Trips & Reports

A tasty little day, the five of us first set off the Gavel Pot (after much faff involving my wellington booties being a 20 minute drive away at Greenclose whilst we were on Leck Fell) where on the way Conor deciding to try out bog swimming. After graciously falling into an iced-over bog and smelling like a Swamp Monster for the rest of the day, Conor and I nipped down Gavel to rig the pitch for Jean Luc's team to... read more

A trip recommended by both Matt Ewels and Clive Westlake is typically guaranteed to be worthwhile. Short Drop, through to the Gavel Pot sumps is no exception to this rule. We headed off from the Leck Fell car park in good order, getting underground by around 1300. The entrance to Short Drop was easily found by following the right-hand side of the wall from the car park. I was surprised, however, to find that there was no pitch at the... read more

So, even though our Caving Masters at the CNCC had provided us with a brand-stonking massive warning telling us very clearly when and how the hydrology has changed, we still thought we should test it out after a 24 hour period of dry weather after a bit of a wet week (which, from memory of the old water in Ireby, I would have expected it to be quite soggy, but still perfectly doable). We wandered up the fell and into... read more

An excellent variation on the classic Lancaster - Wretched trip, with Cow pot adding some fantastic SRT. Despite somewhat aqueous conditions over previous days the main streamway was found to be quite low, so was followed to Oxbow Corner (with a careful eye kept for any signs of rising water). Upon climbing out at Oxbow corner, the usual route was rapidly followed to Stop Pot, where the boulder were descended, and the entrance to the streamway up to Eureka Junction... read more

A few rain free days allowed for a stupendous pull through trip down Simpson's pot and into the gorgeous Kingsdale master cave. An excellent way to start the new year, and a cave I look forward to visiting again.

The day started with a healthy 0800 start at the store, with all parties arriving roughly on time. Some faff was had when I realised two things, firstly, that Rift Pot needed a permit, and secondly, that someone else already had that permit. After some deliberation, it was decided that as only three of us would be going there, we could just turn up and ask the permit holder if they wouldn't mind sharing - There's multiple routes after all…  With... read more

Having packed the ropes the night before, maximum effect was gained from a comfortable 0800 start at the store, with us leaving by 0830. This meant the classic inglesport breakfast had been consumed by just after 1100. A small amount of faff ensued with Liv going on some strange shop watching quest in order to acquire some hair ties, from a shop keeper who apparently insisted on haggling the price down, although unusual, this is far from the weirdest occurrence... read more