1988-1989
Richard Collcott, Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Rob Knell, Paul Huggins (Huggy), Tim Flack, Pete Hambly, Tim Palmer, Malcolm Barr, Phil Hay, Rob Chaddock, Chris Birkhead, Harry Lock, Dewi Lloyd, Clive Orrock, Debbie Armstrong, Jon Sims, John Harrison, Andrew Pugh, Herman Herz, Chris Shaw, Monaghan Tindale, Simon Lawes, Nicholas Wood, Wendy Rooke, Sally Lawes
I typed these up in 2025, and sometimes I chose to leave out sentences or words I deemed offensive. I usually thought these were sexist or racist. These decisions were entirely my own. Typos, incorrect attempts at transcribing handwriting, and misattributing trips to cavers who share names are also my mistakes.
Fiona Hartley
Yorkshire 21-23 October 1988
Dave, Rob, Chris, Phil, Paul, Tim, Jackie Harris, Janet Cotter-Howells, Wendy Rooke, Loukia Pikis, Macer Gifford, Mark Thompson, Rob Knell, Ray Cramer, Nicholas Wood
Saturday
Nettle Pot (Dentdale): Rob Knell, Phil Hay, Rob Chaddock, Nicholas Wood, Loukia
Superb drive over to Dent in SUNSHINE. Previously dry streamway now raging torrent. Entrance bedding plane crawl opens to top of first and only pitch. No problems for freshers. Soon got into streamway with beautiful stal of flowstone - very inspiring! Streamway eventually closed down to belly crawl in 6 inches water to the detriment of Dave's guide book. No problems on way out - everyone did really well. A superb freshers or Sunday trip.
Rob
Southerscales: Tim Flack, Chris Shaw: Macer, Ray, Mark
We intended to do Sunset Hole - note for future GET UP EARLY to get to the front of the queue! Anyway, this trip was not really ideal for freshers - the 100ft wet crawl is a little off putting (not to say painful) for the first time caver. The second pitch was a little wet but everyone managed it OK. On the way out we tried the other entrance (ie not the original one) which proved to be an interesting alternative (especially since everyone was thin enough except Tim!). All in all not a very inspiring trip.
Chris
Heron Pot: Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Paul Huggins (Huggy), Wendy Rooke, Jackie
Slight error in direction, caused half hour delay in locating entrance, but this merely meant half and hour less wait above first pitch. Group of 8 from Manchester took ages to descent (around 45min wait) despite 1 hour start. Good hang from 11mm climbing rope slings in place on both pitches. Easy walk down, lowering to hands and knees crawl, in 2 inches water, finally ending with aqueous exit for last 20 foot. A good trip, despite the wait.
Dave
Sunday
Coppice Cave / Ling Gill Pot / Cave 6
Harry, Rob, Macer, Nicholas
Old Ing Cave: Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Rob Knell, Paul Huggins (Huggy), Tim Flack, Phil Hay, Chris Shaw, Wendy Rooke, Loukia, Mark, Ray, Macer
What a classic! We spent two hours looking verywhere for the cave and eventually found a big hole in the ground right next to the path as we were making our way back. The cave itself was just a walk down to the first sump and back again - the hardest part was crossing a deep pool which everyone managed with no problems apart from Rob and a certain second year who shall remain nameless. (It wasn't me, "honest".) Good trip to do when you don't feel like caving.
Chris
Yorkshire 4-6 November 1988
Dave, Rob, Chris Bi, Clive, Harry (from Leeds), Rich, Pete, Janet, Helen Todd, Rob K, Simon L, Nicholas, Paul, Phil, Chris S, Mike Priestnall, Monaghan, Herman
We took 12 people in FLW from London, 5 in Rich's car, and picked up H from Leeds stn on Fri night. Quick M1 journey - left London around 7-30, got to Leeds around 11:20.
Saturday
Christmas Pot: Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Rob Knell, Rob Chaddock, Clive Orrock, Herman Herz, Chris Shaw, Simon Lawes, Nicholas Wood
Rob, Clive, Nicholas, Herman, Rob - See Christmas - lost on moors and couldn't find G-R.
After polishing up our SRT in the barn, got to Crummack around 2pm, changed and walked up to the entrance in around 20min. (I forgot second bag and had to return for it after around 10minutes walk). Got down around 4pm, I rigged first pitch and then found Rob's crew was following us down due to their inability to lcoate Grange Rigg. Got our 4 and Nick to bottom around 7pm, when the following team decided to turn back due to time problems. 5 got back to Crummack, we got displaced to Long Lane. So walked to New Inn, borrowed Escort and went to let others into van.
Herman and Janet, who were trailing behind me and Chris on Long Lane, decided to go to lights at Clapdale farm. After one and half hour serach, on finding them not at hut, I located them, and all was (finally) ok, by about 1:30.
DW
Disappointment Pot: Paul Huggins (Huggy), Phil Hay, Chris Birkhead, Harry Lock, Mike
Grade IV.
So named because it originally didn't connect with the Gaping Gill system, but now it does, so perhaps it should be renamed Two-Duck-Freezing-Cold (even when it's dry) Pot. Caving always seems to be at its best when you finally crawl out a collapse, or in this case walk 3 miles back to the pub. Going through a duck in all a matter of mental preparation - mostly thinking about some hot sunny foreign beach. That way you don't drown when you start swallowing water with your nose pressed up against the roof and your lamp flickering desperately. After that, floating on your back beneath a tiny triangular air space with your lips pursed - is a positive pleasure. Several ladders and pitches and 3 hours later comes the best bit - turning round and heading back for the ducks, just as you've warmed up and dried out. So, out into the cold foggy night with the warming thought of a barrel of beer and a good caving club bonfire of tables, chairs, shelves, aerosols and other miscelaneous caving hut contents...
