Rowten

Paddy & Ami

We’ve both been wanting to do Rowten for a long time, but when it came up on last week’s Meets list, only Paddy was free! We therefore quickly rearranged and made a special trip out, but without any other takers, I was certainly nervous about the sheer amount of rope two people would be carrying!

I had seen the entrances before as they are (far too) close to the Turbary Road, and they’re really spectacular. We set off down Eyehole with Paddy rigging, and it quickly became obvious why Rowten is a cavers favourite! All those many entrances and holes up top make for some very atmospheric and effective lighting.

The first pitch lands you on a shelf in the middle of the action, which drops off in to the darkness below. From there, Paddy made light work of the ‘athletic swing’ that sends the route underneath the shelf and through a snug crack. Even those adverse to tightness will appreciate it here, as the bottom half of the 70m waterfall roars below you. Down the big pitch and I had to keep stopping to appreciate how awesome the view was!

From the bottom we located Flyover route and began our descent, however, we couldn’t find the rebelay and ended up landing in the water below. From here we could see where we were meant to be, but as our way was an option, there seemed no point in going back up. This also seemed the right choice as we found two carabiners and someone’s long lost medication. Medium water levels meant we could splash our way down from here on the Direct route.

It was equally fun clambering about in the bottom streamway and at the sumps (fairly sure I won’t be diving those at any point) before heading back up. However, here it became apparent why we should have chosen Flyover route after all, as a thorough soaking was in order to get us back up the falls. It sped us up at least, and before long we were back at the big pitch staring up through the mist at the blue sky 120m above us.

Despite carrying a lot of wet rope, we made it out in great time. This trip did not disappoint! Must go back and do the other routes now! Exchange trip perhaps?