Herts Young Mariners Base

Useful Information

Location:	Cheshunt. M25 J25, north on A10, turn off at traffic lights on A121 to Cheshunt.
Open:
Fee:
Classification:	Cave Replica
Light:	none, bring gear.
Dimension:	L=100 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Herts Young Mariners Base, Ron Hodgson, 231 Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, EN8 9AJ, Tel: +44-1992-628403, Fax: +44-1992-632654. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1998	cave created.

Description

Herts Young Mariners Base, mostly called by its acronym HYMB, is a center for young people, offering various sports and other recreation opportunities.

In the area of climbing the construction of artificial climbing walls is rather common, but there are only very few artificial caves intended for caving exercises. The artificial cave system was created in 1998 to allow training in various caving techniques. The system of more than 100 m of cave passages includes a pheratic tube, squeezes and a stream passage. Cave paintings, speleothems and fossils in the rock are added for a more natural impession, and would not be necessary for the courses.

The cave is used for educational purposes and may be explored on half day or full day sessions. The sessions teach necessary techniques for caving and allow the participants to get used to narrow squeezes in a controlled environment. Some weekend programmes include sleeping in the cave.

The caving experience may be completed by a caving trip to two limestone caves in the Peak District. The previous exploration of the artificial cave is required for this weekend trip.