Issue 303 includes feature articles on expeditions to Mulu and Meghalaya, more major finds in the north of England (including a new Three Counties entrance and a grand day of discovery by someone who had never really been caving before), conservation of caves and bats, a summary of the late Michel Siffre’s scientific work, details of all the cave rescues of 2024, and a cerebral training exercise for rescue teams.

In regional news, we have a report on Southern CHECC, some short pieces by writing workshop attendees, JRat’s Digging Award, a big clean-up in Daren Cilau, exploration of a Peak District mine, more big finds in the Forest of Dean, a major discovery in a cave that straddles the Irish border, picnicking in Marble Steps Pot, and an enormous find in Matienzo.

Dashed Hopes and Sudden Reprieves
Robin Sheen reports on the exploration of Ribung Kung 2, a classic Meghalayan cave with more than a touch of the Yorkshire pothole.

Straight to the Top
We don’t normally publish ‘My first proper caving trip’ reports, but Gilbert Muirhead’s first real experience of caving, pushing into a long section of sumptuously decorated virgin passage in Missed Pot in the North Pennines, must rank as one of the best ever introductions to the underworld.

Cave Rescue 2024
Our annual report from the British Cave Rescue Council details all the incidents involving cave rescue teams in Britain and Ireland for 2024.

The Aka Connection
George North and Chris Scaife conclude their story of the exploration of Aka Hole and its connection to the Three Counties system, in an article that again includes diary entries from many of the other members of the Misty Mountain Mud Miners.

Anything but Pointless
Rostam Namaghi gives a personal account of the November 2024 expedition to Mulu.

The Big Underground Clean-up
Steph Jones has big plans for the conservation of caves, and talks us through how this new project came about.

Michel, Now Beyond Time
Chris Howes describes some of the remarkable subterranean work undertaken by Michel Siffre, who died last year.

The Rise of the Horseshoe
Jess Eades gives us some good news about Lesser Horseshoe bats and tells us what we should be looking out for.

The CRO Maze
James Carlisle and Avelina Wright report on a novel training exercise for the north of England’s rescue teams.