Horizontal Caving

Description

Highlights

• Join us on a trip into the dark, magical places beneath the surface on a Horizontal caving day.
• Climb an underground waterfall and move through passages cut by ancient waters.
• Find fossils, minerals, stalactites and stalagmites.
• Learn about the cave, its geology and the 300 million years it took to create it.

Overview

In this introduction to caving you will soon find out that caves are not just dark muddy places – they are a place of beauty. Caves have been sculpted over millions of years by water erosion, which leaves behind staggering features such as fossils, underground waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites.

We are flexible to make your caving day as challenging as you wish. So if small squeezes are not your cup of tea that’s no problem. You will explore a cave system, consisting of cave passages, which sometimes are several meters high like an underground gorge, sometimes narrow and confined. Emerging into a large cathedral-like chamber after working your way through crawls is a staggering experience. We follow underground riverbeds with crystal clear water, dropping down into noisy waterfalls.

Experience and Fitness

No previous experience is needed and this can be enjoyed by all ages. Caving days normally involve a trip into a predominately horizontal system which does not require any previous experience and perfect for beginners.

Depending on which cave we visit, We may come across scrambles or short roped climbs. We may also choose to put ourselves through physical challenges like squeezes,wet or muddy areas or long crawls but these are also ways optional.

A lot of the caves we operate in are active stream ways. This mean that, although it is a rarity that we cancel our days completely, it can happen in extreme cases if water levels are too high. Mostly, it is just a matter of being flexible with the location.

Itinerary Overview

Our meeting point for the Horizontal caving day is Inglesports cafe in the center of Ingleton. We spend about 30 minutes ensuring everybody is suitably kitted out with all of the clothing and technical equipment they need for the day.

We will aim to be back to Inglesports around 4:30 – 5pm. We can then enjoy a well-earned warm drink at the cafe.

Equipment Required

You will need to bring warm clothes and your own Wellington boots for the day. An example of suitable dress for the day would be long sleeve thermal top and bottoms, sports trousers, good fleece top. You will need to bring your own food or drink. If we’re underground for lunch, we will supply waterproof containers and bags for food.

Don’t forget spare clothes for afterwards.

We supply all safety equipment required for the trip and general technical gear, such as over-suit, harness, helmet and head torch, emergency kits, safety ropes, ladders, anchors.