An Oxford University CC expedition has returned to the Picos de Europa in northern Spain to push Pozu Chicago from the point where exploration ceased in 2006: an ongoing, open shaft.

Blissful Days

Cave photographer Ron Bliss produced some of the UK’s classic cave photos during the 1950s and later decades and, even given their age, many of them would be familiar to modern cavers. Here, a tribute is paid to the quality of Ron’s early lantern slides.

Pump Up the Volume

If water was the agency that formed our caves, why shouldn’t it be used to empty them out again – it would be sooooo much easier than digging by hand!

Caving Fatalities in the UK

Following an enquiry concerning a possible caving fatality in the 1930s, it proved surprisingly difficult to pull together data for all known incidents, including those that pre-dated the formation of the cave rescue teams. Here is the result of the research.

Hungarian Rhapsody

When cavers from the UK attended the 11th International Cave Rescue Conference in Hungary, they found time to do far more than attend lectures. In the company of fellow delegates, language was no barrier to exploring the vast karst plateaux of Aggtelek National Park and the caves they contain.

Gear Review

StenLight S7 and KSE Lamp

Two caving-suitable, lightweight headlamps are fresh on the UK market, and both perform extremely well.

Fountains of the Great Deep

Alan Jeffreys, in his inimitable style, believes that every caver should experience a full-blown flood – from the inside of a cave.

Cover: John Robinson in Long Churn Cave. Photo: Dave Ryall

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A major BBC television programme about caves has been made, due to be screened in August. Here is the story of how the project was planned and filmed.

The Man of Friday the Thirteenth

Twenty years ago, on a solo trip, Watty pushed Penyghent Pot’s Friday the Thirteenth Series to a conclusion; it was a bold, hard undertaking. Tragically, Jon Watt died young: here is his tribute.

Crocs, Docs, Critters and Caves

An expedition to islands off the coast of Panama has proved fruitful, even if the local fauna might have thought otherwise.

The Destruction of the Robey

Reports of the loss of mining artefacts and buildings are all too common, and now two more have been destroyed. Mining historians will mourn the loss of the Robey Incline in North Wales.

Speleovision: Panoramas and Giants

From the UK comes a new film about pushing Spain’s Sima GESM, while from the USA is a new departure: a set of stunningly beautiful panoramic views of Carlsbad Caverns and Lechuguilla Cave that can be viewed from any angle, as if in the centre of a sphere.

Blind Date Caving Anyone?

Are caving clubs failing to attract newcomers to the sport ? What of the internet and its prevailing influence? If you simply want to get underground, what’s a girl to do?

The Bottom Line

Oh Let My Books Be Then the Eloquence …

Perhaps faced with limited funds or simply overenthusiastic editors, caving clubs regularly seem to discuss whether to issue their journals as electronic files, consigning paper to oblivion – but not if Alan Jeffreys has a say in it.

Cover: Dave Harley traversing on the Event Horizon, Titan. Photo: Robbie Shone

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It was the 1960s and a time of discovery across South Wales. Forty years ago the connections were made and passages in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu unfolded, ripe for exploration.

Descent Competition 200

The gauntlet is laid down: can you tell us something personal about your caving career? If the answer is a simple ‘yes’ and your anecdotes are unrivalled, a flight in a Tiger Moth awaits you.

A Fresh Pair of Eyes

The further reaches of Mendip’s Wigmore Swallet have not attracted much attention over the past decade or so – descriptions such as ‘demanding’ and ‘contaminated’ did little to encourage exploration. However, with a fresh pair of eyes looking for a way on, where there’s a will there’s a way.

A Giant Leap for a Frog

Dig, dig, pedal, pedal. Yes, the tri-cycle spoil removal mechanism has paid off: at last, a breakthrough in Scotland’s Rana Hole.

Caving’s Hour of Exercise

A huge number of cavers turned up to enjoy the Hidden Earth conference weekend – where they were even encouraged to take more exercise!

Bliss of Casterton Fell

Ron Bliss, cave photographer for half a century and more, died a few days before his eightieth birthday, thus missing the rightful acclaim his latest work has drawn. Here is his tribute.

The Gully Cave Question

With Belay Point overflowing into the main part of the issue, a letter challenging the effects of cave archaeology on the environment has drawn a swift response.

Cover: Maypole Inlet, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, during original exploration. Photo: Paddy O’Reilly

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

Raumer Handy Braking Karabiner

A replacement for the traditional steel karabiner used for extra control in SRT, the Raumer Handy, is on test.

A Glimpse of the Starless River

To celebrate the publication of the second part of his autobiography, for your amusement and edification Jim Eyre has set down his story of a pirate trip in France, written in his own inimitable style.

