Hydrology in Limestone Areas

Tim Atkinson indicates the directions that hydrological studies are taking in the UK – how is water traced, and what has it revealed?

“We’re the Expedition … Both of Us”

Westminster SG seems to have broken the record for the smallest expedition to leave our shores: there were only two of them!

Dale Barn: A Hard Nut for CNCC

Since 1962 the CNCC has gained access to many of the north’s caves and potholes, building relationships between cavers and landowners. But at Dale Barn Cave, there’s been a failure!

The World’s Longest and Deepest Caves: Official

The official record of the longest and deepest caves, according to the International Union for Speleology.

Saturday Hole: An Attractive Find for NMCC

Steve Greatorex covers exploration in Saturday Hole in Chapel-le-Dale.

Past Frustration Shaft in Corchia

It’s a major undertaking to explore the Antro del Corchia in northern Italy.

Restructuring of South Wales Cave Rescue

After many years of offering cover, a meeting at South Wales CC headquarters has set out a new structure for the organisation.

Picos de Europa: Nottingham’s Target for 1970

Nottingham UCC students are heading for the Picos to continue exploration.>

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

Take a Cool Look at your Tackle

Caving safety relies on you: check your tackle carefully and avoid using either worn or badly designed kit.

The Re-Opening of Earl Pot

Earl Pot near Sell Gill Holes in the Yorkshire Dales, discovered in the early 1950s, has been refound and surveyed.

Dry Sump Key to Ogof Afon Hepste

Mel Davies reports on discoveries in the Hepste river valley in South Wales.

Long Rake Mine

A description and survey of Long Rake Founder Shaft and what lies beneath in this Derbyshire mine.

South Wales Success for Piano Tuners’ League

Ogof Garreg Fawr has been extended to a respectable length cave of 500 yards.

This is Aggie … That Was

It’s time to challenge the record books for the fastest trip around Agen Allwedd.

Minus 1,500 Feet for Epos Chasm Team

Jim Eyre has been to the Epos Chasm in Greece for an attempt on the world record depth.

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

Take a Cool Look at your Tackle

Caving safety relies on you: check your tackle carefully and avoid using either worn or badly designed kit.

The Re-Opening of Earl Pot

Earl Pot near Sell Gill Holes in the Yorkshire Dales, discovered in the early 1950s, has been refound and surveyed.

Dry Sump Key to Ogof Afon Hepste

Mel Davies reports on discoveries in the Hepste river valley in South Wales.

Long Rake Mine

A description and survey of Long Rake Founder Shaft and what lies beneath in this Derbyshire mine.

South Wales Success for Piano Tuners’ League

Ogof Garreg Fawr has been extended to a respectable length cave of 500 yards.

This is Aggie … That Was

It’s time to challenge the record books for the fastest trip around Agen Allwedd.

Minus 1,500 Feet for Epos Chasm Team

Jim Eyre has been to the Epos Chasm in Greece for an attempt on the world record depth.

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

Route Severity Diagrams

How can we cavers show, in a simple diagram, routes, connections and severity of the systems we explore?

Discovery of Ogof Pen Cyfrwy

A new cave has been found in the cliffs of Pembrokeshire.

Make Your Own Caving Gloves

In the best traditions of DIY, here’s how to modify industrial gloves for underground use.

BUG Tell Their Tale

Here’s how Birmingham Underground Group began …

Knotlow Mine Pushed Past Sump

There’s a new extension in Knotlow Mine in the Peak District.

It’s Expedition Time for British Cavers

We present details of where British teams are heading this summer.

Porth-yr-Ogof’s Secrets

Mel Davies reports on the diving discoveries being made in Porth yr Ogof.

British Apuanian Expedition

A gallery discovered during the latest expedition to Italy marks the team’s success in Corchia.

Route Finding: Will This ‘Toilet Roll’ Solve the Problem?

In a complex system, will taking a toilet-roll-shaped survey help?

Down the Pot … With Santa Maria

Jim Eyre joins Descent with the first of many of his caving tales, told in his distinctive and outrageous style. Here, he’s been caving in Spain.

Manchester Maypole into Marble Steps Pot Extension

Maypoling has proved the vital key to gain a high-level series in Marble Steps Pot.

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

British Apuanian Expedition

When the national press ran a story that Italian cavers had tried to prevent British potholers from returning to Antro Della Corchia, it looked like this year’s expedition might be called off. However, they’re out there now …

Taking the Plunge – In Safety

In part two of his article on his new descender, Derek Appleing supplies details of the machined version.

Caving with a Specialised Deaf Group

In Devon, cavers have a problem taking deaf youngsters underground.

