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
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, 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.