C.C.P.C.

Newsletter 77
Spring 2003.

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et knotted!
‘A few comments on knots taken from “Alpine Caving Techniques” by Marbach &
Tourte. Third edition 2002. (For those who haven't got a copy of this get one from the
library. After all it was George Marbach who “invented” SRT around 30 years ago.)
Bowline. When tying this knot the “slack end” should exit on the inside of the knot. It
MUST be finished off with a stopper knot (A half double fisherman’s — sometimes
called a barrel knot- is better than an overhand knot
Bowline on the bight. Preferable to a figure eight on the bight for 4 reasons. It is
more compact, uses less rope, allows for easy adjustment between the loops and can
be used for safety when passing a rebelay since it is easier to clip into both loops at
the same time at the top of the knot. If ever you have to arrange a triple hang you can
use this knot with the original bight forming the third anchor loop. Also useful as a
mid-line anchor knot onto a ting hanger- it uses less rope than a fig 8 on the bight
(which can also be used.
Butterfly knot. The Alpine butterfly should be used as 2 mid-line knot. The false
butterfly (caver’s butterfly) is better at rebelays since it adjusts more readily.
Clove hitch, A quick and easy knot for tying into a karabiner. Usefiul on traverse lines
if the rope is not too stiff
Double Fisherman’s knot. The best knot for joining two lengths of rope of unequal
thickness.( Ideal for ROPE slings.
Rethreaded fig8 knot. Tie a fig 8 in one rope then thread the other rope back in the
opposite direction. Tails should be approx 18” To form a loop — leave & long tail on
the first rope then thread this back through the knot forming a “triple fig8”. A nice

neat knot that can be easily undone after use.
Tape knot. THE ONLY KNOT THAT CAN SAFELY BE USED FOR JOINING

TAPE. Tie an overhand knot the thread the other end back through it. It MUST be
tightened thoroughly.

Lark's Foot. (Girth hitch) A controversial and particularly weak knot. If you do
decide to use it make sure you've done some reading first. Useful around a tree,
natural bridge ete.

Italian Hite, A very useful knot for lifelining and for an emergency abseil.
‘And of course you should know at least one prussic knot for use in emergency!
(French, Bachman, Klemheist), and don’t forget you'll need a thin piece of cord (off'a
tackle sack?) to tie it in.
For beginners perhaps the best knot to learn is the fig 8 since its dead easy to tie,
anyone can check it at a glance and although not always the best knot it can be used in
a whole variety of situations. If you can only tie one knot this is it!
Gerri Atrick.

Oxlow.
At long last the work on the entrance slope is finished. The “topping out” ceremony
was performed by Coffin Dodgers Dave (Webb) Len, John Shenton & self helped by
Mick Horrobin and Ade Pedley who demonstrated that a Land Rover WILL go where
others fear to tread shortening the working day by a couple of hours at least! We may
go and replace the lid in the not too distant future.

For those who took part in this world breaking trial the runner-up comment was “S
opened a packet and poured it onto some green socks in a bowl of brown water; the
water turned greeny-brown and the sacks turned grey. They smelt a lot better and I
didn't like the green anyway. My wife said I must not use the kitchen sink ever again-
test or no test” Runner up- D Webb. Masson CG. (& Coffin Dodgers CG)

Monyash Area.
We were asked by DCA to replace grills on various shafis in the Monyash area and

this has been carried out (thanks mainly to Len) We have also had a poke about in
various locations at Knotlow farm and hope to continue these visits next spring. In the
meantime please don’t bother the farmer.

Cave Rescue.
Several members have “complained” that Crewe never gets called out on a shout, the
inference being that there’s no point attending training if the likelihood of being
called out is unlikely. I thought I'd have a look at what’s been happening in recent
times.
In the last two years (This represents about an 18-month period if we knock off
around 6 months for foot & mouth) there has only been five call-outs and CCPC has
been called out on three of them and the other two were non-events!
July 01 Suicide Cave. Caver with back injuries. Team from Crewe arrived but little to
do as he was very close to the surface and there were a large number of rescuers
(including MRO!)
Aug 01 Buxton. Search for missing person following clothing being found close to
the point where the river is culverted under Buxton. CCPC team diverted as they
were leaving P8- nothing found

Dec 01. Ladybower Reservoir. CCPC alerted then stood down as the dog was
rescued by a DCRO diver

Jan 02 Derby. Police called out DCRO to investigate whereabouts of criminal, who
legged it down a culvert. Nobody found and concern expressed about being called out
‘on this one.

