Alan Jeffreys proves the inestimable adage: ‘caves be where you find ’em’.

Caves and the Community

A special symposium held in London dealt with seven aspects of caves and caving.

Liverpool Discover Jamaica’s Longest Cave System

A British expedition visits known systems – and then take to prospecting.

The Hardware Scene

Sheath Slippage

Following an incident at Dale Head Pot, a look at what happens to ropes when the sheath slips.

The Discovery of Fox Chamber

Linked to this month’s cover photo, the story of how excavations led to a major discovery in the Peak District.

Quiet Retreat from Norway’s Depths

A team heads for Norway to tackle the deepest system in northern Europe.

NCA News Bulletin

The NCA reports back to cavers with another Bulletin.

Cover: Fox Chamber in the newly discovered extension in Winnatts’ Head Cave. Photo: Paul Deakin

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Hard work made this year’s International Congress of Speleology the best yet.

Extension Made to Ayleburn Pot

A quick look in Ayleburn Pot quickly located a small, dry passage not mentioned in the guidebook.

Ogof Craig-a-Ffynnon

After a long dig, finally there is something to show: four miles of new cave passage.

Recent Diving in Derbyshire

Jerry Murland reports on dives throughout the Peak.

Cambridge Push the Hard Pots of Altaussee

For the second year running, Cambridge cavers have headed for the karst of Austria.

Iran ’77

Martyn Farr tells the tale of an amazing prospecting expedition to the caves of Iran.

NCA News Bulletin

The NCA reports back to cavers with Bulletin (4).

Crack British Team Leaves for Borneo – and Mulu

The potential is vast indeed on the other side of the world.

Cover: The Hall of the Mountain King in Ogof Craig a Ffynnon. Photo: Ian Davinson

Please be aware that, owing to the age of these magazines, some staples could be a little bit rusty.

Price shown includes postage within the UK. For customers outside the UK, postage will be added on at checkout.

VAT is not charged on UK publications. Orders to the EU are posted without tax paid and you are responsible for VAT and any other charges on delivery.

Descent is printed to the highest quality in the UK, as it has been since its inception in 1969.

Alan L. Jeffreys reports on the latest discoveries north of the border.

NCA News Bulletin

The NCA reports back to cavers with Bulletin (3).

Depth Record in Big Wookey Dive

Martyn Farr and Dave Morris cover the results of their latest push in Wookey Hole.

An Enchanting Diversion …

Into fowl play, high hopes and the Cave Diggers Union, bruvvers … Keep your tongue firmly in cheek now! But, here’s full coverage of the caves to be found on Storrs Common in Ingleton.

Hurnel Ridge Sink

A new cave has been found on Ingleborough.

Redmire Sump Passed to Give Mile of Cave

Redmire Pot in Wharfedale has been pushed as part of Cambridge UCC’s systematic search for new passage in the area.

Preston Push Crescent Pot to 400 Feet Deep

Crescent Pot in East Kingsdale has been extended by Preston CC members.

Diving Tragedy at Ilam

Mike Nelson has died while undertaking a dive into Ilam Risings in the Manifold Valley.

Cover: Prusiking up the entrance pitch to Rumbling Hole. Photo: Mike Smithson

Please be aware that, owing to the age of these magazines, some staples could be a little bit rusty.

Price shown includes postage within the UK. For customers outside the UK, postage will be added on at checkout.

VAT is not charged on UK publications. Orders to the EU are posted without tax paid and you are responsible for VAT and any other charges on delivery.

Descent is printed to the highest quality in the UK, as it has been since its inception in 1969.

Mendip diggers have opened up a new streamway cave.

Aussie Extravaganza in Major European Systems

While British cavers venture ever further afield in search of caves, those further afield head closer to our shores.

NCA News Bulletin

The NCA reports back to cavers with Bulletin (1).

Careful Build-up to Longest Wookey Dives

The problems facing those pushing in Wookey Hole.

Farr’s Travels

Martyn Farr has emulated Pete Lord’s epic tour of the USA; it was time to show the Americans that not all cavers come from England!

Observations on the Use of SRT in Australasia

Andy Eavis thought that he should travel onward from PNG and was surprised to find how other countries are making use of SRT.

The Hardware Scene

APS and the Rack vs. Whaletail

Yes, it’s another prusiking system: the use of a ropewalker with a more ‘traditional’ arrangement for a prusik, and a separate article looks at the rack vs. the whaletail.

Himalayan Expedition

The second field report from the expedition to north-west Pakistan.

Cover: Diving in P8. Photo: Dave Elliot

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Ged Dodd reports on the latest work in Kingsdale Master Cave.

NCA News Bulletin

The NCA reports back to cavers.

The Hardware Scene

Lightstick Pocket and Modfied Ammo Can

Looking at Cyalume lightsticks and modifying an ammunition can for emergency use.

Decompression Next Stage in Wookey Diving

With the sumps going deep and long, decompression will be required at Wookey Hole.

Record Lava Cave Find in Kenya

A ten-day expedition has found what is claimed to be the world’s longest and deepest lava cave: Leviathan.

Gearing Up to Congress

It’s coming: the seventh International Speleological Congress, to be held in Sheffield.

Limited Finds in NW Pakistan Recce

The first field report from the 1976 expedition to the Himalaya.

The Joys of Big Ape (and Little Ape)

Pete Smart sends this report on Jamaican caving.

