Foreword by the President

As my 'tour of duty' draws to a close it is satisfying to observe that the Bulletin goes from strength to strength. Whoever would have thought that by the time of the sixth issue, just three years from inception, there has been more material published than in our previous journals which took five or six years to produce.

Due credit must be given to Arthur Salmon for promoting the idea in his first year of office, to the Editor for carrying the project through quite brilliantly and above all to you, the contributors, without whose effort everything fails.

Looking back there is a theme running through this edition of the Bulletin and the articles will keep us busy through the long evenings ofthe winter months.

An appreciation of a century of Club caving and recollections of a recent cave incident contrast with a variety of articles on eastern Europe, the Americas and setting the record straight concerning a double benightment.

There is plenty of food for thought here and a sobering reflection or two. Read on...

©1996 Yorkshire Ramblers' Club

Secretary - Jolm Schofield, 40 Newall Hall Park, Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2RD

Editor - Michael Smith, 80 Towngate Road, Worrall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S30 3AR

The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the YRC, nor its Officers. An information sheet, 'Notes for Contributors', is available to anyone considering submitting material for inclusion in subsequent editions.

DIe YRC Bulletin Winter 1996 Contents

Chile & Easter Island Amold N Patchett 3 Roumanian Winter 1939-1940 H. G. Watts 4 Minor Rambles in Romania George Spence1ey 8 Polish Tatras Ken Aldred 11 A Winter day on Rysy Michae1 Smith 12 Days ofEpic Proportions David Smith 13 The Quiet ofthe Morning Harvey Lomas 17 From the Archives Raymond Harben 20 The Furths David Smith 21 Hill Walking in the Canary Islands Derek Collins 23 A Walk on the Wild Side - Almost! John Middleton 24 Torre De Cerredo Steve Beresford 27 Expedition Diary, 1957 - Nepal Maurice Wilson 28

Reviews Bill Todd Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal 29 Craven Pothole Club Record Nos 41-43 29 Wainwright in the Valleys ofLakeland 30

Obituary J. Robert Files 31

A Speleological Appreciation ofthe YRC S. A. Craven 32

Chippings 46

Meet Reports: 1996 Low Hall Garth January 49 Joint Meet with the Gritstone Club April 50 Ladies' Weekend April 51 Gaping Gill Centenary Meet May 53 The Long Walk, Brecon Beacons June 55 Dove Crag Cave July 58 CwrnEigiau August 59 Ennerdale October 60

'111C YRC Bulletin 2 Winter 1996 Chile & Easter Island Arnold N. Patchett

Firstly, we travelled to the vast - Atacama desert in the north, and visited the very early morning geysers, as well as the main town of Incas centuries ago and finally landed Antofagasta. on the first island they came to, i.e. Easter Island. They were calved and Thence we went to Santiago with its erected to commemorate specially endless attractions and the vineyards noteworthy ancestors. near the city. Following this, we made a road journey through a long tunnel There are still some craters of extinct under the mountains to the very volcanoes one can visit with ease. At beautiful city of Valparaiso with its least two are over a hundred yards in coastal and fashionable resort of Vina diameter and are half-filled with water. del Mar: great variety ofsea food! Petroglyphs can be seen in several places especially on the top of the Then we flew to the south with its stupendously high cliffs in the south fantastic Paine National Park and west corner of the island. Far below Pehoe with icebergs, swollen rivers are three rocky islands, the haunt of and stupendous waterfalls, all countless sea birds in season. By overlooked by the high Andes. The contrast, we bathed from silver sanded famous volcano, Osomo, with its palm fringed beaches into the blue everlasting snow-capped peak stands Pacific. On one beach promontory is out for very many miles around, -a plaque near a moai reminding us of sometimes with a background of azure the famous Kon Too expedition which sky and sometimes a passing cloud. took place a few years after World War u Finally, we travelled to Punta Arenas, We stayed at a simple, but very well a lovely town, overlooking the equipped hotel in Hanga Roa, the little Magellan Straits and Tierra del Fuego. town of the island. Hibiscus trees in Before returning home from Santiago, full flower on the roadside added to a two and a half day visit was made to the charm. Easter Island - a four hour flight over 2300 miles from the mainland. Spelaeologists please note that there are a number of caves on Easter The stone statues (moai) must be seen Island. to be believed - some are thirty feet high. The piece de resistance is a row offifteen ofthem overlooking the sea. They are all perfectly calved as are a number of fallen and/or damaged ones. No evidence of any early attempts by beginners to calve them appear on the island, so it is thought that they were done by professionals who were driven out of Peru by the

The YRC Bulletin 3 Winter 1996 Roumanian Winter 1939-1940 We .were rather a Part 1 of 3 bad smell to the real H. G. Watts diplomats; they didn't like our habit By an unexpected piece of good of testing out our luck I spent the first winter ofHitler's demolition stores in war within reach of good skiing. I the Legation yard. was on the staff of the Military One gala night we Attache as a member of a small practised shooting military mission which would have with a .32 automatic become active if Roumania had at a picture ofHitler become involved in the war during its drawn on the door early months. of the Air Attache's office. The AA However, at the end of the 'Polish' -didu't see the funny campaign the Germans found , "~ide 'of this episode themselves cut off from the Polish ­ ami, we had to pay Roumanian frontier by an advancing for a new-door. But we found a good Russian army, and had to abandon the friend in Captain Despard R.N., the idea of a direct military occupation of Naval Attache, who used to refer to the oil fields round Ploesti in favour of us as 'The villagers' and would often the more subversive but almost drop in for a yam. The 'wardroom' equally obvious method of was a converted coachman's bedroom introducing a prodigious fifth column. on the floor above ours, and there was Young able-bodied Germans began to always gin or whisky in his hospitable appear in consulates and in German cupboard. He had been a keen skier in business houses, and to flood the the early 1920's and had known mountain huts and ski slopes at week­ Amold Lunn, D'Egville and Chris ends. By March 1940 it was Mackintosh, but a badly shattered leg rumoured that there were 30,000 of about ten years before had put an end them in the country, and that they had to active sports for him. He kept a .22 uniforms and weapons hidden ready pistol in his desk and used to take pot for mobilisation at a few hours notice. shots at a picture of a girl pinned to the wall whilst he was talking to TIle Military Attache was at first a visitors. little embarrassed to find himself encumbered with several cheerful and He was a blood-thirsty old devil somewhat irresponsible officers, and enjoyed giving 'the villagers' whom the War Office showed no advice about shooting people: "When inclination to remove once the in doubt, don't hesitate - shoot the ---, immediate danger of invasion from and shoot at the stomach, not the Poland subsided. However, he found head,.it's easier to hit and ------". us plenty ofintelligence work to do so Here Captain Despard would go off we established ourselves in an office into a description of what happened adjoining his own in what had once when he did, been the Legation stables and proceeded to enjoy life in Bucharest, During 'the'. autumn I spent two described by John Guntheri as 'a week-ends walking in the mountains tinselly sort oflittle Paris'. of the Bucegi, between Sinaia and

'111C YRCBulletin 4 Winter 1996 Ukraine (Poland in 1939)

M oldova Hungary (B essarabia in 1939)

......

l1li Bucharest. IIICra10va

Danube ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.:??(Bi~~·~··::::: Bulgaria .-:::««< Sea .,? .:: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~: ~::::::::::::::: ~: ~: ~: ~ Brasov, which form the watershed the Prahova Valley to Sinaia. Nothing between Old Roumania (The Regat) exciting happened to the war that and her somewhat indigestible winter, and we skied every week-end province of Transylvania, which she until the snow melted in May. had acquired after the 1914 war under the Treaty of Trianon. The grassy The Carpathians are not high uplands, and the glades leading down mountains like the Alps, in fact there between gloriously autumn tinted is nothing higher than 8,300 ft, so they woods promised good skiing when the do not offer that protection from wind snow came. which adds so much to the charm of Switzerland and Austria. The sides of I found an enthusiastic companion the valleys are steep and craggy, but in Major Vivian Davidson-Houston, on the tops the rounded plateau, with R.E., the assistant Military Attache. limestone under-lying peat and turf, Being a sapper DH's greatest joy was are like the Pemtines, and have to motor us into the wilds of the evidently at one time been much Islomitsa valley and show us how to eroded by glaciers. blow up sample lengths of pipe. He had travelled in many countries and The snow quickly goes sun- and spoke Russian and Chinese but he had wind-crusted and skiing conditions are never skied before. It only took one usually more difficult than under day for the SPOlt to get its usual hold normal winter conditions in the Alps. over him However, we soon developed an eye for country and began to pick out the The real winter snow fell a week sheltered side of a gully where the before Christmas, so with new boots surface was still unspoilt. At first our and borrowed ski DH and I set off up borrowed ski had no steel edges; these

The YRC Bulletin 5 Winter 1996 are essential if the discomfort of an uncontrolled, rattling side-slip on There were three kinds of hut; wind-crust is to be avoided. military outposts in the mountains, where visitors were looked after in a It is advisable always to cany a rough and ready arrny way; those run reliable map and compass because by the Touring Club Roman, a sudden unexpected mists can come up Bucharest organisation; and huts at any season ofthe year, and it is not belonging to the S.K.Y. always easy to find a way down the (Siebenburgen Karpathen Verein) a sides of the valleys from the high skiing and mountaineering club run by ground. The standard of map-making the Saxons from Brasov. was low compared with British and Alpine; hachurings were used in many The S.K.V. huts always had that maps instead of contours, so that atmosphere of warmth, comfort and heights were' unreliable.. and paths and welcome that we know so well in tracks marked 'on 'the map often. did Switzerland and Austria, and we not exist or were not precisely found this to be so even when they indicated on the ground. The method were full, as they so often were, of of marking both ski and walking Hitler's infiltrated Reichadeutachers. routes was the same as the one There was always "Suppe", scrambled popularly used in Germany; a cypher egg or omelette (mit schinken), roast shown on the map was reproduced on lamb or pork, sausage, apfelstrudel, rocks and trees along the track, only sheep's cheese and dark beer, and the marks were not always kept there was a delicious smell ofburning freshly painted. pine wood.

TIle country where we did most of In the T.c.R. huts, staff, language, our skiing lies between the parallel food and atmosphere were all valleys of the .Prahova and the Roumanian, and somehow we never Islomitsa rivers. The three most succeeded in feeling so much at home popular resorts within easy reach of in them. The Roumanians have a Bucharest are Sinaia, in the Prahova passion for decorating all their cold valley; Predeal, at the top of the pass food with whorls and rosettes ofthick into Transylvania; and Brasov, on the and rather .sickly mayonnaise, the edge of the Transylvanian plain. All choice of dishes never seemed so three lie on the main railway line attractive as in the Teutonic S.K.Y. running north-westwards towards huts, and the cooking was, to our Budapest. English taste, too greasy and too much permeated with garlic. They We found plenty of club huts, most have a peculiarly tasteless white curdy ofthem inhabited all the year round, in cheese - "branza Alba" - with caraway these hills, so in even the worst seeds in it. It seemed to take so much weather we could find shelter, a hot longer to get a meal; this we meal and a cup of tea. Roumania, concluded was because the thanks presumably to Slav influence in Roumanian idea of a day's skiing is a the past, was, and maybe still is, one slow amble up the hill, a long lunch, of the few European countries where chat and drink, and a gentle lUll down it was possible to get a good cup of 'to hot "Tsuica" at the bottom - Tsuica tea. is a spirit distilled from fermented