Anon
Nettle Pot: Richard Collcott, Pete Hambly, Monaghan Tindale, Helen Todd
Standard trip down this simple fresher's cave. The novelty of this cave has definitely worn off; its formations are very good though. Rich decided not to crash test his exhaust this time on the way over. Just before streamway closed down rather a phallic stal caused me some excitement. Turned back in belly crawl.
Pete
Valley entrance: Richard Collcott, Pete Hambly, Monaghan Tindale (above minus Helen, asleep in car)
First trip for Pete; I was impressed. Wandered around in the crawls below Swinstos before zooming out and to the pub. Good caving had by all.
Pete
We all (eventually when re-united) got pissed and smoky. Lots of fun with fire-works and when they'd run out we used areosols of WD-40 etc. Certain other combustible materials made their appearance (wow!!). Don't really remember much else. Steve Thorpe burnt nearly all the NPC furniture - slight shortage of things to sit on for Sunday breakfast. Baked potatoes low recovery rate, but those that were extracted were good.
CMO
Sunday
Calf Holes: Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Rob Knell, Clive Orrock, Chris Shaw
Pleasant Sunday bimble through a nice cave. Not much else to say - sorry!!
Chris
Clive lost Rob's rack somewhere in here.
DW
Yorks 18-20 November
Dave, Tim, Phil, Pete, Paul Makay, Simon Lawes, Sally Lawes, Nicholas, Jackie, Faharin, Monaghan, Rob - lift to Leeds, John & Henry - car from Leeds
Saturday
Sunset Hole: Dave Wilson, Paul Makay, Faharin, John
Simple trip down to bottom of 50'. We took enough gear for Roaring just in case Sunset was occupied, but this turned out not to be the case, so used a spare ladder on each of the two trickier climbs, free climbing the top one. No problems apart from usual forearm fatigue from the novice ladder climbers. Out about 4-ish, so spent lots of time in hut waiting for chippy to open. Got there around 7:30, only to find it opened at 8, so had no option but a pint in the Heifer beforehand - these freshers' trips are really tough! Got to New Inn around 8:30 to awaut the Marble Steps and Juniper crews.
Dave
Marble Steps Pot: Pete Hambly, Monaghan Tindale, Sally Lawes, Jackie Harrus, Henry, Sally
This should have been a simple trip. However, a party was already down, so I decided to go the Elliot wet way. This was not a good idea, as Jackie could not pass my rigging. Eventually after much delay we double rigged. No other problems to bottom. Sump very low. Fast exit, snowing outside.
Pete
Juniper Gulf: Tim Flack, Phil Hay, Simon Lawes, Nicholas Wood
Simple cave for old men of the party, a "Megatrip" for the freshers involved. We found the cave with no trouble but another party ahead of us. The second pitch was rigged the hard way because of the other party but this didn't cause too much trouble. We passed the others at the bad step and this caused some delay. Everyone bottomed the cave and the way out was no problem. All in All a good trip. Came out of cave to discover it was snowing quite hard and by the time we got back to the van there was about an inch. Back to the pub for a drink and relaxation etc.
Simon
Sunday
Little interest shown in caving, so it was decided that one trip down Heron was in order, the rest to Inglesport for SRT practice, food, etc. As, by one of those strange coincidences, I happened to have only recently descended Heron, I led the training crew, with a bit of self-rescue thrown in for good measure. A few more pints in the Heifer helped wile away the hours - god, it was hell.
Dave
Heron Pot: Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Monaghan Tindale, Nicholas Wood
After the previous day's experience with the rack today was to be "trouble free" after trudging through the drifting snow like Scott of the Antarctic we found the entrance, progress to the pitches was rapid. the snag came when we discovered that Pete had picked up a wrong bag so we had 5 ladders instead of 3 and one (thankfully long enough) lifeline. First pitch done I returned to get the lifeline and we tackled the second pitch.
Then final 60m crawl was less than welcome especially since it involved getting wet before going out into the cold wind, rapid derig from the entrance and a just as rapid change and off for the Beers. Good time had by all.
Phil
Yorkshire 2-4 December 1988
Saturday
Rumbling Hole: Rob Chaddock, Chris Shaw, Nicholas Wood
We spent only one and a half hours looking for the first bolts on the entrance pitch (note for future: as you descend you will see an obvious bad bolt - look 2 ft to your right and a pair of bolts will miraculously appear before your eyes). After that we zipped through a pleasant cave and came out in time for tea! Well actually we spent a thrilling n 2 hours in the van waiting for the Lost John's mob to come out. God I hate writing up caving trips - I think this looks a reasonable amount now, so I'm going to hand over to one of the Lost Johns crew and he can tell you about an epic nine hours
Chris
Lost Johns: Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Clive Orrock, Herman Herz, Monaghan Tindale, Simon Lawes, Wendy Rooke
Centipede Route: Dave, Janet, Wendy, Herman
Quick trip down, no real problems. Other team caught up as I was in the middle of rigging the battleaxe traverse. Went downstream in master cave til it got a bit wet, and then back out. Deviation on final pitch (rope should be around 30m) caused slight problem on return for those less experienced. Big (35m) pitch not appreciated by the less experienced, but no real problems again. Wendy/Janet had less problems on traverse than I had rigging it. Gentle trip out after swapping Herman for Simon. Got out around 1 hour before others. A classic trip, if a little long at 8 hours.
