Author: cavingcrew

When: 6-8th August

Where: YSS hut, in Helwith Bridge near Ingleton

Reserve your place now?

How the trip will run:

We’ll meet together at the hut on Friday evening with enough time to try and make plans for the next day. 

On Saturday we will head out caving in the surrounding area, and then return to the hut for a hearty dinner and plenty of drinks! 

Sunday plans will depend on your personal level of hangover, but there will certainly be caving happening and possibly walks or visits to the local 

About the hut

YSS is a classic caving hut. It has a large kitchen, alpine style bunks (mattresses  provided, bring your own sleeping bags/blankets and pillows) and a central social room with comfy sofas and chairs. 

It is also located less than a minutes walk from a local pub – the Helwith Bridge Inn – and has a well-equipped inside SRT training wall as part of the main building, which we will be able to access.

Will food be provided?

Yes, food will be provided on this trip. Breakfast will be provided in the morning, and on Saturday we will have a group meal cooked in the hut.

Food will not be provided on Friday, or on Sunday evening. You’re recommended to bring cave snacks and evening snacks

What do I need to bring?

You will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow (optional but recommended), any caving kit you own, alcohol, snacks, and several changes of underwear as whatever you wear caving will get wet and dirty.

If you want to do SRT practice, some thick trousers (jeans are good) and stiff-soles shoes (ideally walking boots) are recommended for comfort. 

What activities will we do?

Primarily caving, with the potential option to also do some dry, safe SRT practice in the indoor wall. 

There is the possibility of walks or other non-caving activities, but these will be arranged ad-hoc though – likely if weather messes up our caving plans.

Stuff you need to know

The cost of the trip includes club equipment use, food as mentioned above, hut fees, any cave trespass fees, and support with transport if you need it. Pretty much everything except the alcohol/snacks you bring, and whatever you spend in the pub!

How can I reserve my place?

I’m not a member of any Caving Club club yet:

For your first 4 trips, you can join us as a one-off.

The cost is £73 for this trip:

Caving Crew Member?

I’ve already joined as a paid-up Crew-member of the Caving Crew.

The cost is £49 for this trip:

I already have insurance via the BCA

I’m in another caving club (eg MUSC, TSG) or am a DIM.

The cost is £53 for this trip

Can I join the Caving Crew?

Yes… it costs £37.50 a year and your next evening caving trip is free (after that, you just pay members rates).

If you’re an existing BCA Club member or DIM it’s just £20.50 a year

When does membership run from and til?

A year, from when you first become a member.

How can I sign up and join this trip?

Follow both of these two steps:

1) Become a member

2) Signup for the trip as a member!

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Common Q & As

I don’t have any caving gear – will I be ok?

Yes. Part of the cost covers borrowing any the equipment you may need including light, helmet, oversuit, SRT kit and ropes. We may be able to lend a small number of wellies and undersuits too. 

What SRT skills do I need to know?

SRT isn’t essential, there are plenty of caves in the areas which don’t need it. This could actually be a good trip to try it out, as we have an on-site SRT training wall

I don’t drive can I come?

Yes. We will arrange lifts for people who can’t drive. Different people bring different skills – it usually works out in the end.

Can I bring a dog?

Dogs are not allowed at this hut.

What is The Caving Crew?

A BCA-affiliated Club of supportive, friendly people who like to encourage each other to cave and eat cake. Sometimes at the same time.

We support an open, inclusive and accepting atmosphere for all members, whatever their ability or ambition.

Can I come for the day?

This usually doesn’t work.

All plans are made the night before, usually changing 3-4 times during the night and changing at least once in the morning. This makes it extremely difficult to tell anyone where to be and when. It might be possible to come for the day, if you were prepared to arrive at the campsite at ~7am and were prepared for mountains of faff and uncertainty. If that was me, I’d probably conclude it wasn’t worth it.

You also will struggle because you have to drive home in the evening – rather than stay for any social bits where the group really gets to know each other.

I don’t really know anyone else?

We’re keen for everyone to feel comfortable in our group so we introduce people new to Caving Crew trips with an experienced “buddy” to help them find their feet and answer any questions. Everyone is extremely welcoming, and you’re likely to make some firm friends very fast.

I have unusual dietary requirements. Will I be catered for?

Yes. Whether you’re keen on eating meat with every meal, or you are a gluten free vegan who is allergic to cinnamon, we will make sure you’re well fed.

What if there’s bad weather?

Caving is usually a good sport if the weather isn’t great. However, if we will prepare some plan B’s in case of unexpected issues (such as really heavy rain). These could be:

• Go for a scramble
• Go for a walk
• Go indoor climbing
• Go to a museum or tourist attraction
• Go to the pub

Is this a for-profit, professionally guided event?

The Caving Crew is fully run by volunteers. No-one is paid for sharing their caving and rope skills amongst the group. Nobody is using or assumed to be trained to professional qualifications unless they tell you otherwise in writing.

Everyone that comes to Caving Crew events recognises:

“that caving, cave diving and mine exploration are activities with a danger of personal injury or death, and by taking part acknowledge they are aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.“

Got a question we haven’t answered?

