A visitor (m) took a fall on the return leg of the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail and was seen to be struggling. One passing walker loaned him a walking pole and another tried to phone for help, but had almost reached Ingleton before she had a signal. Team …
INCIDENT 00/1934. OCTOBER 13th SAT 19.15 hrs. GINGLING HOLE, FOUNTAINS FELL, MALHAM MOOR, WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE.
A potholer (m) was reported to have displaced a loose boulder which trapped his leg and broke it in two places on the slope into what was then the final chamber of Gingling Hole. His companions made splints from a camera tripod and a wooden ladder rung…
SEE HOW WE EARNED OUR BLUE PETER BADGE!
Back in June we had the pleasure of taking BBC Blue Peter presenter Joel caving, introducing him to what CRO members do and showing him what it takes to rescue someone from underground. The link below will take you to the show in which we appear. We ha…
SEE HOW WE EARNED OUR BLUE PETER BADGE!
Back in June we had the pleasure of taking BBC Blue Peter presenter Joel caving, introducing him to what CRO members do and showing him what it takes to rescue someone from underground. The link below will take you to the show in which we appear. We ha…
INCIDENT 77/2024. OCTOBER 10th THU. 16.38 hrs. HUMPHREY BOTTOM, INGLEBOROUGH, NORTH YORKSHIRE.
A paraglider pilot (m, 57) was reported to have a bruised back and leg as well as being unable to walk off the hill, following a bad landing which included a fall from about 5 metres. Once having found him, team members assessed him, ‘packaged…
Descent Magazine – 300th issue out now!
Descent is now 300 issues old. Founded in January 1969, it has outlasted the Beatles, the Apollo moon missions and pre-decimal currency and is now as strong as ever, thanks to everyone who has supported the magazine along the way. The publication date is 5 October, so subscribers will soon be enjoying the best writing…
The British Caving Library at Hidden Earth 2024
Book Review: Somerset Underground volume 4
This is the fourth and final volume of a set covering the caves, mines and associated features of the county of Somerset. Volume 1 was published in 2020 and features Bristol, Broadfield Down, the Bristol Channel and West Somerset. Volume 2, also published in 2020, features sites in West Mendip, Burrington and North Mendip. Volume…
Adventures Underground
The second edition of the popular Adventures Underground by Dave Haigh and John Cordingley is available now from Wildplaces Publishing. The first edition, reviewed here, won the 2017 Tratman Award and sold out very quickly. This revised paperback edition contains three new chapters, adding 48 pages to bring the total to 288. This very readable…
Rescue Team Fund-Raising and Subterranean Turnips
Rob Hall reports on a very unusual book-signing event deep under Swaledale, and reviews “Rescued?” by Emmy Hoyes. On a visit to Kirkby Stephen one Easter, I recollect a member of the local Mountain Rescue Team lamenting the number of callouts during the winter that had been caused by “satnav on; brain off” events. The…
Descent 299: Out on 3rd August
In the Newsdesk we have reports of a giant sinkhole that opened up on a football pitch, the 14th International Cave Rescue Meeting and Floyd Collins, the musical heading to Broadway. In Regional News: several finds in Scotland, including a Blue Hole. Little Waterfall Swallet in the Peak District has been extended and the Forest…
Newly-published Book – Karst: Environment and Management of Aquifers
Who isn’t tempted by a free book, especially when it’s about karst or caves? The Groundwater Project has just published a 300-page volume on the science of karst and management of aquifers. “Karst: Environment and Management of Aquifers” is a newly published book, authored by Zoran Stevanović, John Gunn, Nico Goldscheider and Nataša Ravbar. It…
Descent 298: On The Shelves Soon
Descent 298 is due out on June 8th, so without further ado, here is what we can look forward to reading. In Newsdesk, there is a challenger for the title of world’s largest sea cave, and findings that suggest a difficult caving trip undertaken by ancient humans. In regional news, dye tracing in the Forest…
GB Cavern, Mendip – Waterfall route re-opened
The Waterfall climb in GB Cavern, Somerset was closed in 2021 after a major rockfall. Following a recent inspection, Charterhouse Caving Company Ltd (CCC Ltd) have now re-opened the route and have issued the following statement:
Wells and Mendip Museum Exhibition: Out of Time: Underground Mendip
Wells and Mendip Museum plan to delve deep into the pioneering days of British caving in an exhibition that will run from 6th July to 7th September 2024. A new exhibition, Out of Time: Underground Mendip, will connect early 20th century quests for archaeological and geological knowledge with current environmental concerns. This exhibition connects the…
BCA: fee increase explained
Zac Woodford, the British Caving Association’s new Publications and Information Officer, explains why BCA needs to raise membership fees and demonstrates why BCA still provides excellent value for money for cavers and mine explorers.
