Books

Written with a minimum of technical jargon, this book is a significant addition to the literature on diving in an overhead environment, with extensive coverage of those areas which are all too often passed over in more general works. It will dispel misconceptions and myths by providing a clear, concise and modern overview of the essential equipment, skills and techniques required to dive in caves, mines, wrecks and beneath ice.

With a foreword by cave diver Jill Heinerth, Diving in Darkness covers equipment, line-laying techniques, dealing with stress, dive planning, communications and air management; indeed, every aspect of the sport, with appendices on special situations in wrecks and beneath ice. Martyn Farr is the award-winning author of the acclaimed book The Darkness Beckons and has distilled more than thirty years of experience into his latest work. A cave diver of international renown with a string of discoveries to his name, Martyn now trains divers in the overhead environment from his base in South Wales, UK.

Illustrated in colour throughout, this is a readable book that will appeal to divers and cavers alike. Published in softback with a laminated cover, Diving in Darkness is packed with 170 photographs and diagrams throughout its 128pp. It is available from all good caving and diving outlets, or direct from Martyn Farr.

The updated new edition of the Darkness Beckons, released in July 2000. It should be noted that this is a rebind of the Second Edition, first published in 1991, but extended to cover the outstanding events of the past decade by the addition of a 24-page supplement. The exciting history of cave diving has been brought up to date with lavishly illustrated accounts of the epic achievements that have been undertaken at places such as the Doux de Coly, Wakulla, Bushmansgat and Zacaton.

Complete with a new dust jacket picture of a submarine cave off the north of Mallorca this hardback is excellent value for money at £25.

An interesting, novel, concept adopted by the publisher, Baton Wicks, is the sale of the supplement as a separate item, designed for inclusion in the 1991 Second Edition. Those people who previously purchased this book can therefore update their history with minimal outlay.

This supplement is only available from Martyn and costs £6.00

Underground Wales is a book which celebrates the mysterious and beautiful world which lies beneath the mountains and valleys of Wales.

The subject matter extends from awe-inspiring natural caves to spectacular mines - not only coal and slate for which Wales is most famous, but also gold, iron, copper and lead - which are scattered throughout the country. This collection of sites will astonish and delight historians, industrial archaeologists and amateur explorers alike... captivating narrative and stunning photography throughout!
PLEASE NOTE: LAST REMAINING COPIES AVAILABLE IN SOFTBACK ONLY AT £11.00

This lavishly illustrated book deals specifically with the exploration of one mountain. Over the course of the past 50 years a series of dramatic discoveries has led to the establishment of one of Britain's longest cave networks, a system now well over 70 km in length. Highly acclaimed in international reviews, this is no dry and crusty compilation of events. This book recounts the spirit of adventure and outlines the dramatic events as they unfolded.

Porth yr Ogof, in the Brecon Beacons National Park, is one of the best known caves in Britain. It is visited by over 30,000 people a year, and is one of the most important sites for introductory caving, cavern and cave diving activities. This colourful, highly informative booklet is aimed at these groups and describes all the varied facets of the underground world from geology and cave formation to history and future exploratory potential. Apart from car park times and fees, this has all the information you need.

Dan yr Ogof is arguably the foremost showcave complex in the British Isles, a tasteful development which includes three separate, and quite different, underground experiences. But beyond the public limits lie many, many kilometres of passages and caverns of unimaginable beauty.

This superbly illustrated book includes many excellent colour images but also a wealth of little known archival material; it is a classic account of cave exploration in South Wales, which takes its beginnings from the early years of the century. (Unbelievable value for money!)

The Great Caving Adventure is an autobiography of Martyn's early years in caving and cave diving. Exploration underground, where miscalculations can have immediate and sometimes fatal consequences, demands great coolness under stress and in this unusually honest book Martyn has not been afraid either to expose his own weaknesses or to admit his mistakes - which newcomers to the sport may find both reassuring and of practical use.

The Great Caving Adventure is an exciting tale of human strengths and weaknesses, dedication, and grim determination; the very embodiment of adventure. It is also highly entertaining and a valuable historical chronicle. Learning the hard way, the price of success, the people, the tragedies; its all here. Copies of this book are well sought after and sometimes available (often in mint condition) from Farrworld.

Sorry, this book is currently out of print

Please check availability (Tel. 01873 811085) or e mail martyn@farrworld.co.uk

Wookey Hole is one of the finest show caves in the British Isles and in this book we depart from the comfort of the twentieth century to the challenging world deep beneath the Mendip Hills. Much lies beyond the public gaze and this work describes the dangerous yet fascinating activities of cave divers, a small group of cavers who adapt evolving technology to enable them to explore places inconceivable to most.
Copies may be available from Farrworld.

Sorry, this book is currently out of print

Please check availability (Tel. 01873 811085) or e mail martyn@farrworld.co.uk