Having begun the story of his involvement with Yorkshire caving and the Craven PC in Descent (108), Len Cook continues with the story of his caving and photography in the late 1940s and ’50s.

The Porth Fatalities

With inquests into recent fatalities in Porth yr Ogof’s notorious resurgence pool, rumours about concerning how many deaths have occurred there. Chris Howes investigates the facts behind the stories, backed by a new underwater survey of the pool.

BCRA Conference ’92

We report in full on the 1992 Hidden Earth Conference held in Bradford.

The Lost Cave of Axbridge

Until the 1920s the hills above Axbridge were extensively mined for ochre. Following the Second World War disused workings lay dotted about the hillside, overgrown and merging with the greenery of Mendip. The miners were now old and their memories had faded, but all agreed: beneath Axbridge Hill lay a large cave. Has this been rediscovered?

Cover: Main Chamber, Gaping Gill, in 1951. Photo: Len Cook

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With the close of Rescon ’92, Charles Bailey offers this topical piece of fiction.

Under Ingleborough

In the years following the Second World War, British caving underwent a resurge of popularity. One activity was to become an annual event, the winch meet at Gaping Gill, enabling easy access to the bottom of the 365ft shaft. It was such an occasion in 1947 that introduced Len Cook to caving and, ultimately, the production of some of the finest caving pictures (and some of the earliest in colour) taken at that time. In this first of a series of articles concerning his involvement in those early years of British caving, Len tells of his introduction to Yorkshire exploration.

Down Under, Down Under

Alison Matthews comments on a visit to Coober Pedy in Australia, where opal mines are a fact of life.

An Aggtelek Visit

Caving activities by outdoor centres are usually perceived as being trips with beginners to over-visited caves. However, some centres travel further afield; Dave Ludlam and Paul Edmunds take up the story of a trip to the karst of Hungary.

The Thrupe Connection

After years of possibilities, there’s now a new drop on Mendip: Atlas Pot in Thrupe Lane Swallet is open for visitors.

Swallow Holes and Mine Drainage

The Forest of Dean is renowned for its iron mines and the recently discovered Slaughter Stream System, and has rightly been attracting a lot of interest in the search for more caves. Here, Chris Bowen investigates the surface channels constructed to prevent water draining into the mines, and suggests that cave systems were deliberately sealed for this reason.

The Descent Caption Competition

There’s a new prize on offer for the best captions for the latest engraving: a Daleswear oversuit.

A Gathering of Cavers

The months of July and August saw more than just torrential downpours – there were also two, well-organised events aimed at giving cavers practical experience of techniques. The first, a Cavers’ Fair, was a new venture in Britain, while the second was Rescon ’92, an international conference on rescue.

Cover: Neil Pacey in the White River Series extensions, Peak Cavern. Photos: Giles Barker

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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.

WODI

There’s a new protective container on the market.

Pushing Dan yr Ogof

During the past two years there has been an upsurge of interest in the Dan yr Ogof system, with several cavers pushing new leads and tying up loose ends. This has resulted in the further exploration of Mazeways, Corbel’s Chamber and the Battle of Britain Series. Brian Murlis takes up the story.

An Appreciation of Eli Simpson

In his interview in Descent (92) to (96), Bob Leakey made several references to Eli Simpson, a man who gave his name to Simpson’s Pot in Kingsdale and had far-reaching influences on our caving history. Here is an appreciation of the life and times of this pioneer caver.

Prid’s Sonic Survey

Mapping underwater passages with accuracy? At Pridhamsleigh Cavern, that’s exactly what is being done – using an electronic measuring device.

New Base for Pennine Training

Cavern training has a long and chequered history, from the long-gone Whernside Manor to specialist courses. Here is an appraisal of just one: Pennine Training based in the Peak District.

The Descent Caption Competition

Check here for the latest laughs as we present the results from the Descent Caption Competition.

Below Belize

Expeditions are not always plain sailing and don’t always offer easy caving – as Mark Sims found out when he ventured to Belize.

Cover: Neil Weymouth at the Mini Columns, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu. Photo: Tony Baker

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In early March, the media was full of stories about two rescued cavers from Sleets Gill Cave – both had been discovered alive, despite the fact that the system was known to flood to the roof. The audacious rescue relied on diving both out; this is their story.

