Roger Solari has died during a push in Agen Allwedd.

Cave Photography

Part one of a new series on cave photography by expert photographer Alan Coase.

The Unparalleled SRT Technique of Jim Eyre

By his own pen, of course. Expect humour: extreme setting.

From Yorkshire Pot to the Sumidero Yo Chib

Pete Lord has been caving with Mike Boon, now resident in Canada – a trip that took in here, there and everywhere.

Miss Descent

The results of the Miss Descent competition for the best photo of a female caver underground. The results are, well, a little surprising.

Dalebarn Cave

Derek Crossland reports on a cave diving push that has taken the sump in Dale Barn Cave to over 2,500ft.

Know Your Ropes

Part one of a continuing series on ropes: what do you need for caving, and why?

The Hardware Scene

Home-made Ladders

This latest report covers not so much making ladders, but the dangerous faults that have developed.

Descent of Deepest Shaft in Wales

A great pot on Little Orme has been bottomed.

Cover: Colin Brookes on the Long Churn route into Alum Pot. Photo: D.J. Elliot

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A new and spectacular pothole has been found on Mendip, and it’s already over 400ft deep.

Ormes Reveal Cave Secrets to Boat Team

More discoveries have been made in what is normally a climber’s province: the sea cliffs of North Wales

The Hardware Scene

Chemilights

A new form of emergency lighting has reached the market.

Cover: Colin Brookes on the Long Churn route into Alum Pot. Photo: D.J. Elliot

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Descent has attained the grand age of five – happy birthday, us! So, how’s it been going in the real world?

Giant Cave Lake will Tempt Oxford Poly Back to Iran

The first Oxford Polytechnic expedition left in the wake of those to Ghar Parau, though the aim was to find new caves near Zagros.

Human Remains Found in Little Orme Cave

Archaeology comes to the fore in Ogof Rhiwledyn.

Exploit the Potential of Underground Photography

There actually aren’t that many cave photographers around -– yet this is a rich arena for producing stunning results.

Make Your Own Underground Exposure Calculator

Confused by those tricky flash guide numbers? Here’s your solution.

Differences Between Lists of Deepest Systems

Two internationally recognised lists of the world’s deepest caves have appeared – and they differ, markedly. Which is right and why?

Problems Over Re-establishment of Durham CRO

Durham CRO became defunct a couple of years ago, so is there support for restarting the organisation given that it was never formally wound down?

The Hardware Scene

The Whaletail Descendeur

Here are the specs for making your own descender, as invented by American caver Gerald Wood.

The Pun-ishment of Mangle Hole

‘It’s Sunday, bloody Sunday. The rain is cats and dogs.’ So begins a memorable trip …

Casteret: His Life and His Caves

Peter Johnson offers a brief biography of a man who is perhaps the best known in the world of caving.

Cover: Carlswark Caverns. Photo: Paul Deakin

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The dig at Manor Farm Swallet on Mendip dates back to 1947 – but now the effort has finally paid off.

NSS Team Brings SRT Expertise to Europe’s Pots

For three weeks, an American team has tackled the deep caves of the Astraka Plateau in Greece.

BUSS to the Picos de Europa

Birmingham USS members have taken on a trip to Spain and, typically, made a major discovery on the last but one day.

The Czech Congress: Bonhomie Despite Red Tape

The International Congress of Speleology in the Czech Republic has closed – but it’s Britain next!

Porth-yr-Ogof Inquest

The coroner’s findings after the death of junior soldier Graham Alston led to new recommendations for visits to the cave.

The Hardware Scene

The Skyhook

Here’s a full design specification for making a skyhook …

Arctomys Pot … Now Deepest in Canada and USA

This past summer saw some major work going on in British Columbia, where the Top of the World region has produced some record-breaking caves.

Staggering Challenge of PNG’s Atea River Sink

Papua New Guinea expedition reveals an area rich in potential for years to come.

Shepton Mallet Finds Achieve Record Length for Lava Cave

The annual Shepton Mallet CC expedition visited Tenerife in 1973 and broke the record books.

Cambridge Confident of 3,000ft Pot Discovery in 1974

The Cambridge UCC expedition to the Pyrenees has achieved several notable successes.

Cover: The old roof traverse in Lost John’s Cave. Photo: P.R. Sanderson

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Bob Leaky looked at the motives of the club caver in Descent (8), but what of that other beast: the non-club caver? Pete Mellors investigates.

Ogof Hesb Alun

Mel Davies covers news of an exciting and major find in North Wales.

OUCC in Spain, ’73

Oxford UCC cavers have returned from another successful expedition.

The Hardware Scene

John Letheren considers some maths behind rope strengths under tension.

Going Caving? Make Sure You’re Well Covered

The problem of finding adequate insurance cover for caving is not easy to solve, but now Peter Rose is offering a broking service for his fellow bretheren.

