Category: Day Trips

By James Benson In Day Trips

Hazel grove cave

Meeting in the woods in the relatively flat area of Hale Moss seemed an unlikely place for some caving. Picking an unknown cave seemed a risky proposition but the description seemed good and the length of the cave was promising for an evening’s adventure. The entrance had been found by numerous searches on the way back from work (just round the corner). 

So 6 of us (me, Tom, Josh, Pete, Maz and Nat) set off through the woods, across a little bridge and into a field. The ponies in this field seemed unusually frisky and galloped around. I wondered, are they trying to ward us off, but maybe it was the sight of these unusually dressed individuals in full ready for action caving. In the corner of the field, which borders an area of marshland there is a slight rise and very small rocky outcrop. A gryke in this is just big enough to slip down. I led the way, hoping that everyone else was going to fit after me! A few awkward movements took us into a 45 degree sloped passageway filled with massive spiders. Ii moved these carefully out the way as i didn’t want anyone freaking out! Part of the trepidation was a last minute warning email from Helen that they almost encountered a fox down a cave in the area. She couldn’t remember which cave but I certainly didn’t want to encounter one head first down a narrow passageway. Fortunately the passageway didn’t get any tighter and opened up into a head height chamber. Wow. I was amazed this was here. Things were looking up! 

To the left a passageway led to the sump. To the right the passageway led to another sump. Oh dear. According to the description this should be a crawl!! Oh but on the survey map there is a bypass. Acutely aware of having led all these enthusiastic cavers into this cave I decided in a moment of madness to throw myself into this obstacle with massive enthusiasm. So after much maneuvering I climbed up and then slid down this high level bypass which was very tight!! And downwards. And incredibly awkward. Is anyone else going to follow me? No way. 

I’d dropped into a pool of water almost waist deep. The tube I had come down had almost no footholds at the bottom of it. I could hear the others chatting on the other side of it but suddenly I felt like this was gonna be a problem. I could stand but the passageway ahead was flooded but passable with alot of wet ducks. I didn’t fancy it and would have to go on alone. There was apparently another entrance found in the 60’s when it was surveyed but subsequently there has been a whole caravan site built upon where this comes out. Who knows if this other entrance still exists! It could have been filled or come out under a caravan. Also there was a lot more cave to go and the water levels were a lot higher now than whenever the description was compiled. In my mind there were two possible ways to get out, back up the tube or to dive down through the stinking muddy waters through the sump. But that could be tight and very risky and maybe not even passable due to mud build up. I tried to see if it was passable by reaching down in desperation into the cold mucky stinking waters. This soaked me as I went head level deep feeling for the way back. I couldn’t find the way but found a bit of wood. This was a square cut plank of wood. Another mystery. I used this to probe the underwater passageway. I prodded the mud and found a way through. Josh and Tom could see the water moving on the other side of the sump. In fact the end of the wood could be felt but deep into the water. And the passageway was obviously tight and possibly even needing digging to pass. No chance as this would all have to happen whilst underwater!

So the only option was to pass up through the tube. I tried to squeeze up it. There was no room for leg movement apart from a slight desperate scrabble. Both arms had to be extended upwards in order to fit the shoulders through. Because they were held upwards this in itself was knackering. It was easy enough to start up the tube but any progress was next to impossible. It wasn’t possible to even see what the legs were doing as i could hardly move my head and the feet were still in the mirky depths of the pool. I had many tries but kept sliding back down. Finally I’ve gone too far!! I was meant to go on holiday early the next morning. Maybe i’d still be stuck down here then.

