Often, when we suggest people might like to try caving, they say “but I don’t have the equipment!”
It’s a fair statement. Who wants to invest hundreds of pounds for the joy of trying something, that someone’s trying to convince you is really fun, but where you’re wondering if that’s actually just something they say.
Because secretly, you suspect they’re not sound in the head – it might, possibly, be tolerable, but could it ever be fun?
You resolve that you’re happy to be proven wrong about caving, but hundreds of pounds on kit? You’re not going to gamble that much.
And then finally, we reply to your question: “oh don’t worry about equipment – our club The Caving Crew has all the tackle you need. All you need is to come on one of our welcoming Giggletrips…”
Several weeks after hearing those words, you find yourself in the Peak District. Someone gives you a onesie and a hardwearing plumbers overalls and a helmet with caving torch on it. We all laugh. Everyone feels a bit silly, and apprehensive. We have a chat about how the aim is to support each other and head on in.
2-3 hours later we emerge. Different people. Changed perspectives. Firm friends.
—
One of the unsung heroes behind this approach has been The Caving Crew’s tacklemanager, Judith.
On an extremely nonexistent budget, we have monopolised the secondhand caving gear market. Buying up oversuits, getting good undersuits. Fixing, mending, washing, folding – making sure each first time caver has the best possible experience.
Last summer, we bought a bunch of kit off someone who had drifted away from the sport. This is what they sent along with the kit ©
—
Fancy giving it a try? Obviously covid is a pain, but the FB group “The Caving Crew” is in my bio – join the group and keep in the loop?
Originally posted on this post on Instagram
