Group Tackle
Advice for newer leaders about gear for leading horizontal trips. The Crew can, of course, also lend you all this.
Gear Items
Group Shelter
A group shelter (bothy bag) is a bag you pull over a group to create a warm, wind-proof pocket. It reduces heat loss for casualties or anyone waiting around underground, and lowers the risk of hypothermia.
Rope Bags and Tackle Sacks
Look for two shoulder straps and a haul loop. Don't go too big. Secondhand is fine but they hold their value.
Recommended Caving Shops
One of the original Caving Shops - run by cavers, staffed by cavers, for cavers. Physical shop in Ingleton, Yorkshire staffed by cavers. Modern online presence - and accommodating and thoughtful staff. Ingleton shop also includes a top tier cafe - recommended.
Established in 1977 in South Wales as a Caving lamp and welly hire company, working closely with Outdoor Centres, we have expanded to provide Caving, Hiking, Climbing, Trail Running, Watersports and Expedition kit within a vast store in Cardiff and online. Up and Under staff are outdoor lifers providing many years of experience across all of our sports. Up and Under offer instore fitting services and phone or email advice and stock products from brands including Alp Design, Beal, Bestard, Climbing Technology/Skylotec, Fenix, Kong, Lyon, Petzl, Raumer and Warmbac. Up and Under provide a next working day delivery as standard and offer club member, Outdoor Education and Rescue Team discounts on request.
Run by active cavers Tom and Rubee, with focuses on ensuring that affordable beginner options are available as well as higher-end gear for more seasoned cavers. Next day delivery available, with a decent selection of headtorches, bags, suits, repair supplies and accessories.
A specialist UK caving equipment shop operated by Tony Seddon since 2009. The shop offers a unique "travelling shop" service visiting Yorkshire Dales caving locations. As sole UK importer for European brands like MTDE, Tony combines cave diving expertise with personalized equipment advice.
A Facebook forum for buying and selling caving gear in the UK with over 2000 members. Fairly low traffic, but requests are often well answered. You must know what it is you want, and be able to assess if what you're being offered is suitable for use. Often a great hivemind to ask for advice with top expert contributors.
A newer UK caving store, set up by cavers for cavers. Has its own line of gear under "Geo" brand.