Working Party’s Report on How We View NCA

The working party’s report in full.

Cover: Gary Jones in the 1976 discovery: Splash Inlet Extension in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu. Photo: Alan Jackson

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Three potholers have died while attempting a free-dive out from Langstroth Pot.

Wookey Hole Breakthrough

Martyn Farr reports on the latest diving discoveries in Wookey Hole.

SRT Know-how for 200 at BCRA Buxton Symposium

A special symposium organised to cover the subject of SRT draws an impressive crowd of cavers.

Treasure Under a Welsh Hill

Speleo Rhal CC describes their new find in Tunnel Cave.

Otter Hole

Two of the support party for a diving trip in Otter Hole spend their time wisely and make their own breakthrough.

Moldywarps Find Skye’s Longest Cave

A few minutes’ digging reveal a new site: Uamh Cinn Ghlinn.

NEL Report on SRT Rope

A report on independent tests applied to ropes.

Montana: Rugged, Beautiful Land of Promise

With a sparse population and a wilderness designation, huge tracts of land are ripe for exploration.

How Strong are Tape Slings?

With an upsurge in SRT in the UK, it’s time to examine your slings for their suitability.

The Hardware Scene

Whaletail Versus Rappel Rack

Continuing the debate begun in Descent (30) as to which system is the best and safest.

Blea Gill Cave: The Discoveries Continue

Les Mottram continues the story of how Blea Gill Cave was opened up.

Cover: Graham Moseley on the bolt traverse in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu 1. Photo: Ian Davinson

Please be aware that, owing to the age of these magazines, some staples could be a little bit rusty.

Price shown includes postage within the UK. For customers outside the UK, postage will be added on at checkout.

VAT is not charged on UK publications. Orders to the EU are posted without tax paid and you are responsible for VAT and any other charges on delivery.

Descent is printed to the highest quality in the UK, as it has been since its inception in 1969.

ry

An international expedition has resulted in not one but two broken records.

New Guinea 75

The 1975 British expedition to Papua New Guinea has completed its work and returned home, producing this full report.

Blea Gill Cave

Here is a club’s diary of exploration in Blea Gill Cave in the Yorkshire Dales.

NCA News Bulletin

The NCA reports back to cavers.

Fine Sport Down the Piaggia Bella

Bradford PC members set their sights on the Piaggia Bella system in Italy.

Dale Head Pot Third Deepest in North

After plenty of underground engineering, Dale Pot Cave has attained a depth of 540ft.

Grotte de la Cigalère

A British team has reached the end of the Cigalère, but draws a blank when diving the sump.

Report on the SRT Fatal Accident in the Picos

In 1975 Chris Murray fell while ascending a pitch using SRT, and subsequently died in the cave. His friends on the trip offer their observations.

Hull University Link Pollnacrom & Reyfad

Two major systems in Co. Fermanagh have been linked.

The Hardware Scene

The Jerry Pad

Protecting your ropes at a rub point.

Cover: Stalagmites. Photo: Uncredited

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Some routine photography led to the discovery of a new cave in sea cliffs at Portland: Blacknor Hole.

Know Your Ropes

Part three of a continuing series covers rope types and the latest results of tests.

The Caving Regions of the USSR

John Letheren records the principal caving areas in the USSR, of which 40% is designated limestone.

Extension in Kingsdale Master Cave

An aven climb yields an unexpected reward.

Whernside Manor: An Appeal for Help from Britain’s Cavers

Financial support is being withdrawn from the National Caving Centre at Whernside Manor – help is needed to safeguard this resource.

Advance Team Picks Out Matienzo’s Plum Pots

Planning sorts out the best caves to tackle in Matienzo in Spain.

NCA News Bulletin

The NCA reports back to cavers.

The Hardware Scene

Bolts

Nick Reckert covers bolts and their uses for safer SRT.

Call From the BCRA for Radical Changes in the NCA

David Judson’s discussion piece was a personal one – until it was adopted by BCRA as policy.

World Interest Focuses on Papua New Guinea

Several expeditions are aimed at the caves of PNG.

Cover: Rescuing an injured caver from Ariel Tunnel on Portland. Photo: Reg Vincent

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The facts behind David Huxtable’s death in Gaping Gill, with …

Gaping Ghyll: Why Did the Rope Break?

An analysis of rope types and why some are unsuitable for SRT.

New Guinea 75

The latest expedition to Papua New Guinea is one of the largest and most ambitious to leave our shores.

Otter Hole

A tidal sump guards the secrets of a discovery in the Forest of Dean.

NCA News Bulletin

The NCA reports back to cavers.

Cave Photography

Alan Coase turns to flash techniques in part three of his series on cave photography.

The Problems Now Facing Britain’s ‘Super-Cave’

Making Ogof Ffynnon Ddu the centrepiece of British caves is not an easy thing.

Cover: The huge Iaro River Cave of Papua New Guinea. Photo: Uncredited

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Bradford PC team descends to the depths of the Chourun des Aiguilles at 3,200ft.

Know Your Ropes

Ropes and their characteristics, part two of a continuing series.

Castleguard Film Epic

A new film has been shot in Castleguard Cave in Canada: a film shot in style!

The Hardware Scene

Whaletail Versus Rappel Rack

Which descent system is the best and safest?

Cave Photography

Alan Coase looks at flash equipment in part two of his series on cave photography.

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

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