Cover: Maypole Inlet, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, during exploration (see issue page 20)
Photograph: Paddy O'Reilly. Descent (199) Features Connections It was the 1960s and a time of discovery across South Wales. Forty years ago the connections were made and passages in Ogof Ffynnon Ddu unfolded, ripe for exploration.
Descent Competition 200 The gauntlet is laid down: can you tell us something personal about your caving career? If the answer is a simple ‘yes’ and your anecdotes are unrivalled, a flight in a Tiger Moth awaits you.
A Fresh Pair of Eyes
The further reaches of Mendip’s Wigmore Swallet have not attracted much attention over the past decade or so descriptions such as ‘demanding’ and ‘contaminated’ did little to encourage exploration. However, with a fresh pair of eyes looking for a way on, where there’s a will there’s a way.
A Giant Leap for a Frog Dig, dig, pedal, pedal. Yes, the tri-cycle spoil removal mechanism has paid off: at last, a breakthrough in Scotland’s Rana Hole.
Caving’s Hour of Exercise A huge number of cavers turned up to enjoy the Hidden Earth conference weekend where they were even encouraged to take more exercise!
Bliss of Casterton Fell Ron Bliss, cave photographer for half a century and more, died a few days before his eightieth birthday, thus missing the rightful acclaim his latest work has drawn. Here is his tribute.
The Gully Cave Question
With Belay Point overflowing into the main part of the issue, a letter challenging the effects of cave archaeology on the environment has drawn a swift response.