Cave and Karst Science Vol 51 No 1: Speleothems, Shrimps and Fungus
The latest edition of the BCRA’s Cave and Karst Science contains five main papers, and a photo feature. It begins, however, with tributes to David St. Pierre, John Wilcock and David William Gill. The editors write that, yet again, it is their sad privilege to introduce and present words of tribute and celebration dedicated to…
Descent 297: Caving Across the Globe
From tight and wet digs in Derbyshire, to the discovery of huge river caves in Indonesia, the latest issue of Descent covers it all. Peter Burgess reviews the latest issue. Regular readers may have noticed that we didn’t review Descent 296 – this was not an oversight, but, sadly, simply down to a lack of…
Descent 297 coming soon!
Descent 297 is now being printed and should be available on 13th April. In Newsdesk, we have a report of ice caves found on a comet. Regional news includes an update on Ganthony Hole in Derbyshire, a discovery in Devon and reports on Southern CHECC. Features in this issue: Serendipity The Benarat 2024 expedition had…
Somerset Rockfalls: Fairy Cave Quarry and Goatchurch Cavern
The entrance to Goatchurch Cavern with the recent rockfall on the left. Photo: Wayne Starsmore The wet winter of 2023/24 is probably the cause of a couple of rockfalls that Mendip cavers should be aware of. A small not insignificant landslide has occurred in the car park at Fairy Cave Quarry. On the South East…
Descent 296: coming out soon
The next issue of Descent magazine is due out shortly. If you haven’t got a subscription, go to the link at the end of this article and set one up! It is also possible to pre-order individual copies of the magazine on the Descent Magazine website. Articles featured in issue 296: Flow Beneath the Peak…
The Restoration of Main’s Barn, Priddy
The old stone barn on the edge of Priddy Green, Somerset, has been used by cavers for many decades, and by 2023 was in serious need of having some restoration work done. Peter Burgess reports. We are pleased to report the completion of the restoration work to Main’s Barn, Manor Farm, Priddy in Somerset. This…
Mine of Information added to National Collections
A rich seam detailing what lies beneath the surface of the UK has been donated to two major libraries for researchers to dig into. The collection of over 500 books about mining, minerals and underground infrastructure is the legacy of polymath and enthusiast Paul Sowan, who died in June 2021. Paul left this valuable resource…
Cave and Karst Science Vol 50 No 3: Biology, Archaeology and … Muons!
The latest edition of the BCRA’s Cave and Karst Science contains six main papers, some shorter forum pieces, including meeting reports and photo features; it begins with a retrospective appreciation of Gerald Wilford. Many will not have heard of Dr Wilford, but the effects of his work reverberate throughout the work of the BCRA. Without…
Descent 295 – Delivering The Goods
The latest issue of Descent Magazine is out, in good time for Christmas. Descent 295 arrived on the author’s doormat a few days ago, with its new fresh look and clear layout. This is the second issue of Descent using the new look, but the recent delivery issues and other problems meant a Darkness Below…
Descent 295: Coming Soon
The next issue of Descent magazine is due out shortly. If you haven’t got a subscription, go to the link at the end of this article and set one up! It is also possible to pre-order individual copies of the magazine on the Descent Magazine website. In Issue 295: Regional news includes an unusual 80m…
Descent 294: A New Look
Cover: Geoff Yeadon in Frake’s Passage, Kingsdale, Yorkshire Dales. Photo: Mark Burkey Descent has a smart new cover style, with a new logo first spotted at Hidden Earth in September. In the forthcoming issue 294: Newsdesk includes the Tratman Award 2021 announcement and a story about cheese. Regional news includes progress at Whirlpool Rising…
The 2023 BCRA Cave Science Symposium – 21st – 22nd October
The BCRA Cave Science Symposium and AGM is taking place on 21st and 22nd October 2023 in Leeds.
Save The Date: JRat Digging Award November 25th 2023
The 2023 JRat Digging Award presentation will take place in the Long Room of the Hunter’s Lodge Inn, Priddy, Somerset on Saturday 25th November. The evening will kick off at 7.30 pm and will include talks and presentations from Mendip digging teams before the presentation of the award to the winning team. The winning dig,…
Tratman Award for 2021: Rick Stanton takes the prize.