I reasoned with myself to stay calm. Logically I could fit through the hole as I had on the way down. If it had been horizontal, it would be awkward but doable but gravity was the main challenge here. If I had some way of pushing up it would help. I tried using the plank of wood which I now suspected was used by the last person who got trapped in here. Still no help. I briefly considered stripping off most of my clothes in order to fit easier but I was already soaked and didn’t think it would help with the trickiest problem which was upward force. Josh kindly offered to get a rope from the back of my pickup. Tom tried to help pull me up by the arms but the space above the tube was really awkward anyhow for serious pulling. After a few more tries Josh returned with the rope and a pulled system was devised. This allowed a foot loop to go down past me. Then by hauling on this and small leg movements everyone gradually hauled me up through the tube as I desperately tried to wriggle upwards. It was like removing a cork from inside a wine bottle. By a miracle this eventually succeeded and I was beyond relief in fact overjoyed by the apparently unlikely recovery. 

Surprisingly nobody else was up for this experience and we slithered out the cave. The trip was short but hopefully entertaining. Amazingly it was high water levels that really stopped us from getting further but we were in some of the driest levels for years outside. My theory is that when Hazel grove was originally explored the Hale mosses were a lot drier. They were much more intensively farmed back then. Now the value of wetlands is much more recognized and much of the drainage on the moss is intentionally left blocked in order to keep it marshy and flooded. Thus water levels are high. Or has the building of the caravan site on top has affected the drainage somehow? Anyhow i’d still really like to explore the cave and am currently considering ways to pump out the water. We’d barely started it so there is so much more to see down there! 

As a little aside we then went through neighboring Brackenthwaite Cave which is a short little through trip in a outcrop near Leighton beck. This was enjoyable and so at least a bit more caving was achieved! Many thanks to all that turned up.

By Scott In Day Trips

Alum Pot, President’s Meet and AGM

by Scott

Cracking conditions for our annual bash. Alum Pot was the place to be this year, with multiple routes being rigged in the sunshine, and lots of fun was had by all. Sophie, Matilda, Nic, Bumper, Fred and Andy G went for a romp around the Churns. Will, Chris A, Paddy and Jasmine descended via Dolly Tubs and the Bridge. Pete and myself took on NW route, and Ray rigged Diccan (soon to be joined by Darren, Andy B and myself after I’d nipped back up NW). Much exchanging took place at the sump. Special mention must go to Paddy and Jasmine -both new members this year – who valiantly derigged Diccan as a pair. That’s a lot of wet rope for two people on a technical route!
The caving fun was followed by a good feed and natter at the Helwith Bridge Inn, with more members joining for the AGM. It’s been a very good year for the Kendal, with new faces, trips abroad and lots of caving-related hi jinks. Long may it continue!

By Jason Clements In Day Trips

Crystal Cave

James, Ami, Monica (Ami’s friend), Pete (prospective member), Jason

(Just to prove that proper Dales caving continues whilst the rest of the club are in exotic foreign destinations).

This was supposed to be Steve’s trip, but work got in the way for him, so it fell to me to lead, having been here before (albeit 15 years ago).  The cave is apt to be impassable in wet weather, but March had been dry so far, so it looked promising.

The entrance is close to the road, and easy to find – just follow the stream up into where it emerges from the scar.  Starting with a crawl, we soon came to the First Duck, which wasn’t really a duck at all, with the water being low, but you can’t avoid getting fairly well soaked.  Never mind, we could soon stand and follow the streamway upright.  Better than that, we climbed up to the Gallery, a decorated passage following at a higher level.  There were some nice little gour pools with crystalline deposits (the origin of the cave’s name, perhaps?).

This brought us to Spout Chamber and a climb up the First Waterfall (which was barely a trickle).  The rock is lumpy and knobbly, but this made the climbing easy, with plenty of generous hand- and foot-holds.

Quite soon, we reached the Second Duck.  On my previous visit, this was quite serious, and necessitated going through on one’s back.  This time there seemed plenty of airspace, and the duck is very short, so didn’t present a problem, other than giving us another soaking.  Two more waterfalls follow soon after, and again the climbing is easy although there’s a bit of an awkward wriggle at the top.

This was as far as I’d got the last time, and as far as I’d expected to get.  Northern Caves says “the stream issues from a duck that can be passed in dry conditions to a low crawl into Monsoon Chamber in Dog Hole.”  Well, conditions were dry, and before anyone could stop her, Monica was off through the duck, so we felt obliged to follow.

