We have recently been trying out Spelenium Gold, 9.5mm static rope with a dyneema core. Initially we were rather doubtful about using thinner rope. After using it underground we have come to think that it certainly has its uses, although it needs to be treated with a bit of care. The main advantage is that it’s much lighter to carry than conventional 10.5mm rope. This is particularly useful on a long trip with big pitches, such as the one we tacked on our holiday. It also means that a short “get out of jail free” rope can be added to a small tacklebag and taken on every trip.
22m of rope in 5l drybag
However, using a thinner rope means trading off some of its robustness. It is important when rigging to check for rub points, as the rope can be damaged more easily. Any caving rope ought to be washed after each trip to remove mud and grit which might otherwise gradually abraid the rope, but this is especially important with thinner ropes. The same can be said for running the rope through after every use to find damaged or distorted sections. It is also worth remembering that the thinner the rope, the more quickly it will run through your descender!
Just what you don't want to happen...
In short, while you’re carrying the rope, you’ll be glad of Spelenium gold, but it is more expensive to buy and will wear out more quickly than conventional 10.5mm static rope.
Spelenium Gold is not yet part of the Isca Outdoor stock list as we are not convinced that there is sufficient demand. If you are looking to acquire some it can be ordered specially if enough customers want it.
You can check out the spec here, but put your shades on first; the Beal website is rather busy!
Devon Cave Rescue recently feature on the BBC’s Country File programme. Simon and Becky were amoungst the volunteers who set up a rescue demonstration for the Country File team to film.
Well, Hidden Earth is over for another year! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers and everyone who dropped by the stand to see us. If you couldn’t find what you wanted on the stall, remember our new catalog is out now and can be ordered here.
Extra-special thanks go to Rich and Dave for bringing stock and supplying technical advice on the Viper light and diving torches respectively. And to Juliette and Avelina for their help to man the stall. Thanks to having extra staff this year Becky was able to go to a lecture, and Simon managed to catch a glimpse of sun! Some of the staff members even found time to tackle the Speleo-Olympics obstacle course…
Simon has recently run a course on Single Rope Technique (SRT) for four cavers from Kent University Caving Club. This is one of two courses Simon has created especially for university caving clubs, designed to help them stay safe underground and meet any requirements laid out by their student union.
The course syllabus includes:
A discussion of SRT equipment, the positive and negative properties of different types of harness, descenders and jammers. The proper care and maintenance of this equipment. The care of rope for SRT. Knots for SRT rigging. Rescue and Hauling techniques.
Day 1 included a practical session on rigging and derigging. This took place on a quarry face above ground which lends a bit of realism, but makes spotting and correcting errors easier.
Day 2 involved vertical rescue. First some practice at ground level (and some in depth discussion on a z-rig created with 3 Petzl tractions!) then an informal assessment on the rock face.
After day 1, the students still had enough energy to join Simon, Becky and Andy for a visit to Afton Red Rift – a local cave which despite its small size provides a great work-out!
Preparations have already begun for our trade stand at this year’s Hidden Earth. As our caving shop is Internet-based, this is our big chance to meet our customers. Drop by the stand to check out the caving gear. Any feedback (good or bad!) is always welcome.
There are a few changes to our stall this year:
Hidden Earth will see the publication of our brand new colour catalog, so come and pick up a copy.
Part of the Isca Outdoor stand will be given over to a Speleolabs concesssion. All the past classics t-shirts will be available on the sale rail, so this is your chance to snag a bargain.
Juliette will be joining us. She’s always dodged the caving conference in the past but she’s not getting away with it this year!
The new Viper light will also be available for you examine.
Sometimes, Simon gets so intrigued by something our suppliers sell, that he has to order some just to find out what they’re like! One recent case was the silicone camping bowl and cup which can be squashed to fit in your pack after use.
Squashable camping bowl and cup
The pack contains one bowl and one cup and retails at £15. The rubbery silicone material is extremely tactile and feels lovely to squish. Their shape is also quite futuristic and we predict that we’ll be spotting them in sci-fi series soon, the way that Sigg bottles always used to turn up in Star Trek. Silicone is a thermal insulator (you can get oven gloves made from it!) so you don’t need any kind of handle.
We decided to test them out on our next visitor which happened to be Juliette’s husband, Wayne. Lack of a handle posed no problem for Wayne as he was recently returned from a trip to France and able to drink tea out of a bowl like a native.
Wayne drinks squashy tea
If you are after lightweight, indestructible bowls for camping, there are already plenty of products that will do the job, but what can I say? These ones just look better and feel more satisfying than anything else!
At the moment, the silicone bowls are an experimental product and as such are not yet available from the shop. It you would like to order a set, just drop us an email. Cavers who would like a closer look at them (and maybe a fondle) should come and see us at Hidden Earth.
On the 15th of August, Becky completed the Topsham to Turf swim in 1 hour 3minutes, raising £120 for local charity The Estuary League of Friends.
Becky arriving at the Turf Locks jetty.
The water was warm (although foul-tasting!) and the event was extremely well run with plenty of canoes to guide the swimmers along the course and a cup of hot chocolate proided on the Turf Locks side. Becky had used one of the aquapacs to take an emergency £5 note with her on the swim, but it was not needed.
Becky was mildly annoyed that her training buddy, Andy finished 4 minutes ahead of her. Apparently, he cheated by doing extra training in the outdoor pool in Topsham!
If you are inspired to have a go yourself, the Topsham to Turf swim takes place every year and is organised by Mike, the ferryman. If you’re not native to the Exe estuary, the Outdoor Swimming Society have a website full of suggestions for wild swimming locations across Britain.
Becky has entered this year’s Topsham to Turf swim together with another local caver, Andy Rumming. She hopes to raise at least £100 for local charity, The Estuary League of Friends by swimming a 1.5 mile stretch of the river Exe.
This has meant quite a lot of training as neither of them is used to swimming so far in open water with the cold and the currents. Every Monday the pair have been to Exmouth Beach to practice – and they still confidently expect to be the last to finish!
In Exmouth for a training swim...
The event will be on Saturday 15th of August, check back here to see how they got on…
