Descent Caving Magazine

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Descent Caving Magazine

The magazine of underground exploration.

16/12/2024

Hidden Earth is one of the biggest events in the caving calendar and in Descent 301 you can relive the most recent event in Llangollen, with words by Tom Howard and photographs by Chris Howes.
In the photo: The trade hall at Hidden Earth 2024, by Chris Howes.

https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/shop/descent-301-december-2024/

13/12/2024

The UIS Arts and Letters Commission invites the entire community to join the UIS Cave Photo Contest.
Share your best images that demonstrate responsible caving practices. We are looking for photos that show:

1. Respect for the environment
2. Sustainable exploration practices
3. A commitment to preservation

For more information:
https://uis-speleo.org/index.php/2024/12/06/join-the-uis-cave-photo-contest-celebrate-responsible-caving/

11/12/2024

Subscriptions, back issues, binders and colourful snoods - we have great gifts for cavers! Remember to place your order before midnight tomorrow 12 December if you want to receive it before Christmas!
https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/product-tag/gifts/

09/12/2024

Redhouse Lane Swallet, in the Forest of Dean, has gone BIG!
In Descent 301, Tim Nichols writes a comprehensive account of one of the most important UK cave discoveries of recent years, in an article accompanied by a survey and stunning photos of this historic find.
In the photo: Catherine Christopher and Rachel Smith looking north-west from Tiff's Treat in Redhouse Lane Swallet, by Martyn Farr
https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/shop/descent-301-december-2024/

07/12/2024

As storms ravage the land, this is a perfect day to sit down indoors with the new issue of Descent. Out today!
Photo by Hugh St Lawrence

https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/shop/descent-301-december-2024/

04/12/2024

Our photo exhibition, Beneath the surface, is now up at No-Hands Rest Coffeehouse in Kendal. If you're in the area, pop in to see a great display of underground images. Thank you to Bartek Biela, Kasia Biernacka Photography, Mark Burkey Photography, Martyn Farr, Helen Nightingale, Chris Howes, Bill Nix and Dave Watts Photography, who have kindly let us use some of their images.
The photos featured in the exhibition can be viewed at: https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/300-exhibition/

02/12/2024

Descent 301 features a detailed article on the new discoveries in the Forest of Dean, plus news from Ario, the results of digging efforts near Stump Cross Caverns, and an account of this year's Hidden Earth conference.
With a publication date of 7 December, it will soon be on its way to our subscribers and stockists. If you want to buy individual copies, you can also pre-order yours on our website.
Cover image: Rachel Smith near Tiff’s Treat in Redhouse Lane Swallet, Forest of Dean, by Martyn Farr.

https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/shop/descent-301-december-2024/

30/11/2024

Happy St Andrew's Day to our Scottish readers! Are you celebrating underground?
In the photo: The entrance to Smoo Cave, Durness, by Martyn Farr

29/11/2024

To continue celebrating the milestone that is publishing 300 issues, we have organised a photo exhibition showcasing the wonders of the underground world. A stunning selection of photographs will be on display at No-Hands Rest Coffeehouse in Kendal from 4 December.
In the photo: A snippet of the 300th issue cover image, Sistema Cheve in Mexico by Kasia Biernacka Photography, which will feature in the exhibition.

22/11/2024

It's Kendal Mountain Festival time! We'll be at the Underground Session tonight, and at both the Blue Risk Session and Diving into Darkness film tomorrow. If you are around, or see us around Basecamp, come and say hi!

21/11/2024

If you are thinking about treating a loved one (or yourself) to Descent goodies or a subscription for Christmas, please make sure you order before Thursday 12 December, as the Descent shop will be closed for the holidays after that.
For any international deliveries, please note that Royal Mail has advised that all parcels abroad must be sent between 26-29 November, depending on where you are, so don't delay!
All orders placed after Thursday 12 December will be posted on 3 January.
https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/

14/11/2024

Our December/January issue has a publication date of 7 December, so there is still time if you want to take out a subscription or need to renew your current one. If you are planning to give a subscription for Christmas, and want to keep the surprise until Christmas morning, you can add a note to let us know the delivery address – and we can make sure the envelope doesn't give anything away!
In the photo: Julia Arce Sáez and Phil Baker on the huge main shaft of Tras la Jayada in Ario, northern Spain, by Bartek Biela.

https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/shop/descent-subscription/

12/11/2024

WIN 10 DMM PERFECTO KARABINERS!! Worth £160
Click the link to find out how to enter this free competition.
Many thanks to DMM Climbing for their generous support of the forum.
https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?threads/win-10-dmm-screwgate-karabiners.32519/

11/11/2024

A century has now passed since the death of Christopher Long, one of the greatest cave explorers of the early 20th century. In Descent 300, John Cordingley pays tribute.
In the photo: Christopher Long (centre) with digging comrades in Stump Cross Caverns, photo courtesy of DJ Lowe.
https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/shop/descent-300-october-2024/

06/11/2024

Caving film-makers of the future, we want to see what you can create! Don't forget to tag us in your short-form videos for a chance to win some great prizes for your club. Remember that all CHECC member clubs can take part, with a max of three entries per caving club. The videos need to be brand new (never shown or displayed in the past) and we will not accept any videos that show any damage to caves, so please abide by all relevant conservation guidelines!
To take part, the videos need to be published on Instagram or Facebook (make sure you tag us and CHECC - Council of Higher Education Caving Clubs or we might not see it!) by the 18th of November.
All entries will be judged by the Descent team (and may be used by Descent and CHECC in their social media profiles in the future).
The winner will be announced at the Big CHECC weekend.
Artwork is by Paint maestro Isaac Neale.

05/11/2024

In addition to the Underground Session on the Friday evening, there will be a couple of other caving-related activities at Kendal Mountain Festival. On Saturday at the Blue Risk Session climbing psychologist Dr Rebecca Williams will talk to cave diver Geoff Yeadon and 8,000m peak climber Tamara Lunger about their attitude to risk, their motivation and how we can learn to manage the dangers faced in adventure sport. This will be followed by the film Diving Into Darkness, about cave diver Jill Heinerth. We hope to see you there!
https://kendalmountainfestival.eventive.org/schedule

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Kendal

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Subscriptions, back issues, binders and colourful snoods - we have great gifts for cavers! Remember to place your order before midnight tomorrow 12 December if you want to receive it before Christmas! https://www.descentmagazine.co.uk/product-tag/gifts/

Look what just arrived in time for an afternoon brew. #Descent298 #descentcavingmagazine

Today we have been to our new printers, MTP Media in Kendal, to watch Descent being printed and it’s looking good. We will now be using a higher quality of paper and Descent will feature four extra pages as standard. If you are due a renewal, make sure you order by the end of the day to receive your copy next week.

Descent + ActionStash competition winner

Thanks to all our readers who entered the competition to win a Landjoff oversuit from ActionStash. We have a winner!

If Wes Anderson went caving - by Descent Magazine

Issue 296 is almost ready, but as we work on adding the final touches on this grey and cold day, we are thinking about caving on sunnier days, and the fun we had filming this video last spring for International Day of Caves. Shall we do another one this year?

And the winner of the Descent Crossword competition is (drumroll) Arthur Champion! Congratulations! Thank you to all of you who took part in the crossword.