Swildons Hole

The last time I was in Swildons was a good few years back and to say that things have changed a bit is an understatement. For a start, when I went to pay the trespass fee at Manor Farm the back door was no longer there so I had to knock on the front door. When I asked where the money box was, I was told that they have moved it to the barn conversions next to where you get changed - BARN CONVERSIONS !! so that was it fee paid time to get changed and go caving ha ha.
Not only have they converted the barns, but something has also converted the entrance to Swildons. OK, the little round tower is still there and so is the manhole opening, but once you drop inside that's when you notice the hanging death and carefully pick your way through until you spot somewhere you recognise. The object of this trip was to find Tratman's Temple and have a feel around the beginning of the short round trip. So off we went with part of a survey in one hand and a copy of the directions in the other. Well we found what we thought was the climb up to Tratman's Temple, but unbeknown to us it wasn't, and only realised when we noticed we were back in the main stream heading for sump 1. Not to worry, Mark and Jess had a play in the sump and then we headed back to have another go at finding Tratman's Temple. We eventually did find it and progress was made rather quickly, surprisingly being we had met another group who had got lost up in Tratman's. Mind you, we had to study the directions rather carefully, and before we new it we were at the greasy chimney, and that was as far as the directions went. I had left the rest of the directions in the car never expecting to get as far as we had, so not wanting to get totally lost and spend hours going around in circles we headed back out and off to the pub for some lunch. We can finish the rest off another day - it's not going anywhere.
Present ... Andy Grimes, Mell Wakeman, Mark Burkey and Jess Harding

A weekend in Horton in Ribblesdale

An excellent weekend in the Dales on string. Sat, the Dudley/CPC team were joined by Bruce Bensley (Wolverhampton CC and YRC) in Little Hull Pot. Sun was Sell Gill, the Wet Way to do some photos. 


Dudley/CPC Team: Mike Peters, Bartek Biela, Paulina Biela, Mike Clayton, Emma Porter.

Giant's Hole - The Vice Squad

Following a mini revisit to a white winter we all met at the elite eatery of 'Mo R Risson' renowned for its pastries, pies and well more pies, and may well have been my demise later on!!

After conducting alfresco quick change it was down the hole, but without my knee pads; and how I paying the price now.

The trip to the pitch was pleasant and going down the pitch was interesting!

Then the meandering of cosy passages commenced leading to the first tight spot which was assisted by Wal's shoulders, followed by the extremely tight and proved to be impassable spot for myself and Mark - Barrel Chests don't compress too well!

After much tugging and trampling on Wals' shoulder again it was the end of the trip and back out Giants Hole with Mark and Jess. Mark was non-too impressed!!!

Coming out into sunshine and abusive god4bids was like stepping back to South Armagh in the 80's - sorry flash back..

Overall it was a great day with wonderful company.

Gary

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP

The Team: Brendan Marris, Dea Wilkins, Gary Chapman, Jessica Harding, Keith Edwards, Mark Burkey, Sinead Herlihy and Steve Wallis.