'111C YRC Bulletin 6 Winter 1996 pears or plums; drunk hot with Background notes: nutmeg it can be very stimulating on a Roumania is about 740 km (about 460 miles) cold day. The Saxon, like his Anglo­ east to west with a varied topography. The hilly Transylvanian Plateau with its wide Saxon cousin, gets to the top, wolfs farmed valleys enjoying warm summers and his meal, runs down, then comes up cold winters, is surrounded by mountains. and does it again. Here above the timberline, around 1750m (5740 ft), the flora is alpine. The Carpathians There is a charming legend that enclose it to the north and east, and the Transylvanian Alps to the south. These alps these Transylvanian Saxons are continue south to the Danube gorge as the descended from the children who were Banat Mountains. The Bihor Mountains are led into the mountains by the Pied to the west of the basin. South of the main Piper of Hamelin; and that he took mountain chain is the Walachian Plain them by tortuous ways underground across which the Danube flows. till he brought them out into this Although initially neutral in World War Il, beautiful country. In point of fact the Roumania aligned with the Axis powers and first German colonies were planted in developed a policy of friendship toward 1143 by King Geza II of Hungary, Germany. In June 1940, without opposition who brought them from Westphalia from Germany, with which it had signed a and the Lower Rhine to cultivate and nonaggression pact in August 1939, the Soviet Union occupied Bessarabia. In repeople the territory which had been August, at the demand of Germany and Italy, laid waste when conquered by Roumania lost most of Transylvania to Stephen I early in the 11th century. In Hungary, and in September the southern the middle of the 18th century there coastal strip was ceded to Bulgaria. The were further migrations of Protestant German army occupied Romania under the Austrians from the Salzkammergut, pretext of protecting the oil fields from British attack and General Antonescu The term "Saxon" is used locally in became Roumania's dictator supported by the much the same way as it is still used Iron Guard. The king abdicated and left. His by the Celtic inhabitants of the British successor, Michael, was king only in name. Isles, to denote people of Teutonic Popular riots were met with massacres. origin. The Saxon villages still have Romania later entered World War II in June 1941 by attacking the Soviet Union at the the solid look so characteristic of same time as Germany did. central Germany; the stone houses turn blank backs to the street, and face The article was passed first to Cliff into an inner '11Of', access to which is Downham, then David Smith before arriving through great arched doorways, In with your Editor for publication. The article 1939 there were 250,000 of these has been split into three parts. The first sets the scene and the others cover the southern Saxons. Their large number, and and northern areas visited on ski. evident lack of sympathy with government from Bucharest made Tim Watts later coordinated lCI's work very real the threat of a "Coup d'Etat" across Europe and was editor of the Journal in collaboration with the alleged from 1949 until his death in 1970. 30,000 Reichsdeutschers. i John Gunther, foreign correspondent for the Chicago Daily News and the NEC, published 'Inside Europe' in 1939.

'111C YRC Bulletin 7 WinlL1' 1996 Minor Rambles in Romania

George Spenceley

Over a period of more than thirty years and numerous visits my wife Sylvie and I have developed for Romania a kind of love-hate relationship: love for its varied 14th Century Bram Castle, Transylvania scenery and its rich peasant culture, hate for its inefficiency, its corruption the prnmtrve dwellings of some and crime. While we had motored, charcoal bumers. walked, canoed and camped, visiting It now appeared that the chief almost every part of the country, the object of this tortuous joumey was mountains ofRomania still remained a less to show us the splendid scenery of mystery. We had seen them only this remote comer of Romania but to from the road and the tourist literature allow our dubious friend Nicolae to gave us no clue as to their potentia1. fish in a river little fished before. He With the 1989 revolution and and Gina disappeared until dusk up the fall of Ceausescu we were some steep-sided limestone gorge, but encouraged to return and now, with not before taking us to its chief point reduced restrictions, some mountain ofinterest. wandering was to be part of our TIlls was the dark opening to a schedule. Our Bucharest contact was cave reached by a scramble up the Nicolae, an opportunist and a rogue wall ofthe gorge. At its mouth stood without doubt, but a man of great a memorial stone to two cavers who charm and useful influence. He had had entered here some years earlier been no party member he emphatically never to be seen again. Nicolae, who declared, notwithstanding his lives in a fantasy world, told us in all residence in the exclusive and seriousness that this was the opening restricted Bulevard Primaveri exactly from which emerged the children opposite Ceausescu's former palace. following the Pied Piper ofHamelin. For the first time he was now free to "For he led us, he said, to ajoyous invite us to his home. land Nicolae was eager to plan our Joining the town andjust at hand" itinerary and to join us for the first few That accounted, he said, for the large days of our journey. Along with his German-speaking Saxon population in wife Gina, in a car already overloaded these parts. with food and a mountain ofgoods for "And I must not omit to say some needy orphanage, we set off for That in Transylvania there's a tribe Transylvania. In the land of fortified Ofalien people that ascribe churches to the north of Brasov, we The outlandish ways and dress left the village of Virghis to drive ten On which their neighbours lay miles in bottom gear along a rough such stress track, marked on no map, and To their fathers and mothers probably where no private car had having risen been before. We made camp beside Out ofsome subterraneous prison. "

111c YRC Bulletin 8 Winter 1996 was with affectionate embraces and bearing their gifts oflocal handiwork. The rounded mountains of Maramures rise to 2000 metres and extend east to the Bistrita valley down which we had canoed some years earlier. They give splendid walking and a few mountain huts offer basic accommodation. But ours was but a briefvisit; our aim now was to walk in the more challenging range of the Bucharest III Fagaras, the highest in Romania. On our joumey to them we We were limited for time but revisited another little known area of this little visited area of the Virghis limestone peaks and valleys, the Gorges offers great opportunities for Apuseni. We remembered this area the walker 'and, no doubt, both the from some of our early travels iu the cragsman and the caver, but facilities sixties, where there still existed in the are few and maps, information and villages the old tradition of guidance, lacking or oflittle use. spontaneous hospitality and the best We were to travel north-west room in the best house would be making for our favourite williug1y vacated for the strange Transylvanian province of Maramures foreign visitors. On this last occasion where a rich peasant culture is still a we accepted hospitality at the living thing which forty-five years of Orthodox Monastery of Remetz, Communist rule and Ceausescu's beautifully situated below the cliffs of destructive megalomania had failed to a steep-sided limestone gorge. By destroy. On a Sunday we watched the tradition such hospitality is offered wooden churches fill with worshippers fi..ee but a donation to the Order is colourfully garbed in extravagant williugly received and, if paid in hand-made costumes. On the dollars, the nuns will no doubt pray following market day the scene was for your welfare with even greater even more colourful and varied with fervour. the addition of gypsies, horse dealers, Driving east fi.. om Sibiu we shepherds, craftsmen and traders. could see the great wall ofthe Fagaras We stayed in the hotel at rising steeply from the plain like the Sighetul Marmatiei where $50 was Cairngorms from the Spey valley only demanded for a ;paltan room dimly lit higher. We spent the night as the with one 40 watt lamp. The coarse guest of the Father Superior of the sheets seemed doubtful and there was Monastery of Brincoveanu, the next no hot water and, after 9 p.m., no morning walking for several hours to water at all. Most ofthe items on the the mountain hut, the Cabarnet Valea menu were off: there was no beer or Simbetei, wine, only a sickly sweet :fizzy pink The Romanian Alpine Club, pop. We soon transferred ourselves first formed in 1934, was dissolved in to a private house where at a fraction Communist days to become just of the cost, but still paid in treasured another State controlled federation. dollars, we were wann1y welcomed Now restored, although lacking in and cosseted. When we departed it funds and resources, it is eager to

The YRC Bulletin 9 Winter 1996 build more mountain huts, acquire dubious dealings were the cause, news proper equipment and make foreign ofthis plentitude spread far and wide. contacts. Some of its members were Following the mule there came a sitting outside a mountain rescue post procession of gypsies and other hard close to the Cabarnet. As we walked drinking types toiling up from the past they hailed us with delight for, valley bottom There was much while all others were garbed in track boisterous behaviour and some suits and trainers, we alone were fighting that night. properly booted and clad as mountain With Cristina we made several people should be. Perhaps to test my pleasant excursions on the terraces prowess I was promptly invited by one below the cliffs and, on the final day, I of its members to walk and scramble made my only noteworthy ascent. to a high col at some 2000 metres. This was to the summit of Omu, 2507 As people from the West we metres, the third highest mountain in were regarded with some awe and Romania. I did it with a young curiosity and that· evening we were Romanian boy who claimed to know surrounded by university students the way. After several hours offorest most speaking good English or path we tackled the face more or less French. They questioned us eagerly as direct by generally easy scrambling. if we were prophets from another Such difficult passages as there may world, a world that few ofthem could have been were protected by fixed easily visit for economic reasons ifno ropes. In six or seven hours we came longer political ones. out on to the summit plateau. The We were to return to the descent was north by an easier but mountains some weeks later with our much longer route and through a Bucharest friend Cristina Goran, valley ofspectacular limestone cliffs. herself a mountain walker. This time In climbing Omu I was not the we visited the Bucegi massif, the most first YRC member to make the ascent. important climbing area in Romania. Employed in some special war time As we walked up to the Cabarnet service, the late Harry Watt described Poiana lzvoarelor we faced a long, his ascent in 1940 in No. 24 of our almost unbroken line of steep Journal. Re called it "Omul: or limestone cliffs. While some Getting Fit for War". noteworthy routes have been made up this face, many other possibilities remain. Cristina knew the warden and arranged that, for a few dollars, we would enjoy favourable service and also, at that time, those most rare of Romanian commodities, beer and wine. These were brought up by mule and here remains a profound mystery, While the great tourist hotels of Sinai and Busteni could serve only the revolting pink pop why, we wondered, in a simple hut halfway up a mountain could you, if you so wished, get uproariously drunk? Whatever

'l1lCYRC Bulletin 10 Winter 1996 The whole of the Polish Tatras lies within a National Park and enjoys the protection of extensive legislation. Polish Visitors are not allowed to stray from Tatras the footpaths although it is possible to obtain climbing permits for the granite, but not limestone, areas. Some of the most attractive parts lie Ken Aldred along the ridges separating Poland Anyone considering a change from the from Slovakia. Here walkers Alps may be tempted to visit the approaching from either side meet Polish Tatras. This part of the along the top and mingle quite freely, Carpathian Mountains has much to but are obliged to return to their own offer the walker who is content with side ofthe hills at the end of the day. the relatively low altitude. My wife Parties of ten or more must employ a and I had a botany trip in June, our guide. Apparently, large parties are choice of timing made with the not allowed to get lost but smaller intention of seeing the wide range of groups are not restricted by this Alpine flowers. Unfortunately, it also bureaucracy. YRC groups could do corresponded to a very wet spell; their usual things. heavy, vertical Tatra rain being indistinguishable from that ofthe Alps. We used several centres, the first We were advised that August was a being Schronisko Chocholowskie, a better month but the problem then mountain hut built at the end of a would be that the area is extremely metalled road in 1933. From the large popular and the prospect of joining a stone-built hut a pleasant path climbed queue in order to climb a mountain steadily through trees to a col, Grzes, does not appeal. then south along a broad grassy ridge to the peak Wolowiec (2063m). Covering 27 x 10 km, it is a very Primula minima was the most common compact area and is provided with flower along the ridge with dwarf numerous well marked footpaths, pinus mugo providing scant protection most of them colour-coded to match from the elements as its maximum the information given in the cheap height was rarely more than a metre. maps and guide books available in There were many fine ridges and Zakopane and Kuznice, the two larger peaks to be seen from the summit, towns on the Polish side ofthe border. some of them over the border in Slovakia, but all promising more interesting days in the hills. In the meadows on the way back to the hut were the usual profusion of flowers, but none more colourful than masses of blight yellow caltha palustris, the common marsh marigold.

