Potholing - anyone done it?

[xoggoth]

Bit past it now but I did some potholing in Somerset when I was student. Nowt like going down a pitch black sump and pulling yourself along under water. More spectacular, but I really like this item in DE today:

Inside Britain's deepest & darkest wonders: Astonishing images of hidden underground world | Nature | News | Daily Express

Second to wandering countryside in the sun, I'd like to spend my time underground. Maybe come back as a mole in the next life. Does one need planning permission to dig a cave in the garden?

[xoggoth]

He was brill, old Fred.

Actually there is a strange place close to a footpath near me. Looks like a crumbling old stone shepherd's hut but there's a big hole behind with huge rusty wheels a bit like that picture. Not sure what it was, maybe I'll get me a rope.

[BlasterBates]

Went pot-holing once, didn't realise vertigo would be a problem, swinging around in a very flimsy rope ladder in the middle of a huge black hole made be somewhat nervous, as did the vertical wall we had clamber down half way round as we took the "short cut"....

Got very wet, waterproofs don't help you really do need a wet suit.

[TykeMerc]

Done it and got the extremely mucky tee shirt as a result. Got to admit it was fun at the time, but looking back it's not all that safe a hobby compared to say Scrabble

Some pretty astounding sights in the UK and abroad.

[OwlHoot]

Bit past it now but I did some potholing in Somerset when I was student. Nowt like going down a pitch black sump and pulling yourself along under water. More spectacular, but I really like this item in DE today:

Inside Britain's deepest & darkest wonders: Astonishing images of hidden underground world | Nature | News | Daily Express

Second to wandering countryside in the sun, I'd like to spend my time underground. Maybe come back as a mole in the next life. Does one need planning permission to dig a cave in the garden?

Yup, done Swildon's Hole, almost down to the first sump, and Stoke Lane Slocker, past sump 1 although sadly not as far as the main chambers

Years ago someone told me that Stoke Lane had been destroyed by gravel quarrying, but I'm glad to see it is still there, for the enjoyment of future generations.

To reach sump 1 in Stoke Lane you have to backstroke across a large flooded chamber with the ceiling about an inch from the top of your nose - and panicking isn't an option

[MicrosoftBob]

Not done it myself but I know people who like exploring old mines

Just as dangerous no doubt, and often with security to avoid as well

[vetran]

used to do it a lot when younger but I preferred climbing, I was too big for many caves (not too fat you can squidge that, I had big hips & ribcage).

[Halo Jones]

BGG & I did an organised pot holing excursion in New Zealand to see glow worms, it was great. It was not expert level but defiantly not your standard tourist day visit.

I did learn that I can’t just chuck myself down a waterslide in the dark (I took the long climb around)

The glow worms were very pretty & one member of the party did not keep his mouth closed as advised & had a free dose of protein.

[DaveB]

Not done it myself but I know people who like exploring old mines

Just as dangerous no doubt, and often with security to avoid as well

Damn site more dangerous. Having grown up in Cornwall where the pace is riddled with old Tin mines the local Mine Rescue teams made a point of going round the schools and telling you just how dangerous it was, with some graphic examples to back it up.

[alluvial]

Yep, done it lots, although in South Wales it's more horizontal than vertical so isn't often termed potholing, usually just caving. Haven't been on any trips for a while but I'm still a member of my local caving club.
I'm lucky to live on the edge of one of the UK's major caving regions and have caved all over the place. There are some incredible places to visit underground, it just usually involves some pretty serious caving to get there.
South Wales is lucky to have some of the longest and most spectacular caves in the UK, Ogof Craig yr Ffynnon, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, Ogof Draenen and Ogof Agen Allwedd are good examples although there are a plethora of others of all types.

It can be dangerous and I've had a few scrapes. There are still teeth marks in the mud of Keyhole Chamber in which I still maintain was all that stopped me from a nasty fall and I've been underneath a shakehole as it started to collapse.
But, if your fit enough, it can be a marvellous pasttime.