The Rescues of 2006

The British Cave Rescue Council has released details of the rescues that took place in 2006 – read what went right and what went wrong and learn from the mistakes that others made.

A Tribute to the Wig

Dave Irwin, a highly respected caver and speleohistorian, died in March. Some of those who best knew him offer their reminiscences in this tribute.

A Return to Parau

In the 1970s two British caving expeditions pushed the Iranian cave of Ghar Parau to what was hoped would be a new world record, without success. Simon Brooks has made a return and reports on the history of exploration, his part in the latest expedition from Russia and other ongoing projects in the country.

Anchor Failure on Mendip

When a ‘red rash’ of spits began to appear across the UK in the 1980s, a national scheme was set up to place solid, permanent anchors on behalf of all cavers. The problem is, for the first time an anchor has failed its test – and when further checks were made on Mendip, several more followed suit. Here is the latest news.

Cover: Mark Brown in a shaft in the White Mountains of Crete. Photo: Robbie Shone

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

Are you looking for a holiday destination? One of those places that is cheap and offers the chance for some good caving would be ideal. Here’s one such group’s solution – a trip to Lanzarote.

Fight for Life

In 1959 Neil Moss became trapped in a narrow shaft in Peak Cavern; the ensuing rescue attempts drew national media attention and, after Neil’s death, a re-examination of rescue procedures. Dave Webb’s documentary film, which took a decade to bring to fruition, has received massive acclaim – here is his account of how it was made.

Forgotten Mines of Kettleness

Interested in learning more about an obscure area on the Yorkshire coast, a group of cavers was surprised to find that not only were there iron mines to explore – they were filled with iron formations.

Flooding in Manchester Hole

The Health & Safety Executive and the police are conducting an ongoing investigation into a fatal accident in Manchester Hole in 2005. In advance of the inquest and breaking with normal procedure, part of what has been learned so far related to risk assessment in the area has been released and is published here at the request of the HSE.

Supporting Exploration

A new year of expeditions is underway, with some benefiting from grant support.

The Great Cango Rescue

When an overweight woman became stuck in Cango Cave in South Africa earlier this year, it sparked Steve Craven’s interest into finding out how many other incidents had occurred during the showcave’s long history.

Cover: Flo Gruner in Gouffre Euzedes, France. Photo: Andi Schober assisted by Jens Romer

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

In 1989 an article in Descent described a figure-of-nine trip through Swildon’s Hole on Mendip. Now, another classic route has been forged in this ever-popular cave: the Grand Tour, taking in all the parts that have made it justly famous, from the squalor of Priddy Green Sink and Cowsh Aven to the ripples of the streamway.

CHECC Goes to Mendip

In November 2006, university cavers from throughout the land descended on Mendip for their annual gathering, encouraging more to take up and retain an interest in the sport.

Marilyn’s Deep, Dark Secret

Just as Marilyn Monroe once proved a temptation for some, members of Craven PC could not stay away from the windswept moors of Ingleborough and a lengthy project following a drainage route heading ever deeper into the mountain: Marilyn, a dig leading to Disappointment.

Suspended on a Thread

There can never be a ‘normal’ experience pushing caves – but the team in Miao Keng can hardly have expected to meet a pitch that kept on going, and going, and going … Join Rich Gerrish for the ride of his life, dropping a half-kilometre pitch.

Queen of the Moorlands (Part 2)

Here is the concluding part of Descent‘s coverage of the annual Hidden Earth conference.

Cover: Mike Richardson in Neverland, Upper Flood Swallet, Mendip. Photo: Mark Shinwell

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

You’ve heard of legislation covering work at height, of being forced to use double ropes not SRT, of insurance requirements, of more and more rules and regulations. Now, get ready for a new British Standard covering expeditions!

The Best Trip Ever

‘I emerged at the edge of a huge passage! My heart was pounding. We stared, aghast. With a whoop we started the climb down.’ Join Tim Francis on a trip of a lifetime, making the breakthrough in Upper Flood Swallet.

Subterranean Stardom

When cavers are asked to help film a television episode of Dalziel and Pascoe, you might expect some fun to ensue.

So You Want to Go Caving

How might we encourage more people to take up our sport? Perhaps a new initiative is required – and that is exactly what we have.

The Caves of the Mavri Laki

In the summer Crete’s caves called to a band of explorers from Sheffield USS, who took along their secret weapon: fresh, new cavers to tackle the shattered rock of the White Mountains.

A Night at the Speleomovies

Not one, but four caving films have been released on DVD, just in time for Christmas.