This was a proper duck, not long, but you have to take a route around a gravel bank (thanks to James and Pete for giving directions) and I for one spluttered a bit before getting through.  Fired up by the prospect of getting to Monsoon Chamber, Monica and Ami were already well along the low crawl.  It was indeed low (flat-out in wet gravel) and went on, and on.  We were committed though, turning round would have been nigh impossible, but eventually there were encouraging cries from ahead.

We had triumphantly reached Monsoon Chamber, but what next?  My guide notes had run out, but James had a survey and thought we could get back to Crystal via Barker’s Passage – nobody relished repeating the crawl and duck.  Just two questions: could we find Barker’s Passage, and if we did, could we get through it?  Northern Caves says it’s only passable by thin cavers.  Not me, then.  But the others were keen, so we had a good poke around The Jungle, which is a confusing section of muddy boulders, climbs and crawls, with a side-line in loose rocks.  After a while, I took on the role of wet blanket and suggested that it was time to retrace our steps (slithers?), which we did.

The crawl didn’t seem quite as long on the way back (to me; Ami thought it was worse!) and we switched opinions on the duck: she thought ‘not so bad’, whereas I felt compelled to go on my back this time.

We were all thoroughly soaked by now (except Pete, the only one smart enough to wear a wetsuit) and getting cold, so we made haste to exit.  So much so in my case that I slipped climbing down the First Waterfall, and landed hard against a rock.  A cracked rib is a great reminder to take more care in future!  Anyway, it was a memorable trip and left us all keen to explore Dog Hole – and maybe even do a through trip if the weather stays dry?

By Ami S In Day Trips

Lancaster Hole – Wilf Taylor’s Round

James, Dave, Pete, Paddy, Ami

At one point 11 people had suggested they might attend this one, resulting in some frantic alternative trip planning. But between illness and the glorious weather just 5 brave souls arrived to a beautiful sunset at Bull Pot.

It was the best kind of trip – the kind where none of us really knew where we were going. Once past the lovely, straightforward pitch at Lancaster Hole (anyone know what the MANY other bolts all the way down are actually for?) and once again resisting the intriguing passage half way down, we set off towards Kath’s Way. We were collectively confident at this bit, if not at the integrity of the way-marking scaff bar.

The description called for a slight detour to rig the short pitch we would eventually take back up into Fall Pot. Dave rigged this short pitch (he wasn’t given much choice) over the in situ rope, but a look about suggested some of the slightly longer alternatives might be more fun next time. We ignored the advice to go to the bottom of Fall Pot for a recce, confident we’d had a decent enough look from the top.

We continued on – a strangely short ladder leading through an awkward hole to the muddy passage beyond. Even if we hadn’t previously done this bit, the smooth mud gives the route away, and is also lots of fun to slide around on. We soon reached the beautiful bit of passage at the T junction, and stopped for a breather as we were all feeling rather warm. After Story time with Paddy (as he had the description) we began the Round, with no idea between us who Wilf was (creative ideas were proposed – so good I have purposefully not looked up the reality).

The route was very dry, but the stream-way rock is beautiful and full of fossils. There’s some in situ ropes to help you along some awkward climbs, but the route finding wasn’t hard. We found ourselves in Main Drain and had a quick look at the sump, before heading off to the supposedly tricky boulder climb that we hadn’t checked out earlier. We made the right choice! No real trouble – just keep going up – and before we knew it we were back in Fall Pot and heading out, with Paddy derigging.

A lovely little trip. And the tiniest piece of Easegill ticked off. We’ll be back.

