When we first met Alison she was somewhat apprehensive how she’d find caving. She’d done quite a lot in the past, at uni, but now… A few years on, how would it feel?
Would it feel as scary as first time caving trip? Was our group secretly really hardcore?
John was feeling equally apprehensive – a skiing instructor and outdoor enthusiast – who’d caved a little years and years ago, quietly confident, I could hear some uncertainty beneath.
We headed on in. The place we were going is like a cuddly teddy to new cavers: everything optional, everything fun, nothing too scary unless you want videos for TikTok.
Soon Alison and John were headed off into the unknown, pushing themselves, laughing and generally enjoying caving.
Alison is now our Crew’s treasurer, and is certainly stronger at prusiking up a rope than me
As I said back then:
“A fantastic trip to “Mystery” Mine on Thursday night.
Some highlights:
ªReintroducing Alison and John to caving after many years
®Watching Samantha discover a slide I’d never seen before in the newest workings
Hearing an impressive amount of abuse from everyone that I kept sending them down dead ends.
£Watching Monika & Samantha charge into the nearest puddle with enthusiasm and vigour when they heard about it.
Listening to Kim Van den Brande reassuring people down the hole-of-uncertain-fate
A great evening! Let’s do another trip like that again soon!”
Originally posted on this post on Instagram
