Caving, potholing, claustrophobia, etc
Discussion
When I was at school (13 years old) I went on a (compulsory) caving trip to the cheese press mentioned earlier in the thread.That was a squash even for a slightly porky 13 year old Marsellus but nothing compared to later in the trip when we came to what seemed to be a dead end with a large puddle next to it.
It turned out we had to enter the puddle head first on our backs and then feel for a rope underwater and then pull ourselves under the water and through the obstruction,which was a tight fit.I was frightened and refused to do it at first but the instructor indicated that everyone else was going through and if I didn't I would be left behind.It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.
The only saving grace was the instructor stopped at a country pub on the way home and allowed us to buy a pint of home made cider each to calm our nerves!
It turned out we had to enter the puddle head first on our backs and then feel for a rope underwater and then pull ourselves under the water and through the obstruction,which was a tight fit.I was frightened and refused to do it at first but the instructor indicated that everyone else was going through and if I didn't I would be left behind.It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.
The only saving grace was the instructor stopped at a country pub on the way home and allowed us to buy a pint of home made cider each to calm our nerves!
Famous Graham said:
Did a couple of bits of potholing when I was 13 & 16, first one in the Lake District, second somewhere near the Wye Valley iirc. There was a bit called the CheesePress at one of them that didn't bother me at the time, but has haunted my dreams ever since (some 20+ years later).
It was so narrow (vertically), that every movement would scrape the battery pack on your belt on the "ceiling", and you couldn't have your head straight, it had to be tilted to the side. Think it was a crawl of about 15 feet. Quite wide though, as I recall.
I didnt go through the cheesepress, I got about half way through then got to a point where every time I tensed my muscles up to pull myself through I wedged. Really not a nice feeling having millions of tons of rock either side of you. luckily there were a couple of people behind me and they managed to get hold of my boots and pull me back. To get round it I ended up having to climb about 8 or 10 feet vertically by wedging myself in this chimney and worming upwards.It was so narrow (vertically), that every movement would scrape the battery pack on your belt on the "ceiling", and you couldn't have your head straight, it had to be tilted to the side. Think it was a crawl of about 15 feet. Quite wide though, as I recall.
Havent been again.
King Herald said:
rhinochopig said:
Waugh-terfall said:
How much does it take to get used to it?!
You never do, you just become better at controlling your fear. Or something like that, I read it in a book.
t yourself?""No! I cowardice'd..."
I've done a bit of caving in various places... the Mendips, Wales, Yorkshire somewhere....
I'm the same as the OP really, I'm bricking it for the entire trip, but I love the excitement of being in a place that most people never go and the ability to keep yourself calm when inside you're screaming to get out is a rush.
That said though, there are limits. I turned down the chance to go sump diving and I've never been on an exploratory trip, only ever excursions where the routes are known.
I'm the same as the OP really, I'm bricking it for the entire trip, but I love the excitement of being in a place that most people never go and the ability to keep yourself calm when inside you're screaming to get out is a rush.
That said though, there are limits. I turned down the chance to go sump diving and I've never been on an exploratory trip, only ever excursions where the routes are known.
Being 16 and in a cave in Brecon somewhere i had a race with my friend to the exit of the cave. Didn't notice a narrower part of the cave and hit my head on the rock, even with a hard hat on i knocked myself out and landed in the foot deep puddle below. However, i have no memory of this and am only told this by my friend who was there so i still like going :P
skoff said:
As regards newbies getting into it I have always found cavers to be a very very welcoming bunch that are always happy to take newbies down. Much better that than they go off on their own without the right equipment or knowledge and have to be pulled out by the rescue. There are plenty of clubs out there, just get in touch and I am sure you will get invited along and loaned suitable equipment to see if you like it.
I hate to bump my own threads (actually I don't) but ill speak to the GF about this. If newbies are welcome and the cavers generally good folk, it's well worth asking to go on a few easier adventures before deciding whether this is for us, or me, or not. I think not, not the super scary stuff anyway, perhaps the urge to try this, which still hasn't gone away, is similar to the urge to jump out of a plane. I never had the parachuting bug, not even a smidgen of it. If rather try down than up, unless I was flying the plane (which would be riskier as I have no license!).
More caving banter please
Now would be a very dangerous time of year to go, I'd guess. What with all the rains. But there must be baby caves, for caving babies like me
?Not done any googling yet, but I'm based in the south east. Has anyone else done any scary but easy and low level introductory stuff down here? Stuff which won't cause my testicles to jump back up inside me in panic or with fright?
