Nettle and CPD

As part of staff development, keeping current and ensuring that as a centre we are able to offer a range of high level outdoor adventures and experiences, it is important we develop Continuous Personal Development ( CPD )  Another key reason for CPD is for instructors to work outside their own personal comfort zone something which we ask of our customers on a daily basis.

Certain activities such as mining and caving require you to undertake a certain amount of CPD by the awarding National Governing Body in order to maintain your qualification.

With this in mind Mark the centre manager had a visit to the Peak District recently.  On one of the days, a trip down Nettle Pot, a natural formed cave,  gave good scope to practice and learn new skills alongside discussing good practice with the other members of the team,  another centre manager and a caving club member.

Most people assume caving is crawling around in mud and water. It certainly can be in many instances but there are many vertical caves which require the use of rope to get down to the base of the cave. Nettle Pot is one of these. You descend a total of  170 metres with one section,  a free hanging abseil of 45m.  The only downside is you need to climb all the way back up afterwards, another skill in itself.

In terms of comfort zone, there was one section one the way down ( and obviously on the  the way up ) which was quite tight. With your back against the cave wall and your face and chest against the other side of the cave wall, with a couple of instance when breathing out made a big difference, one could say you had to focus.

The attached video clip is what one of the group members shot ( Thanks for Ed Bayliss ) just using a standard go pro on their helmet and no extra lighting. Around 1.25 mins you get to idea of it being tight fit. A really interesting trip.

If any one  / group of people would like a introduction to a cave experience ( without the really tight sections and the rope work )  then the centre can provide these in the Peak District.  Just contact the centre for further details. There are a variety of beginner caves we use and all equipment is supplied.