Ireby Fell Cavern: Ireby 2

Having been given a long weekend off work Jess and I decided to make the most of it and head up to Yorkshire. We had been told that diggers had rigged Ireby Fell Cavern and that if we wanted to use their ropes we'd be more than welcome and so that was made our plan for the Friday.

We walked over from Mason Gill in the usual snow flurries and hail (It is spring after all!) and made short work of the entrance series and were soon making our way through Duke Street. We had been told the connection through to Ireby 2 was a 180m hands and knees crawl, but soon found out that hands and knees is subjective and spent a good 1/3 flat out on the grippy mud until we reached a rope climb down in to waist deep water. Fortunately this doesn't last for long and we were soon in the large passage of Ireby 2.

We spent a little time searching up the various dig ropes before retreating to take a couple of photos and head back out, grateful that we weren't having to de-rig as we went.

Jess in the entrance tube 

Bell Pitch

Ireby 2

Ireby 2

Present: Mark & Jess

Ireby Fell

A long weekend trip to Yorkshire for some, and a shorter one for others over the Easter Weekend. We confronted all of our worst fears, going north, caving on rope and worst of all camping. Friday was started in Bernies with obligatory breakfast before the drive to Masongill and the walk up the hill to Ireby Fell. A little faffing and short nap was taken in the shakehole before the descent down Ding, Dong, Bell, Pussy and Well pitches all rigged by Rachel, left the final rope descent to the lower streamway and the horizontal section of the cave. While in the cave Richard sussed out the connections to Ireby II for a future visit to complete the round trip.
Following the trip we headed off to the campsite, while Keith left a trail of dust behind his car as he sped off in the opposite direction to the M6. Saturday was a short trip into Marble Steps and then a walk along the top of Kingsdale to Large Pot, Swinsto, Simpsons, Rowten and Jingling pots. 

Rachel and Richard preparing to descend

Brendan - not really in the mood for an SRT trip

 

Present: Brendan Marris, Rachel Dearden, Richard Dearden, and Keith Edwards (not a happy camper)

Ireby Fell Cavern, Yorkshire Dales

A wet, cold trip in this beautiful cave with a bit of rescue hauling practice by DCC members to assist one of the group who was tired. Exited to a stunning, clear evening with the sun setting. 


 Present: Mike, Em, Paulina, Bartek & 6 members of CPC