The publications of 2021 were particularly fine, both in quality and quantity, causing the shortlist for the Tratman Award to be much longer than usual. The award is made annually to the author or editor of the best caving book, journal or article in a journal, the criteria including not only the quality of…
Access restored to Singing River Mine, Shipham, Mendip
Access has been restored to a popular Mendip mine. The Council of Southern Caving Clubs (CSCC) has negotiated a new access agreement to Singing River Mine in Shipham, Somerset. The mine has not been accessible for a while, following a change of ownership as the new owners were anxious to avoid the possibility of access…
Otter Hole – A Unique Cave Controlled by the Moon and Tide.
Paul Taylor’s Otter Hole Film is now available on a USB Memory Stick. This comes complete with the “short version” of the film which has just been produced and concentrates on the water aspect of the cave, a copy of the Otter Hole Survey and a picture of the Hall of Thirty as shown on…
Cave and Karst Science Vol 50 No 2: Caves, Karst, Archaeology and a Great Scientist
There are five main papers, two short Forum pieces and a Photo Feature in the latest edition of the BCRA’s Cave and Karst Science, but it begins with an extensive tribute to the late Alexander Klimchouk. Alexander Klimchouk was undeniably one of the most influential cave researchers in the world and this well-deserved appreciation of…
Charterhouse goes Paperless.
The Charterhouse Caving Co. Ltd. has gone paperless, exchanging the old paper permits for new electronic ones. And they’re free. Since the Dawn of Time (the early 1950s), access to caves in the Charterhouse area of Mendip, including GB Cave and Longwood Swallet, has been managed by cavers for cavers on behalf of successive landowners….
Descent 293 – in sharp focus
Descent 293 is now published and without further ado, here is a review! There is one article in this issue that, for me, stands out from the others. But more of this later. The regular news pages contain a fascinating description of the exploration of a section of Easegill’s Pegleg Pot, which is normally flooded…
Descent 293 due out soon
The next issue of Descent magazine is due out on August 5th. If you haven’t got a subscription, go to the link at the end of this article and set one up! It is also possible to pre-order individual copies of the magazine on the Descent Magazine website. In issue 293: Adventures in Macro Photography…
CATMHS pulls off another successful NAMHO conference
Peter Burgess attended another NAMHO conference and reports his impressions. With a great set of talks, field trips and social events it seems to have scored top marks despite the unsettled weather! Another excellent NAMHO conference has come and gone; this year’s event was held at Grasmere in the Lake District from 7th to 10th…
Hidden Earth is Back
After a long break, Hidden Earth will be held again this Autumn. Hidden Earth, the UK’s major caving event has been missing from the calendar since 2019 when it was held at Glyndwr University, in Wrexham. The 2020 event was cancelled owing to the plague then ravishing these shores and since then there have been…
Book Review: Hidden Realms
Cave diver and photographer Martyn Farr has produced a tempting array of descriptions and photographs of 100 cave and mine sites. Hidden Realms aims to shine a light into some of the most alluring caves and mines in Great Britain and Ireland. One hundred sites have been chosen, in keeping with the recent vogue for…
Descent 292: Hard Graft
Descent 292 has been out for several days now, but with summer in full swing, I have only just found the time to sit down and read it through! When I put my copy down a few minutes ago, I was left with a strong impression of all the hard work cavers do simply for…
ATLAS 50th Anniversary BBQ Weekend
Dave King, ATLAS digger, invites you to a weekend of digging, caving and two BBQs in Somerset this summer. 2023 is the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Thrupe Lane Advanced Speleologists (ATLAS). The ATLAS diggers have been involved with many digs over the last 50 years including Thrupe Lane Swallet, Honeymead Hole, Little Crapnell…
Book Review: Aberllefeni Slate Quarry, by Jon Knowles
A really good mining book comes along from time to time. Mike Moore reviews a newly-published volume on an important slate quarry in North Wales. Aberllefeni Slate Quarry – A history of the last underground slate working in Wales Jon Knowles, A4, Hardback, 280 printed pages, self published. Hen Dy Gwydyr, Penrhydeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6RD , ISBN…
NAMHO Conference 2023, and Venue Sought for NAMHO 2024
The annual conference arranged by NAMHO members is fast approaching! Have you booked your place? It is only a few weeks now to the NAMHO 2023 conference and field trip, being held at Grasmere in the Lake District and be hosted by the Cumbria Amenity Trust Mining History Society (CATMHS). The conference runs from Friday…
Descent 292 due in the coming days
Keeping to the promised schedule, the next issue of Descent magazine is out shortly. If you haven’t got a subscription, go to the link at the end of this article and set one up! In issue 292: A Return to the Deepest Cave in Thailand Andy Goddard, Martin Ellis, Paul Dummer and Mike Thomas tell…
Volunteers needed, get involved!
