Tim Dobson
Thinker, Blogger, Hacker, Hiker.
Why caving matters to me
1 May 2020
If you don't like caving, don't read this. If you like caving, don't read this. Don't try to replicate this. Earlier this year I decided I needed some downtime. Giants hole, solo? Loaded with kit, survey and guide and my cheapo MP3 player banging out cheesy techno in my headphones I headed in. I rigged […]
My favourite local underground trip in Alderley Edge
29 April 2020
My favourite local underground trip is in Alderley Edge Copper Mines. Long before lockdown, the Caving Crew did a number of trips there, thanks to @derbyshirecavingclub and @dnws_cavingteam. Riding in a mine cart, seeing a sea of blue, propelling oneself along in a bathtub and tractor tire through a flooded tunnel sound like things out […]
Meg the Cave Doggo has a message for you
28 April 2020
"Alright listen up hoomans, it's Meg the Cave Doggo here.* Yous mongrels can't go around thinking ya the Big Dawg when yous don't know the difference between a lamppost and a policeman's trouser leg. And yous can't go around thinking ya can do SRT til those Caving Crew big dawgs have skill shared with yous […]
Taking competent climbers caving for the first time
26 April 2020
Taking competent climbers caving for the first time is s bit different, so when we took Marsha and Becky on their first Caving Crew trip, we went to Notts2. Notts2 is an enjoyable series of scrambles down a big climbing frame, until you reach a spacious stream passage, well decorated with stalactites. Some of the […]
Taking mum to a more challenging cave
24 April 2020
When I told mum that we were going to do a more challenging cave, I didn't get the reply I'd expected. "Isn't that the muddy one? Can't we do a nice clean one?" I explained that whilst technically it was muddy, it wasn't in the way she was imagining. This was going to be Mum […]
Before lockdown at Manchester Climbing Centre
23 April 2020
Before lockdown, The Climbing Clan met every Wednesday at Manchester Climbing Centre. Whether you had experience climbing, or had someone to climb with or not, we took you under our wing. Quite a number of people have had their first climbing experience, and learnt to belay with us. At 8pm, everyone gathers in the cafe, […]
What to expect before your first caving trip
22 April 2020
Before you go caving for the first time, it's normal to feel a bit apprehensive. What will happen? What will it be like? When you go underground for the first time with The Caving Crew, we go to a spacious, fun, walking cave. How do we make it fun? Let's just say we're mad […]
Life before lockdown with the Climbing Clan
21 April 2020
Life before lockdown. Let's take it back. What did the Climbing Clan do? Can you remember that? Life before lockdown. Wednesday at the church, "I want to try leading" "I've been doing some research" Life before lockdown, You step right up to the wall. "On belay, climb when ready" Goes your climbing partner's call. Life […]
Reaching the bottom of the most challenging caves
20 April 2020
Reaching the bottom of the most challenging caves is something you do with ropes "so is caving ropework a bit like climbing?" They're very different. When climbing, you use the rope as safety device in case you fall. When caving, you use the rope as a way of moving vertically through places where climbing would […]
Climbing Cairn Gorm in winter with the Climbing Clan
19 April 2020
"I really had not thought that I'd be up for, or able to, climb Cairn Gorm (1245m) wearing crampons. It was hard, and I was the slowest on the up, but not significantly slow! So it's fair to say my age did tell, but only a little. So Big Mountains are within everyone's reach! " […]
Climbing Clan winter skills practice in Corrie an t-Sneachda
13 April 2020
So proud the Climbing Clan Winter Skills practice group in Corrie an t'Sneacha in January: ¯ Fearless Ice Axe Arrest practice Classy Crampon walking practice © Confidence in winter skills Followed by Kirsty's fantastic food this evening! As my mum said (and she may be biased!): "An pretty intensive (!), but superb […]
What people imagine when you mention caving
1 February 2020
Whenever you mention the word caving to someone, usually they instantly will reply that they're too claustrophobic for that sort of thing. And yet the same people will happily walk through doorways and corridors without blinking. I think there is a difference between perception and reality. If you've never climbed before, could you climb the […]