1987-1988
Richard Collcott, Dave Wilson, Tim Flack, Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Rob Chaddock, Chris Birkhead, Andrew Pugh, Mark Aspinall
I typed these up in 2025, and sometimes I chose to leave out sentences or words I deemed offensive. I usually thought these were sexist or racist. These decisions were entirely my own. Typos, incorrect attempts at transcribing handwriting, and misattributing trips to cavers who share names are also my mistakes.
Fiona Hartley
Fresher Trip - Mendips - 16-18/10/87
Richard Collcot, Rob Chaddock, Dave Wilson, Pete Hambly, Andrew Pugh, Philip Hay
Friday
Left the union at 7pm, no traffic work delays, got to MNRC, then a few beers at Horse and Jockey (Mendip Cider 54p a pint).
Saturday
Swildon SRT: all six plus venture scout leader - Richard Collcott, Dave Wilson, Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Rob Chaddock, Andrew Pugh
Got to cave early and met a nearly 50 S&G type venture scout leader who asked to join us. Trip was going well, ducks quite high and sporting unfortunately at Blue Pencil our SuperScout fell and hurt his shoulder. Insisted on the rescue being called out!!!! So leaving Dave and Pete with him, the rest of us departed at speed. Rich phoned for the rescue. Things went smoothly with Rich and Rob re-entering with the rescue. Super Scout was out by 7pm ish.
Moral: never go caving with strangers, no matter how experienced they claim to be.
Spent evening in the New Inn Priddy and the Horse and Jockey.
RJC
Sunday
Longwood August: Richard Collcott, Dave Wilson, Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Rob Chaddock, Andrew Pugh
Again out 6 intrepid cavers (minus super scout) enjoyed themselves exploring bits of the Longwood August system. (some more than others!) Nice easy trip.
Stop off at pub near Cirencester and back to Union before midnight.
RJC
Fresher trip - South Wales - 23-25/10/87
Richard Collcott, Tim Flack, Rob Chaddock, Dave Wilson, Pete Hambly, Chris Birkhead, Rob Goh, Chris Shaw, Sanguan
Friday
Left union at 6:30pm, very bad journey, long jam on M4, got lost in South Wales - got to hut 1am.
Saturday
Cwm Dwr: Richard Collcott, Dave Wilson, Pete Hambly, Chris Shaw
Or = "Didn't we have a lovely time in the boulder choke." Well what can I say, once more I failed to find a way thru the blasted boulder choke. Though from later consultations it was close. Dave did well and I felt confident he'd found the way, but alas no, we ended up back on the same side - well maybe third time lucky eh? Anyway a good fun trip - though Chris's knees took a battering (hardens the oul - blah blah blah).
RJC
Top Entrance: Tim Flack, Rob Chaddock, Chris Birkhead, Rob Goh, Sanguan
In order not to outdo Richard and the boys, Chris deliberately(!) forgot the route on from the Trident (so did I). Spacious, cathedral-like chambers gave Rob and Sanguan an impression (false- wait till tomorrow) of what it's like underground. A fun trip all the same. Went mushroom hunting on the way back to the hut - no success (where's Clog?) where we met the other party.
R.I.C
The Red Lion
Yes once more IC3 spend another evening of carnage in this quaint quiet rural Welsh pub.
"The bastards didn't open til 7:10pm" -Rob
Once again we just managed to get out before we was chucked out. Brill evening, Rob attempted GBH on the road on the way back by headbanging it - not too smart eh Rob??
RJC
Sunday
Ogof Fechan: Richard Collcott, Pete Hambly, Rob Chaddock, Chris Birkhead, Rob Goh, Sanguan
nice Sunday trip, all dived duck one escept Crhsi and Pete (boo hiss - wimps blah blah!!!!). Out in under five hours, just as van arrived with the grade zero cavers (who had walked Pen-y-Fan, swirling mist blah blah snorezzzzzzzz)
Stopped off at Cirencester at the pub again then back to the Union quite early (before 12am anyway).
RJC
Yorkshire 6-8/11/87
Richard Collcott, Tim Flack, Pete Hambly, Mark Aspinall, Philip Hay, John "Marsh" Hooson, Henry, Rob Chaddock (just to Leeds)
Good drive up, got to hut just after 12pm, after dropping Rob in Leeds.