Our last centre was at Schronisko Morskie Oko, another large stone mountain hut built in

'111C YRC Bulletin 11 Winter 19% 1908 above the lake of the same A Winter day on Rysy name. The weather was not kind and we saw very few of the tops, and Michael Smith those seen were for a few seconds only as the clouds or mist parted for a Speaking only a few words of Polish had fleeting glimpse. A path leads round been a hindrance to clear communication the lake and climbs alongside a series through the small window in the crowded of waterfalls to the upper lake of and noisy Zakopane bus station the day Czarny Stow pod Rysami. Continuing before. I wanted a return ticket but could in the same direction for about three only have a single. It did though secure for hours would bring one to the summit me a place on the early, pre-dawn bus to the ofRysy, the highest summit in Poland, Morskie Oko. The bus filled rapidly until requiring ice-axe and crampons early not only all the seats were filled but the fold in the season but infinite patience later down arm flaps which bridged the aisle in the summer when queues form between each pairs of seats and all the open below the summit scramble. From space at the front by the driver. Czarny Stow we climbed south Arriving I found lake was deep-frozen and towards the summit ofKazaluica but a while some locals ventured onto the ice I mixture of sleet, thick mist and many floundered round through soft snow. A alpine plants persuaded us that the 200m rise took me to a tarn, Czarny Staw, saddle of Mieguszowieka would not at about 1600m and on to a frozen cascade offer us any greater satisfaction had crossed by bands of snow. This gave a we carried on. better footing than the deep snow of the hillsides but spindrift and strong winds The people of Southern Poland, lifting me off the ice made me return to the whilst not being unfi:iendly, do not roadhead and its hut for a glass oftea. greet visitors with the same A coach, parked on the fi:ozen lake, was the enthusiasm as encountered in other centre of a milling crowd. Promptly at dusk parts of Europe. Perhaps their the bus returned and I went over to :find an experience of foreigners over the last angry crowd berating the anxious driver. 60 years gives them good cause to be The coach party marooned in this remote wary but the best we could say about spot had him besieged. Chaos reigned until our reception was that it was of the driver, hanging from the door, waved his indifference to them. However, the pistol and, presumably, demanded silence. exciting scenery, picturesque villages, He called out and small groups pushed (not the chocolate box Swiss holiday through to present tickets and board until resorts), and the beautiful city of nearly full. We pressed closer. With no Krakow, an excellent starting point to return ticket I was expecting to spend a ~ght the holiday, made this an area which in the hut. Ruefully I pulled out my can be safely recommended. ticket and was showing it to the person beside me with a shrug of resignation. Suddenly I was the centre of a shouting and pushing group and was propelled through reluctantly yielding backs to a driver who through volume, anger and gesticulation communicated that I should have boarded earlier and had to pay for the return journey. I would gladly have paid him twice. It made a good tale when safely back at the hostel.

'111e YRC Bulletin 12 Winter 1996 Days ofEpic Proportions the rocky south side of the mountain; how conditions had changed since I was there with John Vamey in 1960, David Smith much of the snow had disappeared leaving gravel on the sloping shelves Why is it that the less successful hardly conducive to speedy progress. days tum out to be more memorable than the better days? The epic tale of It was at this stage 3590m and well disaster after disaster undergone by into the aftemoon that we realised that two past presidents ofthe YRC and a we were not going to make the 3937m trusting guest has been told on many summit and decided to abandon the an occasion since those memorable attempt and make for the Refuge two days, with no doubt varying Marco Rosa where we were to meet degrees of elaboration to suit the up with Roger and Sue Allen who audience at the time. were out with Graham Salmon on the Biancograt-Cras Alva. We descended Before memories become too cautiously onto the glacier Vad da la dimmed it needs documenting; this is Sella and made our way up to the col, the 'definitive' version. It all started Fuorcla da la Sella at 3269m. on a day at the Plaunus campsite near Pontresina in 1988. Two patties set Here was the start ofour problems, out, one bound for the Biancograt of we met an Italian guide and his client Piz Bernina and the other for Piz who suggested that we keep to the Roseg a less demanding route. The middle of the couloir leading towards second patty comprised Arthur the hut. What he meant was the Salmon, Michael Ackerley and David middle of the glacier, but we should Smith. It is this group that is the have checked the guide book first. subject ofthe amazing story. Dropping down into the Vadretta di Scerscen Suoeriore we could clearly It was a beautiful day as we made see the Marco Rosa hut 3597m high our way along the Val Roseg. We up on the Fouorcla Crast Aguzza. saw a large colourful group conducting a religious service in a The couloir was steep; we wasted hollow at Alpa Magna. Flowers some time looking at the rocks, but as decorated the moraine leading to the they were loose and neither Michael Tschierva hut 31;2 hour from the nor Arthur showed any enthusiasm for station at Pontresina. It is a giving them any consideration we wonderfully situated hut with retumed to the comparative safety of impressive views of both mountains. the snow. This was another mistake as we leamed later at the hut. The first part of the route involved Proceeding up the couloir we descending unpleasant scree and encountered a series of bergschrunds boulders into the Vadret da Tschierva which once crossed presented a and up the glacier to the obvious col situation of no return, The couloir between Piz Roseg and Piz steepened and the day became evening Aguagliouls at 3148m. It was here and the signs in the sky became that the first mishap occurred, Arthur ominous, there was a storm brewing. put his foot through thin ice to receive However, all seemed well, the hut was a wetting. Undeterred we moved on to clearly in sight a mere 500m above us.

'!lIe YRC Bulletin 13 Winter 1996 Heading leftwards, we considered it saviours. Placing one in and belaying wise to have the rocks on the edge of Michael and Arthur to it I cut the couloir to hand in case conditions footholds and handholds into the steep did get worse. As we looked down ice wall moving with extreme care the glacier a series of flashes of across and upwards for about 20 feet lightening heralded an approaching at a time before inserting the second storm, Hastily we took to the rocks ice screw and belaying myself With finding a huge block about four feet double protection Arthur joined me square, flat on top but at an angle of and belayed, then Michael joined us. something in the order of 15 degrees So this process continued with cold from the horizontal, This was to be icy water dripping on us from above our bed for the night, there was no until we had reached the comparative obvious cover to be seen in the failing safety ofthe rock and snow slope that light. My brother-in-law and I made would take us to the hut. use of my double poly-survival bag, Arthur had to survive alone in his bag. It was so cold that we were past shivering we just shuddered with the We were adequately belayed to the damp cold of the early morning. We rock, but this did not prevent us from saw Roger's party leaving the hut, but slipping down the rock from time to were unable to make contact. Then time and having to re-adjust the the mist started to descend removing belays. We witnessed the most the hut from view but not before we dramatic storm that I have ever seen in were able to get a line on the place. It forty years in the mountains. It was was full noon before we actually set almost as light as day at times. I do foot in the hut, some seven hours after not think that we ever thought we starting offthat morning. were in any danger, it was just a case of sitting and sliding it out until dawn. We were greeted by the Warden Nor do I not think that anyone of us who immediately diagnosed our needs had much sleep but I expect that we and produced a calor gas fire. I did. cannot remember having anything to eat, but remember the generous offer Once again we could see the Marco of spare clothes from an East German Rosa hut. We left our perch on the girl before we went up to the rock, regained the couloir and moved dormitory for sleep. Roger had slowly upwards. It was very cold and telephoned and established that we it started to rain. The snow tumed to were safe. We looked out of the ice, on an ice wall of perhaps 75 window to view the couloir, it looked degrees Arthur lost hold of his axe horrendous and quite impossible to all which slid and fell down the couloir, it but the foolhardy. In fact we felt quite was quite impossible to recover, what pleased with our performance, or at on earth could we do now? least I did.

Arthur had over the past three The following morning we alpine holidays carried two superb prepared for the safe and straight titanium ice screws, which he had forward Bellavista Traverse, this obtained on one of his visits behind would take us to the Fortesa Ridge the Iron Curtain. These two pieces of which we had experienced on a near high tech metal were to be our perfect traverse ofPiz Palu some days

TIle YRC Bulletin 14 Winter 1996 earlier. It was very misty out, but we delicate purchase on the bulge with moved off towards the traverse. As my knees but only to be returned to we crossed a series of shallow open square one by a pull on the rope crevasses I found myself at the bottom intended as an attempt to extract me. of one having misjudged the length of Regrettably it only compounded the rope between me and Michael. No situation, the rope cut deeper into the halm done and we were off again. The ice. Again I set up the swinging plateau exhibited a series of what we motion and regained my tenuous hold took to be old footprints which we on the bulge. The crevasse was about duly followed until the mist reached five or six feet wide at this point, down to join the snow. widening as it became deeper. I could not see the bottom but estimated it to Fortunately this atmospheric be about 70 ft below me. condition did not last, the open expanse of snow eventually presented I still had my axe, just as well as it me with a crevasse about two feet was new and to loose two axes would wide. This I jumped and moved away have been considered careless by Lady to safeguard the other two. Some ten Bracknell's definition. To safeguard feet away from the crevasse on my precarious position on the bulge of apparently safe area of snow I ice I reached backwards with the axe disappeared from view. "He's gone" to touch the opposite wall. The was the ClY from Arthur. And indeed crevasse narrowed to about two feet I had gone, I found myself suspended at the top. It could only get better ifI 15 feet below the surface looking up could move upwards, which I did by at a small hole letting in the blue sky front pointing up the overhanging wall light. It was as though I had fallen and holding in position by my axe on through a chandelier. It was quite the opposing wall. exciting to the extent that I had no fear. I just looked round in total How long it took I do not know, bewilderment, but eventually my head popped out through the hole much to the relief of I heard cries from above and felt a my companions I expect. I was none pull on the rope, but as the crevasse the worse for the experience in fact it was on an incline the rope cut itself was in some curious way enjoyable. I into one edge locking itself into the never had any doubts that I would get ice. Michael, who had had no out, but no doubt St. Bemard was previous alpine experience had reacted watching over me. instantly and driven in his axe rendering me, one might say, relatively We headed for the Fortesa Ridge safe. What now? As the crevasse was we knew, but could well have been at an angle a drop of melting water better finding a way down the had relentlessly dripped onto the Labyrinth, which leads 011 to the opposing ice wall and had formed a Morteratsch Glacier. The very word bulge. This was to be the foundation Labyrinth is off putting, and so we ofmy escape. crossed to the Fortesa Ridge. It was quite different from the ridge of a few Gradually developing a swmgmg days earlier, it was covered with new movement I managed to gain a snow. Progress was Ve1Y slow as

'lbe YRC Bulletin 15 Winter 1996 safety was of the essence. Slowly we The glacier was a never ending descended belaying on the numerous challenge; the open crevasses blocked awkward steep rocks. our way incessantly and we had to continually retrace our tracks. By It was now getting dark again, but about one oclock we, or rather we had reached safety. We made the Arthur had decided enough was wrong decision. Instead of heading enough, we stopped, searched in vain for Diavolezza we elected to return by for food in our rucksacks and settled the lower dry ice Morteratsch Glacier. down for our second night out, this We had seen large parties on it earlier time on a bed ofice. in the week and it looked easy enough. We moved with relative At first light we saw lights moving speed at this stage to prompt Arthur up the track to the Boval Hut. We to refer to his movement as being 'like saw one person head upwards, but the being taken for a walk by two other two had obviously spotted us alsatians', Michael and I being and were making for us. It was Roger somewhat taller with longer strides with Alan Linford two of my were unaware of Arthur's rapid dependable alpine friends. It took paddling of his feet though the snow them no time at all to reach us; and rocks. arriving well prepared with food. What it is to have such friends, It is The Guardian at the Boval Hut, the magic of the mountains that whose wife drinks at the same pub as cements such friendship. Arthur in Leeds thoughtfully left on the outside light giving us a reference Arriving back at the campsite, point. Moving towards it we chastened to some extent by our encountered the rough rock and earth experiences, we were greeted by our of the moraine. It looked dangerous wives who had probably had the worst to say the least, but had we spotted of it. A long and refreshing sleep the track marked on the map, we followed and the episode became part would have been better placed. ofthe tapestry ofour lives.

'!lIe YRC Bulletin 16 Winter 1996 The Quiet inlets, marooned with exhausted lights? Assuming that this was the ofthe Morning situation I arrived at Bull Pot Farm.

