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Activity Day 22nd January 2010 Caving

On a very cold wet Friday in January, service users and staff from the High Peak area left Salisbury House at 10am to go to Matlock Bath in Derbyshire for a caving experience.

No one in the group had ever been caving before so it was a first for everyone and as we all donned hard hats, ‘Bob the Builder’ waterproof overalls, wellies and a safety harness we all wondered what we had let ourselves in for.

The day was organised through our local White Hall centre and part of our on-going Activities Programme, the two supervising staff briefed us on health and safety issues and answered any questions and concerns that we had en route to Matlock Bath.

We entered the Devonshire cave via a rusty looking trap door in the hillside close to the Heights of Abraham and set off through a course of passages and chambers. The whole group stayed close together, working well as a team and helping each other when needed. At least three of the group did have problems with claustrophobia but managed to overcome this and got on with the task in hand. The group eventually reached a chamber and were given two options: to climb a very flimsy rope ladder up a 20 foot rock to get to the next chamber or to go around a passage which was the easier option. Everyone took the first option facing the challenge and overcoming their fear of heights.

Throughout the day the group faced several difficult tasks getting through some tight and, at times, very awkward spaces from one chamber to another. At one stage we all turned off our lights and sat in the pitch black listening to stories and scary tales with the background noise of water dripping and what sounded like a drum beat.

In total we spent about two to three hours down the cave. It was a fantastic experience, enjoyed by all although we emerged wet, muddy and cold and ready for a hot drink. It was a great satisfying feeling knowing we had all achieved something personal and as a group.

Quotes from some of those who participated:

Emma: “A really good day the tight gaps were really scary but I am glad I did it.”
Paul: “Cool a good day out really enjoyed it.”
John: “Good day enjoyed it, nice group.”
Chris: “It was mint.”

Anita Mallon, Project Worker, High Peak