Feb 02. Giants Hole. Exhausted caver on Garlands. CCPC put on stand-by but I
decided not to call them out as rescue was obviously going to be straightforward. Two
members actually attended.
These “facts” seem to indicate that we are getting less call outs, particularly to cavers.
However experience suggests that for some inexplicable reason quiet periods are
generally followed by a busy one and (thankfully) we haven’t had to tackle a “big
one” since the incident in Nettle a couple of years ago when Crewe provided around
50% of the underground personnel.
What I'm really saying is “thanks for all your support in the past and please continue
to provide DCRO with what is probably the most competent team of rescuers in The
Peak District.” You WILL be needed, I don’t know when but when the time comes
I'm sure you'll all be ready and willing no doubt how “dark and stormy” the night!
Told you!
‘Two days after writing this we were called out on a search in The Pindale area!
Fortunately the missing girl was found safe and well ~ with her boy friend in
Stockport (little sod!) but it does go to prove my point that we ARE called- albeit

infrequently.

We received a Christmas card from DCA thanking all those who have been involved
in various projects in The Peak District. I'm not going to name you all ‘cos I’m bound
to forget someone- you know who you are so — thanks!
Dry and Dusty.
For those who haven't sampled the delights of Lens digs on the Mow Cop Ridge and
‘Thorncliffe then now’s your chance. Both projects are ongoing and require man (or
woman) power. When these are completed we have several other projects in the
pipeline- and for those who prefer damper conditions there’s always Pooles Cavern
which now takes place on a Tuesday night.
The Surf Challenge!
The winning comment is ......
Having tested the sample packet I am now considering changing from *** to Surf.
The “natural fragrance” is so invigorating I feel that spring has arrived early.
Whereas my *** powder just left my clothes clean, Surf leaves them so soft and
gentle next to my skin, one might say they are invigorated too,
The invigorating aroma stays with me all day and works in harmony with my anti-
perspiration body spray. The ladies comment on how nice my daily aroma is and
often ask, “what's my secret” but I never say.
.. and the winner is.... Dan Campbell.
Thanks!
At the AGM a vote of thanks was passed to Matt for the outstanding work he did in
the job of Training Officer. From a personal point of view I would like to state that
Matt has always turned out, very often at short notice, to escort groups of novices
underground when I'm certain he would prefer to be elsewhere. In addition he was
always there to help on courses of a more advanced nature until he suddenly
discovered there were caves of a more exciting nature in China where he has spent
much of the last couple of years! He has offered to help out whenever he can on his
return. Rob Farmer has taken on this demanding role.

Ralph J.
AGM. (in brief}

‘As has been reported the only change to the club officers is the appointment of Rob

Farmer who takes over from Matt as training officer. Our financial state is healthy

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Thanks!

with around £3000 “in the kitty” although some of this will shortly be spent on rope
as John and Ralph are in the middle of a sort out. The thorny question of insurance
was settled fairly quickly- in summary those paying insurance to DCA or BCRA need
not pay again to Crewe who insure via DCA.

In brief we now charge: Entry fee (one off payment) £2.00

Associate members £8.00, Full members £15.00. Both groups pay an additional £5.00
insurance unless they produce written evidence that they have already paid to another
organisation. As usual the fee is reduced (1/12 per month) for those joining later in the
year. Please note that all subs should be paid before the April meeting.
Temporary members pay £2.50 and are covered for 21 consecutive days,

Gongs.
You may recall ages ago I tried to compile a list of club members who qualified for a
“Jubilee” medal for services to cave rescue. In an attempt to avoid missing anyone out
I did a quick survey where members were asked if they satisfied the fairly strict
criteria. I eventually sent off the list to DCRO. All went horribly quiet until Thursday
of this week when I was told they had arrived. Each medal has to be accounted for so
a signature is necessary. With luck those members who qualified should have got
theirs by now-although, as yet I haven't received them for distribution. Ralph.

As i 2003,

Bosch 24 v battery drill plus various drill bits.
Charger for above and for 24v/12v FX cell packs.

110v angle grinder.

110/240v generator, About 200m cable.

Pump plus outlet hose (around 100m)

Bipod. Tripod. Scaffold poles/maypole. Assorted scaffold clips.