By Will Burnett In Day Trips

Alum Pot

Long Churns & Alum Pot (report and pictures by Will)

Team: Ami, Chris A, Scott & Will

We’d been planning this Alum Pot trip for a few weeks now as Ami had yet to tick it off and sadly she missed out last time when John, Dave and I tackled the NW route. Chris was also eager to get his second trip with KCC bagged so eagerly opted in whatever the trip. Scott was also on board when he heard of our plans, no surprise there, and we hoped that Sophie may be able to join us too but sadly it wasn’t to be. Despite us both having taken on Rift Pot the day prior, Scott and I were still feeling good in the morning and although some unfortunate Sunday morning issues caused a little lateness, the four of us arrived at Selside in good spirits. As with most weekends, it quickly got busy with a couple of other groups gearing up all eagerly eyeballing each other to see who would begin negotiations. One group with some SRT novices were planning a trip down Dolly Tubs, another heading for the SE route, and as at this point we were still awaiting Scott’s arrival we told them all to go ahead and we’d work our way around once we had a plan. I already had a plan! It was a little naughty, but I packed my ‘big rope’ (John & Dave know it well) with a hope to hoodwink the others into the NW route as it’s by far my favourite. From my experience, if you don’t tell people what they’re doing and just send them a location they usually turn up. The second you mention a 65/70 metre pitch with maximum exposure, people start to sleep in or feel poorly! Given the other teams chosen destinations it would have been ideal to go for the NW route on this occasion, being the only route with no traffic for the full day. However, my sneaky secret didn’t go down to well when I proposed it, and I’m certainly not one to push so we quickly repacked and came up with a new tactic. I’d rig Dolly Tubs because I’m lazy and would rather take pictures, Ami would rig the traverse and bridge, Scott would rig his ‘under the bridge’ variation, and finally Chris would have his first attempt at rigging and de-rigging on the final pitch. Plan set, and to give the other teams a bit of space, we stashed the ropes and headed for the top entrance of Long Churns to give Ami and Chris the full tour.

After working our way through Churns and feeling nicely warmed up, we picked up our ropes and set about the days main task. The other teams had rigged the split pitch in Dolly Tubs, so we went for the traditional ab and it wasn’t long before we were all stood in the window taking everything in. It was evident that, even with our Long Churns trip, there would be no avoiding traffic sadly – but such is the case if you choose Alum on a weekend! Let’s be honest, where else would you rather be stood for a short period awaiting your turn to descend than the window of Alum Pot. From here on, no matter what way we went, it would be impossible not to share anchors with other teams. A few weeks ago, Ami had a really good day of rigging in Aquamole (no sarcasm at all, she rigged top to bottom through a variety of the usual anchors) but had she paid attention to the location of Rupert’s in-situ ropes, Ray would also have had a good day of de-rigging instead of trying to untangle spaghetti junction! With that in mind, Scott and I set Ami straight to work rigging with a few reminders along the way. We discussed a few different things and ways to do things better, safer, or more efficient and I think it’s fair to say we all came away having learnt something! Winner! Absolutely nailed it she did, rigged behind the other team’s ropes all the way even in awkward places. After negotiating around another ascending team along the traverse, we had a clear shot at the bridge and then Scott took over to lead us underneath to the 40m ish free hanging option there. Another team was ascending on the other side of the bridge at the same time, so luckily when we touched down we had the last pitch and the sump all to ourselves. Chris was up next for his first attempt at rigging and he eagerly got to work. John showed Dave and I the traverse along the left to another Y hang (not on the topo) which I now prefer as it keeps you further away from the water for the last abseil. Also, if you do the NW route with a 100m rope you can get straight onto this variation and make one extra big pitch from the top to the bottom. It also has a little bit more rigging involved, perfect for Chris. I followed him along the ledge ready to answer any questions he had, but he took to it like a natural – clearly his IRATA skills are giving him confidence on the rope and kicking his caving career off with the ability to tackle some epic trips. We pushed on to the sump for the obligatory sump photo before heading back to ascend out, de-rigging the pitches we rigged on the way in. Ideal for me, as I could head up first and get some good shots of the others coming up now we had the place to ourselves.

In no time at all we were back on the surface heading for the cars, discussing the days events and recapping what we’d learned. Thank you to the guys for joining me on this one, we shall be back here soon with more members and more ropes for the AGM, so make sure you join us if you’re not already planning to!