Cover: Alan Grahagan and Colin Thompson at the first pitch, Pool Sink, Ease Gill Caverns. Photo: Ian Davinson

OUT OF PRINT

Dave Yeandle shows how much diving has revealed in our northern caves.

Miners’ Deads Do Tell Their Tales

Triple Hole on Mendip finally reveals its secrets.

Search for Parc Mine Complex

A descent of a major disused mine in North Wales.

Ogof Dydd Byraf

Ogof Dydd Byraf has been saved from quarrying – for the present.

Story Behind Mammoth/Flint Link-up

Flint Ridge Cave and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky have finally been linked, creating the largest known cave in the world.

Reading University Leave Spanish Shaft Unexplored

As always seems to happen, the expedition ran out of time …

Threat to OFD From Quarry Extension Plans

Cambrian Caving Council is forced to react quickly to plans which might damage Ogof Ffynnon Ddu.

Cover: A cascade in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu 2. Photo: Clive Westlake

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The latest expedition ranks the Italian system of the Spluga della Preta as the hardest cave in the world!

White Rose Fail to Pass Corchia Choke

The final choke in the Antro del Corchia has repulsed all attempts to extend the cave.

UBSS Tackle 669ft Puzzle Shaft

In Yugoslavia for a change, UBSS cavers push a deep system.

Poland: Technical Nightmare for WSG

Westminster SG members find the caves in Poland some of the most technically difficult they have ever encountered.

PSM and M3 Link ‘Imminent’

The summer of 1972 saw a large British contingent in France, hoping to forge a major link.

Spain Tightens Cave Access

New ramifications to the Spanish cave access system make themselves felt.

CRG Ponder Up-dating of Survey Grading

There are recommended changes to surveying grades on their way.

Ogof Dydd Byraf

The story behind the fight to save a cave situated in a Welsh quarry.

The NCA – Its Role in British Caving

Finally, the Sports Council has recognised that caving is not your average sport!

Cover: Lifelining the second pitch in New Goydon Pot. Photo: Paul Deakin

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In a thought provoking article, Fred Davies suggests why (and how) we should be dealing with training.

British Team Puts Ghar Parau Promise to the Test

Is Ghar Parau set to become the world’s deepest? A British team is returning to find out.

The Natural Way in Hollandtwine Mine

Pushing onwards in Hollandtwine Mine in Derbyshire.

Moldywarps Tie Up Loose Ends in Fossdale

With a number of small discoveries, Moldywarps SG members report on their finds in Fossdale.

Blasting Reveals Major Cave Series in Fairy Cave Quarry

Nick Chipchase writes about two new entrances revealed by quarry blasting: and Hilliers and Fairy Cave have at long last been linked.

Eldon Make the Grand Circle After Breakthrough

There has always been the temptation of linking the two extremities of Agen Allwedd – now, the fourth choke has been passed and the round-trip is a reality.

Cavers Sounded Out Over CRG/BSA Merger

What do we cavers think about merging our two parallel national bodies?

Cover: The entrance pitch in Mammoth Cave, Jenolan, Australia. Photo: Andrew Pavey

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A team has begun exploration of a cave in Siberia, only recently discovered by accident.

The Bends: A Real Hazard for Today’s Cave Divers

As cave dives become longer and deeper, the bends are turning into more of a real threat.

Mangle Hole: Is it the Lost Cave of Sandford Hill?

Mangle Hole on Mendip might just be one of the region’s long lost caves.

Training for the Tough One

Spluga della Preta in Italy is the fourth deepest cave in the world, and the destination of a British expedition.

Rydale Windypits: Fun – but Filthy

The title gives it away: if you want to explore the windypits of the north, you know what you’re letting yourself in for.

British Expedition Examines Virgin Caving Region

Where in the world is this? Ethiopia, that’s where.

The Hardware Scene

Plastic Lamps

Justrite has ceased manufacture of the renowned carbide lamp, leaving the British Premier in control.

Abseiling and Prusiking Give Boost to Australasian Caving

SRT has led to a huge number of discoveries down under.

Rugby Scouts Invite Teams to JCB Höhle

Descent (4) reported that the Rugby Scout CG had met with success in Switzerland; now, they are continuing to push one of the most promising systems.

Cover: Alan Jeffreys at the bottom of Jingling Hole. Photo: Philip Clark

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After diving six sumps, John Parker and Jeff Philips have extended Agen Allwedd by three-quarters of a mile.

Conservation Group Looks at Three Reports

A report on the NCA’s Conservation and Access Group meeting in January.

A Cautionary Tale of Englishmen, Their Trousers, and Some Guerillas

Yes, it’s Jim Eyre back again with another tale of exploration woes – this time in Turkey.

Polish Pot Keeps its World Placing

Jaskinia Wielka Sniezna is technically difficult, but is still being pushed deeper.

Numerical Grading in New Cave Guides

Dave Brook looks at how caves might be graded in future.

Cover: Last man out of Pegasus Pot, Czech Republic. Artwork: Tony Payne

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