Ask it on the facebook group and we’ll reply ASAP.

Reserve your place now?

Date: Monday 19th July 2021
Time: 18:30
Location: Bradwell, Derbyshire

Signup & info below ⤵️

This is the ideal, classic, introductory or re-introductory caving trip to Bagshawe Cavern.

Ideal for first time beginners, or those who’re returning after a break this is a very interesting and welcoming place to get a feel for caving.

If you think you’ve been here before, even with the Crew – think again because this trip will take in some of the less commonly visited areas of this varied cave, with a fun, supportive, friendly atmosphere.

I don’t have any caving kit. What should I bring? What should I borrow?

Part of the cost includes hiring use of the special equipment you’ll use. Here’s what you should bring:

• Some warm older/less nice clothes to wear as a base layer underneath the caving-specific clothes we will provide. Some examples
  • Fleece jumpers
  • Leggings
  • Thermal base layers
  • Outdoorsy t-shirts

Avoid anything made from cotton or untreated wool (such as t-shirts or wooly jumpers); synthetic fabrics that keep their warmth when wet work best here. You will be provided with a thick fleece layer and a protective outer layer to wear over this, so if all you have is cotton you’re better going without.

• Change of socks/underwear/replacement clothing. Anything you wear into the cave will likely be too wet and dirty to wear afterwards in the car, so make sure you have spare clothes for the drive home.
• Wellies (we do have spares if necessary, but the sizes and stock are limited). These aren’t special wellies – £12 wellies from go-outdoors or sparkling pink wellies with fur linings are great for caving.
• Towel
• Any important medicines you take
• Contact lenses or string for your glasses.
• A full sealed snack you enjoy eating (eg a mars bar)

What will I be borrowing?

If you don’t already have them:

• Caving Oversuit to go over your undersuit
• Caving Undersuit to go underneath your oversuit
• Caving Helmet with Caving Headtorch and fully charged Batteries
• Wellies

We’ll also be carrying the appropriate group equipment.

What about the rain?

Doesn’t matter – it will happen anyway.

Won’t it be windy?

We’re in a cave. It will not be windy.

Will it be as cold as outside?

The temperature in the cave is cooler than the outside temperature at the moment – about 13C. You’ll be well dressed and there’ll be no wind.

What about Covid?

You’ll be briefed on Covid precautions on arrival. Group size will be less than 6, government mandated social distancing will be kept to, and British Caving Association best practice will be followed.

When do I need to be where?

We’ll all meet near at the Bagshawe Cavern at 18:30. Try to be early rather than late!

There is a blank weird empty carpark with a drystone wall and possibly a Large White Van (Tim’s). This is where we’ll meet.

Meeting location: This precise place on Jeffrey Lane (do not use the postcode!)
Location: 53.324522, -1.744286
w3w: ///scoop.hood.opposite

When will we get back?

We’re aiming to be out of the cave before 22:30. The faster we get in, the faster we get out. We may well be out sooner.

What should I expect?

We will arrive at the location together and get you the equipment you need. This is the best time to try on this kit and make sure we get the right size.

We’ll walk to the cave and explore it together. It is a 1 minute walk to the cave from the cars.

The cave contains some crouched passages, some walking passages. You will have a powerful headtorch so it will be quite bright. The group will be together and there will be much laughter and possibly swearing. It will be fun.

What cave are we going to exactly?

We’re going to Bagshawe Cavern near Bradwell. It’s gentle with no ropes required required – all levels and skills are catered for here.

Will I be scared?

Maybe. Sometimes new different things are scary. But we’ll be supporting and encouraging you to take things at your pace the entire time. This about having fun and having each others back. Whether you’re nervous or loving it, we’ve got your back.

How long will we be underground?

We’ll see how we’re feeling. At a guess – 3.5 hours – but we have plenty of options to shorten if we feel it’s the right thing.

Who is coming with us?

The caving trip will be lead by Judith Plowman – a patient and reassuring cave leader.

The trip size is limited. There probably won’t be more than 6 people.

How much will it cost?

You have 4 options:

Become a member

• If you want to become a the Caving Crew member, it is £37.50 for the year, and this trip is free.
• If you’re already a member of another club, it’s £20 for the year.

Join The Caving Crew here

New to Caving? Join us for a one off?

• You can join us for up to 4 trips. After that you’ll need to join a Caving Club.
• If you want to join this trip as a one off, but not join as a member, it is £18.50 for this trip.

Already a Caving Crew member?

• If you’re already a Caving Crew member, it is £6 for this trip.

Member of another club?

• If you have your own BCA insurance – eg by being a member of another caving club (eg MUSC, CUCC) or by being a DIM, it’s £8 for this trip

The money goes towards:

• All Cave Access fees
• BCA Insurance
• Equipment hire and maintenance
• Club running costs and reducing club debt

I’m not sure about it. Will there be another one?

There will be other opportunities – but this is a perfect, beginners trip near Manchester. There aren’t many of these trips. This is perfect opportunity to give it a try and see how you find it.