By Scott In Day Trips

New Rift Pot

Will, Scott

Excellent trip into New Rift today.  The weather was dry, but not sadly dry enough to expunge the puddle that gets you wet in the flat out crawl after the entrance pitch.  There follows a climb down, and then the next one is best tackled backwards on your front.  One more climb down in a smooth tube leads to the top of Route 66.  

The first drop goes to a good ledge, where the routes diverge. We opted for the right hand traverse over a blank wall, the better to do battle with a filthy in situ rope. A hang leads to a pendulum to some new IC anchors, then a deviation pulls you towards the opposite wall before the rift opens out into the immensity of Coates Cavern.

We spent a bit of time looking at the various routes leading off (as long as they remained spacious and comfortable, which wasn’t for long).  All Fools Passage is well decorated, and apparently leads on eventually to Low Douk and Ireby Fell Caverns.  Another way from Coates Cavern leads to the Eldon Extension in Large Pot.  We also had a look into Crosspatch Inlet, which had a traverse rope in place and contained a fine dry crystal pool.

Will valiantly offered to derig while I borrowed his phone to document his labours.  Forcing a bag of wet rope back through the awkward entrance series inspired us both to some creative swearing, but it didn’t take too long to reach the surface.

Another grand day out, will no doubt be back to explore more soon!

 

By Jason Clements In Day Trips

Dry Gill Cave

 James, Jim, Jess, Ami, Jason

I’d come across this cave in the guide books some time ago, and thought it looked to have a lot going for it.  Ok, it’s a bit crawly and ducky, but the reward was supposed to be some fab formations.  Plus it’s a very short walk from the road and no SRT whatever is required.  Just my sort of cave!

It had been on the meets list before, but I’d been thwarted by bad weather – did I mention that it’s apt to flood?  But the forecast was dryish, so off we set.  And we found the (small!) entrance quite easily.  Ami nobly volunteered to go first, but quickly came out, doubting that it could possibly go.  So James stepped, well inched, in and his wellies soon disappeared so it was evident we’d have to follow.  It started small, tight and awkward, and remained so.  At one little climb, I managed to get up, but my wellie didn’t follow.  So we made gradual progress, with a lot of huffing, puffing and cursing.  At the next climb, I was convinced I wouldn’t make it, but with James’ and Ami’s encouragement and guidance, I did.

Now we were in the Obstacle Course, which continued in the same vein.  Surely we must be near the streamway now?  We were, but there was just one tight bit in the way.  This time, I really couldn’t fit through, despite strenuous efforts.  Worse – it took even more effort to back out, and then Jim and Jess whizzed through, making it look easy.

So I turned to retrace my ‘steps’ (if only!) and it was just as much fun on the way out, but it was a gorgeous moment when I finally popped out into the pleasantly cool (2° C) air to see Orion looking down on me.

I got changed and was guiltily wondering if it would be out of order to set off home, or should I wait to make sure the others got out, when I saw – much to my surprise – some torches coming down the hill.  It was Jim and Jess, and the others were not far behind.  Apparently the stream was so low, that it was hard to tell which was downstream.  They came to a duck and went through it, getting soaked, but – was it the right one?  And then there was a climb, but was it the right way or would it lead to an agonising crawl which just closed down?

In the end, they evidently decide enough fun was enough, so weren’t all that far behind me and I certainly hadn’t been rushing.

So a trip ticked off?  Yes and no – definitely one to return to and do properly, if you’re hard (and slim) enough!

By Scott In Day Trips

Ireby Fell Cavern

Chris A, Will, Scott

A warm Spring day saw three of us tackle the classic route to Duke Street. It was Chris’s first trip with the club, but he obviously knows his way around an SRT kit, and we made excellent time down the first pitches. Bell pitch was almost dry, making a mockery of my behooded rigging style. We had been told that Pussy, Well and Rope pitches were pre-rigged, but the rope was missing from the final drop of Pussy, and the rope on Rope was a sorry sight. We muddled through though, and soon were bounding down Duke Street. I obviously didn’t sell the muddy crawl to Ireby II very convincingly, and we made a return to the surface without further ado, with Will derigging. A very straightforward trip this time – no nipple-deep wading in icy water to find Ireby 23 – just a nice walk back across the fell in the sunshine.
Thanks to Chris and Will for an excellent day out!

