Derbyshire! And naturally, it was rather chilly. As we approached Castleton we could see the snow up on the peaks. Winnats pass was open, and we abandoned the bus on the sodden verge as there were dozen cars festooning the road. We assumed it meant millions of maillons down the entrance pitch - but was actually just one exchange trip, with each person in a separate car! Storming trip down and out, shot home to the Orpheus as the snow closed in to the roaring coal fires and a truly stuffing curry. Sunday saw us investigate the legends of Derbyshire caves worth doing which were not in Castleton...

An aquatic but extremely fun weekend. Saturday saw three trips gently probing the mighty Easegill system, followed by a massive Chili at the NPC. Sunday saw us in Kingsdale (surprise!) experiencing the joys of underground waterfalls.

A wet weekend on the Llangattock escarpment! There were issues with capturing an Aggy key, so the Saturday was spent in the double whammy of Eglwys Faen (AKA Grafitti cave, or at least it should be...) and the short but sweet Ogof Pen Eryr. An inch of rain fell during Saturday night, so the path & caves were rather aquatic on the Sunday. Had a little explore down Aggy, but failed to find our way through the first choke.

A lovely start to the new year with a couple of adventurous trips down Ogof Ffynnon Ddu (Cave of the Black Spring) on the Saturday. The cute little WSG hut made for a great evening eating, drinking and playing silly caving games. Sunday saw everyone donning wetsuits, and setting out for DYO and Little Neath, where much swimming and gaping at the formations took place.

Just back from a stonking Yorkshire classic. Tim and James did not drown, Leo got someone to carry air for him, Magdalena tried the underground out, Aleeza back on the ropes, Dan and Nathan lost on the moors, Jarv got to the spiral staircase. Jana enjoyed a swing.

Stonking + full up minibus trip! Stunning weather, barely a cloud in the sky. BBQ at the NPC on Saturday night, and entertaining caving games with the Reading lot. Sunday saw an escape to Easgill + an attempt at a Cow - Link exchange, plus a bit of swimming Cow Dubs (some unintentional!) for the sun lovers.

Taking advantage of the quieter of the two May long weekends, we zoomed up to Yorkshire in Tim's tiny Polo. Was a bit of a squeeze with 4 rather large cavers, and then we had to do the shopping! James and Andy came up via Nottingham. Threw Leo (our new crossover Diver-Caver) in at the deepend and raced across on a Top-Lancs trip (after first rigging Lancs, natch). Sunday saw a probing of the (newly P-bolted) King, and Monday found us descending Rowten in the rain. Probably the first time I've ever looked forward to getting down Rowten as a way of warming up!

Speleo Sportive Dans Le Vercors! Just back from a stunning Eurostar/TVG powered trip down to the Vercors. Sticky melting snow kept us off the high peaks, but we nevertheless found a worthy adversory in the form of Scialet de Gay Bunny, enjoyed the Saints de Glace and paddled around in a boat in the De Grournier (sic).

Last minibus trip of the (main) academic calendar - and absolutely stonking it was! Elevan people exchanging via Maskhill Oxlow in an afternoon of efficiency and smooth action (last one out 5 1/2 hrs after first in). Comedy rescue spectacle in Peak on the Saturday night, followed by a trip into Peak for the motivated on the Sunday, and a trip up Victoria aven to look at the rigging for the truly mud-orientated.

Absolutely stunning trip to Slovenia over the long weekend. So much snow that Mala Boka wasn't doable, but had a great time winter mountaineering up to the top entrance of Poloska in the stunning mediterranean sun, before completing a speedy through trip. Sunday saw a day of snow sledging and warm jacuzzi over in Bocinj. Naturally, more injuries were sustained sledging into trees and racing each other through the water chutes than caving or mountaineering.