Diccan Pot - 22 Feb 2009

Sunday February 22nd 2009

Members present: Gary Douthwaite,  Hayley Clamp,  Matt Ewles,  Thomas Blakey

Our original plan of Out Sleet Beck Pot was overthrown by the concern of some slight drizzle during the day, and being scared by the sound of a dam holding back the river at the entrance, however, as the weather had been dry for several days, and the worst that was expected was a bit of drizzle, we though great day for Diccan... a cave that I have never actually done despite yearly trips to the Long Churn System. We were surprised to find that the water was quite high! Gary descended the pitch, rigging two re-belayes, however, turned around half-way down rope due to the waterfall becoming too unsafe to continue. We probably could have done it, but the amount of water would have made a deviation a rather aqueous experience and so in the interests of safety we declined.

We then attemped Alum, and again, after looking at the overall wetness at the bottom, following a descent, we decided that it was not sufficiently safe to proceed. An unfortunate days caving, and we were very unlucky to not get down either cave especially with how dry the three counties system caves were (eg Rumbling the previous day). This confirms for us that at least a couple of weeks of settled weather is required before these are passable.