Dave
New Roof traverse - Dome Pitch Route: Clive, Cath, Simon, Monaghan
Straightforward trip down to rendezvous with A-team. Rigging as per Elliot, but seems to be missing a few bolts--nevertheless naturals (of variable soundness) abound. 8-people coming up last few pitches was a few too many--bit cold for the last few. Herman derigged all bottom pitches and Dome pitches--masses of gear rather slowed things but got out eventually. Afternoon rain had restored abnormally low stream-levels to more normal levels to provide added amusement when all lights (carbide+electric) failed--final few 100 yards on just one v-dim electric between two.
CMO
Bit of a rush to get in pub by closing time but made it to sink several pints--met Harry and Dewi there.
Sunday
Lancaster Hole: Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Chris Shaw, Wendy Rooke
Pippkin Pot: Tim Flack, Harry Lock, Dewi Lloyd, Cath
Pippikin to Hall of ten and out. Straightforward fun trip. Sorry about handwriting, I have just got back from pub.
Anon
Cow Pot: Rob Chaddock, Herman Herz, Nicholas Wood
Straightforward trip with impressive final pitch. Good entrance pitch in open shaft - not previously rigged despite trips listed on board at Red Rose. Easy stuff till big pitch where Rob pissed about for too long bouncing about looking for obvious bolts. Superb final pitch opens out abruptly ie instantly in large chamber. great entrance to system.
Unknown
Yorkshire Xmas Tour '88
Dave, Rob, Pete, Phil, Janet, Harry, Clive, Monaghan, Rich, Chris Birk, Malc, Dewi, Simon, Jon Sims, Tim Palmer, Herman, Henry, Jo[h]n
Saturday
Bull Pot: Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Herman Herz
Herman and I fought to rig, dividing into the two bags each taking our turn. The first of the rigging training for next year. A straightforward trip nothing of any problem for either of us.
Phil
Hurnel Moss: Richard Collcott, Jon Sims, John, Henry
Stumbling about in the mist (Part 1). Gave up looking for it, and found it on way back! I rigged, Henry de-rigged. Good pitch, plenty of flood debris at bottom.
John
Rowten (#16?): Dave Wilson, Monaghan Tindale
Straightforward trip - found bolt for 1st deviation on 1st pitch. It'd about 2-3m down from the mossy area about a 2 or 3 m stretch along the shaft on the opposite wall (to the left, facing). It's about 2m up and 1m across from an obvious old rusty spit. Rest of trip ok. Water quite low.
Dave
Sunday
Notts Pot: Tim Palmer, Rob Chaddock, Clive Orrock, John
Did Adamson's route. Tim rigged most except for last pitch. Direct and Adamson's (except for 35+55 pitch) rigged for NPC diving exploring. Do not take rope for 'pitch' after fixed ladder marked in Elliot's book - an easy free climb. The fixed ladder itself is more frightening as it is 3 steel ladders tied with string. Good trip to bottom - nice to paddle in sump pool. Quick trip back to surface followed by shamble in fog back to road and van.
Rob
Bar Pot: Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Monaghan Tindale
Went to do Stream, but it was occupied, so did Bar instead. Had to wait above 'big' pitch for someone to take half an hour to derig it. Down to Main Chamber and back out of Flood (see below) - an easy little trip. Jumping over the wall near Clapham, Monaghan twisted his ankle.
Dave
Top Sink to County: Malcolm Barr, Chris Birkhead, Harry Lock + ?
A great trip. First pitch in Top Sink can be rebelayed about 5m down by using a fixed plate hanger out to the right. Went via Easter Grotto, and the MORE impressive Gypsum Caverns - freeclimbed the County Pot pitch, after having reached it via Flood Escape Route (grotty!). Good fun!!
unknown
19th Monday
Rumbling Hole: Richard Collcott, Simon Lawes [tbh not sure which Simon so went with Lawes but might've been Seward]
An excellent sporting pot, lots og water with more than a little rumble in places. Uncle Rich explained that NOBODY uses figures of eight anymore, so with my pre-threaded rings I flittered [bitfully?] like from bolt to bolt. We didn't free dive into Notts or is it Lost Johns, but prussicked out with a problem or two regarding tackle bags.
Hints 1) Deviation on last pitch is round the buttress 2) Tackle bags get stuck beig hauled up entrance shaft.
Link-Lancaster: Rob Chaddock, Harry Lock, Dewi Lloyd, Herman Herz
Trip was intended as a precursor to a Pippikin/Lancaster trip, to find the way. Echo Pot is a fine pitch, and this active passageway section contrasts strongly with the fossil parts of Link above. The Wormway was a really classic psyche-out passage - a muddy tube with a stream flowing down, and much foam on roof. Got to Sausage Junction, and after a brave go for it effort by Dewi (we were all impressed) decide climbs up were too wet. Exited quickly.
Valley Entrance: Pete Hambly, Tim Palmer, Andrew Pugh, Monaghan Tindale
Photo trip. Andrew Pugh did not like posing in the ducks. Photos did not work - I forgot to load the film correctly.
