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Advice on doing some extreme UK caches please


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I've decided it's time to be brave and attempt some of the more extreme caches. The ones I've been looking at involve climbing stone structures, rock climbing, climbing trees (I've done a few but ones that you could get away with not using ropes), dangling off of bridges, abseiling, etc.

 

I'm guessing some climbing gear (harness, ropes, helmet, etc.) is what I would need, but I'm not really sure where to start or the best brands to go for. Just wondering if any cachers here could advise me on where to start, perhaps recommend some extreme UK caches that might be good to start with, any good sites, books, etc. I don't want to do any really extreme ones without knowing first that I will feel comfortable with doing them and will be safe! :D

 

So... Where do I start, guys? :P

 

Cass

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I've decided it's time to be brave and attempt some of the more extreme caches. The ones I've been looking at involve climbing stone structures, rock climbing, climbing trees (I've done a few but ones that you could get away with not using ropes), dangling off of bridges, abseiling, etc.

 

I'm guessing some climbing gear (harness, ropes, helmet, etc.) is what I would need, but I'm not really sure where to start or the best brands to go for. Just wondering if any cachers here could advise me on where to start, perhaps recommend some extreme UK caches that might be good to start with, any good sites, books, etc. I don't want to do any really extreme ones without knowing first that I will feel comfortable with doing them and will be safe! :P

 

So... Where do I start, guys? :)

 

Cass

 

Start by not even attempting to use or buy any specialist climbing gear without getting trained in it's safe use. :D

Then ask your instructor what you should get. :D

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As you were at the Hadleigh CITO, I'm going to make a bit of an assumption that you're reasonably local. Check out the climbing wall at Mile End. It's great and they can provide instruction too.

 

Or slightly further into London - Hackney. I've been there a few times, but not for the climbing. The training looked quite comprehensive and as it's in an old water tower, you can climb quite high.

 

A pair of climbing 'slippers' were an impulse buy for me a good few years ago. I went to the climbing wall at Picketts Lock on my own. I climbed up it thinking that to get down there was probably a ladder or scaffolding on the other side. There wasn't. I managed to climb down part of the way but got stuck and had to jump about 15 feet onto the crash mats. Fortunately there were no witnesses......... I never went back and never wore them again.

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Thanks for the additional advice everyone. I'm not that close to Hadleigh, but I don't mind travelling to learn and the one in Hackney would be fine as well, we have to travel to cache anyway!

 

I think I shall set tackling a few 'Extreme' caches as a long term goal. Let's say by this time next year, then it gives me plenty of time to learn and get the gear I need after I know what I'm doing. :yikes:

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Thanks for the additional advice everyone. I'm not that close to Hadleigh, but I don't mind travelling to learn and the one in Hackney would be fine as well, we have to travel to cache anyway!

 

I think I shall set tackling a few 'Extreme' caches as a long term goal. Let's say by this time next year, then it gives me plenty of time to learn and get the gear I need after I know what I'm doing. :yikes:

 

As others have said, don't even think about using climbing gear unless you have plenty of proper training, OR are accompanied by someone who knows what they are doing! It is equally as dangerous to not use the gear properly as it is to not use it at all! (for example, if you rig up an abseil device incorrectly, you'll find yourself descending rather rapidly with no way of stopping!

 

Personally, we've done almost all of Cache U Nutters extreme climbing caches, and I've had no formal training. However, we always go with the Merstham Mafia, and Mark has climbed before. I've now done enough that we could do these without the MMs - although years in the cubs and scouts means I know how to tie knots! You can practice this at home...

 

Finally, if you search for caches by Cache U Nutter, you'll find lots in the North Surrey area that are extremes, and us and the Merstham Mafia are always happy to provide equipment and guidance. Feel free to contact us!

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I think I shall set tackling a few 'Extreme' caches as a long term goal. Let's say by this time next year, then it gives me plenty of time to learn and get the gear I need after I know what I'm doing. :yikes:
In this case does "extreme" mean that climbing gear is a necessity?

 

There are some caches on the North Downs which are a tricky scramble rather than a climb as such, and they don't require climbing gear. These include "Steep Encounter", "Pilgrim's Way Up"and "Pilgrim's Way Up - The Third". I've yet to do the last of these, but will be doing so.

 

"Slither" is 50/50 - people do it without abseiling gear, but I did it as a training run for "The Beast 666" and therefore used the gear, and I think that's the safer way.

 

If you are down in Cornwall go to "Monkey Island", which is the best cache I've done.

 

Rgds, Andy

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Start with your local climbing wall, the UK Climbing Forums have directories of them, as well as plenty of contacts. You should come clean with your intentions for the training up front so they can then tailor things to your exact needs - it will also help in re-assuring them you are not part of some protest group wanting to learn how to hang a banner from the front of county hall. You may also be able to 'rent an expert' and after some training, have them come along with you to your first abseil/climb cache, for their experience on it - they can then help and advise on the rigging of the ropes as well as the best technique/route to achieve access to the cache. It would also be of benefit if you can team up with other local cachers to help share the cost of equipment.

