Cave – Page 4 – Steve Banks Outdoors

Cave Leader assessment, Scotland

Steve ran a BCA Cave Leader assessment in Assynt last weekend. Assynt has the most developed caving area in Scotland and provides some interesting and unusual caving compared to other parts of the UK. We visited several venues and the candidate was able to provide interesting and stimulating trips for all concerned.

If you’d like support with your caving qualifications or would just like to give caving a go, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817

By Steve|May 24th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

British Caving Association Cave Leader update workshop in Scotland

Steve ran a BCA update workshop in Scotland recently. Scotland is not somewhere which springs to mind when thinking about caving, but it does have some areas of Cambrian limestone which provide some small but interesting venues. Assynt has the most developed cave network in Scotland and it was here that Steve ran an update day for Vertical Cave Leaders. An excellent day was had in Rana Hole (Rana after rana temporaria, the common frog) covering, practising and updating all the elements of the award.

If you would like to try caving or develop your caving awards – or even join us on a spectacular caving trip abroad, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

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

Cave Leader Update Day

Steve ran a Cave Leader update day in Ingleton for the British Caving Association last Tuesday. The BCA have Local Cave Leader awards for those wishing to lead others in simple caves with minor scrambling and for people who also wish to lead in caves with simple vertical pitches. Award holders have to attend an update workshop every five years and these are run by BCA trainer/assessors such as Steve.

Working with four Vertical Cave Leader award holders, Steve ran the day looking at personal single rope technique (SRT), rigging for personal progression, rigging for group progression and incident management (though we all prefer incident avoidance!). It was a good outing for all concerned: everyone felt they had sharpened their practice and enjoyed their day.

If you are interested in enhancing your caving or working towards Local Cave Leader awards, Steve runs both levels of course and will be pleased to support your progress. 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

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

Cave Leader assessment

Steve ran two Cave Leader assessment days this week in the Yorkshire Dales. The Cave Leader Award permits holders to lead others into a list of named venues based on their knowledge, experience and requirements. Following a two day Cave Leader training course candidates have to complete a one-day Core Skills assessment of personal caving, appropriate ropework and knowledge of caves and cave environments before then having to run a separate Group Day caving trip under observation. Steve ran one of each assessment days for very capable aspirant leaders.

Steve also offers the training course for Cave Leader as well as all three elements for Vertical Cave Leader. If you are interested in developing your caving awards please get in touch. We’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817

By Steve|April 27th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Yorkshire Dales Cave Leader training

Steve ran a two day Cave Leader training course in the Yorkshire Dales with six excellent candidates. Day one was spent covering all the environmental information required by Cave Leaders as well as necessary ropework and personal caving. On day two we looked at leadership approaches in horizontal caves and on simple scrambles, with an emphasis on maximising activity time for participants and on ensuring they have a great experience of caving.

If you are interested in caving for yourself or you wish to investigate British Caving’s leadership scheme please get in touch with Steve who’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to assist: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|April 4th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Cave Leader training courses

Steve has been busy this week running Cave Leader training courses. Ideal weather conditions permitted us to use seven different caves over the courses, as well as to spend time on the surface covering all the syllabus content is as practical and connected way as possible. An exciting and informative time was had by all.

If you have designs on developing your caving or working towards caving qualifications Steve will be pleased to help. He has further Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader training courses on over the next couple of months. Assessments for both awards are available at any mutually convenient time, just call to discuss your needs: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

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

Cave Leader training courses

Our 2022 programme is starting with more caving – this time we have two 2-day Cave Leader training courses on the 17th & 18th and 19th & 20th January in the Yorkshire Dales. Steve also has a Vertical Cave Leader training course on the 15th & 16th March.

If you are interested in furthering your caving knowledge or qualification – or, indeed, qualifications in other fields such as paddlesport or mountaineering, please get in touch with Steve who will be pleased to hear from you and happy to assist.

Steve is also available for personal guiding and coaching at any time: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

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

Vertical Cave Leader training

Steve has a Vertical Cave Leader training course coming up on December 16th & 17th and has two places still available. The course, previously known as Level 2 Cave Leader, is based in Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales and covers the personal skills, rigging skills and incident management approaches required to lead people in caves with simple vertical pitches of up to 18m. You need to have some vertical caving experience and to have done the Cave Leader (Level 1) training as a minimum to enrol.

If you’re interested in this course please get in touch with Steve at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or call 07796 213817. He’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help.

By Steve|December 9th, 2021|Cave|Comments Off

Cave Leader training

Steve has just run a two day BCA Cave Leader training course in the Yorkshire Dales. Using the Great Douk area, Long Churn, Borrin’s Moor and Wilson’s Caves we covered lots of relevant limestone geography, geology and geomorphology; environmental, historical and speleological issues as well as critical equipment, group management and ropework – and much more! An enjoyable time was had by all.

If you are interested in trying caving, working towards caving awards or just moving your current caving forwards Steve will be pleased to help you. He also runs a caving trip to Northern Spain in April which is appropriate for any suitably fit and interested individual – no significant caving experience is required as it is mainly trekking in vast and spectacular spaces. Just call on 07796 213817 or email for a discussion about any of the above.

By Steve|October 21st, 2021|Cave|Comments Off

Family caving day

Steve ran a fun, introductory, family caving day in the Yorkshire Dales in ideal conditions. A great time was had by all as the venue allowed for wandering along easy cave passage enjoying the environment or, in the case of one 10 year old aspirant caving ‘connoisseur’, the opportunity to delve into every small space they could find!

Caving does offer experiences of all levels to match with individual interests. There are plenty of venues where straightforward walking and easy scrambling underground is the norm. If this is an environment you’d like to experience get in touch and we’ll be pleased to help.

By Steve|August 31st, 2021|Cave|Comments Off