The Greater Easeghyll Traverse

In the first part of a new series, here is a description of a classic route through the Ease Gill system.

NCA Report

The NCA reports back to cavers.

Blue Holes set for Challenge

Rob Palmer looks at the challenge presented by the flooded marine caves of the Bahamas.

The Hardware Scene

Rescue Blankets

Is a rescue blanket of any use? Yes, it seems.

Pozu del Xitu – Ready and Waiting

There is a thousand metres of depth potential awaiting an Oxford team in Spain.

Tests Throw New Light on Giant’s Watercourse

The results of hydrology experiments in the Castleton area of Derbyshire.

Stellerweghöhle

Cambridge UCC is in the Totes Gebirge of Austria for the fifth year running and looking at a 1,200ft alternative route in Stellerweghöhle.

Cover: John Cordingley preparing to dive Buxton Water Sump, Peak Cavern. Photo: Rob Franklin

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.

The Gouffre Jean-Bernard has been dropped to 4,773ft and regained the world record.

Far Sump Passed in Peak Cavern

The divers might have broken through – but t’owd man was there first!

Opening Robin’s Shaft Mine

Robin’s Shaft Mine in Ilam in the Peak District has been explored and surveyed.

BU565

Here is a full report on the French expedition to 3,920ft in BU56.

Broad Coverage at Medical Symposium

Dr Peter Glanvill reports on a caver-orientated medical meeting.

Doubts Dispelled as SE Cavers Patiently Push Chalk Cave

And they have reached a quarter mile into the caves of Beachy Head.

Oh, Poor Old P8!

Jerry Murland wonders whether P8 is destined to be worn away by the troops of novices that visit the system.

The Hardware Scene

Survival Packs

Are survival ration packs of any use to us, and how long a ladder do we really need?

Mulu 80

The team returns with some major finds on record.

Cover: The remains of the winding and pumping engine in Sir Francis Mine, Gunnerside. 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.

In a major rescue, Timothy Flannagan regains the surface after over fifty hours in Agen Allwedd.

The Hardware Scene

Bayercast

Caving applications for a revolutionary splinting technique.

Mulu 80

The first field report from Sarawak as the British team begins work.

British Divers will Probe the Bahamas’ Blue Holes

Preparations begin for a cave diving expedition.

Ramadamn!

Yes, it’s Cerberus CC versus the locals as British cavers head for Morocco.

Cover: The last pitch in Rift Pot. Photo: Clive Westlake

OUT OF STOCK

The deepest cave in the world might no longer be in France, but in the USSR: enter Snezhnaya Cave.

British Connect Ragge Javre Raige with Lower Entrance

On a trip to Norway, a significant link is forged.

Top Kit

Lightweight Tents

A round-up of the tents available on the market.

French Successes in New Britain

A French team has made significant discoveries and begun work on the Nare river.

Mulu 80

A small group of cavers have been investigating the caves of Sarawak and started to record some stunningly impressive sites.

Advanced Caving Techniques

Dave Elliot opens his series with the cord technique for rigging pitches.

Diving in Peak Cavern

Far Sump is receiving attention, to good effect.

Cover: Paul Deakin working in Peak Cavern streamway. Photo: W. Chiswell

OUT OF STOCK

Harry Long has impressed everyone with his knowledge and commitment to cave rescue.

The Hardware Scene

Viking Speleo Rope

Viking Speleo Rope, tips for rack users and a survey of lightweight stoves.

Inquest Findings

Coverage of the inquest and ensuing recommendations after two cavers are drowned in OFD.

The Truth About ‘Slieve Elva Pot’

The problem is, Slieve Elva Pot isn’t Slieve Elva Pot!

Whernside Revisited

Is the national caving centre at Whernside Manor worth saving or not?

The Heritage Cave Scheme

Mel Davies presents the concept of heritage caves – those purchased by the caving community and set aside in perpetuity.

Cover: Nigel Dibben ascending the Nettle Pot entrance shaft. Photo: W. Chiswell

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.

Oliver ‘Bear’ Statham, he of the Keld Head through-dive, has died.

LUSS Expedition Pushes Picos 56 Pot

The Spanish cave has been dropped to a depth of 1,615ft.

A Caver’s Approach to Sound Transmission Via the Ground

The second part of Rollo Gillespie’s article.