Harvey Lomas The situation ofBull Pot Farm is, in my opinion, second to none. The The sound of the phone ringing colours of the fells across that roused me from my sleep. A voice panoramic sweep of Crag Hill, Great on the other end asked me if I would Coum and Gregareth are a splendid answer an incident at Ease Gill. I greeting as you drive the narrow vaguely remember saying ''Yes.'' It road contouring high above was about six 0'clock one morning Casterton Fell before descending to early in May, 1988. the isolated farmstead, This valley of Ease Gill is where old The caller said that three cavers were Westmoreland joins Lancashire... overdue in the Ease Gill system and and was the place where on this day had not been seen since the previous three people were still lost. day when a colleague, feeling unwell, had left them to return to the surface. The CRO 'Control Room' was in the I gathered my equipment. Then back room of the Red Rose Pothole driving up to Bull Pot my thoughts Hut at Bull Pot. Tired looking were ''Where could they possibly be? controllers were musing over Missing all night and still not found." surveys and light poured through a Calling in at the Clapham CRO window illuminating the cigarette depot I half expected them to have smoke. A bleak message came over been found but they were not. Even the radio "Two cavers found. stopping off at Inglesport yielded Condition green." meaning that they little more information. It was still were dead. 'just another incident'. The One of the search party in an area realisation that all was not normal down in the stream below Assembly had not yet dawned on me. As Hall near Easter Grotto had events unfolded I was soon to realise discovered signs of a rock fall. She that this was a day I was hardly thought she could see another likely to forget..... ever. searcher squeezing through boulders Ease Gill is a vast system connecting but found on closer inspection that it Lancaster Hole and Lost John's cave was one of the unfortunate cavers systems to make the longest system wedged high on the lip of the in the country. There are many inlets passage. The roof-fall had wedged and series branching off at different him to the cave wall with a piece of levels from the main passage which rock the size ofa Transit van. leads from Top Sink down to the There was a split second of stillness main down-stream sump in as the news came through and we Lancaster Hole. Search teams had realised the implications. Then the been in the cave all night and had mood changed. I accompanied a found nothing. Were the missing senior controller despatched to make cavers lost up one of those many

The YRCBulletin 17 Winter 1996 an on-the-spot assessment of the stepped on a bundle.. it was a body situation. bound up in a bag.

A warm breeze blew through the Now part of the throng I slowly heather and clouds hung over moved over the litter of gear, ropes, Gregareth as we walked in silence to bags and tools to the focus of the the cave entrance of County Pot. In attention, the second unfortunate Ease Gill itself we quickly broke the caver who was being placed in a bag. stillness and serenity as we bombed There was then a pause, before the along familiar passages. It was not attempt to extract the third, while long before we approached the site drills and shoring made their long of the accident with that feeling of journey from the surface. I cast my dread welling up inside when you eyes across the great boulder collapse in search of Part ofthe Ease Gill System the casualty. There, to the left, just above the lip of the ! Assembly roof where it met Hall Easter Eureka "- Grotto the collapse, was the Junction "- body badly -, compressed by the sheer weight of rock. Facial features were unrecognisable. I managed to compose myself to cope with this 200m 400m 600m SOOm situation while we all waited. Some know full-well that you are about to experience something unpleasant. talked, some were silent, some took the chance to eat and drink for there Whether or not I would be able to was still much to be done. keep my nerve exercised my mind and there was temptation to find an When the gear arrived we stabilised excuse. This had to be dismissed the larger rocks, by wedging them and like the rest, I just had to keep with smaller ones, so that drilling my nerve despite the sound of then plug-and-feathering could be boulders being moved. used to split them. The shoring was We met one of the rescuers and I used to prevent the boulders moving sideways. In contrast to the quiet was given a phone to set up in the monning on the fellside above, here Assembly Hall though this was soon the stream roared beneath the to be abandoned as an alternative collapse while hammers rang out, location was found. Alone I moved drills rattled and we all pulled on towards the sounds of the rescue, ropes, pushed and levered with iron climbing down into the stream then bars to manoeuvre the boulders. following it upstream to a crawl with an oxbow on the left. Almost there, While extracting the leg of the rising up into the passage, I nearly casualty from being pinned between

'111C YRC Bulletin 18 Winter 1996 rocks a final pull released it suddenly a stretcher. The repeated pulling, and I was rewarded with a firm blow jamming, releasing and lifting would on the head from the released booted take a lot oftime, patience and effort foot. for the team in contrast to the carefree pleasure of those who He was finally released from his explore the caverns ofEase Gill. place of grief by being gently slid away by a pull on his lamp belt. I I made my exit from the cave to find turned him round and laid his groups of people milling about stiffened corpse on the cave floor. watching the emerging cavers Others placed him in a bag, prepared sorting themselves out. A kindly a stretcher and secured him in it. I walker gave me a drink from his now became aware ofjust how much flask then I walked slowly over to backup was in place as another team Bull Pot where the full rescue circus was there ready to start the long, was in full swing. Away from the difficult carry to the surface. The flying commands and counter other two were already well on their commands a girl, doing her bit away way out. from the crowd, asked me ifI would like some food and drink. It was I gathered up gear and took some of pleasant to hear a soft, warm, un­ the boxes away passing the stretcher commanding voice. team. It is a quite easy trip with spotting climbs out to Eureka Like, I suppose, most of the others Junction and through County Pot that night, I slept unquietly. with its Poetic justice... but not with

The YRC Bulletin 19 Winter 1996 From the Archives Raymond Harben It was by sheer coincidence that a occasion and thought it would be week or two before receiving Summer worth recording in the Bulletin, '96s Y.R.C. Bulletin, which contained a photograph of the 1949 Irish Meet, The lyricist's name is not given but the your Archivist had found a copy of a words are to be sung to the tune of song written to commemorate the ''Phil the Fluter's Ball".

Sure you know the Yorkshire Ramblers spent a week with Mr.Barbour. They took the boat at Heysham & arrived at Belfast harbour. And Sam, the lorry driver, said he certainly was willin' To take them with their luggage once again to Enniskillen. There was Charlie, the President, and Roberts the old veteran, Godley & Wilfred, John & Harold too. Tyas & Stanley - you couldn't find a better 'un, Button, Watts & Barton and a bloke to make the stew.

Chorus. (repeat after each verse.)

With a Pollineska. Pollnagollum, Peter Bryant's Cattle Hole, Pollnamada, Polnaraftra, Marble Arch & Rattle-Hole, Polnagaffie, Pollnataga, Pollnamuch - a dirty hole. 111ey wrote up on the-kitchen wall the names offive & thirty hole.

There was Roberts with his whistle - or begorrah 'twas the lack ofit "Tell the.blighter on the rope to take up all the slack ofit. "This pot's a thousand feet at least but sure as I'm alive "Ifyou want to get the proper depth you must divide by five" He went to the bottom & he took a mighty grasp ofit, Came to the top & let out a lusty shout. He'd brought the bottom up with him & we could only gasp at it. You see he'd gone & turned the bloomin' pot-hole inside out.

There's a place across the border & Black Lion is the name ofit. It's practically tee-total though you may not think the same ofit They'd go there ofan evening - to enjoy its hospitality And join with all & sundry in the best conviviality. But they set the welkin ringing on their journey to the farm again. Some said it was the Banshee or a howlin' wild cat. The solution ofthe mystery - & sure they meant no halm again, Was only Yorkshire Ramblers singing "llkla Moor baht 'at."

©YRC

'111C YRC Bulletin 20 Winter 1996 The Furths David Smith

The Scottish word 'Furth' means Our Scottish Munro season ends with 'beyond' or 'outside of and to the the start of the shooting season. So Munroist distinguishes people who not being able to accompany my wife have ascended all the 3000 foot on her Munro quest we decided to mountains outside Scotland in the cross the water. We crossed British Isles. I first discovered the overnight, sailing at 3.45am and word in the Munro Tables. It was the arriving at 7.30am. In beautiful late attraction ofthe Alps and the Scottish summer weather we set offfor Glen of hills that obscured any incentive to go Imaal with a plan to climb the 3030 to Ireland. Only when I had the foot Lugnaquillia, 25 miles south of Scottish Munros behind me did it Dublin in the Wicklow mountains. dawn on me that it would be tidy to But it was not to be as the mountain add the Irish mountains to my Munro forms part of an army shooting range collection. and the red flags were being displayed.

My English and Welsh three thousanders were both as a result of YRC Long Walks in the Fifties. The Scottish three thousanders were inspired by the Club's Whit Meet in .~., . 1983, the brain child of Peter Swindells. It was then that I discovered that I had already ascended Cutting our losses we added another more than half the mountains, mainly hundred road miles to Tipperary. on Whit Meets. However it was my Although we used the main road there wife who got the Irish expedition on was little traffic and what there was the move. She had been there forty moved at a sensible speed with drivers years ago without seeing a mountain being considerate to others. The road because ofthe mist. surfaces are not particularly good but we encountered no problems except for a couple of large farm tractors. South of Tipperary is the Glen of Aherlow and Galtymore Mountain at 3018 feet. Despite the loss of sleep we did not feel too drained and with prospect of only 2600 feet of ascent we set offin pleasant weather.

The route took us along a narrow lane, rising 900 feet, followed by a steep moorland walk to the summit of Galtybeg before descending to a col separating it from its larger neighbour. By this time we were in warm soft

'!11C YRC Bulletin 21 Irish mist and though rough terrain Macgillycuddy Reeks. Our route was making route finding difficult we started at lough Acoose across rough were making good time. My friends unmarked ground rising to 1581 feet will be interested to know that I can where we found the start of the main and do use a compass and had little ridge. It was misty but quite warm. difficulty finding the top and retracing Our recently discovered wind shirts our tracks to come out ofthe mist. proved adequate so the light rain did not necessitate waterproofs. The following day we spent driving in perfect weather to Tralee and on to The broad ridge soon changes into a the Dingle peninsula along country precipitous ridge of Skye-like lanes lined with fuchsia bushes. Our proportions. The rock is ofrough red objective was the 3127 foot Brandon sandstone and vegetation gives it a Mountain via the Pilgrims route. This character ofits own. Caher mountain was to be the highlight ofthe holiday. has two distinct summits to be The road from Dingle rises 1800 feet traversed before reaching Ireland's over the Connor Pass through highest peak, Carrauntoohil at 3414 dramatically beautiful wild country feet. We were denied the views of speckled with numerous smalllochans Comloughra Glen and Curraghmore overlooking the spectacular Brandon lake but visibility was good enough Bay. for route finding not to be too difficult. A series of tops along the Beenkeragh ridge circling the lake led us back to our starting point.

The final phase of our expedition was back in the Wicklow mountains. A telephone call to the army resulted in a positive answer and an invitation to enjoy our day. We first had a walk up From the tiny village ofAn Clochan a to the monastic village of Saint Kevin narrow lane leads to An Fhaiche and the most beautiful Glendaloughs where we left the car. The Pilgrims in the National park. Lugnaquillia is a Way is reputed to be the path to Saint very straight forward mountain and Brendan's Oratory on the mountain has a steady path over farmland and summit. An open moorland path leads heather slopes to its summit. It was a westwards towards the ridge but, relaxing ascent but in no way an instead of joining the ridge, the path anticlimax after the more taxing day descends into a remarkable cwm on the Reeks. containing a string oftiny loughs each sparkling in the sunlight. The path Ireland is such an easy-going place, rounds the cwm and crosses a jumble the people are so helpful, the roads are of boulders before a steep 900 foot uncrowded, the scenery is magnificent climb to gain the ridge. A gentle short and, given clement weather, has all the climb took us to the summit with ingredients for a pleasant active but marvellous Atlantic vistas. relaxing holiday. We will certainly go agam. We spent the next three days in Killorglin on the Kerry peninsula dominated by our next objective, the

'111C YRC Bulletin 22 Winter 1996 Hill Walking in the Canary Islands Derek Collins ..... I visited the Canary Islands for two ...... months in April and May ofthis year. ,:::::::::,::::'::,1 Five islands were visited and all except ...... '.. Lanzarote offer splendid hillwalking. Climate. We were there at the end of .,;;1111111 the wettest and coldest winter for 30 years. The low level temperature was is the Caldera, a semi-circle ofcliffs. It around 24 QC down to perhaps 10 QC is a nature reserve with routes through higher up. Mist was fairly common and round it. It is difficult to describe ­ between about 1000 ft. and 4000 ft. usually with swirling cloud, but above about 7000 ft. was stupendous cliffs, eerily quiet but on unknown. Rain fell, but rarely, on La the rim, brilliant sunshine. I believe Gomera and La Palma and was there is a full week of walking here. unknown elsewhere. Conditions were North again are gorges and even perfect] occasional streams.