The British Caving Association eAGM is being held at 10.30am on Sunday 11 June 2023 on Zoom. Details of how to join the meeting or watch the livestream can be found on the BCA website. In addition, the BCA is looking for volunteers to help run the organisation. BCA chair Russell Myers has the following…
Cave and Karst Science Vol 50 No 1: Cameras, Bacteria and Bones.
There are five main papers in the latest issue of Cave and Karst Science, looking at aspects of cave biology, archaeology and karst science. There is also, in a new departure a photo feature on corals in Wookey Hole. Terry Reeve has been looking at available details of archaeological and Pleistocene palaeontological sites associated with…
Descent 291: Respecting Cavers Future and Past
It was with a good deal of reflection that I read the newly-published Descent 291. Within its pages there are no less than six tributes to cavers who have passed away recently. But as long-respected and valued cavers leave us, we also read that exciting new discoveries continue to be made by cavers across the…
Descent 291: out soon!
With 2023 well underway, you will soon be receiving your next copy of Descent in the post. That is, of course, if you have taken out a subscription. If you haven’t, go to the link at the end of this article and set one up! In this issue: Regional highlights include: the survey of the…
Coming Soon: Descent 290, Caving news, at home and abroad
Nicely on schedule, the next issue of Descent is about to drop through your letterbox. Make sure your subscription is up to date, so you don’t miss out on all the big news! Here are some clues on what to find in issue 290! Alan Jeffreys’ articles are always a pleasure to read, so look…
Book Review: Somerset Underground volume 3
This is the third volume of a four volume set covering the caves, mines and associated features of the county of Somerset. Volume 1 was published in 2020 and features Bristol, Broadfield Down, the Bristol Channel and West Somerset. Volume 2, also published in 2020, features sites in West Mendip, Burrington and North Mendip. Volume…
Descent 289: Drones, bones, and a huge stalagmite
Descent 289 – The first issue under new management, and the verdict is more, please! Chris Scaife and Carolina Smith will no doubt have been experiencing high levels of adrenaline in recent weeks, as they endeavoured to compose and publish the first issue of Descent since they took over the reins of the magazine from…
New findings fire up cave entry mystery
New claims as to the use of fire in Rising Star Cave in South Africa have thrown the spotlight back on the activities of the enigmatic Homo naledi. And it now it appears that there might have been an easier way for these hominins to have made their way into the cave system….
INCIDENT 91/2022 DEC 1st THU. 13.24 ALUM POT, HORTON IN RIBBLESDALE, NORTH YORKSHIRE – CAVE INCIDENT
Having descended through Lower Long Churn into Alum Pot, a caver (m, 38) fell a distance of up to 5 or 6m from the bottom pitch, sustaining suspected injuries to ankle, femur, lower back and chest. CRO members descended to the casualty, assessed his in…
Coming Soon: Descent 289, the start of the new editorial era …
The first issue edited by the new team of Chris Scaife and Carolina Smith is about to hit the streets. Make sure your subscription is up to date, so you don’t miss out on all the big news! Chris Scaife has told us at DB Towers that having their first issue finished is a…
Book Launch: Buy your favourite caver a great seasonal gift!
The Mendip Cave Registry and archive (MCRA) is pleased to announce that the third volume of Somerset Underground will be officially launched at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn, Priddy, Somerset, on December 10th 2022, starting at around 7.30pm. This is the third in a series of impeccably researched guides written by Rob Taviner to the caves…
INCIDENT 90/2022 NOV 24th THU. 13.19 BRIDGE HALL, LANCASTER HOLE, CASTERTON, CUMBRIA – CAVE INCIDENT
A caver (m, 54), on an exchange trip from Lancaster Hole to Cow Pot, slipped from the traverse in Bridge Hall, sustaining a slight head injury and knocking himself out briefly on landing. A loose rock also fell, landing on the caver’s wrist, caus…
Access to Fairy Cave Quarry
The Fairy Cave Quarry management team have asked us to post the following:
Descent 288: a special issue!
Descent 288 is now out, and marks a significant milestone in its long history. This issue is a major landmark for a magazine, which can justifiably claim to have become an established institution of the caving scene, not just in the UK but across the world. Apart from the expected mix of news and reviews…
The Tratman Award for 2020 goes to ….
The end of an era … and a new one begins
After 34 years and 204 issues, Chris Howes and Judith Calford are handing Descent on to new management. Descent was launched in January 1969 by Bruce Bedford as a small-format black and white magazine. In 1979 it moved to the current A4 format and in 1983 Bruce handed over the publication responsibilities to Ambit Publications,…