October 2024 – Kendal Caving Club

30 October 2024

By Tom C In Day Trips

Short Drop – Gavel Exchange

Ami, Darren, Gareth, James, Jason, Louie, Maz, Pete, Scott, Sophie, Steve, Tom (Report by Maz)

In what might be classed as festival sized numbers for KCC, 12, yes 12, members made an appearance on Leck Fell for a mid week jaunt down one of my favourite caves.

We clearly weren’t the only ones feeling it, as a small group of other cavers were setting off for AKA pot, and another 3 were heading down to Short Drop.
All assembled, a counsel of war was held in the car park and it was agreed to rig both entrances to Gavel. This led to guest caver Louis being sent back to his car for karabiners and rope. That is how we welcome new members!

The main challenge began with the task of finding the entrances in the descending fog. Soon we reached Short Drop and the group split into a pair of sixes.
Our group consisting of myself, Steve, Scott, James, Tom and Jason began our descent. I like Short Drop. Its winding passages are easily navigable. There’s lots of little side bits to explore, some interesting features and a bit of a slither early on.

There was a bit more water than we expected and the wet crawl was exactly as it said on the tin. It wasn’t long into the twisting meanders where we met other cavers; the group of three including a 7 year old were on the return. A bit of negotiation, rather akin to meeting another vehicle on a single track road ensued. By weight of numbers, they backed up a bit until we were able to pass.

Soon we reached the fixed rope and slid down avoiding the bulk of the water, any moment expecting the other party. Still no sign, and it was mooted perhaps they’d missed Gavel entrance and were drifting around somewhere on Leck Fell.

Rounding a corner, I noticed lights above which signalled the B team about to descend the pitch. After a bit more shuffling and abseiling, a well organised and slick change over, and the exchange had occurred.

Next, we were on the rope and up the pitch. Tom and Scott de-rigging. The fog had switched to rain and we headed home, narrowly beating the others back by a few minutes.

Thanks to Ami for rigging Gavel and hopefully writing up the other half of this report. Thanks to everyone for a fine turnout

9 October 2024

By Dave In Day Trips

Bull Pot Kingsdale

Tom, Maz, Will, Pete & Dave

A true Wednesday evening classic, we met up in the usual place with dusk starting to settle in, counted heads and came up with one short, which after a wait we proceeded without up to the cave.

The trudge up to the entrance got everyone warmed up and Dave got it rigged up and we started filing down. We proceeded to the next traverse and pitch, the plan being that Dave rig the slot and Tom rig the alternative for a bit of exchange fun given the recent weather and the stream in the valley being in full flow. Dave seemed to get unnaturally wet setting up the rebelay in the slot, bloomin weather.

On everyone reaching the bottom of the third pitches, we decided this wasn’t enough. Especially as it wasn’t quite half 7. So Tom derigged his alternative route, finding Pete coming down the 2nd.

Will lead the rigging of the 4th pitch, getting a nice pendulum going to make the deviation. Tom, Pete and Dave followed, with the pitch being much drier than expected. A short breather at the bottom before we all started filing out, only Tom managed our planned exchange with Dave derigging and everyone back on the surface in the pitch black nice and early.

Photos by Will.

5 October 2024

By Yolanda Aze In Day Trips

Dungeon Ghyll

Scott and I (Yolanda) went to Dungeon Ghyll for what will probably be KCC’s last canyoning trip of the year. After a slightly delayed start due to Scott’s cat escaping and me faffing about with my many layers of neoprene, we set off up the mountainside. Probably due to my two wetsuits I was soon boiling hot and the trek up the mountain was rather longer than I’d realised, but we were rewarded with beautiful views.

The canyon consisted of lots of abseiling and even a (very) small cave! A lovely canyoning trip and then a visit to the National Trust café to refuel. Thanks Scott for a great trip!

2 October 2024

By Tom C In Day Trips

Illusion Pot

Ami, Maz, Rubee, Scott, Steve, Tom (Report by Steve)

Armed with sump pumping equipment we set off up the track to Illusion Pot. Most of us having been before some years ago and most managing to have blanked out the memory of the steep climb up the hill side when leaving the track. We caught a bit of the sunset as we climbed into the posh concrete pipe entrance for the ladder climb down.

With hardly any water in the streamway we plodded on through the stoops and muddy crawls and soon found ourselves at the sump.

Despite there being sufficient air space in the sump we commenced pumping operations immediately.

With considerable teamwork the Amazon special pump and hose was soon rigged to Tom’s battery drill and set to work. Various modifications were made to hose lengths, pump prime, height of suction hose, height of the delivery hose etc..etc…… Maz even provided manual assistance by giving the delivery end a good old suck….
The level in the sump remained unchanged throughout all our efforts until we gave up and Ami just went for it. She gave an encouraging running commentary along the way and was soon followed by Maz, Scott, Rubee and Tom.

I remained on the dry side of the sump to recover from my Man Flu earlier in the week and tidy the pumping equipment away.
When boredom overcame me I started bailing the sump with a bucket and decided it was far easier than carting all the other stuff down. Approximately 10 minutes with One bucket seemed to lower it about 3″ to 4″. By the time the rest returned it was noticeably lower.

The wet team had a good explore of the other side, with some crossing the traverse at the Dale head end. I think a consensus on equipment was cows tails and maybe a hand jammer for the climb back up, but I’m sure someone will correct me.

We made our way out with around 30m of old hose from other sump pumping attempts and left an original pump and hose down there. A garden hose/screwed tap connector would be all that’s required to connect the old pump up, but after our experience I would suggest it’s not worth lugging a battery drill down and just use the buckets!

We were soon out to a star filled sky after 2 1/2 hours underground. A bit of grass sledging down the hillside back to the track resulted in some success but mostly just bruises!

Whilst cleaning my kit off the day after I tried the pump under laboratory conditions and found it to be totally useless and not worth anywhere near the £5.99 investment. The hose was cleaned off to be re-used in future garden pond features at Rubee and Tom’s new house.

Month: October 2024