We had a good turn out both of members and novices for the caving experience weekend.
We divided the novices into two groups, one group of five headed down Valley Entrance lead by Keith, Stuart, James & Lukasz (I think) and accompanied by Alan.
The other group of five went down Alum pot, this trip was lead by James with Paul & myself to help out. We went in the top entrance and lowered the novices down Dr Bannister's Hand Basin before heading down the streamway and turning off to Double Shuffle Pool and Plank Pool. We then went down the rift climb & the climb by the pool before lowering them down the ladder pitch.
We had a look out of the window, where James too copious photos before heading back up the ladder and out of the cave via Diccan entrance.
The remainder of the club members went for a trip in Top sink (Phil, Ade, Dave & Janis (I think)) or Short Drop (Damian & Sophie).
In the afternoon Damian & I introduced those who were interested to the wonders of SRT.
On Sunday only 4 of the novices remained. Damian had hatched a plan to take them down Short Drop/Gavel Pot to Glasfurd's Chamber.
Damian, Ade, Sophie and two novices headed to Short Drop.
While I went with Paul and two novices to Gavel Pot. We went straight to the cave and down the entrance pitch, through a short passage to emerge in the bottom of the shakehole. We went down two other short pitches and headed downstream to the pretty section. We then went down to the fourth pitch to show them where the remainder of the cave was before heading back towards Short Drop. The other group passed us at the bottom of the third pitch (in Gavel) still on their way in, while we had the longer route out. Navigation was easy until the left turn, it then became a little more tricky but we managed it okay. The other group were already back at the cars when we arrived. The cave seemed to be collecting kit that day, it had my Raumer Handy & Ade's Pantin!
The remainder of the club members went for a trip in Notts 2. Keith, Phil, Ros, Lukasz & Dave (I think).
Sorry if I have missed anyone, or put them on the wrong trip.
I failed to take any photos, though there are a few on chat.
