Why the heck do people go potholing?

[Jumpstart]

Are they on a death wish? Loads of people have become trapped, lost, or hurt potholing.

It's probably more scary than jumping out of a plane.

They thought of being stuck 200 feet down, and dying down there, is really scary. Boy, it's horror film stuff.

And whilst I feel sorry for the family of tragic American medical student John Jones, 26, who died during the week in a cave, after being trapped for 24 hours - I must say, WHAT THE HECK DROVE HIM TO DO IT???

It's crazy.

 

[2cvbloke]

I think they're nuts!!! Just seeing video of it on TV makes me feel all claustrophobic!!! I wouldn't do it even if you paid me to (not to mention I probably wouldn't fit through most holes cos of my waistline!!!), it's cold, wet, dark, unstable, it's a death trap!!!

Send robots instead, at least if you lose one of them, then nobody's lost their life!!!

 

[rolfw]

Went caving when I did the outward bound course in Devon when I was 15 and have to say that it really wasn't something I cared to repeat.

A bit too enclosed for me.

 

[Grassbox]

Fair few people die when they get into metal boxes with rubber rings at each corner. Talk about death wish.

 

[Jumpstart]

Fair few people die when they get into metal boxes with rubber rings at each corner. Talk about death wish.

I don't drive either!

But I have a bike which may I say is dicing with death if I go on the heavy main roads.

So I usually stick to the back lanes. ;)

 

[Channel Hopper]

At least you have some control of rubber bands, four or two.

Down under, you are at the mercy of the rock strata, the prevailing weather conditions, and the unpredictability of really any other factors that may lead one to be underground when it happens.

I wouldn't pot-hole nowadays, but in my youth, I would probably have done so, if motorcycling hadn't given me the entertainment element I needed at the time.

 

[dcselec]

Hi
I used to go potholing when I was younger
never got into any problems its not all little
passages there are some massive underground caves
I have dropped into caves that are larger than a football
stadium (on a rope) there are risks as with everthing you
do but you try to minimise them dont go into caves that
flood in bad weather ect but as with anything things can go
wrong as with crossing the road if there is a challange people
will go for it.
Thoughts with the Family at this time My mother used to hate
me going but at 20 you think you are invincible but still here
at 53

Dave

 

[Topper]

I suppose I could say they do it because they can which is probably wrong as if it was banned then they would probably do it all the more.
I agree with dcselec about the challenge and going for it and also add that it is a bit like scuba diving.. I had the chance to do a 5 mtr then a 10 mtr dive 15 years ago, I have to say it was OK but during my 10 mtr dive I remember looking up at the surface and my head was saying you should not be down here you are not a fish. I could not even conceive of going underground potholing although a trip through white scar caves I found facinating.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Ah yes, the nearest caves to here are at Chislehurst and went there a few times when I was somewhat younger.

 

[PaulR]

There's a world of difference between large caverns where you can walk upright and a small hole where you have to breathe out and wriggle like a worm!

I quite enjoy visiting large caves in the UK and France but only if there's a defined entrance and exit!

Mind you, I've been down some of the Williamson Tunnels in Liverpool and one of them I had to squeeze through a manhole cover and then down a 10 foot ladder. It seemed safe though.