Quarry Threat to Mendip Caves

With land being allocated for quarrying limestone, a possible solution has been put forward to safeguard caves – but will it be accepted?

Exciting Cerberus Discovery: Shatter Cave

Nick Chipchase brings us up to date with news of a new discovery in Fairy Cave Quarry.

A Lamp-Post Makes a Great Belay!

With massive subsidences threatening a housing estate in Bury St Edmunds, members of Chelsea SS have been investigating some old chalk mine workings.

British Team Challenges Austria’s Ahnenschacht

An expedition returns to the Totes Gebirge to push onwards and downwards.

Fresh Assault on Pierre St. Martin

British cavers, for the first time, will be joining a multi-national team heading for this renowned deep system.

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

Take Care, You Cavernicolous Subtroglophile You!

Our subterranean fauna is in danger – from us! Here’s how we should take care of our underground environment to help our minibeasts survive.

Taking the Plunge – In Safety

Derek Appleing describes a new descender that he has designed.

Meregill Death

The lessons we must learn from a fatal accident at Meregill Hole.

Busy Spring for CDG

Here’s a round-up of the latest diving discoveries.

Swiss Cave Finds for Rugby Scouts

Exploration in the Bernese Oberland has revealed several new caves.

North Wales Rescue Team Aid Mine Search

Morfa Ddu saw a major rescue callout when the shaft entrance collapsed and took a local child with it.

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

The Gentle Art of Water Tracing

If we want to learn where water flows to, perhaps highlighting the best dig sites, here’s the science and methods to follow.

Boy Lives After 120ft Mine Fall

It’s a lucky escape for a Yorkshire schoolboy who plummeted down a disused mine shaft.

Search Leads Cwmbran to Archaeological Site

Members of Cwmbran CC have found a new cave, Ogof Morfran, on Gower.

Grey Wife Hole: Only Thin Men Need Apply

Kendal CC members have been digging at Grey Wife Hole in Yorkshire and pushed into some decent extensions.

Fifty Years of the UBSS

Peter Standing covers the history, and jubilee celebrations that have taken place, of the University of Bristol Soelaeological Society.

Cheddar Access goes to MNRC

Access control of caves in the Cheddar Gorge has changed.

NCA Policy Outlined

There’s broad agreement for the new national caving body policy.

Petzl Remote Release Device – the Decrocheur

A new device has been designed by Fernand Petzl, this time to aid the recovery of a rope or ladder from the bottom of a pitch.

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

Nottingham Meets the Challenge of Spain’s Picos

Nottingham UCC members felt the urge to take on some foreign caving, so headed for Spain and some unfinished work.

Wales Joins the Fray with Cyngor Ogofeydd Cymreig

A report on the first official meeting to discuss forming a council to represent the interests of Welsh cavers.

Ollivier Cave: An Experiment with Time

Two men have been living apart for an extended ‘time experiment’ in Ollivier Cave in France, emerging after nearly five months in isolation.

Mosques, Diarrhoea and Caves – Turkey Has the Lot

Turkey seems to be considered virgin caving territory – this is a round-up of work there to date.

No Teeth for NCA, South Assured

The really hot issue at the annual CSCC meeting was the formation of the National Caving Association, which had come about very quickly indeed.

Access Agreement for Draethen Mines

Draethen lead mines in South Wales, both Roman and modern, lie on Forestry Commission land and have recently seen a thorough examination.

World’s Cavers to Meet at Stuttgart

The 5th International Congress of Speleology is being planned.

National Spelaeological Conference Bristol, 1976

Harry Pearman’s tongue is still in cheek as his two-part article concludes.

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

David Heap reports on an expedition to Norway, involving two schools and Kendal CC.

Low Cost Lab for BCG

Descent covers the work of a caver-run laboratory for Border Caving Group.

Petzl Descendeur

News of a new descender from Petzl.

Another Mendip Flood Find

The floods of July 1968 left many changes on Mendip, including a new cave at Tynings Farm.

Bang Fumes

Regional councils, the Cave Research Group …What’s going on and who said what about what?

DCA Buxton Congress was ‘Best Yet’

The fourth Derbyshire Caving Association conference was held over two days in October 1968; this is our coverage.

Three-Prong Policy for Pengelly Centre

The William Pengelly Cave Study Trust in Devon has its own building that is developed not only for cavers but also the public.

National Spelaeological Conference Bristol, 1976

Tongue firmly in cheek, Harry Pearman writes about a conference-to-come.

Cover: Ladder climbing. Artwork: Tony Payne

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