Take your first underground steps into a Peak District cave system and learn about its creation over 300 million years, discover beautiful formations and fossils as well as evidence of mining dating back centuries. With vast chambers, roaring waterfalls and serpentine passages the caves and mines of the Peak District await your next adventure!
Price : £175.00 per person
Location : Peak District
Duration : 2 Days
Ratio : 1:8
Minimum age : 13
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Our Beginner Caving Weekend offers an ideal first taste of underground adventure. Throughout the course of the weekend you'll visit three to four local caves. This activity is suitable for everyone, the systems we visit are mostly walking sized with some sections of stooping or hands-and-knees crawling.
Before setting out you'll be kitted out with over suit, wellies, kneepads, helmet and lamp and we'll make a plan to be safe underground, including taking a detailed look at the weather. Once you're underground and moving confidently you can choose to explore beyond squeezes and short climbs or try your hand at navigating under the expert supervision of our guides. Please note that this is not a typical 'come and try' tourist experience, but a full-adventure. You will get wet, it will be dark and you do need to have a good level of fitness.
Knowledgebase
YOUR BEGINNER CAVING WEEKEND
DAY ONE
9:30 - 16:30
Get ready to have a great adventure exploring the underground environment of the Peak District.
ARRIVE AT THE ADVENTURE HUB
Your instructor will welcome you and discuss the aims of the course and you own aspirations over a great cup of fresh Italian coffee or tea.
COLLECT AND CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT
You will be provided with an over suit, wellington boots, helmet, knee pads and lighting. All you need do is check your food and drink for the day and pack a change of clothes and your towel.
TRAVEL TO CAVING VENUE
The exact location will depend on the weather and the aims and abilities of the group. Typically this is a 15 minute drive from The Adventure Hub. Some Peak District caves charge a modest trespass fee of up £3 payable at the venue.
PRACTICAL CAVING SESSION
Once kitted up and ready to head underground, your instructor will brief you on general caving safety and the specifics of each cave visited. Underground, you'll learn about cave formation and development; safe, efficient movement skills and try your hand at navigating using a cave survey.
BACK TO THE ADVENTURE HUB
Once back on the surface and in fresh socks we will return to the Adventure Hub. Over coffee we'll review the key learning points from the day’s adventure and discuss plans for day two.
DAY TWO
9:30 - 16:30
On day two we aim to build upon the first day and broaden your experience of caving generally. Expect to be involved in the planning of the trip, from checking the weather and guidebooks to packing and checking safety equipment. We'll aim to complete either two more challenging trips or a single longer trip of up to 5hrs duration.
BACK TO THE ADVENTURE HUB
Once back at the Adventure Hub you'll review the weekend's adventures over hot drinks and discuss progression opportunities. Hopefully you will back for more soon!
We provide the over-suit, boots, knee pads, harness, helmet and head torch.... you bring the rest!
Please bring some spare change as some of the caves we use require a trespass fee of approximately £3 per person which is not included in the price. Bring a change of clothes and a towel in case you get soaked! As you can probably imagine Caves and Mines can be hostile environments, with an average temperature of 10 degrees celsius all year and often wet. To protect ourselves from this and help us enjoy the experience underground each person will need to provide themselves with the following minimal personal clothing, to be worn underneath the specialist caving equipment:
One or two warm/fleece tops
Synthetic (non cotton) trouser - Synthetic track suit bottoms / thermals will suffice
Warm base layer
Thick warm socks
Warm hat
Please do not wear cotton tops or bottoms (inc jeans) as the material stays cold and heavy when wet. Don't forget you'll also need a change of clothes and possibly a towel after the session.
A good level of fitness as you will have a strenuous couple of days underground.
Anyone aged 13 or over can attend any of our scheduled courses with the exception of Mountain Biking and Winter Skills where the minimum age is 18 unless accompanied by a parent.
We hold an AALA license and are able to take out children who are younger than 13, however we only offer this on a private guided basis. See our private guiding rates, as this can work out very competitive, especially when booking as a family. There is no maximum age, if you feel young enough to attend then you are very welcome!
Our instructors can be booked privately to deliver this course. Benefit from private tuition, pick a date that suits you and your instructor can design the day to suit your needs. You can hire one of our instructors from just £250 inc vat per day. (Click here to book a private course)
Price : £175.00 per person
Location : Peak District
Duration : 2 Days
Ratio : 1:8
Minimum age : 13
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