CCDC Club Leading Training Workshop

Report 11 April 2026

Cave: Carrickcoppan 3 Peruvian Pot

Cavers: Ray, Peter, Mark, Nathaniel

Equipment: Type A 20m Rope

Day 1 of the horizontal leader training was met with apocalyptic weather. Strong winds and hard rain. We convened in the Barn to begin a briefing that evolved into a full day event, covering a massive range of information on Pre-trip checks, Weather, Group information, Cave choice, access to caves, call outs & overdue, access to dry clothing, emergency comfort sacs, shelter warmth and food, water, lighting, when to get help, belt usage and rope types, gear dates and checks, and use of abled people. This then evolved further into discussions on Radon, common injuries and death, bad air, and the formation of karst environments.

We stopped for lunch then and then went into a practical training where we assembled a heat shelter inside the Hub, at the great confusion of the visiting landlord. And then followed with leader position in the group and Ropework required for safe leading. Traverses, Knots, Cows tails, Handlines, safety lines, Z lines and V lines along with some interesting complex non-functional designs. Paired with this new knowledge it was time to set for the caves.

The cave was Peruvian Pot, a relatively well concealed cave with an irregular route over fields to find it, Peter was tasked with Navigating the group through the fields, fitted with map and compass. Everyone dressed in thick oilskins and Dry robes and wetsuits we were the only wild ones up on the mountain that day. Blinding hail, soggy bogs and chilly winds we stalked across the fields.

We stopped briefly among a Limestone pavement as Ray read facts from paper that bled blue pen between the lines and asked many curious questions such as if Carbon Dioxide build-up in a chamber would cause a limitation to the formation of Stalactites and mites.

We stuck out head over to Aghinrawn cave to discuss the differences of sinks, dolines, pots and resurgences, however those unfitted with wetsuits didnt dare desire entry.

Arriving at our Pot great teamwork ensued with an even share of rigging being shared amongst the team. We rigged a handline and safety line for descending the Pot. Mark setup as the support on the safety line and all descended easily.

In Peruvian Nathaniel climbed a boulderly climb just in the entrance of the cave. to find not much prospect up above. In the downstream upper chamber again found climbing up the walls, Nathaniel sought to gain a high level passage but fell into Peter's heroic arms. Continuing upstream along a meandering rift streamway another Aven was scaled by Nathaniel, tossing stones to those down below. but this time passage was gained, an upper upper level was explored, about 10m long running directly above the previous downstream pasage. Where he potentially exited at the opening in the upper downstream chamber. Safely descending the party continued to the upstream boulder choke where they pushed into the choke to evaluate route finding. Emotional and physical effort drained as the complex of boulder's was tackled. A way on may be left but more yoga and soul searching may be required. A swift exit was made, back to the stromy weather to visiting aliens.

Back on the Marlbank road a light was seen in a field with no known caves, only depressions, hopes were high to catch our "phantom bolter" in action so a search party went out scouring the field for this elusive caver and dig. Nothing found although light was absolutely seen in the field or environs. Several promising suspicions were proposed but all remain in the realm of conspiracy for now.

Report 12th April 2026

Cave: Lecknabrocky Pot

Cavers: Ray, Peter, Nathaniel

Equipment: 10m Ladder, Srt, Type A 50m Rope

Day 2 of leader training started with a mini cook-up for breakfast for a well-fed day.

Thereafter with yesterday's pressing questions answered, Limestone formed from reefs crushed under 100-200m of sea water. We headed down to the barn for some more and new skills training. The focus of the day was more on vertical leading and rigging, specifically for ladders. We went over what to carry, how to prepare and how to properly equip others and ourselves for leading down pitches. We covered how to attach a releasable ladder, the importance of making it releasable and then paired this with yesterday's use of assisted lines, practising first at floor level before gaining height and both practising rigging and then guiding the other. We both simulated having ladder faults and then releasing and recovering from the fallen caver.

From there it was away to the cave. The original plan was to visit Bruce's Pot but on the way we decided to shift to Lecknabrocky. Nathaniel rigged the first pitch. The plan is that the leader may descend on SRT and harness and the student was to use the ladder for descent assisted by a safety line controlled from the top of the pitch. The ladder was intentionally lowered a little bit short so that we could work on restaging or extending a ladder mid climb. The pitch is a nice wide Pot, however after Ray's demonstration of puddle splashing at the top there was considerably more "drips" falling down the pot and so anyone waiting down below get a little dousing. After Peter bottomed the pot Nathaniel and Ray descended via SRT.

Peter rigged the second pitch. a tight squeeze without much working area where he positioned himself to be able to control the safety line and the ladder for Nathaniel to descend. Not as far of a pitch and thankfully less drippy down below. Both others descended on Srt after. but left ladder in situe.

At the bottom, all caver's removed SRT harnesses and dove in amongst the boulder choke above the first chamber. Nathaniel found himself pleasantly buried behind a complex of awkward squeezes and backbreaking bends facing a potential hole in the wall with pretties beyond, however turned back due to the nature of the squeeze and that his light could be seen by Peter who was approaching through the maze from above. The way on from above seemed to have easier access to the hole in the wall and so Nathaniel retreated. This hole in the wall was not visited in the end and is left as a potential for the next visit.

Ray reopened his middle of the road dig, leaving a big hole to 'float' over while continuing down into the streamway and downstream section. This cave is really beautiful and has easily accessed low hanging flowstone straws. The caver really needs to lie flat to the mud to be able to pass between and under these plentiful straws and drips hanging down. Before the cave opens up but narrows into a meandering rift passage. This cave be flown through with its twists and turns without even getting water in your wellies. Before reaching the terminal boulder choke. Nathaniel went straight on, into a disappointing but prospective end, and Peter turned right before passing through a tight choked passage. At the limit of exploration, we turned back and made our way back to the upper area of the first chamber.

Here we discussed a potential passage high up in the chamber, what looked like a bedding plane with straws hanging down inside above a muddy boulder cliff, approximately 4m off the floor. Peter had attempted the climb early in the caving session but found no luck, so Nathaniel put his hand and foot at it. He was able to climb about 2m off the ground by digging footholds into the mud onto boulders, but not finding any handholds to peer over the lip at eye level, began a retreat before the primary foothold shifted, offsetting the balance and pulling him away from the wall. He landed feet first on the boulders before momentum carried his shoulders further and took a dive down the boulder slope for a further 1.5m before landing on his forearms literally inches away from falling into the first chamber down below. Approximately 3.5m fallen total. Peter surely had a front seat to the action of re-enacting last night's film 'Sanctum 2011' of caving horror and tragedy seen. Thankfully, even after adrenaline died down, not a single scratch or strain remains after the fall but a good lesson learnt.

SRT kits redonned. Nathaniel guided out of the second pitch derigging and then Peter led out the first pitch. A great and muddy day. Filled with action, adventure, opportunities and learning.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/eb55f1_bc82e86923764456b3ca857a7c74617b/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/eb55f1_693852f5f49e4519bb12969554a8c657/1080p/mp4/file.mp4