DU Potholing Club / Trips 2004-2005
Michaelmas term
Doolin, Co. Clare. 19th-21st October 2004
A merry gang of two from the club set off for clare after certain members simply didnt turn up on the friday, and others broke their leg in the week running up to the trip (come on, caving isnt that bad!) having the knock-on effect that their friends no longer wanted to come down for the weekend. Accommodation manifested itself as a room in the house that DCU booked for the weekend, and the water levels for the weekend were very high!. Various trips were made into the doolin river cave, poll dubh, poll na gceim etc.
CHECC Symposium, Yorkshire, 25th-29th October 2004
John Gilbert and Les Brown represented Trinity at the Council for higher education caving clubs annual student symposium hosted
in the YSS hostel in Horton in Ribblesdale, Yorkshire. They made the trip jointly with representatives from Queens University
Belfast and the Dublin Institute for Technology. The weekend consisted of lots of caving (Little Hull pot, Juniper gulf, Both routes
in sell gill and an unfortunately missed trip into Rowten due to a certain group going for an extended breakfast in Bernies cafe instead of rigging the
cave as promised!).
There were the usual drinking sessions, and a 'stomp' hosted in the marquee tent that was bought for the occasion and blew away in
the high winds (along with a few other tents) on the Sunday morning. Presentations came and went (Les gave one from our recent trip to the
Gouffre Berger, the worlds 24th deepest cave) and now we all want to go to Dachstein and China :) A great weekend was had by all, and
lots of caving that only Yorkshire can offer, not to mention some great fun driving off road in a jeep!
Doolin, Co. Clare. 17th-20th December 2004
John, Les, Leah, Vlad and Ash set off for Clare on a joint trip with Queens. There were a few DIT folks about the place too, and we managed to get a couple of good trips in: Poll na gollum (in gunmans, muddy links, branch passage gallery, main junction and back out covering our first bit of SRT experience in a cave for all our new members!) with lots of water about the place. The next day found us braving the winds and going off down poll na gree to the sump bypass with the new club members, while Les and co. set off for the coolagh river cave. (yes, did i mention that it was wet?). Videos will be posted online soon :) There was something about Malcoms car breaking down, or was it just that he wanted to join us watching thomas and the magic railroad on monday morning while sipping tea at 10 o clock? Many thanks to QUBCC (you should read that as Aileen and Amie) for doing the shopping for the weekend and booking the house!
Fermanagh, New years 2005
Ailish, Les and Ash attended the now legendary new years celebrations in Boho co. Fermanagh that have become a fixed part of social caving calendar. Some caving was done (whitefathers, john thomas and poll tullyard), and ive been hearing stories of white water rafting on an inflatible arm chair in whitefathers.
Hilary term
Boho, co. Fermanagh. Beginners SRT trip. (Jan 28th-30th)
Les, John, Caoimhe, Robb, Ash, Vlad, Martina and Asylen set off for Fermanagh to get some practical SRT experience in caves (instead of at dalky or the climbing wall!). Trips into Pidgeon Pot, Goat pot, Prods, Poll na gollum of the boats and Whitefathers were made. Everyone got on fine.. we'll be making the training on wednesday nights more interesting now that we know folks can do the basics :-). Great weather and a great weekend.
Trinity term
Letterbreen, co. Fermanagh. Training weekend (22nd-24th April)
Les and John dragged our most enthusiastic new member, Ash off to Fermanagh for a weekend of training. Various folks from DIT, QUBCC and DCU were also in the area over the weekend. On Saturday a big trip as far as arties chamber in Noons hole saw Ash demonstrate her caving competence, and Sunday saw a more relaxed trip to Poll Tullyard (using the forrest route for a change!). Excellent weekend with splendid weather.