Triumphant Telford Trio Pulling Through in Swinsto Hole

Buoyed from the activities in Jingling and Aquamole Pots the three of us decided to attempt the classic Swinsto Pull through trip to complete a full weekend of caving in the majesty of the Yorkshire Dales.

This is a committing trip which involves going into the Kingsdale Master Cave and rigging a short pitch from the stream bed which would be required to get out of the system later and then heading onto the top of the hill and following the stream through the system to the bottom. Unlike most SRT trips though the intent is for the entire group to ascend each pitch and then pull the ropes down behind us thus removing any possibility of escape back up to the top but also removing the need to retrace our steps and de-rig the cave.

We discussed the plans over breakfast in Ingleton and came up with a simple plan: we all head into Valley Entrance and make sure that the exit was clear before heading up to the top; then Tony and Rob would alternate rigging each pitch and I would follow at the rear de-rigging and setting the pull-throughs to recover the ropes.

We went into the master cave and headed to the pitch head but along the way we followed the newly dug passage for nearly 200m in error so had to back track which added an extra bit onto our anticipated time. Tony rigged the rope and Rob and I descended an in-situ rope whilst he was rigging and headed to the exit from Swinsto Main Aven to make sure there was enough airspace above the water to enable us to get out at the bottom.

We moved back out of the cave noting that it would take us 20 min to exit the system from the pitch head on our way back. We got to the entrance and I called in our call-out details and then Rob lead us into the system and we were off. The plan was simple one rope carrier would rig the pitch and the next rope carrier would be second down and head straight off to rig the next pitch whilst I de-rigged and pulled through and helped load the rope bag so that when we arrived at the next pitch it would be rigged and we would carry on alternating between Tony and Rob rigging and then route finding (downhill and follow the water) to the next pitch.

Most of the pitches had a lot of water cascading down them and the background noise from all the water was a continuous thunderous roar that reminded us were playing in an system sculpted by the power of that water. There are 9 pitches down from the top so including the exit pitch they each rigged 5 pitches by themselves. This was an outstanding effort on their parts and they proved to be vital assets on a trip like this. We all walked out from the Valley Entrance with big grins having completed a Yorkshire classic.

It is worth noting that both Tony and Rob only began caving in March 2014 and they only started having a go at SRT in May, but through practising on the mill and getting involved in club trips they are now in a position where they are looking at doing some self-guided SRT trips in the future as full members of DCC. Having only started caving myself in January 2014 but with a background in climbing and mountaineering DCC has provided us with the support to develop us all to become competent cavers in our own right. I have to mention this so other cavers reading this realise that we all felt safe and operating within our abilities during this trip, despite our relative novice status. But more importantly if any new cavers or people considering having a go at caving are reading this then get to a good club like DCC and get involved. SRT opens up a whole new range of systems that may only be accessed via ropes.

Trip Report: Andy Kempster

Members Present: Andy Kempster, Rob Campbell and Tony Ferrun.

Friggin' with the Riggin' in Jingling Pot and Aquamole Pot

As there were four takers for an SRT weekend we decided that it would be an ideal opportunity to introduce the aspirant SRT leaders to the idea of rigging. This was discussed over breakfast in Ingleton and we formulated a plan: I would oversee Tony and Carl would do the same with Rob. We set up a mini exchange route in Jingling Hole as this pot is often used as an SRT training Pot as it has everything that could be expected in most caves; traverses, pitches in tight passages, deviations, rebelays aplenty and a large free ascent / descent in an open aven.

We had a knot tying refresher session and after nearly 3 hours we decided it was time to come out and repack our bags for a trip into Aquamole. I left a voicemail with our call out time and when we got to the entrance we noticed there was already a group inside so I sent a text with a later call out as we would inevitably meet each other at some stage.

Tony lead off down the main shaft and rigged 80 metres of rope which was a superb consolidation of the skills he had learnt that morning.

Rob took over to rig the next 80 metres which included rigging a wide Y hang and then stepping off into a 50 metre drop down into the final aven. Rob rigged the deviation from this with ease and it was only when they both got to the bottom of the pitch that they realised how high that pitch actually was. I decided not to follow them to the bottom as it would just add extra time to our trip and I had done it before twice. Carl watched the others from the pitch head and decided that he was too tired to contemplate the inevitable ascent that has to follow a descent of this length and so to the best of my knowledge only three DCC members have been to the bottom of Aquamole Pot.

We all mucked in de-rigging and hauling rope bags back to the top and then walked off down the hill in darkness, tired but content with a full day caving in two great Pots in the Kingsdale Valley.

Trip Report: Andy Kempster

Members Present: Andy Kempster, Carl Knott, Rob Campbell and Tony Ferrun.

Telford Trio in Splinter Group Complete Exchange Trip In the Peaks - Oxlow Caverns to Maskhill Mine

I had offered to rig Oxlow Cavern for Andy G who was leading a novice SRT trip into the cave and was soon joined by two sherpas with large rope bags in the guise of Rob and Tony. We headed into the main cavern and rigged the final pitch into Pool Chamber and then waited for two larger groups to arrive and then DCC had 13 members underground in the passage linking Oxlow and Maskhill.

I had spent some time on the descent showing Rob and Tony some rigging techniques and when we were all together it was decided that the Telford Trio (Me, Rob & Tony) would head out of Maskhill making the exchange trip and everyone else would exit Oxlow Cavern. This would help both of them understand more of the techniques used in rigging so we didn’t waste any time heading off up the Maskhill chamber.

I let Tony and Rob de-rig every pitch and played the role of rope bag hauler. Once we filled the first bag I took it up and out of the shaft and then headed back down to help with the work as there is a lot of rope and rigging to take out from Maskhill.

We were the first DCC cavers out and moved to the top of Oxlow to see if everyone was okay. There were lights moving down the shaft so we waited until we had communication with the others before heading down to the vehicles with all of our rope bags. We got changed and waited for the first few cavers to join us before heading to the Wanted Inn for a drink. I didn’t join Rob and Tony in the pub as I was on my motorbike and wanted to get back to Brum before it got too dark.

Trip Report: Andy Kempster

Members Present: Andy Kempster, Rob Campbell and Tony Ferrun.