Pete
Tuesday
Grange Rigg: Rob Chaddock, Jon Sims, Herman Herz, Simon Lawes [again not sure which Simon]
King: Dave Wilson, Harry Lock
A previous trip by some Sheffield cavers had been aborted due to illness, so said the note at the top. First pitch was rigged with ladder, so we rerigged it. We used the gear in place at the second and third pitches, and Bloodaxe (after substantial re-rigging). We left our gear at the head of each pitch in cave these guys were down ahead of us, but they weren't. Down to East Kingsdale Master Cave in 3 hours - really good with lots of water. Elizabeth was a bit wet on the return. Out for a 6 1/4 hr trip. Bloody good exercise, but not intimidating enough. Back to road to find no van, so walked to Marton and met Simon, who gave us a lift to the hut and back. Ate in marton. A really good 2-man blast - this is what caving should be like.
Dave
Ireby Fell: Janet Cotter, Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Clive Orrock, Monaghan Tindale
Jolly good trip, thoroughly enjoyed by all. Rigged down usual route (1,2,3 pitches). Despite wet weather cave surprisingly not too damp. Lotsa singing "Ding Dong Merrily on High" - most appropriate I thought. Lost Phil up some grotty little hole and found a very green and smelly rabbit at the bottom yuk! Speedy exit, with photos and amazingly asccurate navigation back across foggy moor to van.
Clive
Wednesday
Rowten no 17 :Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Herman Herz
Simpsons: Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Monaghan Tindale
Some confusion over rope lengths led us to use rope in wrong order. Straightforward trip until above duck; where so much water was entering that the "duck" was a gurgling []. Decided discretion was the better part of valor and exited. Steps provided little problem on the way out.
Pete
Conquest of Mighty Penyghent: Clive, Harry, Simon, Rob
Yes the peak was still there - Did it without oxygen, even strenuous SE Ridge. Lots of extra duckboarding since last time. Ran back down to cafe, and had lots of meaningful environmental conversations. A good break in the week's caving!
Thursday
Malham Cove: Dave, Monaghan, Janet, Pete, Phil
King Pot: Jon Sims, Herman Herz + fat middle aged RSM
Top Sink: Rob Chaddock, Harry Lock, Clive Orrock
Trip to recover rope from pitches left since weekend. VERY WET! Stream well up and enthusiasm well down. Harry bravely descended and derigged pitches, Rob and I bravely waited at top of first pitch. We all got v wet for so short a trip. Trog back across moors to van and thence to Malham to pick up t'others.
Clive
The Christmas Dinner: Dave, Rob, Phil, Pete, Herman, Clive, Monaghan, Jon, Janet, Harry
We ate food and drank beer.
Anon
-- in New Inn, Clapham - ok(ish) but not to be recommended for future dinners. Not a patch on Brass Cat, Settle, and definitely NOT suitable for Dinner Meet. Dinner Meet must be booked early to avoid disappointment as suffered this Christmas.
Clive
Unfortunately, we did go to New Inn for Dinner Meet.
Anon
1989 Spring Term
Mendips January 13-15
Dave Rob Simon Nick Rachel Catherine + Herman on Saturday by bike
Quick uneventful drive by A316/M3/A303. Dave driving. Stopped at a pub in centre of Warminster for a couple of good pints of Tanglefoot. Got to BEC at around 11:15 to find lots of Cardiff Uni types and very few indigenous cavers.
Saturday
Swildons: Dave Wilson, Rob Chaddock, Herman Herz, Simon Lawes, Nicholas Wood, Catherine
A mass trip down Swildons - fortunately no one else seemed to have the same idea as there were no minibuses or coaches on the Green.
Down to the Water Chamber via the Dry Route and on to the 20' to find it rigged with only 1 ladder across to the right - amazingly quiet for a Saturday morning. A quick trot down to Sump 1 where all negotiated the sump with no problem. Went on to Sump 2 and had a quick splash about in it. On the way back we decided to have a go at the short round trip in reverse. The first (last?) duck had about an inch of air space so we bailed it for a while then ducked through it. Unfortunately found the next duck had sumped and couldn't bail it so we departed without mishap to a beautiful red sunset over the green and pleasant Mendip landscape and lots of brown and pleasnat Butcome in the Hunters. A shove ha'penny tournament was played with little finesse and even less knowledge of the rules which Herman managed to win.
Sunday
GB Cavern: Dave Wilson, Herman Herz
Longwood-August: Rob Chaddock, Simon Lawes, Nicholas Wood
[trip report in Swedish which I couldn't be bothered to put through Google translate right now, but the line I translated to figure out this was Swedish read "very interesting for a not particularly talented climber"] -- Fiona
Nicholas [I think]
Yorkshire 27-29 January 1989
Saturday
Nettle Pot: Dave Wilson, Janet Cotter, Chris Shaw
A good freshers pot. Entrance off stream (the larger one of two). Belly crawl to 15ft pitch rigged whilst lying down. Pool of water at bottom of pitch. Passage opposite pitch leads down to streamway. A "crossroads" is reached. Straight ahead is a small squeeze and then a walk down to streamway. To the right is a fairly wet crawl under a waterfall to the streamway. Streamway is fairly pretty and can be followed for a short way upstream and a long way downstream and becomes a crawl. (We turned back here.)
Don't forget your wellies!
Janet
Quaking: Not Solo: Richard Collcott, Paul Huggins (Huggy), Harry Lock
Key to success is thin tackle bags (over the shoulder, of course!). We may have got past Coitus Corner and The Crux, but, after a VERY brave effort by Paul (Quaking NOT the ideal learning cave!) we decided to turn back and, as it happened, we were ALL pretty knackered when we got out, and slept well that night. Lots of press-ups and no double breakfasts with beans also aid success. Next time - 3 man trip, light ropes, we'll DO IT!!!
