The geography around the Cumbria/Yorkshire border is a natural wonder. Better yet - this particular wonder has left us with a rock labyrinth to explore and enjoy
We run two types of trip - one for everyone and one for those who have been vertical caving before
There is something stunning about the landscape here - the environment works to different rules, epic and beautiful.
Clean, warm, welcoming, quiet lodge accommodation
Walk-ins are straight forward and quick. Generally, the ground is grass and track
We seek to make sure that once you get the bug you don't have to stop - we run regular trips to new areas and as far as possible vary our local venues so there is always something to come back to.
As you gaze over the Inglebourgh landscape you realise the landform rules are different here to most of the rest of the country.
This is limestone country a land form formed of rock from the sea bed slowly dissolving.
There isn’t a river in the valley that you can see - there is in fact, one, but it is far below your feet flowing and chasing out its course through the rock itself and leaving behind passages, tubes, tunnels and grand amphitheatres.
This is where we will play for the weekend exploring the network the water has left behind and the ancient monuments to the microscopic transition of rock to and from solutions which gives up stalagmites, vast billowing rock curtains, gour pools and delicate hollow straws.
DAY 1
On the open, for everyone courses, we spend the first day exploring a horizontal cave - one which requires little or no specialist climbing equipment to access. At the end of the trip, we will spend a little time either at a suitable outdoor spot or indoors going through how to climb and lower using climbing equipment ready for the next day.
DAY 2
Today we build on day 1’s experience and knowledge and have a wider range of caves to explore now that we can ascend and descend effectively.
Open to experienced caver trips
These trips are designed on the foundation that everyone on the trip understands the systems and procedures we use to climb and lower already. We will, of course, be there to help refresh you if it has been a while.
These trips have more staff to allow for bigger and more challenging caves to be explored.
NOTE - All caving is heavily weather dependent there is a chance that plans and schedules may need to be changed. There is a very small chance in extreme weather that no caving can be done at all. Alternative activities will be arranged at the time.
We have chosen these cabins because they combine a caring owner, nice cabins along with great proximity to pubs, the indoor climbing wall and the train station.
The site has only ten cabins in total, each at the end or their own short drive. It gives a great sense of space and calm and ensures that only your vehicles are moving around in your area.
There is a selection of doubles, twins, bunks and triples. You can even hire a cabin to yourself if you would like the extra space.
Lovely simple food is prepared by the instructors, with all meals provided. There is also access to the kitchen to make your own snacks and brews. Help washing up or chopping is always appreciated but not mandatory.
Breakfast is cereal, toast and something hot in a bun.
Lunch is fresh local pie, cake and hot drinks.
Saturday dinner is typically Lasagne, with garlic bread and salad.
On Sunday we normally stop for a warm lunch and recovery near the climbing venues - which means we can climb until the last minute and send you home with a packed meal for your journey.
2 Caving days and 2 overnight stays: Friday to Sunday
Pickup: Oxenholme Station 7PM Friday
Drop off: Oxenholme Station
4pm Sunday
Free extension in accommodation to Monday 10am (own transport)
£200-£270 per person in a shared room
Private room suppiment £50
Indoor accommodation in a shared room
Food from Saturday Breakfast to Sunday Evening
All technical equipment
British qualified caving instructors
Transport from the train station and to the climbing venues
Transport is not included to Oxenholme - Direct trains from Manchester, London, Glasgow and Edinburgh
Two days caving Saturday and Sunday
Both horizontal and vertical challenges
Coached practice of climbing and descending
Go for a pint
Have a laugh as a friendly welcoming group of like minded people
Suitable for all people able to manage own travel to the pickup point
Suitable for all those who do not need a dedicated guide or who can bring their own
We will help with inductions to buildings and activity guidance
Caving requires movement over rough ground, hands and feet climbing and crawling. This is done at a slow pace with lots of assistance available.
Suitable for those able to self manage without dedicated support or with a dedicated carer (who doesn't necessarily have to climb)
We will help with meals, reminding about medications etc
Participants should be capable of being left at the accommodation unsupervised or accompanied by a carer
Caving access requires rough ground walking, narrow passages and low roofs
Instructors can support from the bottom, top and alongside to get people started and confident
Additional support from rope systems can help climbers struggling with strength
Not suitable for those who rely on wheeled mobility aids (we can put together a bespoke option for this)
Suitable for people with most auditory impairments that do not require signing to communicate or please bring an interpreter
Our current climbing instructors do not use BSL. A BSL assistant instructor is occasionally available.
We have radios and Tloop transmission units to aid hearing when climbing and in general
Just pop some details down and we will make contact, answer any questions and sort out the money.