By Ray McGarry In Day Trips

Rowten Pot

John, Will, Ray

This was a quick trip following my favourite route: In through the Eyehole, descend the main pitch from the 1st y-hang in the bottomless rift, swing over onto the wall for a few of the rebelays on the normal Gully route, all finished off via the Flyover.

Both John and I had done Rowten many times (although this precise route was new to John), but it was a bit of a step up for Will. Having done a few of the West Kingsdale potholes, he was suitably impressed by their “big brother”.

We were down at the bottom in no time. Will couldn’t be persuaded to dive the sump, which is just as well as he started by looking at the upstream sump. Neither John nor I had any intention of diving any sumps!

Will did an excellent job of derigging. All was going very well indeed until I started to prussic the entrance pitch. The tackle bag I was carrying became tangled round the rope, so I hauled it up and started passing it around to free it. Unfortunately, being a bit depleted these days, I ran out of energy & strength halfway through this manoeuvre and let the bag drop. This was enough to break the donkey’s d1ck attaching it to me and it fell back down the pitch. We had 2 bits of good fortune here: (1) it landed on the ledge without rolling off down the main pitch, (2) I was only 6 or 7m up, so could easily pop down to collect it.

Will finished off the derigging in no time and we exited to glorious sunshine. Will tells me the whole trip took 3 hours, 20 minutes from car to sump and back. Not bad for a couple of old duffers… and a young tiger.

Photos by Will.

By Ray McGarry In Day Trips

Oxlow Caverns

Ray and his non-KCC friend John Bown

Will had planned this as a day trip to the Peak, but no-one apart from me signed up. Not to worry – Will and I would still have a great trip. Until Will pulled out, that is. Now, I’m not so easily put off, especially since I was due to be down that way anyway. So I set about finding some other friends to go with. Only John answered the call. Still, that would be enough.

I packed all the tackle and set off south, via Vikki’s parents in Chinley, meeting John in the 5-Ways launderette cafe in Buxton (one of his favourites) bright and early on Saturday morning. What the cafe lacks in quality it makes up for in cheapness.

Suitably satisfied (in quantity at least), we moved on to the parking spot, where we both had issues trying to park on the same side of the road as the cave. The drop off from the tarmac is getting more extreme every time I go there. It’s now much better to park on the other side of the road, unless you have substantial clearance.

When we eventually got parked, I emptied all the tackle we would need out the back of the car… as did John. Hmmm, perhaps our communication could have been better. Interestingly, although we had packed ropes for the same trip, John somehow had a LOT less rope than me. Ah yes, he said, both the CCPC and the DCA rigging guides are overly generous. So we essentially took John’s tackle as he goes there more often than I do and presumably knows the rigging better. We didn’t take any rope for the West Swirl Ramp as it’s always rigged. We had a half-plan to look up into Pilgrims Way, which needs a bit more rope than the 5th pitch, so we swapped out John’s 15m for my 19m, which would do both pitches (not at the same time obviously). All ropes managed to fit easily into 2 bags. In fact, one of the bags was even quite empty! I liked this approach.

On arrival at the entrance, John informed me that, while he knew his rope lengths were sufficient, they would be a bit tight. Ahh. I started to like his approach a bit less… especially when I realised that he had brought 30m for the entrance pitch, whereas I had packed 45m. John set off rigging. On my way down the entrance shaft, I noted that I passed 2 anchors, presumably for deviations or rebelays to avoid rope rub. John had also passed these anchors. The rope did rub a bit, but to be fair it’s only really glancing off relatively flat rock. Certainly nothing worth worrying too much about. At the bottom of the entrance shaft is another y-hang for a short 4m drop. No need for the y-hang John informed me, rigging off a single anchor. I could soon see why when his rope literally just reached the bottom. A y-hang would have left us dangling. So, it turns out the entrance pitch can indeed be done with a 30m rope – whether it’s wise or not is another matter.

