uk caves where are they....

david_1 · February 8th, 2010, 01:53 AM

as per title is there a list of caves that are diveable here in the uk.

it would be nice to have a list and some contact details for gaining the correct permission / escort.

does anything like this exist ??

David

**GLOC** · February 8th, 2010, 09:17 AM

David,

Contact the CDG and I am sure they will help. AIUI, most of the caves in the UK are on private land and access is limited to club members rather than the "general public".

AMW on here would be a good place to start with contacting the CDG or Duncan Price on YD.

Regards

lizardland · February 8th, 2010, 02:06 PM

Good starting places are the Northern Sump Index and Duncan's Welsh Sump Index. However... the Northern doesn't generally give access details, you'd have to turn to a guide like the Northern Caves series. Not sure what the Welsh index does. Just to confuse matters even more, I think the Northern Sump Index is out of print and the Northern Caves series of guides are like hens' teeth.

3rd party insurance is usually required for sites on private land, the easiest way of getting that is through a club. Club membership isn't necessarily required (though as I recall it is for CNCC permitted caves). There aren't many places where you can just turn up and dive without doing something.

It is also worth trying to find out if any active exploration is being carried out at a particular site as it is good form not to do any activities that might interfere with that.

To be honest, there are very few caves that are both accessible and of interest to non-caver type cave divers. If it's a more serious interest in UK cave diving then contact the CDG.

For backmount, flop in a pool type diving then there are a few mines which might be more suitable i.e. large passage, good conditions, reasonably easy approach. I've been looking for someone to a. carry a load of kit up the mountain to Croesor Mine in the North Wales and b. dive in the sump to see if the layer of PCB filled oil is still there and c. what illnesses they develop before I dive. Strangely, no-one has yet volunteered

Mines also have their own access conditions but generally are easier places to visit (as they were designed for humans), more interesting to the non-caver and less weather dependant. The Mine Explorer website has some good info on mine locations and access arrangements.

ogobara2000 · February 8th, 2010, 02:08 PM

Hi,

There are a a lot of caves that are diveable in the UK. However if you mean in a standard Backmounted OC setup than your choices are few. Although a gear config alone should not stop you.

For access have a look at BCA Insurance and you will find that liability insurance for cave divers is via the CDG only. Most sites at least the ones owned by the council etc are subjected to this which applies to most that are randomly mentioned on dive forums.
Private sites can be different as you can seek permission from the landowner directly. Either way it needs some commitment.
IMHO the best way is to join a caving club go underground and visit the places where people dive. If you then still fancy it you are in the right position to seek further help.

Br,
Os

Seydlitz · February 8th, 2010, 06:35 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland)

Good starting places are the Northern Sump Index and Duncan's Welsh Sump Index. However... the Northern doesn't generally give access details, you'd have to turn to a guide like the Northern Caves series. Not sure what the Welsh index does. Just to confuse matters even more, I think the Northern Sump Index is out of print and the Northern Caves series of guides are like hens' teeth.

3rd party insurance is usually required for sites on private land, the easiest way of getting that is through a club. Club membership isn't necessarily required (though as I recall it is for CNCC permitted caves). There aren't many places where you can just turn up and dive without doing something.

It is also worth trying to find out if any active exploration is being carried out at a particular site as it is good form not to do any activities that might interfere with that.

To be honest, there are very few caves that are both accessible and of interest to non-caver type cave divers. If it's a more serious interest in UK cave diving then contact the CDG.

For backmount, flop in a pool type diving then there are a few mines which might be more suitable i.e. large passage, good conditions, reasonably easy approach. I've been looking for someone to a. carry a load of kit up the mountain to Croesor Mine in the North Wales and b. dive in the sump to see if the layer of PCB filled oil is still there and c. what illnesses they develop before I dive. Strangely, no-one has yet volunteered

Mines also have their own access conditions but generally are easier places to visit (as they were designed for humans), more interesting to the non-caver and less weather dependant. The Mine Explorer website has some good info on mine locations and access arrangements.

Hi Stuart ...Errmmm I wonder why no one is volunterred...I took the wife up to Cnicht in September and parked up in Croesor...Croesor is hard enough to find ..That is deepest Wales ...Where your Brother is your Mother !!!

Is the sump up on levelled area on the mountain where the mining trucks went up and down opposite Cnicht or in the Valley itself ??

