Vertical Caving

Description

Highlights

• Learn vertical caving techniques such as abseiling and ladder climbing.
• Explore deep cave systems, abseiling into deep shafts over several pitches.
• Climb an underground waterfall and move through passages carved out by rivers.
• Learn about cave surveys and test yourself at cave navigation.

Overview

You have the chance to step it up a notch with deeper caves, bigger cave systems and, if you choose, some vertical techniques such as abseiling, ascending and climbing ladders.

The Yorkshire Dales have incredibly varied and extensive cave systems with beautiful calcite formations, high ceilings and vast chambers. With exciting abseil descents and traverses of underground waterfalls, this is a great opportunity to explore the sets of winding tunnels and passageways carved out into the limestone bedrock.

Skills covered:

• Descending and ascending
• Locking off and deviations
• Safety, checking knots and rope-work

Experience and Fitness

Vertical Caving days normally involve a trip into a predominately horizontal system with some vertical sections. This day can prove to be more physically demanding than the discover caving course and in most cases it is worth taking the discover caving first so that you can really take full advantage of the learning and adventure to be had.

A lot of the caves we operate in are active stream ways. This means that, although it is a rarity that we cancel our days completely, it can happen in extreme cases. More often than not it is just a matter of being flexible with the location.

Itinerary Overview

Our meeting point for the Vertical caving day is Inglesports cafe in the centre 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 and reflect on an adventurous day.

What’s included

• Experienced cave leader.

• All technical Equipment.

• All group safety kit including group first aid kit.

• All permit and parking costs incurred.

What’s not included

• Travel to and from the Lake District

• Personal walking equipment

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.