La Gomera. Very much on the My daughter visited in December German circuit. Rather like a higher and it poured down for 5 days. and more vegetated Lake District with well marked paths often through Tenerife. Mt. Teide, a volcano, is the woodland and beautiful Alpine highest point in Spain but only those meadows. Most visitors think La with personality problems would wish Gomera rather special and intend to to struggle to the top. In any case the return. It does rain on this island! Spanish authorities do not encourage it. However around Teide is Los La Palma. Some old guy, Homer I Canados, umpteen square kilometres think, believed the Elysian Fields were of outsize clinker. Many will have situated here. He could well have been seen pictures and read about the right. This is the most varied of the moonscape, it is all understated! There islands and most visited by hillwalkers is a rim of shapely peaks which can be living in the Canaries. At the southern ascended by walking and scrambling end it offers a short day in Skye like as well as through routes. TIle sun country except the rock is still warm shines all the time. from the eruption 25 years ago. A little further north are glorious rocky To the north lies the Anaga slopes sparsely covered with Canary Peninsula a hilly wooded region with a Pines. We discovered here that the good number ofwaymarked paths. lizards enjoy bread and jam. From here the island has a hilly spine, very Gran Canaria. In the north and steep and Alpine in appearance There centre are many routes often tricky to are randonee type walks but not well follow and entirely without drink, developed. In the middle ofthe island there is little running water anywhere

'lbc YRC Bulletin 23 Winter 1996 in the islands and on Gran Canaria few A Walk on the Wild houses or bars in the hills. The ground is rocky and slopes are long and steep Side - Almost! but the views are stupendous. I came across pitons and abandoned runners here on overhanging rock. John Middleton

To the west the routes are almost The Darien Gap is a explorations through difficult country wilderness region of of gorges or barrancos and steep untamed tropical rainforest, shapely peaks ofrotten rock. swamp, and low mountains situated on the border There are enormous possibilities on between Panama and Gran Canada and indeed all 4 ofthese Colombia. It remains such a islands but there seems to be little in wilderness because modern the way of guide books in English and technology has not yet made there are no rescue services, Often the it feasible for the Pan ground is awkward and ifmistakes are American Highway to made they could be costly. For all that traverse the region. This 150 they offer wonderful possibilities and km gap is the only break in there are trips by such as the Ramblers its relentless roll from Association and I do have some guide Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. book information. These notes are Most travellers prefer to fly merely to establish if there is any around this obstacle but interest, I am very happy to chat about there is another way, to walk it and to explore the possibility of a meet in the area. The sand is mainly It was hot; the road was pitted with black, the sky blue, the beer and steak potholes; the knee high sidewalks good, the people noisy, strewn with obstacles', 'salsa'. music accommodation easy to find, bus blasted forth from a multitude of services good, roads tenifying, lots of cafes; mystifying scents assailed our birds - could not identify most - who nostrils; questionable characters lolled wants to bother with sweating up hills lazily against walls. This was Turbo, a anyway. Colombian wild west frontier town exuding atmosphere, excitement, and danger!

We arrived at dusk and by the time it had become dark we had' most definitely decided that Turbo was far too exciting for us! We leamt in that Sh01t period that two of the boatmen who cross the Gulf of Turbo had been killed that day, that guenillas now controlled most of the villages on the far side, and that another group was making frequent raids on the only other road out of town. In the moming we rehired our battered

TIle YRe Bulletin 24 Winter 1996 \1:;~~;;.;;a-TUrbo

...... route

Cuban jeep, drove the ten hours back river (going upstream) which is then to Cartegena, caught a flight to traversed for a further hour to the first Panama City and decided to do as purely Cuna Indian village of Pucuro. much of the walk as we could from It is an impressive place. There are that end. perhaps thirty well spaced houses, each made of split bamboo walls and DAY 1. El Real is the normal start palm leaf roofs. Inside is just one for this adventure. It is an attractive room which covers all the family's roadless community of perhaps a needs. The floor is compact dry mud hundred wooden houses on stilts and is kept scrupulously clean. situated close to the Rio Tuira. It is Outside, friendly children run around possible to walk from here but together with a good selection of pigs usually, because ofits proximity to the and chickens all being supervised by river, it is normal to hire a motorised short attractive women in brightly canoe for the first days journey. The patterned dresses, locally made five hour trip upriver is forever necklaces, and body paintings. In interesting with passing scenery between supervising, the women constantly changing between banana thresh and grind corn by hand and plantations, secondary forest, and crush sugar cane. It is necessary to Choco Indian villages. Boca de Cupe visit the headman out of both respect was our destination for the night. It is and to seek accommodation - the also roadless but does contain a latter being provided by one of the couple ofbars and shops. There is no families with a larger house. Casava hotel but we stayed in our boatman's was a tasty addition to our diet here. 'bunkhouse' and his wife kindly cooked for us (fried plantains, nee, DAY 3. The route commences with a chilli sauce, and a local bread). complete soaking as the river has to be crossed immediately. The path then DAY 2. The river route now switches follows the water for roughly four to the smaller Rio Pucuro which is hours through secondary and then followed for as far as the depth of some superb primary forest to a water will allow. In our case, about further crossing of the river. We three hours. It is then possible to pick bivouaced here as we wished to up a path on the right hand side ofthe explore this beautiful area further.

The YRC Bulletin , 25 Winter 1996 DAY 4. A further start with a river nine arduous hours but the hilarity and crossing and a rather tougher track scenery made the journey quite which is both smaller and much stupendous. muddier. However, it is only four hours before the next Cuna village of On our return to El Real we then Paya is reached. This is situated in an walked into the Piri mountains where incredibly beautiful setting on a raised the Spanish once mined gold. These river meander surrounded by superb hills are breathtakingly beautiful and forest and dotted with coconut palms. because the altitude reaches 1,200m As Paya is quite close to the many differing forest zones can be Colombian border there is a small experienced. A worthwhile deviation military post about three kilometres and for naturalists, a must - here we from the village and all travellers found fresh Jaguar droppings, saw should report here. monkeys, sloths, snakes, and an abundance of bird life including my DAY 5. We had brought our own first wild Macaws. guide and any party without one should hire one ofthe villagers for the Crossing the Darien IS not next section to the border as the trail particularly arduous but it can is virtually none existent. The route, definitely be classed as a wilderness after again getting a soaking in the adventure. Even El Real which can be river, is through the best forest yet, it reached by small planes feels as ifit is is also the toughest with much a million miles from anywhere. The scrambling in mud! It took us a hard highlights must be the forest diversity three hours to reach the border at Palo and its inhabitants, meeting and living de Lettres, a weathered concrete with the Indians, and the cameraderie block in the middle ofa small clearing. between us four friends and our guide. We made a short foray into Colombia. An excellent grasp of Spanish is It was, however, as well that it was needed for boat and guide hiring short as when we returned to Paya negotiations. two local hunters said that they had spotted a group of about thirty Postscript. A month after we had guerrillas just half an hour down the returned it was given out over the trail. BBC International Service that guerrillas had mounted an attack on From the border, in safer times, Turbo and whilst the military had walkers continue to Cristales, a name repulsed them some 23 persons were for just a couple ofhuts, hire a boat to killed. go down the Rio Cacarica, onto the Rio Atrata, across the Gulf of Turbo, and so to Turbo, our original starting For more information see point; a journey of a couple more 'Great Walks ofthe World' days. For obvious reasons we returned by John Cleare. the way we had come without 'Lonely Planet Travel incident. At Pucuro we talked the Survival Kit Colombia. ' villagers into helping us construct two 'Hundred Days ofthe Darien' balsa wood rafts so that we could by Russel Braddon. 'punt' back to Boca de Cupe. It took

The YRC Bulletin 26 Winte- 1996 Torre De Cerredo Hoyo Cimero 1844 note depth Ceda Blanca Col 2352 Steve Beresford Cabana Veronica Hut 2325 El Cable-Fuente De An excursion, part of last year's Picos de Europa meet, involving: Impressions Alister Renton This three day trip left me with David Smith three lasting impressions. Firstly, the Martyn Wakeman and landscape of the Picos; a spectacular Stephen Beresford. moutainous desert. A notable feature of this decent was the 'Hoyo'- an Objectives enormous basin-like valley. We Torres de Cerrodo, 2648m invariably found ourselves looking (Highest in the Picos) down into a Hoyo from some lofty Picos de Los Cabrones 2553m col, often to realise, that the next col Summary we were aiming for was far across the Torre de Cerredo proved to be a Hoyo and the only logical route there fabulous summit and memorable, required a descent into the floor, depite being little more than a sometimes 1500 feet or more, and scramble. It had stunning views from then a slog up and out the other side. its summit and getting to its wild The route to Torre de Ceredo had so location was thirsty work indeed! many col-hoyo-col sequences that we Our attempt at Picos de le were up and down like the proverbial Cabrones had to be abandoned after fiddlers elbows! taking the wrong approach and ending Secondly, the dryness. We up on the loose rock of 'Agujas de los covered some considerable distance Cabrones'; a series ofpinnacles to the and height changes, in extremely hot north-west of the main summit. This weather, with only three places to was disappointing as the views ofthe replenish water supplies. After the peak from our bivi at the Lueje hut first day we started early to use the were fantastic as it changed colour shade and the cool. I wouldn't like to with the sunset. get lost in the Picos without water. The third lasting impression I Day 1 Fuente De (leave car) have concerns the laughs we had at El Cable 1834 (via teleferico) the expense of one member. While Hoos Rojos Col 2344 setting up our bivi at the Lueje hut (via Hoyo Si Tierra) one member happened to criticise the Ubeda Hut (below the bivi sites of the others. Allowing his distinctive El Naranja peak) ego a voice for a moment he said he Hda Arenera Col 2283 was an 'expert bivier' and advised Lueje Hut (via Jou de los them to move. Ofcourse, after such a Cabrones) remark the others were determined Day 2 Jou Negrd Glacier not to move however uncomfortable P. De L. Cabrones (aborted) the spot. In fact my spot was LuejeHut dreadful, but I was determined to push Plateau north ofloll de the point. Over the next two days we Cerredo (bivi) made several hundred references to Day 3 Torre de Cerredo 2648 (sum't) 'expert bivouacking'. In fact he may Hda de D Carlos Col 2422 never live this down. Hda de Cain Col 2344

The YRC Bullain, 27 Winter 1996 Expedition Diary It had been arranged that certain signals would be given by Arthur and 1957 - Nepal Dan from Camp 4, at 11.00 a.m., regarding the day's work there. In fact, Maurice Wilson around 10.30 a.m. they were all seen to May 1. Camp 3. be coming along the track in this Called for breakfast at 4.30 a.m. They direction. They were obviously heavily all seemed to be awake. Dan and Temba loaded and had abandoned camp. This arrived with the entrenching tools about they confirmed on arrival. They had dug 5.30 a.m. and Arthur set off with them for a long time but could make little soon after. Dan set offnext, after which impact on the ice entombing the bodies. Pemba and I dismantled a tent. We both Moreover, their own position was set off with quite a load and went quite extremely dangerous, as there was a well to begin with. Then the sun got up loose ice block poised directly above and the going from Camp 2 to Camp 3 them. (They were working 20 feet was purgatory. I couldn't go more than a down, in the crevasse.) There is no few paces at a time. doubt that they could do no more, nor In due course we reached Camp 3 risk any further loss oflife. The Sherpas, and laboriously erected the tent. Pemba too were agreed on that. Andy and his is a real gem and nothing is too hard for sherpa turned up quite latish. They had him. He even went down for another magnificently gone right down to Base food box later. I merely escorted him Camp to get the surveying equipment. through the crevassed area. Not long after, George, Andy and Lakpa turned May 3. Camp 3. up. They had no hope to offer. All they Arthur and I got off in good time this had encountered was hard ice and not momingandfu~wedtheromeroCamp reached anyone. We had a long talk in 4 up to a point just below the start ofthe the tent regarding procedure. George traverse. Here we set up the tripod and says he must go to Kathmandu to plane table. I took a number of rays on dispatch the necessary telegrams etc. He the prominent points around and also is bearing up very well. elevations. Arthur made a pan. sketch and we also took some panoramic May 2. Camp 3. photos. It was all most interesting but, as I took a sleeping pill last night and, early as 9.30 a.m., the clouds started to although cold, slept like a log. Andy advance up the valley. We packed up looked in before going down to Camp 1 and came down in order to do some for the reserve surveying equipment, and work at Crosby's old station near Camp I went to sleep again. George woke me 3, and marked by a red flag. From here by calling me to come into his tent. This we could just distinguish the flags we, I did. We talked of memorials and ourselves, had embedded in the snow at various other matters. We feel that the our previous station. It was boiling hot best monument we could offer to Crosby and I find such heat unbearable as it is to complete the map which he had saps my energy. Yet, an hour later, I commenced to make. This we will try to needed my sweater on and by the do, though no further risks must be afternoon it was hailing. Andy and the taken. It was arranged that Arthur and I sherpas took some loads down to Camp should stay here a day or two to 2 and then returned for their own gear. complete that job and then we should move to another area, probably, the Langtang.

