DU Potholing Club / 2004-2005
Upcoming events
| Upcoming events : Check the 'Club news' page for details of upcoming events, including the AGM and our annual trip to the Yorkshire Dales in June. |
Club meetings
The club meet on wednesday night during term, at the climbing wall in Luce sports hall, from 8-10. Everyone is welcome, no matter how much or little experience you have (Beginners are welcome to join throughout the year).We teach our members SRT (the technique used for ascent and descent in caves), test them for ladder proficiency and do a bunch of other stuff. After that we usually head to the pav or kennedys for a while.
Dublin University Potholing Club,
C/O D.U.C.A.C., Box 49, Regent's House,
Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.
Mailing list
The Potholing Club mailing list is the main means of communicating between the members of the club. Generally it is used by the committee to let members know what trips and events are coming up, when meetings at the wall will be cancelled etc... Its hosted by the maths department (thanks!), and if youd like to join you should email dupc2004 [-at-] gmail [-dot-] com and ask one of the committee to add you.Equipment and clothing
The air temperature in Irish caves is generally constant at 8-10oC. However this air is damp and can cause severe heat loss leading to hypothermia if warm clothes are not worn. For your first trip old clothing will probably be adequate: woolen socks, track suit leggings, a T-shirt and woolen jumpers (several thin layers is better than one thick one). A waterproof jacket and leggings will help keep off the water while strong foot ware is essential to protect feet and ankles; rubber Wellington's are ideal. You will not need to buy any special caving equipment yourself. The club will provide all helmets, lights, and SRT equipment that you will need.What is caving?
Caving is the exploration of natural underground passages and chambers,usually formed where water has dissolved away the limestone rock. It is an adventure sport and as such has inherent risks. With good guidance, training and correct equipment, these risks can be reduced to reasonably low levels.Caves are found in most counties in Ireland and come in many shapes and sizes. Pollnagollum is the longest cave system with over 14 km of passage way, Reyfad Pot in Fermanagh is the deepest at 193m. Poll an Ionain in Clare has a 7 meter free hanging stalactite.
Depending on the area caves will have different characteristics, for example caves in Clare are often wet and are explored via an active stream way, while caves in Cork/Tipperary are often dry