Crow bars & ground stakes,

Telephones, single wire telephones, mini “CB” radios. Cable.

7 ladders plus assorted spreaders/belays

Ten sit harnesses. (plus assorted older ones)

Ten sets cows-tails.

Ten helmets, (Protex) plus some odds n sods.

Ten over suits (Warmbac) plus many others in various states of decay!
Ten good belts (as new) plus around a dozen others

‘Nine FX3 plus 2 old FX2 lamps. Two charging racks. Numerous spares (ask)
Five SRT kits plus some extra Petz! Bobbins (for training)

Bolting kit (8mm)

Surface& underground first aid kits (for beginner groups)

1,076m of SRT rope (majority has a further 3y life-span i.e. new’ 03)
Various lengths of “tat” if you want some please ask

Dinghy.

Various waterproof containers.

Maillons, karabiners, slings, tackle sacks.

A variety of books, guide books (various countries), topos, magazines.
Garden Path,

At long last the permission to P-bolt Garden Path came through Darren took the day
off work so the two of us plus JohnShenton and Len joined Dave Webb and Paul
(Shacky) outside Ed's before proceeding to the entrance. Having a good look round
and placing nine bolts took around S$ hours. Ina moment of weakness Darren offered
to remove the ladders so for those who haven’t seen the system- this is your last

chance
Get out of that!

We had an incident at idiots leap during our club trip into P8 on Saturday which could
have been extremely serious. I was at the back de-rigging and caught up with the rest
of the party who were queuing due to one of our members having difficulties. They
had placed their jammer on the fixed knotted rope and were now in the water hard up
against a knot. Another member was trying to keep her out of the flowing water but
they were both becoming increasingly cold

I climbed over the other members in the party to get to the pitch head to assist from
above. It was at this point I realised she was beginning to show some of the early
signs of hypothermia, She was extremely cold, pale and beginning to switch off and
relying on us to rescue her

I managed to haul her to the pitch head but could not release her because the Tope was
either tied of or trapped at the bottom. I reached down and unscrewed the krab
attached to her hand jammer, which released her from the system. With some
assistance she was soon with the dry hat and gloves we had left on the surface.

Not a CCPC trip but it could have been!

‘Well- could you? The solutions will be published in the next issue. Prize for the best
answer. Editors’ decision is final!

ilm Show.

For those who missed this world-shattering event: The residents of Monyash were
invited to a FREE film show in the village hall. Over 10% of the population turned
‘out with many of them partaking of Ed’s hot pot! A very pleasant evening was had by
all as indicated by the rapturous applause! A collection was held in aid of local

chari ties

Holiday 2004

Now is the time to plan! Anyone interested in a trip to Ladakh (N. India) to enjoy the
sites/climb Stok Kangri? Cost in the region of £1200. Talk to Darren or Ralph
Hopefully by 2004 Ralph will have recovered from his trip to Mongolia with a harem
of 14 eighteen year old girls!!!

a
Bage Mine.

Nice little trip for mine enthusiasts organised by Neil Wood. For once it WAS “dry
and dusty” which makes a change for old lead mines. If it comes up again on the
programme a visit is highly recommended

Meets.
March 2 ‘Great Orme Copper Mines N Wales (Llandudno)
9 | Grange Rig-Xmas exchange Yorks. (Clapham) |
15 | Garden Path Monyash
16 Garden Path |
2 Ricklow or Lathkill Head Monyash_ |
23 DCRO Eldon Hole Peak Forest
29 | Snailbeach Mine ‘Shropshire
‘April 6 | Coniston Copper Mines Lake District
|
13 | Oxclose Mine Matlock
19 | Hardrawkin/Sunset/Black Shiver | Yorks (Clapham)
27 ‘| Giants or PS ‘Sparrowpit
May 3 | Knock Fell
1 Ogof Draenen S Wales
18 | Roaring Hole or Southerscale Pot | Yorks a
31 | Youds Level/One Ash Mine Matlock
June 8 Meregill/Tatham Wife Yorks (Meregill is now
bolted)
14 | Castswark or Nickergrove Stoney Middleton |
21 ‘Nent Head Cumbria |
28 | Ogof Liyn Parc or Parc Mine N Wales |

Reminder: This is an abbreviated version. There are frequently trips on midweek and

on “blank weekends”. Ring John for weekends and Ralph for midweek.

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