The YRC Bulletin 28 Winter 1996 Scottish Mountaineering Craven Pothole Club Club Journal Record No. 41 Vo!. XXXVI January 1996 No 187, 1996 Again a lively account ofunderground I was really taken by the adventure is provided by the C.P.C. references to John Buchan in the first Record. Unusually there is nothing article in this bumper issue of the about mountaineering but there is a S.M.C. Joumal. Though there was a very well written account of flavour of Edgar Wallace in the exploration in Italy by Leonarde reference to the "old king's country". Rusellato and Cesare Raumer. It is Be that as it may 'Images' by Donald exceptional for the Record to admit M. Orr is a fine evocation of climbing contributions by non-members but the and sets the tone for the rest of this editor included it for the quality ofthe issue. As well as mountaineering writing. stories there are leamed articles on spiders and place names and some There is also a full seeming account of stunning photographs, notably those the exploration of Sell Gill. This was by Donald Bennet. apparently first noted in 1850 and in 1897 a party including W.C. Slingsby Notes on new climbs, had a right beano exploring the first mountain accidents and Munro three pitches. The mention of a matters make up a slice of essential ''weird subterranean waterfall 100 feet reading for anyone interested in the high" intrigues me. You might almost Scottish mountain scene and surely all get me down there. north ofEngland climbers should be. Bill Todd

Finally we get the 'In Memoriam' section notable this time for tributes to W.H. (Bill) Murray who died earlier this year. I never met him but his books 'The Scottish Himalayan Expedition', Craven Pothole Club 'Undiscovered Scotland' and Record 42 'Mountaineering in Scotland' kept me April 1996 on the right road. Until recently the first human being to The S.M.C. Joumal is in the inhabit Europe was thought to have Club Library together with an index to done so about 400,000 years ago. A the previous volume 35, 1992-1995. discovery at Atapuerca, near Burgos has changed all that. In 1994 human Bill Todd. bones were discovered in a cave and proved by geomagnetic techniques to be at least 780,000 years old. It is suggested that these people could be

11lC YRC Bulletin 29 Winter 1996 the missmg link between the early African species and Heide1bergman. This is one ofthe fascinating pieces of Wainwright in the information in the C.P.C. Record. In addition there are the usual caving Valleys ofLakeland adventures at home and abroad Photographs by Derry Brabbs (Transy1vania) and an enjoyable Michael Joseph, London, pp 216 £14.99 Lake1and meet last February. This included ascents of Scafell Pikes by The Lake District is getting Long Gully, a new one on me, and a more and more popular. Many people solo of South East Gully on Great are coming to Lakeland whose parents End, something I did behind Doug went to Blackpool, and most of them Penfo1d thirty eight years before. I come in cars. And when they get don't suppose it has got any easier, there they very often want to park there was a helicopter rescue in March their cars and go for a walk. This 1995 after a leader fall. A solo seems movement has resulted in the loss of to me a great tour de force. many lovely views, including Ryda1 A good read and a welcome addition Water, and the peace that is its rightful to the club library, heritage.

Bill Todd That the late Alfred Wainwright was very conscious ofthis despoliation is very evident from his text as printed here. Of course, this popularity of Lakeland has nothing to Craven Pothole Club do with any ofWainwright's activities. He wrote books about the fells which Record 43 sold very well but that was just his July 1996 'tribute'; if more people came to Lake1and as a result that was nothing No-where east of Suez this time in the to do with him. When working people C.P.C. Record. The only abroad meet from Manchester and Leeds, is somewhere called P.S.M. which Birmingham and London wanted to looks like France. But in spite of this exercise their rightful heritage and geographical limitation there is plenty motor up to Lake1and that wasn't of underground adventure to be really part ofAlf's bargain. enjoyed under-neath places most ofus know the top of To add a slice of Having got that off my chest I variety some members cycled from must admit that as an introduction to Land's End to John O'Groats and Lake1and, to give people some idea of there is going to be a meet at Brothers the layout and life of the district the Water in September. text is good. Those of us who have been visiting and reading about There is also a long and learned article Lake1and for some time can still Iearn on belaying which would be useful of something for it has been truly said course, for climbing as well. A good that humility is the beginning of read particularly if you are of the wisdom. Even if this reviewer feels potholing persuasion. Bill Todd that the paragraph on Milican Dalton

'DIC YRC Bulletin 30 Wintcr 1996 should have included a reference to his self awarded title of 'Professor of Adventure'. "I'd do it all again" But the real joy ofthis book is the photographs and if it needed Alf J. Robert Files Wainwright's fame to get these One ofthe last links with the pre-war published then I don't grudge him his climbing scene was lost with the death fame. on the 24th March last of Bob Files. He was a real hundred per cent You have only to open the climbing enthusiast. Tony Greenbank book at random to see pictures which tells the tale of how, when they make you catch your breath. I am climbed Troutdale Pinnacle and looking at the picture of Upper topped out, Bob said, 'Now we go Deep dale on page 59, with the down' and he meant climb down, not sunlight on the crag, it is absolutely walk. Bob climbed with Jerry Wright thrilling. So are Rydal Water on page in Skye, he was mentioned in Wright's 83, Cockley Beck on page 105, Goat classic 'Mountain Days in the Isle of Scar in Long Sleddale, Wastwater Skye', and in 1934 took part in the Screes and Castlerigg Stone Circle. first ascent ofthe Direct Finish to C.B. The last named has next to it a under F.G. Balcombe's leadership. drawing by Wainwright of Great Cockup at 'Back O'Skidda'. Reminds He earned his living as a teacher and I me of the time I followed the have much reason to be grateful to Blencathra hounds with Derek him because he took some of us Clayton. People think I am pulling school boys to Lakeland in the their legs when I say that we lost the summer holidays of 1945. We stayed pack on Great Cockup. at Youth Hostels and did a lot of fell walking and some climbing. My IfI wanted to carp I could say friend Jim Townley and I were taken that some of the pictures were too up Napes Needle and Arrowhead green, taken in high summer no doubt, Ridge on a cold August day. but it has been pointed out by people who know more about art than I do When I saw him three or four years (most people) that different shades of ago he was delighted to produce his green can make an attractive diary entry for a climbing weekend we composition. had in 1946. There was George Randall besides Jim, Bob and I and we TIns is a good addition to the did Got'don and Craig's on Doe, bookshelf of any Lakeland enthusiast Oliversons on Gimmer and some and a more than adequate introduction routes on Scout. That was when he to anyone who is just getting made the remark I have quoted at the interested in the brightest jewel in the head of this tribute. He suffered a crown ofEnglish scenery. stroke in 1993 and sadly was never the same again. Bob's wife, Muriel, who Bill Todd. pre-deceased him was equally enthusiastic a mountaineer; they had no family. Bill Todd

The YRC Bulletin 31 Winter 1996 A Speleological Appreciation The members of the YRC of the YRC on the Occasion of were not the only cave explorers in the its Centenary 1892 - 1992 Craven district during those halcyon S. A. Craven days from 1892 to the First World War. Indeed on 22 June 1898 a The Yorkshire Ramblers' Club meeting was held in Leeds to (YRC) was founded in 1892 in the "consider the propriety offorming a city of Leeds in the north of England. Speleological Society, on similar lines TIle original intention of the founding to the society in France". Alfred fathers was to promote Barran of the YRC was voted to the mountaineering. There is nothing in Chair, The meeting considered the constitution to permit cave whether the proposed society would exploration; on the other hand, there is be detrimental to the YRC and to the nothing to forbid it. The members of Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic the YRC were not the first people to Society (YGPS.) (which had been go caving in the north of England. involved in underground water tracing Indeed the history of cave exploration at Malliam5 and at Ingleborough"). Of in the Craven district goes back to the the YRC men reported to be present, eighteenth century, and developed as a Messrs. W. Parsons, C.A. Scriven and side-effect of the tourist trade to the lW. Swithinbank were in favour, Lake District. Those southem gentry while Messrs. E. Calvert, lA. Green, who had the time, money and stamina T. Gray and Lewis Moore were to travel to the Lakes came to rest against. At the vote, it was deemed themselves and their horses at undesirable to form a new club, there Ingleton, and were taken to the caves being 6 votes against, 5 in favour and by the local entrepreneursl. Early 6 abstentions". By 1907 at least 8 pioneers without a financial interest YRC members had been elected to the included John Birkbeck and William YGPS.; both organisations thrived8 Metcalfe between 18472 and 1870 3, and the Hastings brothers at Gavel Pot At that time most of the big in 18854. northern English cities had then' climbing clubs such as the Kyndwr All the early cave explorations Club of Sheffield, whose members, were by individuals with little being close to the Peak District of technical support. The descents of Derbyshire, also caved". The Alum Pot by Messrs. Birkbeck and neighbouring city of Bradford had no Metcalfe in 1847 and 1870 were kindred club, but it did have a few facilitated by the men and machinery individuals who went potholing of the railway contractors. The other together, and independently of the caves explored at that time were YRC, despite meeting on common notable for their short, easy pitches. ground at the YGPS. Committee for The long spectacular pitches of for the Investigation of the Underground example, Gaping Gill and Rowten Pot, Waters of Malham and Clapham 10. were completely beyond the resources Messrs. Dawson, Townend et al. of of independent individuals. The YRC Bradford were technically superior to provided a forum whereby individuals the YRC in that they possessed wire could pool their financial and technical rope ladders. This equipment enabled resources for their mutual benefit. It them to descend Alum Pot at least 5 is also significant that many of the times, and yrobably Hllllt Pot and members came from the Gaping Gill 1. The first club to manufacturing city of Leeds, and were compete with the YRC was the of the professional and business Yorkshire Speleological Association classes. They were well-educated men founded in Leeds in 1906, and which with the enquiring minds, money and failed to survive the First World War. spare time necessary for any long-term Thereafter some of its former exploration ofcaves and mountains. members became stalwarts of the YRC12. Another transient club was

'J1lC YRC Bulk-tin 32 Winter 1996 the Leeds Ramblers' Club, whose members made a bizarre descent of Perusal of these records Gaping Gill in 190413. reveals many aspects of early cave exploration which will be unfamiliar to Most cave explorations were the modem potholer with his neoprene done in the Craven district because of suits, lightweight equipment and its easy access from Leeds. The private transport. The transport of members also did much pioneering these pioneers was train to the nearest exploration in Ireland during the early station, thence by farm cart to the years of this centuryl'l; and they did cave entrance. ID later years they venture elsewhere when the acquired cars and motor-cycles. They opportunity arose. Wales was visited used hemp ropes, and hemp rope in 1909 15 and 193616. Two visits ladders with wooden rungs - all of were made to Derbyshire in 1909 17, which doubled in weight when wet. and subsequently during the following Their flannel trousers and tweed year18, in 191219,19152°, 192221 and jackets were similarly very heavy the 1930s22. Caves near Sjillonds Yat when wet. illumination was by were investigated in 19112 . candles, and later by acetylene lamps. Their techniques were self-taught. It Across the English Channel is remarkable that they experienced Waiter Parsons visited Padirac Cave in only two accidents, both non-fatal->. France sometime before 190924; and To compensate for the privations of Barton toured caves in France and the field, the members usually stayed Belgium in 192425. Austria and in inns. Camp servants were taken to Yugoslavia were visited in the late the Gaping Gill meets. 1920s26. ID the following decade Bill Allsup looked at caves in Assam-"; The YRC organised few and Harold Brodrick visited St. official meets. Most of the original Michael's Cave in Gibraltar-f'. exploration and survey was done on Majorca was visited in 190729 and private meets, the organisation of 19343°. which would have been done by the individual members and not by the The members of the YRC Committee. Up to 1914 the members were not content with mere systematically made first descents and exploration and survey. They were explorations of most of the interested in the geology of the caves conspicuous open shafts and cave they visitedU, in the archaeology-­ entrances in the Craven district, with and in the fauna 33. Most importantly the notable exception of Gaping Gill. of all - and this is why the Club has That honour went in 1895 to the survived and has celebrated its visiting Frenchman, E.A. MatteP6, centenary the members kept who was later elected an honorary records. Some have been lost; others member ofthe YRC37. survive in manuscript form, Many have been published in the pages of Another feature of the YRC, the Club Journal and elsewhere in both which is not peculiar to the YRC and popular and scientific journals and which has recently caused controversy books. Although the YRC was, and in other English clubs, is the absence still is, a private club, its early of female members. The 1902 members publicised their activities to a constitution-f does not explicitly wider audience. ID particular, an early exclude those of the fairer gender. detailed account ofthe techniques and The exclusion is implied: "V Before literature of speleology appeared in any person is eligible for election, he 191134. These records, incomplete ... " Although ladies are not eligible though they may be, enabled for membership, it is clear from the subsequent generations of members to pages of the YRC Journal that they continue the work done by their have always been welcome attenders predecessors.

