Cave – Page 3 – Steve Banks Outdoors

Busy busy! Cave Leader training in the Yorkshire Dales

Steve was very busy last week running two back to back Cave Leader training courses in the Yorkshire Dales with five excellent candidates on each. We covered karst geography & geology, hydrology, access & conservation, relevant environmental issues, cave formation & formations, personal caving, appropriate equipment, group management and leadership (with a strong emphasis on making sure everyone has an enjoyable and positive experience), navigation underground and the Local Cave leader scheme and progressions. Steve covered all of this outdoors and in caves in a completely practical and hands on manner – a great time was had by all!

If you are interested in trying caving or developing your current level either for personal recreation or to gain professional leadership qualifications, Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817. He runs regular Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader courses – the next courses are Vertical Cave Leader courses on 9th-10th Feb and 16th-17th Feb 2023 in the Yorkshire Dales, though check the website for a full and current list of offerings.

By Steve|January 30th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Vertical Cave Leader training, Yorkshire Dales

Steve has Vertical Cave Leader training courses coming up on February 9th & 10th and 16th & 17th based in the Settle and Ingleton area. Day one will be based indoors covering all the technical elements of the award in a manner which permits maximum active practice time for everyone. Day two will be in a suitable cave putting it all into practice in a real environment.

If you are seeking to develop, practise or improve your caving or work towards this BCA Vertical Leader award Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to help. Get in touch on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk.

Current course dates are listed on the caving pages on the website.

By Steve|January 22nd, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Cave Leader training courses, Yorkshire Dales

Steve has two Cave Leader training courses coming up at the end of January with one place still available on each event. Both courses are based near Ingleton in the Western Yorkshire Dales and will be run outdoors in a practical manner throughout. If you are looking to develop your caving qualifications this course is the normal starting point and Steve will be pleased to support you. Get in touch if you’re keen on either of these events or if you need any later dates: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817.

January 2023 dates: 23rd & 24th; 25th & 26th

Current dates are on the website here

By Steve|January 11th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Vertical Cave Leader assessment, Yorkshire Dales

Steve has been out running a Vertical Cave Leader Core Skills assessment this week in the Yorkshire Dales. Candidates for this award have to complete a two day training course and gather appropriate logged experience before presenting for two separate assessment days. The first, Core Skills, examines personal skills, equipment use, rigging for and management of group progression and dealing with any issues that arise. The second day is an observation of the aspirant VCL leading a group in a vertical cave. On this occasion the candidate was well prepared and did a good job of demonstrating appropriate Core Skills – well done to them!

If you are interested in furthering your Cave Leader qualifications Steve runs regular courses at both levels and will be pleased to support your progress. He is renowned for his supportive, client centred approach and for the thorough feedback he provides. Check the website for upcoming dates or call for a discussion and/or bespoke dates. All assessments are on demand – call to arrange a mutually convenient date: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|December 22nd, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Vertical Cave Leader training Yorkshire Dales

To complete his week-long caving bonanza Steve ran a Vertical Cave Leader training course for four cavers seeking to advance their qualifications. Using an indoor SRT rig on day 1 to maximise the amount of activity and practice time, we covered equipment, personal SRT, rigging for personal progression, rigging for group progression and the management of any issues and incidents which may occur. On Day 2 we went out to Bull Pot in Kingsdale where we put everything we’d covered indoors into practice in a cave environment. An excellent and very enjoyable two days were had by all.

If you are interested in progressing your qualifications or in trying or developing your caving Steve will be happy to help. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817.

By Steve|December 6th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

CIC Update day

Steve attended a Cave Instructor Certificate holder update day in the Dales last Friday organised and run by CIC trainer/assessor Chip Rafferty. All CICs have to update at least once every three years to ensure they are current in regards to best practice, equipment and many other issues which need to be kept up to date. Following a morning of presentations from the eight CICs in attendance, we spent the afternoon coaching advanced caving techniques on an indoor rig.

Of particular interest and importance were two equipment issues raised during some of the presentations:

The updated version of Petzl’s Superavanti caving harness has been found to have webbing which can come undone from the buckles on both the legs and body. It appears the webbing is slippery enough to be able to work its way back through the buckles relatively quickly. Petzl have been made aware of this by professional cavers and responded by saying that this issue does reduce after about 8 months use and it is up to users to monitor their equipment during use.
The second issue concerned the use of friction karabiners with the Petzl Stop. Petzl’s technical notice stipulates that the friction karabiner should be attached at the top of the karabiner connecting the Stop to the harness to prevent any load on the Stop from below forcing the head of the Stop into the friction karabiner. However, we were made aware of three known instances where this approach had caused the friction karabiner to suffer a broken gate. We discussed alternatives including using a friction karabiner small enough to prevent the Stop becoming jammed in it so as to permit its attachment to the main maillion instead of the Stop karabiner – the way we used to do it. An alternative is to use the Petzl Freino karabiner which has a friction spur built in, though not everyone found these comfortable to use.

This was an interesting and informative day which highlighted the benefits of keeping up to date with critical news and information. If you are unsure about any aspect of caving or caving equipment please feel free to contact Steve who will do his best to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

By Steve|December 5th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Cave Leader training Yorkshire Dales

Steve ran a Cave Leader training course this week using venues around Ingleborough. In perfect conditions we were able to cover all the knowledge elements of the award outdoors in a highly practical manner. We also went through personal caving requirements, group leadership & management, appropriate ropework, navigation underground and suitable equipment for group and leader. It was an excellent two days thoroughly enjoyed by all.

If you are interested in developing your caving qualifications or just in having a go at caving Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to help. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and on 07796 213817

By Steve|November 30th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Vertical Caving in the Yorkshire Dales

Steve has been out vertical caving in the Yorkshire Dales this week, supporting a friend who is accumulating experience towards the CIC award. We enjoyed a trip down Rowten Pot in Kingsdale. Steve followed this up a few days later with a solo trip down Cow Pot.

If you would like to try caving either horizontally or vertically whatever your standard and experience, Steve will be happy to help and guide you as necessary. There’s no need to go into tight spaces, to crawl or to get soaking wet. While such venues do exist we can all have a much more pleasant time in dry, spacious and non-threatening caves. Give Steve a call for a chat or drop him a line: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|November 16th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Yorkshire Dales Cave Leader training courses

Steve has a raft of Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader training courses on offer over the next three months. All the courses are in the Yorkshire Dales based near Ingleton. Training courses can be used to develop personal understanding and practice without any necessity to take the assessment. For those interested in the leadership qualification these courses provide all the necessary guidance and preparation – guidance which Steve will continue to make available between the training and assessment phases as needed.

Current Cave Leader training dates: 18th-19th October; 29th-30th November.

Current Vertical Cave Leader training dates: 27th-28th September; 1st-2nd November; 3-4 December; 6-7 December.

Assessments for both awards can be run at any mutually convenient time. Please call to discuss your requirements.

Additional and bespoke training courses as well as personal guiding and tuition can also be provided as needed anywhere in the UK and abroad. 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|September 21st, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Vertical Cave Leader assessment

Steve ran a Vertical Cave Leader assessment in Sell Gill Holes in sweltering, atypical conditions – we were pleased to get underground! The candidate did an excellent job of providing a good day out for a small group of adults.

If you are interested in trying or developing your caving, or progressing your British Caving qualifications, Steve will be pleased to help you. He can offer caving experiences and training at all levels and is a trainer/assessor for both BCA’s Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader awards.

Get in touch on 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|August 1st, 2022|Cave|Comments Off