Harry
Sunday
Bar Pot: Janet Cotter, Rob Knell, Chris Shaw, Simon Lawes, Nicholas Wood
Arrived to find a rope and ladder already rigged. But it was possible to rig another rope - it turned out that the rope already there was semi-permanent anyway.
Chris Shaw
Got down the first pitch - no problems. Over boulder slopes and slab to second pitch. Just before the second pitch is a short drop (~10ft) with a foot line leading to an alternative rigging place. V difficult to get back up - I think a hand line and foot line might have originally been there.
Down second pitch, [already double rigged so out rpoe was just positioned-Chris], and found our way to the main chamber using directions written on cave walls. Went down the pebble crawl route there and round the traverse (turned out to be very easy) on the way out as we could find the pebble crawl route.
Used another group's rope to climb up as ours was still unrigged and back up to the top where our sweetie stash was waiting.
Janet C-H
Walk: Dave, Harry
Delightful amble via hideous coniferous plantations, planning who was going to be in whose tents this Summer blah blah
Harry
Old Lags (they're all past it, honest) trip to Reseau Jean Bernard (a quite deep cave)
9-17 February.
got to -384m (and THAT was bloody hard work!). Worthwhile trip.
Full details: speak to Harry, Rich, Dewi, Tony [Smith]
A 'orrible big little cave - I never want to see anymore Spanish 7mm or garden wire traverses again.
The scenery and pioneering atmosphere of the visit was stunning! Read the Descent Exclusive...
Harry
Yorkshire 10-12 February
Dave, Rob, Janet, Wendy, Simon, Monaghan, nick, Chris, Anne-Marie, Paul, Phil, Pete, Herman (on bike), Tim P (car)
Shit drive from london arriving in Leeds around 12:30, unlike the last weekend. Met Herman, Tim at NPC.
Dave
Saturday
Up earlyish, but no gas for cooking, so went to Inglesport around 9:30 BEFORE breakfast - a good move. Sorted trips out with few difficulties, with just enough hangers to go round, mainly due to Pete "I'll just rig this one" Hambly taking about twice as many as he needed.
Dave
Meregill: Dave Wilson, Monaghan Tindale, Simon Lawes
Weather forecast was for showers in afternoon, so decided to do Meregill, as Simon had been asking for a 'testing' trip, and this seemed about the right standard. Got to entrance around 12:45, down by about 1ish. Water sort of low to average. No problems on way down, standard Elliot route. Got to nasty low bit at the main drain about three and hald or 4 hours later. Set off out, noticing at rift section below fourth pitch that the water level was getting higher. Third and second pitches very impressive, but rope hang OK, just out of the water. Got out to a misty nigth, about 9 o'clock. A good trip, made more interesting by the tripling in water levels whilst we were down. After a couple of cans of beer in the entrance, followed the walls back to the main track from the road, thence to the limekiln to change in relative shelter. If these kids could prussik abit faster, they may make cavers yet.
Dave
Large Pot: Janet Cotter, Rob Chaddock, Chris Shaw, Nicholas Wood
Absolutely superb weather when we went down but the heavens opened at around 1pm. An excellent cave, but not many bolts, especially at the sixth pitch. This would be a good cave to bash on with the bolting hammer sometime in the future (maybe Easter Tour?). We started down the Red Herring series but at the bottom of the fourth Janet's light went out, so Chris acted like a mega super hero [DW note: slight aroma of bullshit here] and lent her his lamp and guided her out in complete darkness. What a star! [Anon note: This is complete bullshit [followed by crossed out writing]] Meanwhile Rob and Nick pushed onwared towards that sump but were turned back at the sixth because of the bolting problem. On the way out, the fourth was pissing wet due to the rain.
Chris
Black Shiver: Paul Huggins (Huggy), Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Herman Herz
Weather forecast seemed OK, so we went for it. Water on the way down was lowish, met Newcastle at the top of the big pitch, discussing Harry's latest activities (in France). Had 45m+65m for big pitch, 45, did short 12m section and then down to blocks, with less than 2m to spare! Somewhat antisocial at the bottom of the black Rift. Duck was very high (~3in); after Herman [] it thedecision was made to turn round. As Phil derigged the waters ride seemed to increase. The exit was impressive, with lots of water making the Pitch (rigging well clear) sporting in the water. The low bedding crawl at the entrance was very high; much spluttering and drowning sounds ensued. A Great Trip.
Peter
Bull Pot Jingling: Tim Palmer, Wendy Rooke
Had a rapid change into gear in a howling gale (blame Chris is that's spelt wrong). Knackering, wet walk to pot entrance but luckily we didn't have to wait for any other masochists already down the cave. Descended into pitch from two trees which sway rather drastically and make pretty horrific noises. Had re-belay into cleft about 10m down followed by another pitch. We hit a dead end at a dig at the bottom. An enjoyable trip if only because it wasn't too strenuous or nerve wracking - but give me a mean tough cave any day. It was dark and still pouring with rain when we got out - the most dangerous part of the trip was avoiding breaking an arm on the sheep crap.
Wendy
Sunday
Simon's desire to learn rigging seemed to melt in the morning sun, and the seeds were set for the floodgates of non-caving; Janet going to Grassington to get an early lift back with her parents to get some work done, Pete going home to get some wine, and Simon, Monaghan, Paul went to Ingleton for a "tough" grade O cave.
Dave
Talk about mixed metaphors!