Queen of the Moorlands

September once again found cavers gathering for the annual Hidden Earth conference, this year using a school in Leek. Here is part one of a major report on the event.

A Question of Anchors

BCA’s anchor scheme has been running for ten years and, with supplies of DMM P-hangers almost gone, it is time to consider an update.

The Darker Side of Mexico

Ed Waters heads for Mexico, attracted by the rich blackness of its lava tubes.

Cover: Rob Eavis in Parthenon Pot, Crete. Photo: Robbie Shone

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

Diving the ice-cold waters of a Russian cave is not merely a case of putting on more clothes under a drysuit – there’s the small matter of freezing solid when you emerge to take into account, let alone how to cope with a local free-diver who swims like a dolphin in this utterly frigid underwater world.

Ken Pearce – My Part in His Downfall

Alan Jeffreys recalls what it was like to be on the sharp end of the Iron Man of Caving’s training regime.

The Siege of Black Keld

With the 2006 diving season underway at Black Keld in the Yorkshire Dales, after years of pushing, at last a major breakthrough has taken place.

The Star of Mendip

Mendip mines are far from unknown, yet the background of their operation is often firmly obscured by time. Cavers have found that a mine once lay near the Star Inn and, it turns out, it had an associated Cornish beam engine – the first confirmed on Mendip.

An International Recovery

In August a tragic fatality occurred when a cave diver lost his life in the Plura River Cave in Norway. It triggered an international response in order to recover the body, as those involved report here.

Caves Through a Magic Lantern

Our caving heritage is so often locked away in dimly lit libraries or club collections, yet there is a wealth of enjoyment waiting to be uncovered. How were early cavers dressed, how did they approach their exploration in those long-lost days? A set of delightful lantern slides in the Red Rose CPC collection tell a wonderful, pictorial tale.

Cover: Helen Rider diving in Ordinskaya, Russia. Photo: Martyn Farr

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

When a team of cavers explore a Venezuelan cave, Roraima, they find a cliff face window with a stunning vista. For them, the legend of a Lost World becomes fact.

The Frog Leaps Further

When the Black Sheep Diggers finally forged a dry route into Goyden Pot they knew they had cracked the problem, yet they still had to find a way into the main part of the system. This is how they did it.

The Winch at Gaping Gill

We almost take the two annual meets at Gaping Gill for granted; they’re part of our caving heritage. Ric Halliwell looks at the history of the winch from its humble beginnings to the latest agreements.

Remembering Malcolm

Malcolm Cotter, who died while caving on Mendip, is remembered with affection by his friends.

The Glencurran Burials

Caves, as repositories of the past, can yield so much information about our ancestors. Here are the prelimiinary findings from an archaeological dig at Glencurran Cave in Ireland.

Lascaux’s Fungus

First it was algae, then it was fungus, but reports said it had all been treated and Lascaux’s incredible cave art was safe. Not so, it seems.

How I Wasn’t Stuck, Jammed or Entombed!

Ever since he donned a poly bag to better squeeze into a tight cave – and was rescued as a result – Colin Boothroyd has taken some stick. For the first time, he tells his own story to put the record straight.

Gear Review

A new lamp on the market receives a going-over, caver-style.

Cover: Ogof Ffynnon Ddu 1 streamway. Photo: Chris Howes

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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.

Digging across the years revealed, and lost, an immensely beautiful chamber near Stump Cross Caverns in the Yorkshire Dales. With landowner permission, to say nothing of sweat and expense, digging the aptly named Grenade Shaft has opened the void once more, albeit briefly. Here is a story of digging, bombing and gasping at this beauty of the underworld.

It’s a Dirty Job, But …

The Republic of Panama is not usually the first country you think of for a caving expedition. However, with a boat-owning Brit in residence, this was more than enough to encourage a Mendip caver contingent to take flight to explore the hot, steamy jungles (and beaches) of Panamanian islands in search of caves (and beer).

The Bar Pot Alternative

If you are tired of taking one of the ‘normal’ routes into Gaping Gill, you have an alternative – rig the drop through Small Mammal Pot. Check here for your topo …

The Rescues of 2005

Analysing rescues is one method of learning what to avoid underground – read what went wrong during other trips, so that you don’t become a 2006 statistic.

The Discovery of Kath’s Way

Kath’s Way in Lancaster Hole forms a convenient access link that countless cavers have squirmed through. Yet, who was Kath and how was this rocky passage found?

In Praise of Hundidero-Gato

Fancy a fine, sporting trip to a holiday destination? Hundidero-Gato’s through-trip awaits you.

Cover: Cave Pearls in Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico. 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.