
9209-Sep-98Peak DistrictP8 (Jackpot)Leader
Laddered
very sporting in heavy water conditions
9303-Oct-98YorkshireCounty PotLeader3
Laddered
instrction to 3 novices
9403-Oct-98YorkshireWretched RabbitLeader3
Handlined
instruction to 3 novices
9504-Oct-98YorkshireValley EntranceLeader3
Laddered
Instruction to 3 novices
9605-Dec-98YorkshireCalf Holes to BrowgillLeader2
SRT
Onsite lead, party of 2
9706-Dec-98YorkshireIreby Fell CavernLeader3
SRT
Ding Dong Bell only, with SRT novices
9812-Dec-98YorkshireRowton PotLeader4
SRT
Onsite lead; very wet
9913-Dec-98YorkshireValley EntranceLeader3
Laddered
novice trip, rather wet
10016-Dec-98Peak DistrictCarleswalk CavernLeader3
Pull Through
Eyam Dale Shaft to Gin Entrance with novices
10110-Apr-99YorkshireBar PotLeader3
SRT
to Gaping Ghyll and hottom of Disappointment Pot
10211-Apr-99YorkshireIreby Fell CavernLeader3
SRT
Ding Dong Bell, Pussy Well to Duke Sreet 1
10312-Jun-99Peak DistrictP8 JackpotLeader3
SRT
to bottom sump
10404-Aug-99YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
2 trips with small parties of Army Cadets. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to the top of the Dolly Tubs pitches
10505-Aug-99YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
2 trips with small parties of Army Cadets. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to the top of the Dolly Tubs pitches
10606-Aug-99YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
2 trips with small parties of Army Cadets. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to the top of the Dolly Tubs pitches
10707-Aug-99YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
2 trips with small parties of Army Cadets. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to the top of the Dolly Tubs pitches
10808-Aug-99YorkshireSwinsto to Valley EntranceLeader4
Pull-Through
A fast trip in a party of two
10916-Aug-99YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
1 trip with a small party of Army Cadets from the top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to the top of Dolly Tubs pitches
11012-Aug-99YorkshireSell Gill HolesLeader3
SRT
Up and down Dry Route in a party of 2
11113-Aug-99YorkshireJingling PotLeader3
SRT
via Lateral Cleft
11214-Aug-99YorkshireRowton PotLeader3
SRT
to the sump with a party of 4
11315-Aug-99YorkshireSell Gill HolesLeader3
SRT
Crossover trip, rigged Dry Route down and de-rigged wet route up
11416-Aug-99YorkshireBull Pot, KingsdaleLeader3
SRT
all but final pitch; de-rigged
11511-Sep-99Peak DistrictCarlswark CavernLeader3
Pull Through
1 through trip traning Deputy, then 2 through trips with Army Cadets
11617-Oct-99YorkshireRowton PotLeader3
SRT
to the sump in a party of 4
11718-Oct-99YorkshireSwinsto to Valley EntranceLeader4
Pull-Through
Valley Entrance pre-rigged
11813-Nov-99Peak DistrictP8 (Jackpot)Leader3
SRT
to bottom sump
11927-Nov-99South WalesOFDPM4
L2
Cwndwr to OFD 2
12008-Feb-00YorkshireValley EntrancePM4
SRT
Stretcher exercise on the pitch
12109-Feb-00YorkshireIreby Fell CavernPM3
SRT
Down Shadow, up Ding Dong Bell. Improvised stretcher exercise
12210-Feb-00YorkshireNotts PotPM3
SRT
Down Centre Route, de-rigged Twilight Zone
12311-Feb-00YorkshireYordas CavePM2
SRT
Middle Entrance to Lower Entrance with person on stretcher
12414-Jul-00YorkshireOld Ing and Birkwith CavesSolo2
L1
Solo Recce
12515-Jul-00YorkshireGreat DoukLeader1
L1
with novice party from CMC
12616-Jul-00YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
with novice party from CMC
12717-Jul-00YorkshireHeron PotSolo2
L1
Solo recce from top entrance to top of first pitch
12827-Aug-00YorkshireGreat DoukLeader1
L1
with a party of Cambs Army Cadets
12927-Aug-00YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
with a party of Cambs Army Cadets
13028-Aug-00YorkshireCalf Holes to BrowgillLeader2
Abseil
with a party of Cambs Army Cadets
13128-Aug-00YorkshireOld IngsLeader2
L1
with a party of Cambs Army Cadets
13229-Aug-00YorkshireCalf Holes to BrowgillLeader2
Abseil
with a party of Cambs Army Cadets
13330-Aug-00YorkshireValley EntranceLeader3
Laddered
with a party of Cambs Army Cadets
13431-Aug-00YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
with a party of Cambs Army Cadets
13520-Oct-00YorkshireBull Pot KingsdalePM3
SRT
all except final pitch. CSCA Meet
13620-Oct-00YorkshireJingling PotPM3