CMO
Flood Entrance: Dave Wilson, Rob Chaddock, Herman Herz - Herman learns rigging and we gain £7 of petzl gear
Pleasant walk up, to find, surprise surprise, that noone else was down. Good rigging down, finding an abandoned twist hanger bolted in above the second pitch proper. This caused some puzzlement until two more were found at the big pitch, with a ring in the roof. They were all really tight, so it looks like some idiot overtightener had lost his spanner at the bottom - shame! Turned round at bottom of big pitch to save time and boredom. Quick trip out, well rigged. Exit to a cold, clear night with little wind and hailstones on ground. Back to hut, etc.
Dave
Bernie's Cafe Trip (Grade V): Monaghan, Simon, Paul
Strenuous trip started off in Three Horseshoes. Two hard pints followed by tricky crawl to visit river where the weaker members of the party (M&S) decided to visit the cafe while Paul went on a constitutional walk. Much hard chip eating followed in the cafe where we were picked up at 5:15. All in all much recommended as an easy Sunday trip.
Simon
Lizard Pot: Phil Hay, Chris Shaw, Wendy Rooke
A very muddy, slimy trip, full of loose boulders, but nonetheless an inspiring cave. Wendy had some problems [could it have had something to do with the rigging? - Wendy] trying to negotiate Chris's rigging, but we all made it out OK which is all that counts in my book! [Not a very big book though!] Note, at the third pitch the guidebook describes a 'doubtful belay' in the form of a stake rammed into the mud. Treading on the cautious side, it is better to treat this statement as the gross understatement of the year and belay off the boulder over the third pitch. All in all a very enjoyable trip (maybe another candidate for the bolting hammer while we are keen)
Chris
are we keen?
Anon
Ireby Fell: Tim Palmer, Nicholas Wood
A Swedish trip report from Nicholas that I can't read and am not transcribing.
Editor (Fiona)
In conclusion: we arrived back in London at around 3:00am Monday morning; I think this is due to several factors, notably [A paragraph of bitchy comments and bitchy rebuttals from other club members follows.]
Yorkshire 24-26 March [actually February]
Rob, Simon, Herman +Harry
[a paragraph labelled general waffle of bitching about someone else and the planned trip being cancelled]
Saturday
Had intended to do Dale Head, but due to large amount of melting snow, lying all around, decided to join forces with the Newcastle lot.
Deaths Head / Big Meanie exchnage (recommended): Rob Chaddock, Harry Lock, Herman Herz, Simon Lawes
Rob rigged Death's Head, and made a bloody good job of it, considering abscence of decent anchors (9/10 V. Good).
Harry rigged Big Meanie - tight section no problem whatsoever (its notoriety is a load of bullshit). I put in lots of imaginative rebelays, which were then taken out by dickhead Newcastle member, using a Fig 8, who "couldn't pass hanging rebelays". Passages at bottom of Big Meanie are great - more to trip than I had thought.
Simon derigged Deaths Head. Herman derigged Big Meanie. pas de problemes.
Rumbling Hole: Rob Chaddock, Harry Lock
Down in 1 hour out in 1 hour, only we didn't have enough bolts for the final short pitch (thanks Herman)
Harry
Sunday
Rob, Harry, Herman - tried to do Diccan - too wet.
Alum Pot / Long Churn: Rob Chaddock, Harry Lock, Herman Herz
Routine trip down to sump. Around 4 hours.
An excelletn weekend - with real value for money on the Sat (3 caves done!).
Harry
[a reply to aforementioned bitching]
Anon
I wouldn't have thought any note in the logbook could be considered anonymous - we all know each other's handwriting - don't we? x
For a "sociable little club", or however the college union handbook describes us there seems to be a lot of nasty comments of late -- I'm not sure this log book is really the place for continuing vendettas -- however justified they may be.
CMO
Yorkshire 3-5 March 1989
Dave, Pete, Wendy, Rob K, Rachel, Catherine, Chris S
Disappointment Pot: Rob Knell, Pete Hambly, Chris Shaw, Wendy Rooke
After an embarrassing incident in a nearby shakehole, we eventually found where the cave actually was. We got down to the duck, but it was too high so we turned back and walked back to NPC - not a great day!
Chris
Barn/Jingling: Dave Wilson
Good session in Barn [fnarr, fnnarr - CMO] followed by straightforward trip down Jingling, only made interesting by slightly awkward pendulum from bolts opposite tree to get into parallel shaft, only possible by abbing down a bit further, then climbing back up into rift. Everyone coped ok. Got out, changed, and back to hut, then to New Inn around 8-30ish.
Dave
Yorkshire 11/12 March
Dave, Simon, Nicholas, Harry
Saturday
King Pot: Dave Wilson, Harry Lock, Simon Lawes, Nicholas Wood
Got up and to Clapham caff for 8-30, big breakfast, then back to get change, etc. Got to King entrance around 11-30. No others down, so simple trip down to East Kingsdale Master Cave. Fatigue started to catch up with some of the group on the return. Met 2 guys from York at Elizabeth Shaft. Carried on out with few problems until T-passage.
Dave
Simon had a bit of trouble trying to climb rift below second pitch - slipped, fell 8' and spent quarter of an hour trying to recover. At top of second pitch the rope pulled a boulder over the entrance to the pitch in front of pitch. This was removed and we exited at eight o'clock. A fine trip if quite strenuous.
