CAVE EXPLORATION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27403, 16 July 1954, Page 14

CAVE EXPLORATION

GROWTH IN POPULARITY SINCE 1895 The spire of the Christchurch Cathedral would almost fit twice in Gaping Glyll, the largest and deepest known pot-hole in the limestone country in north-west England, said Mr F. T. Bancroft in an address about cave exploration at a meeting of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Geographical Society. Mr Bancroft described a pot-hole as a vertical cave, the descent of which was made difficult by waterfalls and underground springs. Cave exploration as a hobby had been popularised by Professor Edouard Martel in 1895. Since then it had grown in popularity and more than 100 clubs now existed in Britain. They operated their own rescue squad, with the help of the police and the 8.8. C. The presence of water in caves was a continual source of problems for the explorer, and sometimes diving equipment was used, said Mr Bancroft. In winter, after severe frosts, icicles as long as 30ft were known to have formed in some pot-holes, said Mr Bancroft. As a rule, activities during the winter were restricted to surface research because in some caves there was the risk of the explorers’ clothing freezing. Cave exploration was a rigorous activity, and enthusiasts often spent from 12 to 18 hours underground in damp and cold conditions, Mr Bancroft said.