WVCC Descend New Berger Entrance

Worth Valley CC members head for the Gouffre des Elfes in France.

Peak Cavern

Cave diving updates from the Peak.

Cambridge Expedition Bottoms Austria’s Eislufthöhle

The Eislufthöhle in the Austrian Totes Gebirge has sumped at the depth of 506m.

Cover: The first pitch of Diccan Pot. Photo: Clive Westlake

OUT OF STOCK

How well does sound travel through the ground – and what use the information might be put to.

Progress at the Pengelly Cave Studies Centre

Work on Pengelly’s centre in Devon is ongoing, as is research in the caves.

Cave Exploration in the USSR

A resume of work conducted in the USSR: all the facts and figures.

Gaping Ghyll Still has that Old Magic!

The thrill of a first descent of Gaping Gill’s main shaft.

Stereo Photography Underground

David Leonard shows us how to shoot stereo photos and contact like-minded photographers.

Rescueeing: The New Sport for Maxifame!

Bob Leakey is challenging the humour monkeys again!

Cave Rescue Organisation: Nursemaid to the Non-Self-Sufficient Caver?

Jim Eyre wonders whether having a rescue organisation to hand makes it more likely that we take chances.

Cover: Rob Cobon on the final pitch of Alum Pot. Photo: Dave Elliot

OUT OF STOCK

The predictions are sealed until someone can prove what lies behind Malham Cove, says Ian Plant.

Converting to an Expedition Carbide Lamp

How it works, how you should work it!

What the 1979 NSS Convention Holds in Store

Head for New England for the forthcoming NSS Convention.

First British Descent of Scialet de la Combe de Fer

Another classic French cave in the Vercors tackled by a British team.

Reyfad is Ireland’s Deepest …

And still going strong!

UK Expedition will Probe Secrets of Hawaii’s Volcanic Caves

The attractions of caving in lava – at least, the solid but hollow kind!

The Floating Cam

A new ropewalker ascender offers a faster rate of ascent.

The Hardware Scene

Ropewalker Failure

A ropewalker is reported to have failed under load, plus there is a report on Maillon Rapides.

Archaeology for Cavers

Mel Davies describes what to watch for to avoid damaging these all important records of our past.

Cover: At the terminal sump in P8. Photo: Carter-White

OUT OF STOCK

The subject of a television film, the through-trip from Kingsdale Master Cave to Keld Head has been completed.

Italy’s Abissa Fighiera

In the Antro del Corchia, is the Abissa Fighiera in line for the world’s deepest cave?

Exploring High Karst Areas of the Land of Big Drops

Bill Stone presents the wonders of Mexican caving.

Solo Caving

Right or wrong, caving solo has its attractions, says Dave Checkley.

The Hardware Scene

Testing the Jumar

Not only the results of testing a Jumar to destruction, but the strength of ropes and the Whillock rope climber as well.

Cover: Geoff Yeadon kitted up at the Keld Head dive site. Photo: Yorkshire Television

OUT OF STOCK

King Pot in Kingsdale has seen a major extension.

Eislufhöhle Still Going for CUCC

A Cambridge team is 1,148ft down in Austria’s Eislufhöhle

Vespers Pot: Under Our Noses All the Time!

Vespers Pot in Kingsdale proved easy to enter; you just had to have the luck of looking in the right place.

Death of Dr. E.K. Tratman

‘Trat’ has died; here is our tribute.

Reyfad Find Heads Into Mountain

Another kilometre of passage has been found in Reyfad Pot.

British Divers Set for World Record Dive at Keld Head

Preparations are underway to forge a major underwater link.

Los Tayos

A pint at t’Heifer, then caving’s zaniest expedition sets off for Ecuador.

Return from Mulu

One of the largest expeditions ever organised by the Royal Geographical Society has returned from the caves of Mulu, having shot a television film to boot.

Doghole Reveals Devon’s Jewels

Doghole in Buckfastleigh has seen renewed interest – and an extension.

Exploring the Dachstein Massif

The Totes Gebirge of Austria calls to cavers …

National Caving Association Commentary

Whether you agree with the red tape or not, the latest reports will affect you!

Cover: George Cooper laddering the Gouffre de Roque de Cor. Photo: Paul Deakin

OUT OF STOCK