Harry
Sunday
Little Hull: Dave Wilson, Harry Lock, Simon Lawes, Nicholas Wood
After much time-wasting, we set off to do Sell Gill or Little hull. Sat in car for over 1 hour messing around, and decided to do Sell Gill, as it looked like rain. I had forgotten my thermals, so pulled on an oversuit over my 50ls and Helly top. On arriving at Sell Gill, found 2 groups down each way, so we set off for Little Hull after all; we had catiously carried the gear for this cave just in case. Got there v. late, so only went to bottom of big pitch. Excellent cave, but entrance crawl was a bit of a bastard considering the state of our bodies, due to the King trip. Gooc cave.
Dave
Set off back, stopping in Leeds for curry. Due to hire car, I had to drive all the way, so couldn't even drink the free wine. Overall, an excellent weekend, very stress-free.
Dave
Yorkshire Easter Tour
Dave, Rob, Simon, Monaghan, Rich, Chris S, Chris B, malcolm, Pete, Paul, Phil, Phil (Harry's mate), Harry, Gunter, John, Harry. BUT NO WOMEN!!
Thursday
Tatham Wife: Richard Collcott, Paul Huggins (Huggy), Rob Chaddock, Chris Birkhead
Found with little difficulty nestling beneath snowy flanks of Ingleborough. Fairly dry on way down and straight forward trip down. Splashed in sump and turned back to find water levels rising - duck air space had rediced by several inches and the pitches were rather wet. On exiting we found that this was due to all the snow on Ingleborough melting while we were down. Quite a pleasant start to the tour.
unknown
Juniper Gulf: Dave Wilson, Monaghan Tindale, Simon Lawes
Exceptionally wet but good trip. Final pitch was hidden behind large quantities of fog coming from a high waterfall so it was decided that it would be prudent to forget the final stage. The way out was made more eventful by Monaghan baring his buttocks to the world in general and Simon in particular whilst climbing the first pitch.
Simon
Rowten death Hole (or is it pot): Pete Hambly, Phil Hay, Chris Shaw
As has already been established it was a piss wet day - great fun freezing my bollocks off at the top while Phil swung around below looking for some deviation. We got down to the final pitch when we got off the rope (!! I think we took the wrong route). Way on (??) was really wet so we came back out - Phil did some cool rigging - but the rebelays were a little tight to say the least! A fairly enjoyable trip but I would do it 17 times (not even for the record).
Chris
Friday
Sell Gill: [unspecified people]
Langstroth Pot: Malcolm Barr, Phil Hay, Rob Chaddock, Chris Shaw
Got up late and decided to go as far as we could and didn't get down until 3pm. While we're changing, Phil realised he left his oversuit back at the hut. Had a very enjoyable, sporting trip with some fairly wet pitches. Following Uncle Rich's advice ("It's fairly well bolted lads") we staggered through with half a ton of metal to find 1 bolt and a lot of rope-wearing naturals. No route finding problems and the ducks were enjoyably wet. On the way down there was loads of moaning and winging as we fought through shitty low passages filled with boulders. but towards the bottom we encountered a supberly decorated canal which made it all worth while! Made it to the bottom and arrived back at the hut at around 1am, ate the remainder of last night's curry, listened to some bullshit from NPC about the mega 35 foot sump which some guy free-dived in Langstroth (according to the guidebook it is 15'), and went to bed.
Chris
Alum Pot: Paul Huggins (Huggy), Pete Hambly
Paul forgot his SRT kit, so quick rush over to Sell gill - limestone pavement - the van can go over that at speed. Otherwise uninteresting trip. Lots of randoms appear later for the standard demo in how not to rig. Lots of water in the bottom. Went back via Ribblehead for some scenery.
Pete
Saturday
Pasture Gill: Dave Wilson
To end of first really wet bit, with few errors causing delay. Decided to come back out as we'd done the worst bit and it might rain. Quick exit to gorgeous sun - what a shame. Belays shit in places.
Dave
Simpson's: Pete Hambly, Malcolm Barr, Rob Chaddock, Monaghan Tindale, Simon Lawes
Wanted to bottom Simpson's. Pete and Rob decided to Swinstow but it was already rigged. All five down Simpson's. No-one told Simon and myself the geometry of the duck and we got soaked. Decided to go back out at Slit pot. Malcolm and Rob did thru' trip. Pete derigged.
Monaghan
Avoid Slit Pot by traversing over top of aven pitch in short fossilised series, drop down great aven.
THE BASTARDS LEFT ME TO DO DERIGGING ON MY OWN.
Pete
Sunday
Vesper Pot: [unspecified people]
Malham Cove
Monday
Car Pot: Rob Chaddock, Chris Shaw
Crescent Pot: [unspecified people]
Disappointment Pot: Rob Knell, Pete Hambly, Chris Shaw, Wendy Rooke
Easy free climb down entrance. Found duck high and silted up but was passable after Pete excavated. Had a bladder accident when stuck face down and breathing water. Bad news streamway and okay pitches to bottom. Explored Hensler's Master Chamber but couldn't find extrance to Echo Rift. Good trip.
Monaghan
Ducks very silted.
Pete
Dihedral Route GG: Dave Wilson, Simon Lawes
Went down Dis to bottom ducks, got a little psyched out after last time, so out to follow Simbo down Dihedral. Slow down, quick out. Hence to Car to wait one and a half hours in draught for others to derig 1 pitch and crawl a few feet with farting flames. out soon after.
