Caving Video: Return to Daren Cilau

A caver fails to get through the entrance crawl in Daren Cilau. Initially he swears to never visit the cave again, but then becomes determined that he will not be beaten and takes desperate measures to ensure he can fit through the squeezes.

[@dudelivestrong]

These videos make me disoriented I cannot tell if people are climbing, up, down side ways.

[@76faseluj]

Yes yes yes 😳

[@_f0xgl0ve]

I probably would have had 5 panic attacks by now. 2:39

[@miketan9449]

haha he was having a small one also

[@sren1446]

Lot of room 😁

[@nicks2581]

The guy has some serious stones for being willing to go back through the vice after getting nearly stuck twice.

[@rob16248]

Yep about 15 stones, at least.

[@thesicillianbull]

No way. Not for me

[@basslinejunkies9976]

nop he has no brain

[@richarddavis8863]

@@rob16248 haha British unit of weight measurement joke

[@PA.1072]

I got stuck in the same place about 20 years ago, the two I was with had shot off like racing snakes, took me hrs to slide back, then waited outside. I never went back to try again, and I also never caved with the two said cavers on my own again !

[@CaverKeith]

Hi Paul. Sounds horrible. I've had a similar experience (in a different cave) where the leader left me and another caver behind. I couldn't understand why he didn't come back to look for us. What must he have been thinking?

[@fpxy00]

He probably knew U can t get lost or somethin while U R stuck,

[@malindadesertwolf2736]

Been there done that ....went back in the next day with someone else it went a lot better .....the second guy was an older guy so he wanted to go slower and that was fine with me ...... he also knew what we went through the day before and he had kids with him so we took our time going in ......Anyone know where this cave is ??

[@Chipp_sDubbo]

Why do I keep watching this, these videos have been giving me nightmares

[@Stormvejret]

Alex Ross me too 😂

[@jrsleao]

Same here. I started watching these videos in January 2019. I had panic attacks, crying outburts and nightmares and nightsweats. However I am fascinated and keep watching. I do not understand this bizarre addiction. Help me !

[@CaverKeith]

Thanks very much for persevering. It is appreciated, and you will be very pleased to know that no one has ever been hurt while making these videos.

[@Daxas44]

I just can't comprehend why someone would want to crawl thru such a small space... there's nothing down there

[@nehamia5073]

😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝 my bro !!!

[@TaiganTundra]

I guess this isn't the hobby for big people.

[@CaverKeith]

Got it in one.

[@dudelivestrong]

Keith Edwards these guys looks about 220-230 lbs or so

[@jasoneliason1065]

I'm 230 and I'm absolutely nowhere near that size.

[@titmusspaultpaul5]

Yeah I'm big and there is NO WAY i would or could do that. It doesnt look fun to me at all. Kudos to all people that can do this... cheers, i will look sitting on my chair drinking a coffee.

[@blakeobrien8667]

@@CaverKeith how big is too big lol. i reckon im far too big. im like 188cm or 6 foot 3 inches haha and like 85 kgs lol.

[@CaverKeith]

Mark didn't look too happy but he's got over it now and has been all the way through since.

[@Drpepper7916]

Persistence and a calm approach got him through, but however deep you go into caves you`re always only halfway because there`s the getting out again after :)

[@CaverKeith]

Mark is a real star. I think it was the reputation of the cave that got to him. I'm sure him would have got through if he had been able to relax.

[@averygentry35]

Keith Edwards isn't he a pretty big dude to be cave N ? I mean its all about tight spaces and claustrophobic areas i would feel at a huge disadvantage to have gut like that in that cave. I have a gut like that myself but you won't catch me in a cave lol 😄

[@JasonX2]

Mark seems like a great guy, fair play to him for getting in Daren Cilau in the end.

[@llla_german_ewoklll6413]

after watching a vid on the "nutty putty" accident, i have become very caloustriphobic.

[@Crazyoldman84]

"The first real constriction is called the vice" yeah I'm out!

[@tingtongtherussianspy1383]

I’d have a panic attack before even going in

[@richardlangly4635]

Mark is a dead-set legend. Really impressed with how he kept his cool in the vice (or appeared to) the first time. I cracked up when he put the girdle on. Awesome formations too!

[@CaverKeith]

He's definitely a leg-end.

[@josephgreco9277]

I'm claustrophobic yet I watch caving

[@QualityKush]

but then you have to go back...

[@vortiki9292]

Dude your bravery for going into those cave deserves you a medal

[@CaverKeith]

Mmmm. Medal. Want.