Saturday
Bull Pot: Richard Collcott, Phil Hay, Mark Aspinall
After a mega purchase session in Inglethief, and teaching Phil SRT basics in the Trog barn, decided to take our poor fresher on his first SRT cave. Not underground til nearly 5pm!! Already a group of 7 venture scouts in the pot. Had to double rig on second pitch. Used third pitch alternative (really need 30m rope rather than our 25m). At fourth pitch encounter venture scouts on exit having great difficulty in passing knots, so decided to leave rather than wait to descend due to the lateness of the hour. Exited without problems. Phil performed admirably considering it was his first trip with SRT.
RJC
Simpsons Pot: Tim Flack, Pete Hambly
Following Inglesport, SRT practice the team headed up onto Kingsdale moor, which was cloaked in typical mist. The first shake hole we came to proved to be Swinsto's; after about half an hour we found Simpson's, getting underground finally just before five. The trip in was fairly straightforward (if rigged), although we seemed to always be a little short of rope length for comfort. A couple of short ropes making the short climb easier. Aven very impressive - took the low entrance to Slit pitch. This was very tight, and even worse returning. The guide book, which says passage is possible for even fat people must be lying, or I have become an alcoholic. The proper way is throught the roof. Trip out fast - ropes useful for giants steps. Out half past midnight. Good trip. Pity about the beer.
Pete H
Sunday
Didn't get up till very late, breakfast at 11:30am!! Henry and John left, Tim decided to do some project work, so Rich, Mark, Phil and Pete went up Ingleborough. Caving - what's that?? Good walk even in the mist.
Got to Leeds at 6pm went for a really economical curry (£3) "But not as good as Bradford" the lads. Meet Rob in the Hyde Park pub, had a couple of drinks and got back to London just after 11pm. Pete and Rich driving suicidally on the M1 considering poor weather conditions - but you're only young once.
RJC
Yorkshire 20-22/11/1987
Richard Collcott, Tim Flack, Rob Chaddock, Dave Wilson, Pete Hambly, Philip Hay, Sanguan, Chris Shaw, John "Marsh" Hooson, Clair Marsh
OK drive up, stopped at Leeds for a couple of beers in the 3 Horseshoes. Got to hut before 1am. John and Clair arrived Saturday morning - Clair dipped on the caving and arranged to meet John at the Marton Arms (to Wife him on Sunday as per norm).
Saturday
Marble Steps: Richard Collcott, Phil Hay, Rob Chaddock, John Hooson
After another training session at the Trog Barn headed over to Masongill to do Marble Steps and Ireby Fell. Good weather and got to cave entrance in good humour. One party was down one route so we went t'other way. Rich was about to start rigging when... "Oh S--t" (mimicking guess who); as bounce bounce bounce, Rich's Ecrin tumbled down the first pitch - Rob took over whilst Rich pleasded for him to hurry so his Ecrin could be recovered. Fortunately Ecrin intact (honest - Joe safe). Caught up with the other team - a group from York and after a chat we arranged to go down their ropes. On the way out Phil had stomach cramp problems but was OK "apparently" when we got back to the van. John derigged.
RJC
Ireby Fell Cavern: Dave Wilson, Tim Flack, Pete Hambly, Sanguan, Chris
At entrance met another group from M'cr using ladders. First pitch, 2xladders and normal SRT, also Elliot Route. Went Elliot way, but 'dry shaft' deviation way very wet, so retreated due to impossibility of supervision and went down normal SRT. We used gear in place and I stayed behind to guard/rerig ropes if necessary. Eventually, rope group got back and started derigging, so Pete climbed ladders to inform me that our lot were waiting for rerigging at pitch. Whilst I rigged, M'cr lot arrived with one poorly equipped bloke very bad from advancing hypothermia. All ok but a bit busy - we'll have to get up earlier next time.
Dave Wilson
Sunday
Rowten: Richard Collcott, Dave Wilson, Phil Hay, Sanguan
Bottom of 45m, then out again.
DW
Jingling: Tim Flack, Pete Hambly, Rob Chaddock, Chris
Usual mega Sunday trip = down the interesting (possibly anyway) way i.e not direct drop. The tree looked as healthy as ever, and 70m rope went easily to the bottom. Trip was easy - Chris now got the hang of deviations. In the bottom were signs of a dig of sorts underway. Trip out much the same as the way in. Good training trip.