Edited to add: Having now re-read the thread, start to finish, most of which I'd forgotten, I've been put off again
there are some horror stories here for sure, and they've definitely not helped me rekindle the enthusiasm to get stuck in.Edited by Mobsta on Saturday 3rd November 01:08
That made me so angry when reading it.
If I were your father, I would have gone back to school and had made a HUGE fuss about this.
If I were your father, I would have gone back to school and had made a HUGE fuss about this.
MarsellusWallace said:
When I was at school (13 years old) I went on a (compulsory) caving trip ....I was frightened and refused to do it at first but the instructor indicated that everyone else was going through and if I didn't I would be left behind.It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.
Remember reading a story of a group who'd gone caving somewhere. They got to a sump (pretty much what Marcellus just described I think; a part of the passageway where the roof dips under the water and you have to drag yourself through the water to the other side).
Anyway the writer of the story was saying how everyone else went through first and he was the last to go. He started to swim/clamber through and would raise his head, if he hit the roof then he wasn't clear of the sump (obviously). This went on for a while..then a while longer...he was dragging himself along and really, properly panicking.
Finally he broke through and lifted his head gasping for air, only to see his mates around him pissing themselves. Turned out they'd found a rock and as he came through the sump, they walked along with him, holding the rock over his head....
Genius. Cruel. But genius.
Anyway the writer of the story was saying how everyone else went through first and he was the last to go. He started to swim/clamber through and would raise his head, if he hit the roof then he wasn't clear of the sump (obviously). This went on for a while..then a while longer...he was dragging himself along and really, properly panicking.
Finally he broke through and lifted his head gasping for air, only to see his mates around him pissing themselves. Turned out they'd found a rock and as he came through the sump, they walked along with him, holding the rock over his head....
Genius. Cruel. But genius.
Caving was one of my main hobbies when I was younger but I've got out of the habit now; although I'm still an armchair member of one of the UK clubs.
Most people on this thread seem to be concerned about getting stuck but this is very rare. There is also a strong ethic of self rescue in the caving community, so as not to put potential rescuers at risk, so if you are with an experienced group they won't let you do anything that might end badly. This is partly because if a call to the local cave rescue group does become necessary the rescuers are likely to be their mates and and they will never live it down. Plus the cost in terms of barrels of beer (standard caving currency) is likely to be very high!
It's a hobby that has a great social side and cavers are generally very friendly and without the "intensity" that can be sometimes be found in outdoor pursuits. Judging by most responses on here, I'm probably whistling in the wind but I urge people to give it a try. Your local club will be only too happy to show you the ropes (literally).
The satisfaction to be had from pushing yourself physically and controlling your fear at the same time is immense.
Most people on this thread seem to be concerned about getting stuck but this is very rare. There is also a strong ethic of self rescue in the caving community, so as not to put potential rescuers at risk, so if you are with an experienced group they won't let you do anything that might end badly. This is partly because if a call to the local cave rescue group does become necessary the rescuers are likely to be their mates and and they will never live it down. Plus the cost in terms of barrels of beer (standard caving currency) is likely to be very high!
It's a hobby that has a great social side and cavers are generally very friendly and without the "intensity" that can be sometimes be found in outdoor pursuits. Judging by most responses on here, I'm probably whistling in the wind but I urge people to give it a try. Your local club will be only too happy to show you the ropes (literally).
The satisfaction to be had from pushing yourself physically and controlling your fear at the same time is immense.
I'm afraid I don't have a caving story but if anyone isn't too far from Reigate, Surrey, they have a few sand mines/caves under the town centre which open up just four times a year to the public and for a few quid you can go along. It's fascinating really as its right in the high street. It's also fantastic for kids. A good few hours outing to be had.
rhinochopig said:
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
10 geek points for anyone knowing the source of /\
Frank Herbert, The litany Against Fear from 'Dune' I'll take my geek points in beer please.Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
10 geek points for anyone knowing the source of /\
I've seen bit's of my thigh bone sticking out the side of my leg.
I've lost that much blood that I died in A&E.
I've broken both my legs and I have the plate from my ankle on a chain round my neck to prove it.
Getting the bike airborne at 1.1 Leptons? Anytime!
But caving? f
k that thankyou very much!'Madness is a flexible bullet'
/\ 20 Geek points for naming the source of that one
Edited by Tango13 on Sunday 19th May 18:49
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