[@tankmaster1018]

Oh man... I would be so worried about bumping into or accidentally breaking one of those amazing white mineral formations! There were a few places where it looked like they were really close to your heads. Knowing me, I would make a mistake and stand up too early or something, snap one of those things, then spend the rest of the month thinking about what I'd done and what an imbecile I had been. On a side note, really nice to see that dude who got stuck in The Vice the first time (Mark?) finally make it through and see for himself what all the fuss was about. I love how much everyone in these videos seems to appreciate what they are seeing. You can tell everyone is passionate as hell about caving despite some hiccups once in awhile in tight obstacles.

[@shahidullah5983]

The vice has been eroded over time. So imagine the guy who discovered this. It would’ve been even tighter.

[@manc91]

I think I would actually shit myself in this situation.

[@Kris_at_WhiteOaksFarm]

Wow, beautiful and sporting cave. Mark is one brave guy to put on that corset on camera. Gotta respect him, so glad he got through. Those formations are beautiful. I haven't been caving in way too long. Living in West Virginia, my only excuse is inertia. Vid's like this are motivation. Thank You!

[@CaverKeith]

Pleased that you find the videos motivating. We have great fun making them. Dust off your kit and get underground.

[@Camberwell86]

2:19 I HAVE JUST SEEN FEAR AND LOOKED IT RIGHT IN THE EYES =O

[@CaverKeith]

You noticed his bottom lip trembling then.

[@nikhilck629]

It's at 2:23

[@MeltedToast84]

Keep in mind: Ants do this sort of thing daily

[@williamhauser3686]

Wow, much respect. Must take quite a stoic mentality to do what you do.

[@CaverKeith]

Or a complete lack of imagination! Believe it or not we do this because we enjoy it.

[@EMW_Music]

Can someone smart from KZbin answer why I torment myself with these extremely uncomfortable videos?

[@6edTelevision]

I wonder if they still have the Daren Cilau Rescue Kit hanging over the doorway at Whitewalls Cottage (The Chelsea Speleological Society hut). It is a toy pistol and it reminded people of the serious consequences of an accident in Daren Cilau as it will be impossible to get a seriously injured caver out through the entrance crawl.

[@CaverKeith]

Hi. I too remember the rescue kit. I was at Whitewalls in February and I think it has been taken down now. I know someone who broke his arm in several places in the cave and came out through the entrance crawl with a little assistance in about 4 hours. Not something I would like to contemplate.

[@6edTelevision]

Keith Edwards Great videos here. Love to see you submit some to the competitions for best caving video at Hidden Earth which will be in Leek this year.

[@CaverKeith]

This video was submitted in 2011 and didn't come anywhere.

[@nightrider7297]

Gregory Collins not that I'd ever do something like this but if I did I'd take a real pistol In case I did become hopelessly stuck. It's surely better than the alternative.

[@kkingquad]

The tattoo and girdle matched quite well. A little trashy, a little sophisticated, hahaha

[@freshadventures3322]

My lord, that is amazingly scary! I plan on giving caving a go in the near future, however the biggest problem for me is location. My eyes are hooked on some caves a few hours away in New Mexico. Thanks for sharing the video with everyone!

[@zanderzoot]

After watching this again after a year strangely this video is even more hideous than I recall and I very clearly recall thinking it was bloody hideous back then! I can't explain the awe and respect I have for you fellas, you're hardcore. Take care.

[@loulew2]

Thank you for putting these caving videos online! It's great to see these sights that the majority of us would never get to see otherwise. Btw. How did the Antlers form horizontally??? Absolutely stunning formations in that cave.

[@CaverKeith]

The Antlers are helictites. There are a number of theories about how they are formed. According to Wikipedia helictites have a curving or angular form that looks as if they were grown in zero gravity. They are most likely the result of capillary forces acting on tiny water droplets, a force often strong enough at this scale to defy gravity. I agree they are stunning.

[@bobbychan6254]

How can you possibly breathe with that tight thing inside a super narrow tight cave

[@nikkirobinson3213]

Brilliant and well done mark for giving it another go.

[@peterburton3095]

Much respect to Mark for giving it another go. I can understand his regret and determination after I didn't make it through a recent tight squeeze. My anxiety got the better of me so I didn't try very hard. Now I regret it. I'll have to go back and do it someday.

[@allenmorris2661]

Would hate to be in the Vice, and the girdle bust open! 😳🙏🏻

[@chochopav]

The look on his face at about 2:50 ...good times!

[@TheMercury-13]

'Caving Corset', brilliant 😂 Glad he made it, & back out again - And that I get to see these beautiful but scary places while sat in a comfy chair with a nice cup've tea; Thank you!

