Aberystwyth Caving Club

Know your Knots!

Henry — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:54:52 +0000

Like good cavers, you should be all be learning your knots. So you can practice at home, here are two websites that show you how to tie them step-by-step. There’s various ways to tie each knot, so it’s best to pick one that you find easy to remember and stick to it..

Key knots you should learn include;

Figure of 8
Double figure of 8
Double figure of 8 loop
Alpine butterfly
Italian hitch
…Bowline is also useful.

http://www.abc-of-rockclimbing.com/howto/learn_climbing_knots.asp
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexclimbing.php?

Prospectus

Henry — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:01:53 +0000

If you read Aber’s ‘Alternative Prospectus’, you’ll find a lovely picture of Barry and Chris at Pant Mawr Pot from ‘back in the day’…

Any idea when this was?

(click to enlarge)

WBCRT practice

Henry — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:23:17 +0000

On 20th March, WBCRT will be holding a rescue practice in OFD 1:

This is the first formal cave rescue practice of 2010. We’re aiming to include a broad range of skills & training in the day, including simple stretcher carrying, vertical elements, use of the floating stretcher down the streamway, narrow/confined elements, 1st aid, communications etc….

There is enough to keep cavers of all abilities & experience levels occupied so please, please, please get involved.

Considering we have an expedition to Ireland coming up (where self-rescues feature more prominently), it would be a very good idea for people to make themselves available that weekend. Joel, who is organising the practice, is happy for anyone to come along regardless of experience. If you can come then let us know at the social so travel can be arranged.

More trips and training…

Oli — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:12:00 +0000

Hey up ducks,

Can people who want to come on next weekend’s trip to S. Wales please email me and pay up at the social. 25 squid please.

In addition to SRT practice (1pm this Wednesday at the tree), Chris will also be teaching how to lifeline. I believe that in addition to teaching you basic belaying, he’ll be going through what to do if your mate falls off the ladder in to a waterfall, and how to get some lardy fresher up a ladder. You will regret skipping this next year as you intrepidly lead freshers into Swildons, or sooner (and possibly more), if you tell me you ‘don’t know how’ to lifeline me down something that scares me.

I still have enough caving club clothes to start a charity shop. Feel free to come round my (new) house and collect them.

See you all on Wednesday, if not before.

BCA cards arrived

Henry — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:51:39 +0000

If you paid for BCA insurance this year, then your membership cards will be available for collection from Frances at the next social. Keep them safe!!

Chris Demonstrates SRT Zip-wire

timmywiff — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:41:21 +0000

Today, Chris rigged up a zip-wire in the woods. Things go according to plan…by ACC standards.

[See post to watch Flash video]

Belfry photos

Henry — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:17:13 +0000

Photos from the Belfry weekend have just been added…

…see the rest here

Trips, training, trips and trivia

Oli — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:27:04 +0000

Trip 19th-21st

Firstly could everyone who wants to go to Mendips for the weekends partying and caving please email to confirm? If you haven’t yet made the pilgrimage to the legendary Belfry, or honoured the gods of drink at the shrine that is The Hunters, now’s your chance. Money at the social please. If you can’t make it, let me know and we’ll arrange another time to collect your money…but no deposit = no food I’m afraid.

SRT Training

Last weekend was a great success. Well done everyone, the SRT was great (cheers to Tim for the organisation and Chris for the training). However it is imperative that you all still practice so you’re speedy and confident underground. Chris is going to be doing another mass SRT training session on Wednesday (17th) at 1pm AT THE TREE. If you’re not sure where this is give him a ring on 07813496886.
Please note that you need to demonstrate your rebelay technique above ground if you want to go on SRT trips (Megan, Jono, Danni, Tilda, Matt and Xian.) We might do more SRT at the weekend so please come along. If you want one-on-one training for either basic or advanced SRT give him a ring.

Clare

Could those who want to go to Clare please give Rich & Rufus the deposit and tell them whether they are happy to drive if necessary, and where they’ll be departing from. See the ACC facebook group’s event for the latest.

Oh Henry

Its probably about time for me to start badgering you about the next Oh Henry. you know the drill by now – trip reports, poems, in jokes, slanderous abuse and cartoons to ocd7.

(Nathan – if you’re reading this, dig the spelling)

See you at the tree/Fountain.

Croydon photos

Henry — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:54:53 +0000

Photos from the Croydon Weekend have now been uploaded…

….see the rest here

Mass SRT Sessions

Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:27:56 +0000

All day today (Wednesday) from 10 AM, and on Thursday afternoon, I will be down on the seafront for those who want to practice their srt. You will need to show me that you can do a rebelay above ground before we go off to do it underground this weekend.

A quick summary of who needs what:

Freshers who need lots of practice: Huw, Becca, Julia, Danni, Tilda, Megan, Henry Patton, Alex
People who’ve SRTed before, but I still want to see again: Tim, Toby, Fran, Xian, Mark, Jono, Luke
People who can SRT but can come for a play around if they want: Oli, Carly, Jason, Alison, Josh, Steve

I’ll also set up an infinate SRT rig for any freshers wanting to practice going up, as well as all the usual stuff.

Have a look at Cardiff’s SRT guide for a quick refresher (glad they turned out to be useful for something in the end).

I also think it’d be good if Huw brings the Indianna Jones collection down and we assemble at Oli’s at the end of Thursdays sesion for our delight and his education.

See you tomorrow,
Chris