Tim Dobson
Thinker, Blogger, Hacker, Hiker.
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 […]
Have you been living in a cave? Well, yes actually
26 January 2020
"Have you been living in a cave?" Turns out that Clatterway Level is a perfect entry in Sub Par Under. As it's unsurveyed, a team could have a useful time drawing a nice clear map of it and highlighting any interesting parts (eg "the helpful spiders", "the rail of uncertain death" or "the one crawl […]
Paddling at Kevin Larkins memorial weekend
25 January 2020
I never met Kevin Larkin. So going to a paddle on his memorial weekend might feel a bit weird. But it wasn't at all. Of course, if Kev was here today, I probably would know him. And in many ways, I feel like I do know him, slightly. As much as I can say I […]
Two caves I wont be returning to anytime soon
21 January 2020
Slaley Sough 4/10 and Bonsall Lees Level 5/10. Two places I won't be returning to for a while. The trip was 8/10, but that's just cos Jon was up for it. Slaley Sough: a pointless venture where the old man dug tunnels for ages and ages whilst failing to find anything to mine. The most […]
Sendy Seal – seeing the Stanley Embankment wave
20 January 2020
Sendy Seal! Super fun day seeing the Stanley Embankment wave for the first time, but we realised a group were already playing and surfing on it, so we went and explores a blind adit next to the Aberglaslyn gorge. Originally posted on this post on Instagram
Caving Crew explores a lead mine before Christmas
15 January 2020
Before Christmas, The Caving Crew (Maria, Naomi, Rebs, Judith and me) had a nice walk around a familiar Derbyshire Chert Mine. We had a look at the middle levels before heading up to the slightly chossier upper levels where we found some sweet sweet mushrooms (and tractor tires). Descending to look at the flooded lower […]
A lovely walk on the Moors above Hebden Bridge
14 January 2020
Went for a lovely walk around the Moors above Hebden Bridge with the mother and fathership and Meg-Dog. Originally posted on this post on Instagram
Taken your family caving? Youd be crazy Nott to
14 January 2020
Taken your family caving? You'd be crazy Nott to! . . Caving pro tip: do not take a pressurised bottle of lemonade caving down a familiar chimney climb in Yorkshire. . . Especially if you drop that bottle, and it gets punctured and starts spraying lemonade everywhere, do not hold it up and spray the […]
Taking my sister famililan into a former lead mine near Matlock
13 January 2020
Taking my sister's famililan into a familiar fun former lead mine near Matlock. This is probably one the best, safest underground spaces to take people on their "first trip". Of course, it wasn't this bunch's first trip – they delighted in telling me of all the caving they've done in scouts. A good trip to […]
Winnats Head Cave – one of the most committing caves
13 January 2020
Winnats Head Cave: by some definitions, one of most dangerous or committing caves I've been into. I found the cave 4/10 fun, but the group with Ryan, Sophia and Laura 10/10 Originally posted on this post on Instagram
My mate Carly lives vanlife from Effy-Van in Chamonix
10 January 2020
My mate Carly lives the #vanlife from her Effy-Van in Chamonix. Effy the van had been having some engine woes and came to Manchester to be given a new engine. Whilst Carly was in Manchester collecting her, I got show her round my local centre, share my own van woes and encourage her up her […]