Speleolabs

Tigerskin Trilbys

Spent the morning cleaning my caving gear after doing Lancaster Hole to Link Pot the other week. Nothing like cleaning gear to get those speleoinventive thoughts going, (by the way a Cracking trip). So whats been happening at the lab? LOTS! Firstly thanks to NZ Pete who has a great website http://www.nzcaver.org/pete (see article on cavers and huts its speleotastic). He helped come up with the concept of speleo stomp Bling Bling headwear. Full productions starts tonite after tea. See the product launch at the Student Forum at the end of November in Wales. Its going to be a must have product! Hopefully a new shirt design or 2 will appearing within a month, and mugs! Rumours to of an advert in the next descent. If I have my way it will be the most odd (humourous?) advert in the mag.
Remember Its National Mailion Rapide day on the 29th! so get oiling and polishing!
Andy

Get Ahead. Get a Hat. Or a Mug.

We're hoping to produce a Speleolabs beanie hat but have an agonising decision to make - knitted or fleece? The former for that 'Beckham' look, or the latter for it's usefulness in bodyheat retention on cold Welsh hillsides? It's a tricky one. If you are stylistically inclined and also understand the need for function perhaps you'd like to be one of the eight out of ten cats and express a preference?

The idea of also doing a tweed 'duroform' pork pie hat was also floated. Several were visible on Speleostaff during the Hidden Earth 'Stomp' (see photo). Ours, if we do it would be a performance model, equally at home in extreme mountain terrain or in a wood panelled nook in a local village hostelry. It would also have enhanced aerodynamic properties for faster bicycling. This would however be a true niche product - any takers?

Finally, numerous people (bless you all) have said they would like a speleomug. We need a few more to make it viable. The mug would have the Speleolabs logo on it with 'Precision Hydration Receptacle (with ergonomic portability enabler) and the web address, in tasteful lettering. Oh, go on, you know it would best meet your hydration needs...

More from Hidden Earth.

At a recent board meeting we received some feedback from our marketing bods, and are greatly cheered. In particular we have made a surprising penetration into the Norweigian caving lesiureware market. We have calculated that about 15% of all Norweigian cavers now own a T shirt or sticker. Our thanks to our European cousins.

Hidden Earth was great. Thanks to everyone who helped on the stand and did the fashion show.

Many Thanks to All at Hidden Earth

Speleolabs is finally launched. We'd like to thank everyone at the Hidden Earth conference for the positive reception, and to the many of you who understood what we are trying to do here. Our particular gratitude must go to the four willing fashion victims who modelled for us on the catwalk, and to those who parted with actual cash - we hope you'll keep up with us via the website.

Photos from the event are available in the Hidden Earth photo gallery further down the page on the right. There is much silliness on display.

We hope to see you all again there next year. Once again, thanks.

Andy & Paul.