Background to BCRA

Paul Hatherley investigates BCRA’s position in the context of the history of the NCA.

BCRA Incident Report

The incidents of 1991.

Midsummer Night

With the height of summer comes a ghostly caving story.

Gear Review

Brock Helmet and Warmbac Seat Cover

A new caver-designed helmet is on the market, as is a seat cover to keep car upholstery separate from your muddy oversuit.

The Blaen Onneu Digging Machine

The northern extremities of Blaen Onneu Quarry Pot have repulsed hammer and bang alike, but what of the southern passages?

Cover: Steve Jones in Hagg Gill Pot. Photo: Gavin Newman

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Carno Adit in South Wales has barely been out of the news for several issues of Descent, and this one is no exception. During a hectic three-week period at the start of the year approximately 4.5km of new passage was discovered at the end of Southern Discomfort. Here is the latest news in the search for the Llangynidr Master Cave.

The Descent Caption Competition

Offer the funniest caption and win a Petzl Fractio harness.

A Bulgarian Excursion

Fewer travel restrictions for Czech cavers has led to their heading for more distant sites. In 1990, two of them travelled to Bulgaria, not only for exploration but to make a film.

Gear Review: Warmbac Survival Bag and Sub-Zero Clothing

Here’s a new rescue-orientated survival bag and an alternative to the traditional furry undersuit.

The Big Dig Day

Digging with a mechanical excavator moves from Mendip to the Forest of Dean as Piccadilly Pot is opened.

The Iron Man is Dead

Memories of one of the hardest of cavers, Ken Pearce.

The Mines of Arran

Exploration in the barytes and limestone mines of this island in the Firth of Clyde.

Cover: Beaded helictites in Silent Splendor, Cave of the Winds, Colorado. Photo: Chris Howes

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

Cave diving exploration in Sanctuary Blue Hole on Andros Island in the Bahamas has revealed the remains of Lucayan natives from the time of Columbus.

The Descent Caption Competition

The results of the latest and funniest caption competition.

Caving With Stun-Guns

Dave Gill reports on the 1991 China Caves Project expedition to Yunnan province.

Poll na gCeim Goes Deep

The results of a renewed assault on what is probably Ireland’s deepest cave – with a resulting breakthrough!

Balls Green Mines Revisited

For the first time in years, two stone mines near Bristol have been entered again.

Gear Review

Apex 10 Lamp

A caver-designed and made light has reached the market and receives a full test.

Under the White Moon

A dig on the Black Mountains of South Wales has broken into Ogof Dan-y-Lleuad Wen, a new site to join those of Foel Fraith.

Changes to British Caving

In 1991 cavers were asked to complete a questionnaire in the post that asked for their opinions on British caving structure. Here are the results of that census.

Cover: Admiring a curtain in St Cuthbert’s Swallet. Photo: Peter Glanvill

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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.

Microwriter Agenda and Petzl Grigri

Two more products on test: how useful is a hand-held computer on expedition, and how does a new belaying device that can double as a descender fare?

BCRA Conference ’91

Our full report on the annual caving conference, this year held in Manchester’s UMIST once again.

Doolin – The End In Sight?

Martyn Farr has returned to Ireland to again push further into the Green Holes of Doolin.

Anxiety, Imagery and SRT

How might psychology help a novice overcome fears of SRT?

Riposte to the Runs

Dr Peter Glanvill reports on how an expedition might cope with the onset of diarrhoea.

The King-Keld Connection

King Pot and Keld Head in Kingsdale were connected earlier in 1991, drawing together more of the Three Counties System. Geoff Crossley reports on the through-dive, which produced a new world record.

The Highest Cave in the British Isles

From high on a Scottish hill, Uamh nan Uachdar has taken the record as the highest cave in Britain.

Carno’s Second Kilometre

Further breakthroughs in Carno Adit have turned what was the original cave into a mere entrance series.

DMM Resin Anchors

Here is an appraisal – the pros and the cons – of using resin-fixed anchors in caves.

The Descent Christmas Quiz

Try your hand at a series of caving conundrums over the festive season, with a set of prizes on offer.

Cover: Summit Hole, Peru, a tone separation of a black and white original. Photo: Jerry Wooldridge

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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.

Carno Adit has long held the attention of its devotees. Now, this 3km long tunnel – which has been dig since 1982 – has seen a major breakthrough and the discovery of several kilometres of passage. Here is the history of this site in South Wales, along with the exploration excitement.

