What got you into caving ? Please all reply.

[Tom Howard]

My Uncle is a Caver and got me into it. Some will know him on here, Nigel Dibben. From very early on I was able to explore the Alderley Edge Copper Mines with the DCC and then as a “holiday” went to Matienzo for the first time in 2004 (age 10) where we did some beginner trips. We then returned in 2007 and I don’t think I’ve missed a year since (this year could be the first year missed). My first UK cave was P8 in Derbyshire in 2007, again, with Nigel and DCC. From there I would be caving most weekends (mainly Derbyshire and Yorkshire) by jumping on a train straight after school - got some dodgy looks on the Sunday night travelling back covered in mud with stinking caving gear in a bag on the train!

I’ve got to say, I’m very glad that I was introduced to the sport because it is one of those with some of the most genuine people you could wish to meet. There are the odd few that try to spoil things but generally, those with the different mindset don’t tend to stick around too long.

Tom

[paul chong]

I got into caving after being invited to see a small coal mine in Lancashire that had been kept accessible by a small group of people, it was absolutely fascinating for me and kind of lent itself to my interest in photography, as did sewers, culverts and storm drains, basically I just couldnt get enough of being underground.
After joining Dave Tysons Wirral Caving Group I discovered the joys of going to places so muddy and wet that a camera just was not practical and after WCG closed I moved over to UCET mainly because club night is hosted in a pub.

[Doug Thompson]

I was always fascinated by metal ores and minerals from a very early age, where they came from, how they got there, as it turns out every house I have ever lived in has been less than a quarter of a mile from a mine, mostly much closer, being a child in Halkyn when the mine was still open I would listen with amazement at the stories the miners used to tell of bottomless lakes, fish with no eyes and other nonsense and I was hooked, mines were of course just the beginning of a lifelong interest in anything below ground. :woohoo:

[Andrew Farrow]

a long and totutous journey

a long time ago - in a galaxy far far away - i did lots of outdoor stuff - but didnt have ti,me or inclination for caving [ cos i thought it was shiite ] - why crawl about in filth when i could soar like an eagle on mountains

then i had an RTC , riding my bike - i basically went through a car window - outside > in

and ended up a bit fooked

having nothing to do - and insanity closing in - i got into photogrpaphy - and when the hospitasl i was beeing treated at -[ BRI  ] closed - to move to a new site - i googled it to see what was happening to it - and found URBEX . hmm i can do that i decided - and did  i ended up doing surface adentures @ old mine sites - and them met two blokes who invited me to have a look underground in a quarry - they lent me all kit except wellies

and it was bonkers - so i started mine explore - and got all my own gear - and built up to SRT so i could get down shafts and stopes and stuff

laters - 2 different blokes asked me what caving i did - while we was sat for a break

my response was - none - its crap dirty horrible holes

bollox - thegy said - why dont you come with us - next weekend - nice beginners cave

ok says me

trip turns out to be borrins mooor > alum pot [ top of dolly tubs ] via the long churns connections

that was bonkers - so i did more and 16 years on - hear i is

and thats all i has to say about that

ETA : - 16 years on is from my big RTC - i has been cave since 2009