l1lC YRC Bulletin 33 Winter 1996 at caving meets. Perhaps they were not attracted to the YRC They attended only the private meets? formed the Bradford Pothole, Craven Pothole, Gritstone, and Northern A caving club operates as a Cavern & Fell Clubs which continued team; and it is therefore invidious to the tradition which had been started by mention individual members. An the YRC Nevertheless, the YRC co­ exception can be made for Arthur operated with these clubs in the Dwerryhouse who can be considered management of the Cave Rescue to be a professional cave explorer in Organisation'l>, with the British that he was Assistant Lecturer in Speleological Associations", and with Geology at Leeds University before the Craven Pothole Club at Gaping moving to University College Reading Gill in 193147. some time before 1924. Before his move he made important contributions This speleological decline by to geological knowledge-'"; and he the YRC in England and Wales wrote a popular geological bookt". continued after the Second World On 14 November 1899 he was War, with little original work being appointed Hon. Secretary of the done in Yorkshire. New ~assage was YGPS. Malham Sub-Committee'U. found in Easegill in 19504 , in Gaping Gill during 1951 and 195249, in the Another YRC member who Lost John's Master Cave in 19595°, did considerably more than just attend and in Blayshaw Gill Pot during meets was Samuel Wells Cuttriss, 196951. In South Wales a short whose manuscript notes, although extension to Dan-yr-Ogof was found incomplete, record much of the early in 196452, and in 1967 more history ofthe Club. He was an active spectacular passage was discovered in member of the YGPS. Underground conjunction with the South Wales Waters Committeesf-, and one of the Caving Club53. Useful work was first amateur cave photographers in done in Ireland in 1947), 194854, Y orkshire'i-'. 195155, 195256, 19595 /, 1960, 196258 and 196359. The post-war The First World War and the tendency was for the potholing 1919 influenza pandemic changed the members to cave with other clubs. whole social structure of Britain; and Thus Dan Jones explored FauJ; Holes the YRC did not escape their effects. with the Durham Cave Club 0; and Fifty members joined the armed Arnold Patchett worked at Clapham Cave between 1946 and 1959 with the forces, of which five were killed in 61 action. Another seven members died Bradford Pothole Club . The 1964 between 1913 and 192144. Jobs were extension to Oxlow Cavern in not easy to find at that time; and Derbyshire by the British Speleological Association involved a other members left the district by 62 choice or by necessity. Although the YRC member . members continued their original exploration and survey between 1919 For many years, foreign and 1939, it was done on a much speleological expeditions have been smaller scale. Most of the big, open beyond the human and financial shafts had already been descended; resources of any single club. and the members had little inclination Members of the YRC have therefore for the tight, wet holes which in recent years caved overseas with remained. The founder of the Craven conspicuous success in joint Pothole Club in 1929, the late Albert expeditions. The first of these was to Mitchell, told me that he did approach northern Italy with the Speleo Club de the YRC with a view to membership, Paris in 195763. The leader of the and that he found that it organised 1965 British expedition to the insufficient caving meets to satisfy his Edelweisserhuttenschacht was a newly interest. Those cavers who had the elected YRC memberv" - David tenacity to explore these smaller holes Judson - who was Ul 1967 a member

'111C YRC Bulletin 34 Winter 1996 of another expedition to Italy65. of it's first century comes from the Further successful joint Italian late Emest E. Roberts who had been, 66 expeditions took place in 1969 and 11••• fortunate to see Lake/and before it 197067. Turkey was the venue for was swamped by crowds and inter-club expeditions in 1966 and motors.il> It is clear from the pages 196768. Four members in 1968 did ofthe YRC Joumal that the Club has original work in Lebanon with always attracted men with a love of members of the Speleo Club de the wide, open spaces; and the Liban69, and retumed the following Yorkshire Dales fitted that description year70. France was visited in 1972 as a century ago. The traditional guests of the Speleo Club de Paris/J. stamping grounds ofthe YRC are now Ecuador was the venue in 197672 and swanning with people. Caves and Sardinia in 198073. However, the potholes have to be booked months in most spectacular joint expeditions advance, and fi:equently have to be which involved YRC members were shared with other patties. There are those to Ghar Parau, Iran, in 1971 and still plenty of wildemess areas 197274. overseas; and I therefore believe that the speleological future of the YRC One possible clue to the will increasingly lie in co-operation reasons for the decline of the YRC's with inter-club overseas expeditions. speleological activity towards the end

Appendix: A Chronological List of Cave Explorations in the Craven Area by Members of the YRC up to 1945. Mar. 1893 Yordas 15 men 76 15-16 Sep. 1894 Hull Pot "Largeparty" 77 1- 3 June 1895 Manchester Hole,T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, G.T. Lowe, L. Moore 78 4 June 1895 Hell Hole S.W. Cuttriss 79 5 Aug. 1895 Fox Holes(Cam) T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss 80 5 Aug. 1895 Old lng Cave T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss,Dinsdale 81 6 Aug. 1895 Capnut Cave (S.W. Cuttriss) 82 18 Aug. 1895 HellHole T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss 83 14-15 Sep. 1895 Gaping Gill A. Barran, E. Calvert, S.w. Cuttriss, T. Gray 84 5 Oct. 1895 Gaping Gill (Jib Tunnel) H.H. Bellhouse,lA. Green, P.Lund, Thompson 85 Dec. 1895 Gaping Gill (Surface) T.S. Booth, B. Mason 86 8 Feb. 1896 Hell Hole T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss 87 3 Apr. 1896 Old lng Cave S.W. Cuttriss,L. Moore 88 3- 6 Apr. 1896 Browgill Cave, Calf Hole S.W. Cuttriss,L. Moore 89 Long Churn S.W. Cuttriss,F. Holtzman, L. Moore 90 9-10 May 1896 Gaping Gill T.S. Booth,E. Calvert, S.w. Cuttriss, T. Gray, lA. Green, L. Moore 91 16-17May 1896 Gaping Gill T.S. Booth,E. Calvert, S.w. Cuttriss, T. Gray, lA. Green, F. Ellet, G. Emsley, RJ. Jefferson, A. Kirk, T. Lister, L. Moore 92 23-26 May 1896 Gaping Gill (descended) T.S. Booth, E. Calvert, S.W. Cuttriss, F. Ellet, lW. Firth, lA. Green,B. Mason, Smith, (surface) A. Barran, F. Holtzman, G.T. Lowe,L. Moore, W. Ramsden, c:«. Scriven, W.e. Slingsby 93 28 June 1896 Hell Hole T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, G.T. Lowe,L. Moore, C.A. Scriven, 1 W. Swithinbank94 2 Aug. 1896 Dow Cave (KettIewell) T.S. Booth, S.w. Cuttriss, G.T. Lowe, L. Moore, C.A. Scriven 95 23 Aug. 1896 Clapham Cave E. Calvert, F. Ellet, lA. Green 96 6 Sep. 1896 Clapham Cave E. Calvert,F. Ellet, T. Gray, lA. Green 97 Oct. 1896 Long Kin West E. Calvert, F. Ellet 98 40ct. 1896 Rowten Pot T.S. Booth, S.w. Cuttriss, G.T. Lowe, L. Moore, A. Riley, 1 W. Swithinbank99 1895 or 1896 Hell Hole, Calf Holeet al. 100

'The YRC Bulletin 35 WillLL~' 1996 1896 Ben Scar Cave S.W. Cuttriss 101 1896 Goyden Pot T.S. Booth, S.W Cuttriss 102 16-19 Apr. 1897 Attermire & Jubilee Caves S.W. Cuttriss 103 8 May 1897 Rowten Pot T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, Leach, CA. Scriven 104 13-16 May 1897 Long Kin West E. Ca1vert, F. Ellet, lW. Firth, lA. Green, B. Mason, WC. Slingsby 105 6- 7 June 1897 Rowten Pot T.S. Booth, E. Calvert, S.W. Cuttriss, F. Ellet, lA. Green, G.T. Lowe, L. Moore, C.A. Scriven, Smith, lW Swithinbank 19-20 June 1897 Rowten Pot T.S. Booth, Braithwaite, S.W. Cuttriss, W. Parsons, CA. Scriven, T. Somers, lW. Swithinbank, H. Woodhouse 20 June 1897 Gingling Hole (Kingsdale) T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, W. Parsons, CA. Scriven, T. Somers, lW. Swithinbank, H. Woodhouse 21 June 1897 Bull Pot (Kingsdale) T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, C.A. Scriven, T. Somers, lW Swithinbank, H. Woodhouse 21 June 1897 Bull Pot T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, CA. Scriven, T. Somers, lW. Swithinbank, H. Woodhouse 106 4- 5 July 1897 Rowten Pot T.S. Booth, Braithwaite, S.W. Cuttriss, W. Parsons, CA. Scriven, T. Somers, lW. Swithinbank, H. Woodhouse 107 11 July 1897 Douk Cave (Ingleborough) A. Barran, S.W. Cuttriss, T. Gray 108 11-12 July 1898 Attermire Cave S.W. Cuttriss 109 18-19 Sep. 1897 Sell Gill Hole E. Calvert, F. EI1et,T..Gray, P. Lund, B. Mason, WC. Slingsby 110 1897 Attennire Cave S.W. Cuttriss, T. Gray 111 15 May 1898 Marble Steps W Parsons, J.W. Swithinbank 28 May 1898 Bull Pot (Kingsdale) T.S. Booth, S.W Cuttriss, W Parsons, l W. Swithinbank 112 29 May 1898 Penyghent: Long Churn & Cross Pot E. Calvert, F. Ellet, lA. Green 113 May 1898 Hunt Pot E. Calvert, F. Ellet, lA. Green 114 28-30 May 1898 Death's Head Hole (?) W. Parsons, lW. Swithinbank 115 10 July 1898 Batty Hole (Kingsdale) S.W Cuttriss & 2 locals 116 21 July 1898 Short Drop Cave to Gavel Pot f.H.Buckley, S.WCuttriss, lW.Swithinbank 117 24 Sep. 1898 Lost Johns Hole T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, L. Moore, W. Parsons, A. Riley lW. Swithinbank 118 1898 Witches Cave (Easegill) S.W Cuttriss 1898 Hardrawkin S.W. Cuttriss 1898 Eye Holes (Leck) S.W. Cuttriss 119 7 May 1898 Boggarts Roaring E. Calvert, T. Gray, P. Lund, W.C. Slingsby 120 21 May 1899 Rumbling Hole S.W. Cuttriss, G.T. Lowe, W. Parsons, s.«. Swithinbank, H. Woodhouse 121 21-22 May 1899 Cow Pot (Leek Fell) S.W. Cuttriss, G.T. Lowe., W. Parsons, l W. Swithinbank 21-22 May 1899 Bull Pot of the Witches S.W. Cuttriss, W Parsons, lW. Swithinbank 122 1 Oct. 1899 Sell Gill Hole l C Atkinson, A. Barran, IN. Barran, T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, lA. Green, T. Gray, S. Kitson, Lewis Moore, W. Parsons, H. Priestman, A. Riley, C.A. Scriven, W.C Slingsby 123 22 July 1900 Alum Pot T.S. Booth, S.W. Cuttriss, T. Gray, L. Moore, A. Riley, W. Parsons, CA. Scriven, lW. Swithinbank 28 Sep. 1902 Diccan Pot 124 29 May - 1 June 1903 Gaping Gill T.S. Booth, lH. Buckley, H. Brodrick, W. Brown F. Constantine, S.W. Cuttriss, A.R. Dwerryhouse, R.l Farrer, H. Harrison, A.E. Horn, C.A. Hill, P.F. Kendall, P. Lamb, WW. Newbould, W. Parsons, lW. Puttrell, E.P. Sykes, W.E. Waud, H. Woodhouse 125 June 1903 Clapham Cave C.A. Hill et al. 126 Sep. 1903 Dunald Mill Hole S.W. Cuttriss 127 26-27 Sep. 1903 High Douk, Mere Gill, Rowten 19 men 128 21 May 1904 Jockey Hole T.S. Booth, Blum, lH. Buckley, H. Brodrick, F. Constantine S.W. Cuttriss, C Hastings, lA. Green, CA. Hill, L. Moore, l W. Swithinbank 21-22 May 1904 Rift Pot T.S. Booth, Blum, lH. Buckley, H. Brodrick, F. Constantine,

