Author: John Warburton

Just a heads up for all would be Rucksack cavers.Because of the success of the 2019 Berger Expedition, some of the original team are looking at another mammoth trip next summer “UP or should it be DOWN” the classic world caving trips.The PSM as its known lies close to the French/Spanish Pyrenees town of Bayonne on the western coast of France. Heralded as The deepest world cave for many years until the Berger was bottomed in the late 1950’s it attracts teams from all over the globe because of its ease of access and the mammoth SALLE VERNA cavern bigger than Wembley stadium.A man made tunnel takes tourists into Salle Verna but for the proper cavers unlike the Berger there a different entrances and through trips to accommodate all levels of experience.Obviously its early days and plenty of planning to do,but it would be great to have strong Rucksack club presence this time along with the other clubs involved.John Warby.

Im trying to contact Micheal at Fine park about a refund for my accommodation, whats the correct email address,the web site is down and he isn’t replying to my messages anymore. John.

CHANNEL 4 TONIGHT 9PM,OLD MAN OF HOY AMAZING FILM OF BLIND CLIMBER LEADING ON SIGHT THE E1 ROUTE UP THE SE FACE.

Due to all the lock down stuff ‘im sure l lot of us have been trying to get some sort of refunds for flight cancellations/accomodation.Especially for the March Sun Rock Trip. I contacted Ryan Air through “Resolver” very prompt reply from Ryan Air” NO CHANCE” as its classed as EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES under EU legislation ,wondering if anyone has any success elsewhere.

Just arrived in Decathlon the latest aggrresive shoe from EB order now while stocks last.

I have booked myself in fine park from 15th-24th March if anyone wants to share accommodation let me know,i will be flying from Manchester to Alicante on Sunday 15th March and then hiring a car. John

My dearest friend and climbing buddy suddenly collapsed on holiday in Ireland and died. I am in shock and as you all know he was one of the characters of the club, always UP positive and enthusiastic about life.He has been my friend since the 1970’s when we met at the Karabiner Club,a great climber and always supportive of others, the world won’t be the same without him. John Warby

Tony Sawyer and myself are hoping to get a team together in October for a weeks climbing in the Vercors. This is a great area about 30 miles west of Grenoble we are planning on staying in Presles where there is a wealth of multi or single pitch routes to get on.Dates are 17th–25th October,flight to Lyon from Manchester then car hire onwards and accomodation in the area, drop me a line if you are keen, you can check out the climbing from UKC (climbing in the vercor) John Warby

Its been over 30 years since i was in the Berger, with a large club team of Rucksack,Karabiner,and Black and Tans cavers, so i am currently in the process of applying to the French authority for a 10 day permit to rig the cave.The permits are allocated from June to October with 3 alternative periods in each month running from 1st, 11th, 21st. of the month.The Berger was the first cave to be pushed to over a 1000 meters and was the deepest cave in the world from 1956 until around 1970.Having been in the cave twice i know what is needed to successfully reach the bottom @ -1122 m.Around 34 pitches from 5m. to 60m. needing 900m of static rope and 100+ crabs/maillons.In reality is like abseiling an alpine route then jumaring back up in the dark.The Berger is a classic caving trip and is usually on the agenda for any experienced fit caver.I am hoping to get a team of around 15 keen, committed,experienced people involved to help plan logistics, buy all we need in the way of rope, bags, “dinghy for lake cadoux” if its there!! caving insurance etc. etc.The trip involves masses of complicated rope work,traverse[…]