Scrapes, Breaks and Bruises

First aid is something we should all be trained in, given the rigours of our sport. How does a PADI Medic First Aid course stack up, given its attention on diving.

Gouffre Berger Revisited

What’s so special about the Berger anyway? A classic French system, okay. A Mecca for cavers, perhaps. But on this occasion, it was an expedition with Jean Cadoux involved.

On a Plateau in Turkestan

Jim Birchall continues his survey of the major caving regions of the USSR with an account of a visit to Soviet Central Asia, one of vast caving potential that has seen several British expeditions.

Overhang

The order book is of paramount importance to every business, and mining companies are no exception. How did a slate mine in Mid Wales overcome the difficulties of overhanging, unstable rock in its struggle for survival?

Gear Review

Firefly Slave Unit

A commercially available infra-red slave unit for cave photography has at last appeared on the market.

A New Caving Structure

The past few years have seen many suggestions and much discussion on how British caving’s structure should change. There were limited agreements and some action, but the latest process of actual change has floundered. Some cavers were frustrated enough to convene a private meeting …

The Descent Caption Competition

Another prize is up for grabs, with a historical engraving from Mortimer’s Hole.

The Africa Series

A new extension has been found in Agen Allwedd.

Cover: Geoff Crossley in Little River Spring, Florida. Photo: Gavin Newman

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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.

Descent (100) carried news that a major breakthrough had been made in Peak Cavern, almost at the end of the open season for this showcave. The explorers were left staring up a huge aven, whose deeply fluted walls soared out of sight. Here is what they found at the top!

The Swilly Hole Extension

Major extensions to Swilly Hole in Cumbria were made in 1990 – now, further work has revealed another series in the form of the NE Rift Series.

BCRC Incident Report

All the rescue incidents of 1990.

Some Northern Stories & Legends

That legends are often associated with caves is well known. Here, E. Chris Kenyon tells some of these and covers a few of the ‘strange but true’ facts surrounding underground sites in the north of Britain.

Fourteen Years On, Wigmore Swallet ‘Goes’

The dig in Wigmore Swallet has been restarted; the end was merely described as ‘promising’ and unchanged since work began fourteen years previously. Now, there is at last a breakthrough into the unknown.

Diving in Drach

Mallorca’s Cuevas del Drach is a showcave and tourist magnet, but now British divers have for the first time been granted access to the underground lakes.

The Descent Caption Competition

One of the all-time classic captions has been submitted and wins the latest caption competition.

Cover: Steve Redwood taking scaffolding into Wigmore Swallet. Photo: Peter Bolt

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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.

Candlelight in the Philippines

Philippine tourist literature refers to part of the island as ‘cave country’. This British expedition found it a rich area indeed.

Slaughter Stream Cave: The Forest Grows

Descent (99) brought news of a major discovery in the Forest of Dean: Slaughter Stream Cave had rocketed to 4km long. With exploration continuing, here is the geology and hydrology of the area plus a full description of the cave.

Pushing the Darkness

An interview with Martyn Farr on the even of a new publication from this renowned cave diver and author.

Viewpoint

The Euronorm

There are new EEC standards of construction requirements coming in, as reported in previous issues. Here, Nick Williams presents his opinions on the forthcoming changes.

What’s in a Name?

It’s also all change for the UK’s government departments that affect the countryside and, inevitably, our sport of caving. How are the offices altering by name and deed?

Caving in the Caucasus

Jim Birchall visits the Caucasus, a mountainous area of limestone near the Black Sea with the depth potential of over 2km.

Cwm Dwr II

In 1938 a cave in Cwm Dwr Quarry at Penwyllt in South Wales was discovered and named Cwm Dwr II. Lost over the years, it was found again in 1990 and successively pushed further. This is how exploration has proceeded.

Cave Detection by Air Temperature Variation

Where there is a cave entrance, the surrounding vegetation may be affected by the draughts of warm (or cold) air – and thus the flora can point to a new dig site where nothing is evident to the eye.

A Comedy of Errors

Or how a simple three-man SRT trip to the bottom of Alum Pot can take five hours.

Cover: A caver on ladder, the original cover illustration from Descent (1), and Grant Brennan in Cyclops Pot, Tasmania. Photo: David Stuckey

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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.