Andy.

david_1 · February 8th, 2010, 07:06 PM

thanks for all replies, am looking at side mount courses at the moment but did not want to metion that on this forum :-)..

but you do seem to get a better calibar answer on here :-)

David

*Rich Walker* · February 8th, 2010, 07:38 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by david_1)

thanks for all replies, am looking at side mount courses at the moment but did not want to metion that on this forum :-)..

but you do seem to get a better calibar answer on here :-)

David

The courses are fine, no doubt about it. But to dive in all but a few UK caves, you will need to be a member of the CDG, and have the ability to dry cave as well, for the reasons that Osama has given.

Rich
PS Nothing wrong with sidemounting for the right reasons...

AMW · February 8th, 2010, 07:58 PM

I agree with all the above contact the CDG they do not bite (well most dont

). 99% of the caves are side mount and caving required for 99% of those.

The fun starts here

as Rich said nothing wrong with side mount all down for the tools or the job.

Feel free to mail me.

Andrew

**keri.lewis** · February 8th, 2010, 08:10 PM

You really know how to sell it Andrew... looks lovely!

AMW · February 8th, 2010, 09:40 PM

The squeeze in the photo is one of a series in Ffynnon in fact it is one of the easier ones. We had one person on a trip get a bit stuck in a squeeze further in. But after a bit of clothes removal (just the stuck person)

with two pulling from above and one pushing from below he popped through with just a bit of skin removed

Why do it well once past the awkward bits you hit walking passage with a dig at the end and huge potential (all digs are full of potential oh yes they have well maybe) the other problem is the cave is flood prone and the dig only workable in drought conditions. This is a good reason for joining a caving club for UK cave diving it helps build experience of reading caves.

More picture time:

Me in tradesman (Port-Yr-Ogof) before the work on the rock face some time in the mid 1980,s I even thought aqua flashes were bright!

On route to a sump in a Hepste river cave.
Andrew

February 8th, 2010, 09:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 2,692	David, Contact the CDG and I am sure they will help. AIUI, most of the caves in the UK are on private land and access is limited to club members rather than the "general public". AMW on here would be a good place to start with contacting the CDG or Duncan Price on YD. Regards __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar “Set your expectations high; find men and women whose integrity and values you respect; get their agreement on a course of action; and give them your ultimate trust.” “It is far better to be trusted and respected that it is to be liked.”

February 8th, 2010, 02:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
lizardland (Online) LCS Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Evidently Chickentown Posts: 1,004	Good starting places are the Northern Sump Index and Duncan's Welsh Sump Index. However... the Northern doesn't generally give access details, you'd have to turn to a guide like the Northern Caves series. Not sure what the Welsh index does. Just to confuse matters even more, I think the Northern Sump Index is out of print and the Northern Caves series of guides are like hens' teeth. 3rd party insurance is usually required for sites on private land, the easiest way of getting that is through a club. Club membership isn't necessarily required (though as I recall it is for CNCC permitted caves). There aren't many places where you can just turn up and dive without doing something. It is also worth trying to find out if any active exploration is being carried out at a particular site as it is good form not to do any activities that might interfere with that. To be honest, there are very few caves that are both accessible and of interest to non-caver type cave divers. If it's a more serious interest in UK cave diving then contact the CDG. For backmount, flop in a pool type diving then there are a few mines which might be more suitable i.e. large passage, good conditions, reasonably easy approach. I've been looking for someone to a. carry a load of kit up the mountain to Croesor Mine in the North Wales and b. dive in the sump to see if the layer of PCB filled oil is still there and c. what illnesses they develop before I dive. Strangely, no-one has yet volunteered Mines also have their own access conditions but generally are easier places to visit (as they were designed for humans), more interesting to the non-caver and less weather dependant. The Mine Explorer website has some good info on mine locations and access arrangements. __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk The Lot isn't the only place to dive: http://www.lulu.com/content/613554

February 8th, 2010, 02:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
ogobara2000(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK:) Posts: 137	Hi, There are a a lot of caves that are diveable in the UK. However if you mean in a standard Backmounted OC setup than your choices are few. Although a gear config alone should not stop you. For access have a look at BCA Insurance and you will find that liability insurance for cave divers is via the CDG only. Most sites at least the ones owned by the council etc are subjected to this which applies to most that are randomly mentioned on dive forums. Private sites can be different as you can seek permission from the landowner directly. Either way it needs some commitment. IMHO the best way is to join a caving club go underground and visit the places where people dive. If you then still fancy it you are in the right position to seek further help. Br, Os __________________ http://ogobara.wordpress.com