[@CaverKeith]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@videolabguy]

"Snake Hips"! Now that's a name I've not heard in a long long time.

[@yourunclesteve3315]

After watching a previous video on Daren Cilau 0:53 looks so spacious in comparison to what's ahead

[@JohnSmith-mv6bw]

What has been seen cannot be unseen...

[@bitters31]

No freaking way. I can't even stand being in big crowds. I hate not having room to move around. I get claustrophobic in big crowds.

[@proudchristian77]

Wow ! that snow art is way pretty .

[@CaverKeith]

It certainly is. 🙂

[@thelonesomewanderer8359]

good on ya mark

[@proudchristian77]

Yeah baby, so glad to hear you say that , 😁

[@nikhilck629]

Love the ASMR in this video

[@kristinaholody6465]

It is beautiful once you get in the cave. But i can't do it. God Bless. Be safe and have a ball

[@zhanydemirova]

There is a back door now...and nowhere near as tricky as the entrance series

[@blep320]

I wonder how the first person who went through this did it. How did they know they could fit through the vice? How did they know there was an end? What if they got stuck? What if they couldn't turn around?

[@nicks2581]

Blep that is exactly what I am wondering!

[@DesmondCreighton]

Ancient humans probably had a lot easier time without all that equipment like kneepads etc, and they were smaller people.

[@jjbyrd04]

DesmondCreighton at 5’6” Ive never felt so giant.

[@bw3996]

My EXACT thoughts. LIke, who was the first person that squeezed in there and thought "this is nice, let me see if it gets tighter"

[@matthewcody1757]

They end up like John Jones , be careful and always have others with you who have experience.

[@FFEMTB08]

He was borderline panicking. You could see it in his face and eyes. And unless you’ve been in a tight space with someone who’s panicking, it’s not fun.

[@PeopleTheWe]

Way to go MARK!!!!!great job

[@Isa-vn3wb]

I can’t stop watching these

[@CaverKeith]

Please do keep watching.

[@ukgemhunters]

Amazing, I'm a large Mark too, not quite as big as yours, but definitely looks like a fun challenge, fair play for giving it a second go

[@NM2Reacts]

This reminds me of the time I got stuck in the McDonald's playground slide and was hysterically freaking out, but this is like that but.... you have no hope... YOUR MOMMY CAN'T SAVE YOU NOW BISH

[@huntr4lfe]

You guys are nuts!

[@CaverKeith]

Thanks for alerting me to this potential problem. I’ve just played it through from beginning to end and it seems to be OK now.

[@zanderzoot]

Maximum, maximum respect fellas but that looks bloody awful. I like to think I give most things a bash in life but that nonsense........no chance! Thank you for a horrible video (in a good way).

[@bagpussruth]

Enjoyed watching this one with my daughter, I went into the cave the weekend before last, was showing her this so she could see what it was like.. she now wants to visit the cave! There was a fair amount of water in the crawl when we were in there, I had my furry on but got completely wet through, wish I'd worn my wet suit! Being skinny the cold got to me more than the crawl, more of 'stoop' for me in most places aside from the main 'constrictions'

[@tonyshazam6271]

Glad you made it through mate

[@tinysilverhammers]

vice ogof y daren cilau is a horrifying cave. never would want to go in even once. props to you both for having courage to do this

[@CaverKeith]

It's not that bad really.

[@carlospiracicabana...113]

Você é doido MESMO de entrar nesses buracos, que Deus te acompanhe e te guarde 🙏🏾,... meu fico imaginando um resgate num lugar desses se caso precise !!!😲

[@edsonmartins1101]

Totally insane those squeezes! No way for me!

[@CaverKeith]

And you are a caver!

[@TwelveDeck]

What bothers me about this isn't the claustrophobia it's the sense of helplessness if you're stuck and you just cannot free yourself.

[@chrisp4170]

i wondered if I was too out of shape even to attempt caving. I see that perhaps it would be ok as Mark has put more time and effort into developing his attributes than I have.

[@jarvinator7975]

I'm planning on doing this cave soon with a couple of people who know the system. My only worry is bumping into a group coming the other way in the crawl!

[@CaverKeith]

No need to worry. The chances of this happening or quite low and there are plenty of places in the entrance series where you can pass. Enjoy.

[@averygentry35]

These are the people that are gonna survive in post apocalypse the ones that are willing to go places like this. Theres no way i would fit or do i wanna fit

[@gavsky23]

I've caved myself...but once was enough! Watching someone go through "The Vice" makes me realise why: that rising sense of panic, constriction, difficulty getting your breath...