Dave
Tuesday
Diccan: Dave (probably)
Meregill: [unspecified people]
South Wales 14th-16th April
Dave, Rich, Simon, Rob J, Rob's mate Steve; Sally (Simon's sister) and Robert from Kingston Poly
Me and Steve decided we wanted to go caving 12.00 at night prior to the actual expedition. I phoned Simon up - found him totally stoned. Next day: met someone in SWWCC who wanted to do down OFD I -> II. Did so.
[Rob K]
OFD Top Entrance to 1: Richard Collcott, Rob Knell, Simon Lawes
Bloody good trip with no problems. Made more interesting by squeeze in boulder choke caused by slipped boulder. Richard proved what a bastard he really is by pushing various people into pool in stream passage. Exited with no problem to fave walk back up hill.
Simon
OFD Top Entrance: Dave Wilson (Sally, Rob from Kingston)
In and out.
Dave
Little Neath River Cave: Dave Wilson, Rob Knell, Simon Lawes, Steve (Rob's mate)
Found the idea of climbing into a wet wetsuit less and less appealing as we approached the cave in the van. After much pissing around we actually arrived at the entrance where Rob bravely took the initiative and went first. Very forbidding entrance crawl leads into large and easy stream passage. The canal was quite high so we went round the bypass and back up the canal. Out in good order for return to London.
Simon
The Dinner Meet 28th April - 1 May 1989
Dave, Rob, Chris, Clive, Chris, Janet, Wendy, Simon, Monaghan, Rob (all up by van), John Harrison, Debbie Armstrong, Harry, Dewi, Tim P, Jon Roberts, Herman
This could qualify as one of the most leisurely van packings in a long time - starting at lunch time with the barrel of [] being picked up and finally culminating with the van leaving at 8:30pm with a lot of wine and beer being consumed in the meantime. The late start probably meant we missed the usual awful Bank Holiday traffic as the drive up took no longer than usual. Arrived at the NPC to find the bunk room filled and Dewi and Tim feigning sleep in the old shower room. On envisaging a very restless night Clive, Rob, and Chris Birk pitched a tent outside near John and Debbie's while everyone else dossed down on the mattresses with Dewi and Tim.
Saturday
Saturday saw a fairly leisurely start followed by an onslaught on the Gill. The trips were:
Dihedral Route: Dave Wilson, Dewi Lloyd, Wendy Rooke
OK, but lack of my Stop forced me to use a rack, which was bloody scary, esp. when rigging. Got down to find Harry just arriving from Flood, closely followed by his 2 Newcastle mates. Went to start ? of Whitsun series, via Mud hall traverse. Met all except Bar lot in Main Chamber, then swapped with Harry and co and left via Flood, collecting Dewi to help with derigging. Had to carry LOADS of gear down hill, as Car Pot lot had dumped their bags in Bar Entrance. A good trip, but extremely dry.
Dave
Stream Passage Pot: Tim Palmer, Rob Chaddock, Debbie Armstrong, John Harrison
One false start down the wrong shakehole, then down SPP proper. Lots of acrobatics through the keyhole at top of second pitch, then straightforward (but slow due to Tim's rigging) down to bottom. Met Chris B and Dewi in Sand Passage - they'd followed us down and taken correct route, we'd buggered around the wrong one (got to Queebsnury at one point!). No problems then down to Main Chamber for the team photo. JPH offered to de-rig, expecting others to carry tackle bags, but Tim P and Debbie pissed off, leaving JPH and Rob to do the donkey work. A good trip, finishing up belayed to the bar in the New Inn.
Bar Pot: Rob Knell, Monaghan Tindale, Simon Lawes
Bimbled on down for Far Country via New Henslers. Route not known so we took the survey. Point to note: survey a load of bollocks. There seemed to be 4 million routes possible from the crawls. After approx 2 and a half hours poking about we exited. Arrived back at the New Inn, sans []. Had a couple of pints and decided to attempt it again.
Monaghan
Flood entrance: Harry Lock
(This really shouldn't be here as it's a Newcastle trip but Harry was on it so we can one third claim it.)
Sunday
Rowten Sumps: Janet Cotter, Rob Knell, Monaghan Tindale, Simon Lawes
Before we went, Simon decided to attempt the Rowten Sumps (hard man or what). It was discussed over a few beers; the upshot being that the best way was via Valley Entrance. Packed a couple of masks on the Friday.
Sunday arrived and we recruited Rob K and janet for the trip. I used Pete's fucked up, variable flame, leaking seal, knackered zoom which insisted on producing a 9-10 inch flame when generator submerged.
Wandered in no problems. Simon rigged the only Pitch and lifelined (after being instructed in the Italian half hitch). Got confused at the junction and headed towards Simpsons. Chris had told us to expect deep pools so we decided we had gone the wrong way. Went back and found the correct way. Janet wimped out (but I took the smokes, hah!). Left Janet at the junction and the three of us waded on.
Great fun.
Reached first sump completely soaked and shivering. Decided 6 foot sump was a duck and we went through. Too cold to go any further.
Left same way as in. Out quickly due to the cold. Found out about Chris and got depressed.
I'm going to attempt the 3 sumps next time in Yorkshire. (with Simon and Rob K)
Any comments Simon?
Monaghan
No.
Simon
Climbing: Hawkswick: Rob, Chris, John, Debbie
Rendevous: Falcon Inn. J & D turned up, R & C didn't. J & D walked up to crag to find R & C - didn't. Accosted by irate farmer with high velocity rifle and dead rabbits. Beat a hasty retreat. No climbing. Found out later that R & C went to Giggleswick Scar instead........