SRT
via Lateral Cleft. CSCA Meet
13721-Oct-00YorkshireHunt PotPM3
SRT
CSCA party of 5
13812-Aug-01Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
Laddered
with a party of novices
13919-Sep-01Cantabria (Spain)CoventosaPM2
Laddered
leisurely exloration of generally large passages
14020-Sep-01CantabriaSumides de CellaguaPM5
SRT
325m descent to Titan Hall for overnight camp
14121-Sep-00CantabriaSuma de Garma GriegaPM5
SRT
425m ascent from Titan Hall
14222-Sep-01CantabriaCanuelaPM2
Laddered
very large system, anticlockwise round trip
14326-Oct-01BelgiumTrou de Nou MoulinPM3
Handlined
A good through trip with a bit of everything
14428-Oct-01BelgiumTrou VeranPM3
SRT
first two pitches only due to a lack of time
14503-Nov-01MendipsGB CavernPM3
Laddered
visited the upper series with a ladder
14604-Nov-01MendipsSwildon's HolePM2
Laddered
to Sump 1 and back, party of 7 including a 7 year old
14702-Nov-02MendipsSwildon's HolePM2
Laddered
Through Sump 1
14808-Mar-03YorkshireLost John's CavePM2
SRT
down Centipede Route, up Dome Route
14912-Apr-03South WalesOgof ClogwynDep Ldr2
L1
cadet trip
15012-Apr-03South WalesOgof Pen EyrDep Ldr3
L1
cadet trip
15113-Apr-03South WalesAgen AllwedDep Ldr2
L1
to selenite crystals
15203-May-03Peak DistrictGiant's HoleLeader3
Laddered
with a party of novices
15304-May-03Peak DistrictP8 (Jackpot)Leader3
Laddered
to terminal sump and back
15405-May-03Peak DistrictCarlswark CavernLeader2
Pull-Through
Eyam Dale Shaft to Gin Entrance
15514-Jun-03YorkshireIreby Fell CavernPM3
SRT
via Shadow Route to Duke Street, back de-rigging Ding Dong Bell
15615-Jun-03YorkshireSwinsto to VELeader4
Pull-Through
Valley Entrance pre-rigged. Party of 5
15712-Jul-03YorkshireBull Pot, KingsdaleLeader3
SRT
Party of 4
15819-Jul-03YorkshireCalf Holes to BrowgillLeader2
SRT
Party of 4
15927-Jul-03YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
CCAT Party. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to top of Dolly Tubs pitches
16028-Jul-03YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
CCAT Party. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to top of Dolly Tubs pitches
16129-Jul-03YorkshireValley EntranceLeader3
Laddered
CCAT Party to Master Junction and back
16231-Jul-03YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
CCAT Party. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to top of Dolly Tubs pitches
16301-Aug-03YorkshireCalf Holes to BrowgillLeader2
Lowered
CCAT Party
16412-Apr-04YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
CCAT Party
16524-Apr-04YorkshireWilson's CaveLeader2
L1
CCAT Party
16624-Apr-04YorkshireBorrins Moor CaveLeader2
L1
CCAT Party
16725-APR-04YorkshireValley EntranceLeader3
Laddered
CCAT Party. To Master Junction and back
16826-Apr-04YorkshireSwinsto to VELeader4
Pull-Through
Valley Entrance pre-rigged. Party of 3
16930-May-04YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party. From top of Doctor Banister's Handbasin to top of Dolly Tubs pitches
17030-May-04YorkshireBorins Moor CaveLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party
17130-May-04YorkshireWilson's CaveLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party
17231-May-04YorkshireOld IngLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party
17331-May-04YorkshireCalf Holes to BrowgillLeader2
Lowered
Beds ACF Party
17401-Jun-04YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to top of Dolly Tubs pitches
17501-Jun-o4YorkshireWilson's CaveLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party
17602-Jun-04YorkshireOld IngLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party
17702-Jun-04YorkshireThistle and RunscarLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party
17802-Jun-04YorkshireGreat DoukLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party
17903-Jun-04YorkshireValley EntranceLeader2
Laddered
Beds ACF Party. To Master Junction and back
18003-Jun-04YorkshireYordas CaveLeader2
L1
Beds ACF Party. Lower cave only
18119-Jun-04YorkshireLong Churn SystemLeader2
L1
CCAT Party. From top of Doctor Bannister's Handbasin to top of Dolly Tubs pitches
18219-Jun-04YorkshireWlson's CaveLeader2
L1
CCAT Party
18319-Jun-04YorkshireThistle and RunscarLeader2
L1
2 CCAT Parties, crossing over in the middle

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