• Fun Factor - 4/5
• Faff Factor - 3/5
• Difficulty - 1/5

With the Easter holidays upon us, Vale Minimus (VM) requested a caving trip. Following the success of a Long Churn descent the previous year, Vale Senior (VS) was happy to organise another outing and suggested the Peak District as a follow-up to the Dales.

VM was keen on Giants Hole, but although VS was willing to lead the trip, he had concerns about VM tackling Garland’s Pot and the potential difficulty of assisting him on the ascent if needed. As a result, Calswark Cavern was chosen as a more suitable alternative. With the plan agreed, Team Vale loaded up the car, put Dangerous Dick on the stereo, and set off for Stoney Middleton.

Caving has a way of taking whatever physical traits make you unique, and punishes you for them. Never has that been more apparent than on our joint Shark-Orpheus trip to Hillocks Mine, Derbyshire.

The 5 of us entered through a small circular tunnel, and soon found ourselves in a wide-open, natural chamber. So far, Hillocks seemed like a promising expedition.

A short walk brought us to our first obstacle - a squeeze through a shelf which was open on the left, showing an awkward drop. The aim was to crawl along the shelf until the floor rose to a level where we could jump off.

Holme Bank Chert Mine: Stuart Morris, Steven Spall, Matthijs Bouwman, Matt Chubb