CAVING IN MALLORCA

They say that everybody has a book in them. That may be so, I don’t know. In my case I think it’s most likely a comic. Years ago, Malc Scothon suggested to me that I ought to write a book. Although I was flattered that he considered me capable of such a daunting task, I never really attached much credence to the idea.

I mentioned Malc’s suggestion in passing to my family. They in turn gently badgered me. In particular my eldest daughter Pippa, and my youngest sister Jill, tried to convince me to give it a go. At the time Pip and Jill were engaged in earnest battle to see which member of the Steans clan could have their written work published first. Jill won by a short head. Holly, my youngest daughter and also the only one to have ventured underground caving, also offered her encouragement. She was not shy in offering her constructive criticism either. Thus the first hesitant ideas began to germinate in my head. My other daughter Jodi was also a great help from start to finish.

My initial intention was to write something while I was in hospital recuperating from my recent heart operation. Unfortunately I couldn’t think of anything worthy of putting pen to paper about, writer’s block I think they call it.

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Later that year my wife and I, along with fellow cavers, Lee, Andy and Geordie went to Mallorca for a package style holiday, combined with some recreational caving. Lee had caved on the island before and had some sound background knowledge of the caves and potholes to be found there. We tried to supplement this knowledge by finding out as much as possible about the Mallorcan subterranean scene before we left the UK. We discovered that practically zilch had been written about the caves. Apart from Des Marshall’s short interim guide, there were no English books whatsoever.

On returning home, I thought that the club ought to pull together and produce a caving guide; I reckoned it would be a sure-fire bestseller. The initial plan of action was to cajole all the members of the club with experience of caving on the island to contribute articles. I would then edit these offerings and put together the finished article.

When it became increasingly obvious that such a course of action would take forever and a day, I decided to write the whole thing myself. I did however receive invaluable help from club members throughout the writing process; thanks are expressed elsewhere in this book.

So here it is, my humble effort, I hope you find it informative and entertaining. If you don’t, it’s still been one hell of an ego-trip for me. Since there is no intention of publishing it for general sale, it will never become a bestseller, but hopefully it will find a shelf to nestle on in the bookcases of a few privileged souls.

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Since the advent of the package holiday abroad in the 60’s, Mallorca has justifiably become somewhat of a Mecca for the sea, sun, sand and sangria brigade. The island is close at hand, relatively cheap, and has particularly clement weather. On top of this the tourist resorts all sell English beer and fish and chips, the inhabitants knowing their role in the true shape of things all try to speak the worlds only real language, English. For the more adventurous there is also available San Miguel Lager, Sangria and Paella. Over the last decade the island has become increasingly popular as a venue for recreational caving, along with associated sports such as canyonning, climbing, diving and hill walking. Although there are some excellent publications available detailing recognised walks and climbs in the area, very little has been written about Mallorca’s caves. The promotional bumph issued by the island’s show caves, account for about 90% of the English language material on offer.

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Torrent de Pareis ( looking from the sea)

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