 

Best of luck,

 

Jon.

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Check out Middleman's Ramsden Ring (not far from you) series some involve climbing but nothing I'd class as extreme, we managed the series.....

 

40 year old Mum and 2 teen boys..... did think I'd have to call the Fire Service when one wedged himself into a fork in the tree and couldn't move (just needed to relax and all was well...... Mum laughing didn't help.)

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Thanks all, this is all good stuff! :yikes:

 

I've had a quick scout around on the web this morning and found the BMC website. They have a pdf directory of climbing walls with details on which provide instruction. The 'Mile End Climbing Wall' in London that Andy K recommended looks good and is very well priced at 6 hours of instruction for £65, and there is one nearby us (kinda') in Peterborough at £25 for a 1.5hr session. The BMC site also has some beginner videos for anyone else that is interested.

 

In this case does "extreme" mean that climbing gear is a necessity?

I've done one down a cave which I loved and a couple of the more extreme ones, but I dunno, I guess there is a brave Cass inside wanting to dangle off of a rope because it sound fun and is a bit more of an adventure! :laughing:

 

Personally, we've done almost all of Cache U Nutters extreme climbing caches, and I've had no formal training.

 

"Cache U Nutter's" caches are probably the ones that have got me thinking about doing this as there are a fair few climbing ones. There's also the odd one here and there where we have been that I would have loved to have attempted but didn't feel confident. Thanks to all for the other mentions of other caches I will check them out

 

Check out Middleman's Ramsden Ring (not far from you) series some involve climbing but nothing I'd class as extreme, we managed the series.....

We climbed 3 of the trees on the Ramsden Ring and really enjoyed it, however there were 2 trees that we couldn't attempt without some kind of rope. I'd like to go back and conquer these ones! :huh:

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I'm local to Peterborough, if you want help with any in the area then I'm more than willing to help. I've just put out a few that require climbing/abseiling too...

 

Excellent! :yikes: I will have to remember those and have a go at them after I've had a bit of training. The centre in Peterborough I'm looking at is www.peterboroughclimbingwall.co.uk

Edited by Cassandy
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I'm local to Peterborough, if you want help with any in the area then I'm more than willing to help. I've just put out a few that require climbing/abseiling too...

 

Excellent! :yikes: I will have to remember those and have a go at them after I've had a bit of training. The centre in Peterborough I'm looking at is www.peterboroughclimbingwall.co.uk

 

Try speaking to Steve at RockBlok, I've sent several local people there to get their training before taking them out. They are based on the north shore of Rutland Water and Steve knows a bit about geocaching and what is required for some of these extreme caches.

 

As for Peterborough Climbing Wall, I've never been, but have heard excellent things from folks that use the facilities there to practise. No experience of their training courses though.

 

Cheers,

 

J

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When I found that 'finding' a pile of sticks was getting to be monotonous, I had a think about how to improve the caching experience. About the same time, we were doing a Series of caches and came across a Cache-U-Nutter cache called "LOOKOUT".

With encouragement from Mrs Dizzy I found the cache even though I was scared. But....Once I was safe on the ground the feeling of achievement and satisfaction is much much more than going out for the day and finding a ring that you immediately forget.

Find an "Extreme" cache and you'll think about it for a while and straight away research your next one.

So......I put the words "Extreme Geocaching" into the search engine and into Youtube and also looked at a lot of German T5 caches on Geocaching.com.

The Germans are keen to put up photos of their escapades and it was from these photos that I saw what equipment I would need. From the photos I could also see how the equipment is used.

A year later and my basic kit is a 10.5mm rope, Grigi, Ascender, Harness, Carabiners. and Slings. I also have some items to get the rope up into trees.

I went off into the woods a few times just to practice with the kit, and started off very low and then as I became more proficient, going higher, and getting more confident each time.

Although I had no 'formal' training on the equipment, it is simple to use, you just have to be methodical and always have a safety back-up in place.

I did attend a course at the local climbing wall which was good as it gave me some safety information.

A year later and we have found 46 T5 caches and not one dangerous moment.

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A year later and we have found 46 T5 caches and not one dangerous moment.

 

WOW! What an achievement! I'll have a look on YouTube for some extreme examples, however I'm going to get trained before going for it. I've noticed that there is a wall where you can get some tuition at Grafham water (Huntingdon) where we went caching once so I've enquired about their courses as they are the cheapest I've found. Definitely agree that extreme caches are the best adventures. We did one down an old slate mine in Devon which was dark, wet, and scary, but so much fun. After doing that one I started thinking "Hey, maybe I could do a few more" I'm going to attempt "LOOK OUT" pretty soon, I know the one you're talking about. It looks a little scary, but doesn't really need special equipment so I'll be alright with that.

 

Agree with the above, and also suggest you never try these on your own. Always good to have someone to raise the alarm should something go wrong...

 

I very rarely cache alone, and my other half really surprised me when I mentioned doing some of the more extreme caches. Not only did he not thing I was crazy, but he wanted to come along and learn how to climb as well. I'm really looking forward to getting started now! ;)

 

Thanks again to all for advice and info!

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