As we were going to make use of the fixed rope on West Swirl, we weren’t sure exactly how long a rope was need to get us there. In the end, we conservatively estimated that 60m should be enough for the 2nd, 3rd and the swing onto the ramp. John set off rigging the 2nd and I took over for the 3rd. The deviation on the 3rd was pre-equipped with tat and even a krab. The swing onto the ramp was easy enough and then a very short bit of descent down the ramp to reach the start of the fixed rope. As it turns out, 50m would have been enough. At this rate, John will be down to a single bag for his next trip!

I shot off down the ramp to get the pitch at the bottom rigged, only to find that it too was pre-rigged. The rigging wasn’t great, but it was preferable to rigging our own rope. The trip was going very well, and very quick so far.

We regrouped at the bottom of the pitch up into Pilgrims Way. Having made such good time to this point, there really weren’t any excuses for not popping up. So we tied our rope onto the polyprop cord and hauled it up through the ring at the top. There are 2 anchors for an inverted y-hang at the bottom. I was first up and was glad to see that there is a fixed traverse line at the top.

Neither John nor I had been up here before, so we were quite excited to get going. It starts as a low crawl, but soon enlarges to easy hands and knees crawling, a bit like the crawls from Bar Pot to GG main chamber. It does go on a bit though, passing many side crawls along the way. We didn’t poke up any of these.

Eventually, the going gets a bit more flat out for a very short distance, complete with puddle for maximum unpleasantness, before we entered the bottom of an aven (Mecca Aven?). The connection to Giants Hole, via the Chamber of Horrors, goes off to the left here. Fortunately John didn’t fancy looking up here on this occasion. I certainly didn’t! Thankfully, this marks the end of the crawling. From here it’s mostly walking in a passage that gets progressively bigger.

In North Chamber there was a rope heading up. We pondered on what may be up there, but left it at that. It turns out that this rope leads up to the Crusader Series, which seems well worth a visit at some point. We knew that just around the corner was North Pitch. We had decided not to bring a rope for this pitch, largely because we couldn’t be bothered carrying it through the Pilgrims Way crawl, but also because I suspected it would be pre-rigged. Rounding the corner, we were pleased to see that our gamble had paid off. It was rigged. As with most fixed ropes, however, it wasn’t easy to get on to.

I went down first and waited for John, excited to see what lay beyond. Sadly, my excitement wasn’t warranted. What lay a very short distance beyond was a miserable low, wet crawl. Neither of us could quite remember the description, but thought that this was a sign that the sump was close, with only a short wet crawl and some ducks between us and it. This didn’t seem appealing, so we decided to call it a day. In fact, this was the start of The Sewer, a 46m miserable wet crawl leading to some more big stuff, before 3 dams and then the sump. May be worth pushing on next time.

As we turned around, we felt quite a long way from home, especially with the prospect of the long Pilgrims Way crawl ahead of us. Dismounting North Pitch was as entertaining as we expected. Shortly after, there is a rather annoying little climb up, complete with stacked rocks to make it slightly easier… but not easy enough. We both struggled on this. Apart from that, the journey back to the top of our rope back down into West Chamber went surprisingly well. We were both surprised by how quickly we got back through Pilgrims Way, so much so that John crawled straight past the side passage leading to our rope.

The journey out from here went quickly, with me derigging and it was good to pop out into pleasant sunshine. The throngs of people on top of, and on their way up, Mam Tor across the valley were something to behold. A quick stop off at the Hanging Gate pub for a debrief completed the day nicely.

I would recommend this trip to anyone. There’s so much more to Oxlow if you go up the pitch into Pilgrims Way. I hope to go back at some point for a look into Crusader Series. Who’s up for it?