[@CaverKeith]

Caving is not for everyone but everyone should try it at least once. Well done.

[@lorriecarrel9962]

Give that man credit..determination

[@imtv]

Vaseline!

[@redheadsg1]

Really beautiful caves you have there in Britain.

[@CaverKeith]

I agree. Not on the scale of other countries, but some really nice bits in the more remote places.

[@bigdawgj6742]

No fookin way...I'm having a panic attack just watching.

[@johnathanreynolds7008]

You go in and make it to the room they did, then when you return back out there's 500 grand waiting for you...who's doing it?

[@WMW-82]

now i know why cavers use drag bags, it's clearly to store there massive bollocks in!.. i can imagine the biggest threat when down there is not the gaps and climbs but panic, it must take something really special inside to be able to stay calm in some of them squeezes and can only imagine that panic could be a real danger when down a hole.

[@peterkovacs6338]

I hate squeezes too :c But in Hungary 90% of the caves are narrow (and not so short!) so if I want to do some caving I don't have much decision

[@halaambe]

don't do it. people have got trapped and died.

[@sudzy8285]

That guy started to panic and shake. If you have to use a girdle to get inside a hole you probably shouldn't go. What happens if you get inside and the girdle burst? You are stuck...

[@jwest2091]

I got claustrophobic watching this

[@amallee8825]

These formations are stunning, any good videos on how they're created and old they are? Love your videos... thanks

[@CaverKeith]

I haven't done a video on speleothem formation but the video that comes to mind and is well worth a watch is from Sid Perou. It's on KZbin atkzbin.info/www/bejne/oXiuqaKrg9Okbs0

[@amallee8825]

@@CaverKeith ah that's great Keith, really appreciate it... Will check it out for sure

[@GlitchScatter]

When he was panicked that first time my chest got really tight. Holy hell I could never do this shit.

[@romanrietsch1237]

I would never even think about this if I was like Big Chungus

[@76faseluj]

This is terrifying 😳

[@aywhatsgood8780]

What if the guy behind you farted ?

[@JamesEncliffe]

Yes, fine now :) Fantastic video!! Thanks for sharing!

[@Ken_Dalton]

Looking mighty slim there Mark! 😂.. My God guys, I couldn't do it!! I'd panic an get wedged in that vice.! No thanks! Stay safe guys Are those urchin things mineral deposits? 🤔

[@alclark5830]

This is something that i'd rather watch other people do than do it myself. I stick to other outdoor sports lol.

[@yonyforlan6241]

Idk why but I love seen this videos

[@muskquadtv]

Mad props

[@shahidullah5983]

Imagine getting really tired and saying fuck it to yourself and staying in there

[@charlescasey9799]

This really looks like super fun sign me up

[@Cantonwildlife]

I just cant imagine why youd wanna flirt with gettin wedged and never coming out again. All of my body is tense watching this. Im like no no no go back dont do it. After nutty putty ppl are crazy...

[@PeopleTheWe]

Way to go MARK!!!!!

[@jerrin1989]

I wonder how these caves are exactly designed mark size.. 🤔🤔🤔

[@Henllan]

The video worked fine for me .. loved the cave girdle (might have to persuade some of our crew to try that !) it seems the axiom "Less beer, more caving" doesn't suit everyone and the girdle is a great solution. Awesome formations down there :o))

[@humanturtle]

great video mate 👍

[@moiwilliams170]

cilau , or cil hau in welsh means something that becomes narrow.

[@MrThenry1988]

A little to much cake. Lol. Much respect. Girdle? I cut your man card up but you and your bulldog tenasity has seen what 99.9% of the world has not seen. Much respect still stands.

[@Mario7p]

credits gave me ghost busters vibes

[@bholashah9912]

Jan ke bat hai bhai

[@tjsmith8220]

It would be a bad time to get a Charlie horse.

[@donhamel5274]

80 meters is almost a football field of crawling....

[@lynnpoole5219]

AWESOME GUYS

[@CaverKeith]

Thanks Lynn. Pleased you like it.

[@EverlastGX]

Tight cave, large caver 2, it could be a movie

[@LaJin9292]

What could be done if someone gets lodged in and completely stuck? Would rescue workers be able to get in and chip away some of the rock? Or what...?

[@CaverKeith]

+Tekdrake Lots of techniques have been used by rescue teams over the years including chipping away rock, using grease or washing up liquid and attaching ropes. However getting completely stuck is very rare and usually it's simply a matter of calming the stuck person down and then lifting and pulling them out.

[@Doggystyle944]

one day no one will fit or get stuck because of the increasing mineral deposits in the entrance