February 8th, 2010, 06:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Seydlitz(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 575	Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland) Good starting places are the Northern Sump Index and Duncan's Welsh Sump Index. However... the Northern doesn't generally give access details, you'd have to turn to a guide like the Northern Caves series. Not sure what the Welsh index does. Just to confuse matters even more, I think the Northern Sump Index is out of print and the Northern Caves series of guides are like hens' teeth. 3rd party insurance is usually required for sites on private land, the easiest way of getting that is through a club. Club membership isn't necessarily required (though as I recall it is for CNCC permitted caves). There aren't many places where you can just turn up and dive without doing something. It is also worth trying to find out if any active exploration is being carried out at a particular site as it is good form not to do any activities that might interfere with that. To be honest, there are very few caves that are both accessible and of interest to non-caver type cave divers. If it's a more serious interest in UK cave diving then contact the CDG. For backmount, flop in a pool type diving then there are a few mines which might be more suitable i.e. large passage, good conditions, reasonably easy approach. I've been looking for someone to a. carry a load of kit up the mountain to Croesor Mine in the North Wales and b. dive in the sump to see if the layer of PCB filled oil is still there and c. what illnesses they develop before I dive. Strangely, no-one has yet volunteered Mines also have their own access conditions but generally are easier places to visit (as they were designed for humans), more interesting to the non-caver and less weather dependant. The Mine Explorer website has some good info on mine locations and access arrangements. Hi Stuart ...Errmmm I wonder why no one is volunterred...I took the wife up to Cnicht in September and parked up in Croesor...Croesor is hard enough to find ..That is deepest Wales ...Where your Brother is your Mother !!! Is the sump up on levelled area on the mountain where the mining trucks went up and down opposite Cnicht or in the Valley itself ?? Andy. __________________ The green and crinkley is not too bad!

February 8th, 2010, 07:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rich Walker (Online) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sheffield Posts: 375	Quote: (Originally Posted by david_1) thanks for all replies, am looking at side mount courses at the moment but did not want to metion that on this forum :-).. but you do seem to get a better calibar answer on here :-) David The courses are fine, no doubt about it. But to dive in all but a few UK caves, you will need to be a member of the CDG, and have the ability to dry cave as well, for the reasons that Osama has given. Rich PS Nothing wrong with sidemounting for the right reasons... __________________ Education, Equipment, Experience GUE training with Rich Walker

February 8th, 2010, 01:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
david_1(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: sussex Posts: 336	as per title is there a list of caves that are diveable here in the uk. it would be nice to have a list and some contact details for gaining the correct permission / escort. does anything like this exist ?? David

February 8th, 2010, 07:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
david_1(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: sussex Posts: 336	thanks for all replies, am looking at side mount courses at the moment but did not want to metion that on this forum :-).. but you do seem to get a better calibar answer on here :-) David

February 8th, 2010, 07:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
AMW(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 75	I agree with all the above contact the CDG they do not bite (well most dont ). 99% of the caves are side mount and caving required for 99% of those. The fun starts here as Rich said nothing wrong with side mount all down for the tools or the job. Feel free to mail me. Andrew __________________ http://www.lot46.com Département de Lot cave diving sites and resources. http://a-m-ward.blogspot.com Cave diving and caving photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/amward/ http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/AMWard/

February 8th, 2010, 08:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
keri.lewis (Online) Wreck Ferret Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 930	You really know how to sell it Andrew... looks lovely! __________________ Even a "bad" day diving beats a day in the office... Keri The more I learn.. the more ignorant I realise I am..

February 8th, 2010, 09:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
AMW(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 75	The squeeze in the photo is one of a series in Ffynnon in fact it is one of the easier ones. We had one person on a trip get a bit stuck in a squeeze further in. But after a bit of clothes removal (just the stuck person) with two pulling from above and one pushing from below he popped through with just a bit of skin removed Why do it well once past the awkward bits you hit walking passage with a dig at the end and huge potential (all digs are full of potential oh yes they have well maybe) the other problem is the cave is flood prone and the dig only workable in drought conditions. This is a good reason for joining a caving club for UK cave diving it helps build experience of reading caves. More picture time: Me in tradesman (Port-Yr-Ogof) before the work on the rock face some time in the mid 1980,s I even thought aqua flashes were bright! On route to a sump in a Hepste river cave. Andrew __________________ http://www.lot46.com Département de Lot cave diving sites and resources. http://a-m-ward.blogspot.com Cave diving and caving photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/amward/ http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/AMWard/ Last edited by AMW; February 8th, 2010 at 11:41 PM..