111C YRC Bulletin 36 Winter 1996 S.W. Cuttriss, C. Hastings, JA. Green, c.« Hill, L. Moore, J W. Swithinbank 129 26 June 1904 Fluted Hole (Newby Moss) H. Brodrick, JH. Buckley, JA. Green, C. Hastings, CA Hill 130 21-22 Aug. 1904 Rift Pot T.S. Booth, H. Brodrick, JH. Buckley, F. Constantine, S.w. Cuttriss, J.A Green, C. Hastings, CA Hill, AE. Horn, W. Parsons, c.A. Scriven 131 21 Apr. 1905 Sulber Pot, Juniper Gulf E.A. Baker, H. Brodrick, C.A Hill 22 Apr. 1905 Marble Pot EA Baker" H. Brodrick, C. Hastings, c.s. Hill, P. Lamb 23 Apr. 1905 Bridge Pot Thorn Pot(Newby Moss) E.A. Baker, H. Brodrick, JH. Buckley, C. Hastings, CA Hill Cross Pot(Newby Moss) E.A Baker, H. Brodrick, JH. Buckley, C. Hastings, C.A Hill , Rosebay Pot EA Baker" H. Brodrick, JH. Buckley, C. Hastings, c.A. Hill, P. Lamb Apr. 1905 Gritstone Pot F. Botterill et al. 11 June 1905 Pillar Pot T.S. Booth, H. Brodrick, JH. Buckley, S.w. Cuttriss, C. Hastings, JA. Green, CA Hill, W. Parsons 132 10-12 June 1905 Long Kin West T.S. Booth, H. Brodrick, JH. Buckley, JA Green, C.A Hill, C. Hastings, P. Lamb, W. Parsons 133 9 July 1905 Gaping Gill (descent) T.S. Booth, Botterill, JH. Buckley, C. Hastings, AE. Horn, W. Parsons (surface) JA. Green, Kinnaird, L. Moore 134 Summer 1905 Clapham Cave c.A. Hill et al. 135 Oct. 1905 Scosca Cave JB.Barnes, (F.)Botterill, H.Brodrick, JH.Buckley, C.AHill 136 1905 Hunt Pot F. Botterill137 1905 Meregill (surface) F. Payne 138 24 Mar. 1906 Cove Hole (Ribblehead) F. Botterill, M. Botterill 13-16 Apr. 1906 Blayshaw Gill 1 & 2 S.W. Cuttriss, C. Hastings 139 Easter 1906 Gritstone Pot, Boggarts Roaring, Bull Pot (Kingsdale) Jingling Hole F. Payne, E.E. Roberts, 140 5- 7 June 1906 Gaping Gill (descent) A Barran, Mrs. Barran, T.S. Booth, Miss Booth, F. Botterill, Mrs. Boyes, lH. Buckley, RA. Chadwick, S.W. Cuttriss, C. Hastings, AE. Horn, F. Horsell, G.L. Hudson, W. Parsons, JW. Puttrell, P. Robinson, W. Simpson, W.C. Slingsby, Miss Slingsby, H. Williamson (surface) H. Brodrick, F. Constantine, AR Dwerryhouse, JA Green, CA Hill, F. Leach, G.T. Lowe, L. Moore 141 17 June 1906 Hunt Pot F. Botterill 24 June 1906 Nick Pot (F.) Botterill, J.H. Buckley 142 28-29 July 1906 Gaping Gill T.S. Booth, (F.) Botterill, lH. Buckley, RA Chadwick F. Constantine, S.W. Cuttriss, C. Hastings, F. Horsell, H. Williamson 143 1906 Meregill (surface) F. Payne, E.E. Roberts 144 18-21 May 1907 Gaping Gill T.S. Booth, JH. Buckley, R.A. Chadwick S.w. Cuttriss Rl Farrer, C. Hastings, AE. Horn, E.G. Ireland, F. Leach, W.G. Ledgard, L.A Lowe, P. Robinson, A Rule, Waud 145, 18-20 June 1907 Meregill Clarke, B. Hoessly, F. Payne, Mrs. Payne, Miss Payne E.E. Roberts, H. Williamson 146 21-22 Sep. 1907 Gaping Gill E.T.W. Addyman, T.S. Booth, F. Buckley, J.H. Buckley, F. Constantine, S.W. Cuttriss, s.« Green, C. Hastings, AE. Horn, L. Horn, F. Leach 147 6- 8 June 1908 Bull Pot & Jingling Pot(Kingsdale) C.R Barran, H. Brodrick, J.H. Buckley L.S. Chappell, C. Hastings, AE. Horn, G.L. Hudson, L. Moore, W. Robertshaw,P. Robinson, A Rule June 1908 Double Three C. Hastings, P. Robinson Jingling Pot, Thorney Pot, Sheepfold Pot 148 Meregill F. Payne et al. 4 July 1908 Meregill E.T.W. Addyman, W.F. Boyd, J. de V. Hazard, B. Hoessly Oechlin, F. Payne, E.E. Roberts, H. Williamson 149 July 1908 Swinsto H. Brodrick, C.A. Hill, A Rule 150 19 Sep. 1908 Alum Pot (via Long Chum) E.T. W. Addyman, F.H. Barstow, M. Botterill W.F. Boyd, J. Buckley, lH. Buckley, B. Hoessly, Mattley, A Palmer, W.E. Palmer, Shaw, H. Williamson 151 Sep. 1908 Rumbling Hole T.S. Booth, lH. Buckley, AE. Horn, G. Seatree, C.RB. Wingfield

The YRC Bulletin 37 Winter 1996 Gavel Pot T.S. Booth, AE. Horn, W. Parsons, G. Seatree, C.RB. Wingfield 9-12 Apr. 1909 Hawes Gill Wheel C. Hastings, G.L. Hudson, F. Leach 24 Apr. 1909 Hardrawkin E.T.W. Addyman, F. Payne, E.E. Roberts 152 28-31 May 1909 Gaping Gill F.R. Barstow, T.S. Booth, 1.R. Buckley, L.S. Chappell, 1.N. Collie, H.E.J. Dalton, 1. de V. Hazard, AE. Horn, E.E. Roberts, A Rule, C.B.R Wingfield 153 3 June 1909 Sunset Hole E.T.W. Addyman, E.E. Roberts 154 26 June 1909 Car Pot H. Brodrick, A. Rule 3 or 4 July 1909 Car Pot C.R Barran, R. Bassett, T.S. Booth, H. Brodrick, J. Buckley 1.H. Buckley, Corbett, Goodacre, C. Hastings, C.A. Hill, AE. Horn, A Rule 155 16-19 July 1909 Gaping Gill (Rat Hole & Spout Tunnel) O.J. Addyrnan, AE. Horn, W. Parsons, A Rule, C.RB. Wingfield 156 2 Aug. 1909 Scosca Cave E.T.W. Addyrnan 157 18-19 Sep. 1909 Scosca Cave 158 19 Sep. 1909 Sunset Hole E.T.W. Addyman, E.E. Roberts 159 26-27 Sep. 1909 Clapham Cave G.w. Lloyd 160 15 May 1910 Sunset Hole E.T.W. Addyrnan, W.F. Boyd, 1. de V. Hazard, F. Payne E.E. Roberts, W.M. Roberts, Miss Stevenson, RF. Stobart 161 12-16 May 1910 Gaping Gill (Rat Hole & Spout Tunnel) F.H. Barstow, H. Bassett, T.S. Booth, H. Brodrick, T.R. Bumett L.S. Chappell, H.E.J. Dalton, W.P. Haskett-Smith, C. Hastings, Miss Ingleby, A Rule, G. Seatree, L. Slingsby, W.C. Slingsby, C.B.R Wingfield, and guests 162 14-16 May 1910 Meregill E.T.W. Addyrnan,1. de V. Hazard, F. Payne, E.E. Roberts W.M. Roberts, RF. Stobart, R. Williamson 163 11-13 June 1910 Gaping Gill T.S. Booth, H. Brodrick, 1.M. Davidson, P. Robinson, A Rule L. Slingsby, C.B.R Wingfield 164 12 June 1910 SE. ofCar Pot 17-18 Sep. 1910 SunsetlBraithwaite Wife T.S. Booth, H.E. Kentish, J.G. Stobart, RF. Stobart, C.B.R Wingfield 165 Oct. 1910 Sleets Gill, Dowkabottom C. Hastings 166 Nov. 1910 Little Hull Hole F.R. Barstow, AE. Horn, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 167 Nov. 1910 New Year Pot E.E. Roberts, Stobart 168 1910 Gingling Hole(Fountains Fell), F.H. Barstow Mar. 1911 Gingling Hole(Fountains Fell) 169 2 Apr. 1911 New Year Pot F.R. Barstow, H.E.J. Dalton, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 170 3- 5 June 1911 Meregill E.T.W. Addyrnan, J. de V. Hazard, F. Payne, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 171 3- 5 June 1911 Gaping Gill W.V. Brown, H. Brodrick, L.S. Chappell, R.E.1. Dalton, C. Hastings, AE. Horn, A Rule, J.S. Thomas 172 23 June 1911 Swinsto H. Bassett, R. Brodrick, 1.P.A. Dear, RD. Farrow, A Rule 173 Aug. 1911 Diccan Pot, Gatekirk Cave, Long Chum Cave, Sunset Hole Weathercote Cave W.v. Brown, Mrs. Brown 174 29 Oct. 1911 Little Hull Hole F.R. Barstow, E.E. Roberts, R.F. Stobart 175 30 Oct. 1911 Little Hull Hole F.H. Barstow, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart, et 3 al. 176 1911 Meregill E.T.W. Addyrnan,1. de V. Hazard, F. Payne, E.E. Roberts Aug. 1912 Meregill E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 177 4 May 1912 Little Hull E.T.W. Addyrnan, F.R. Barstow, L.S. Chappell, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 178 25-27 May 1912 Gaping Gill F.H. Barstow, W.V. Brown, H. Brodrick, 1.H. Buckley, H.E.J. Dalton, AA Hall, A Rule, Stenhouse, C.B.R Wingfield, et 15 al. 179 27 May 1912 Meregill E.T.W. Addyman,1. de V. Hazard, F. Payne, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart, Wilson 180 13&.30 June 1912 Goyden Pot F.R. Barstow, RF. Stobart 181 12 July 1912 Penyghent: Long Churn E.T.W. Addyman, C. Hastings, G.L. Hudson, E.E. Roberts, 1.G. Stobart, R.F. Stobart 13 July 1912 Cowskull Pot E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart Cross Pot E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart

The YRCBulletin 38 Winter 1996 14 July 1912 Sell Gill Hole E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 12-14 July 1912 Browgill Cave E. Roberts, R.F. Stobart 182 5 Oct. 1912 Alum Pot 183 6 Oct. 1912 Penyghent: Long Chum E.T.W. Addyman, C. Hastings, G.L. Hudson E.E. Roberts, IG. Stobart, RF. Stobart Oct. 1912 Greensett Cave A. Charlesworth, E.E. Roberts 184 1912 Gillhead Pots M. Botterill, IF. Seaman 185 1912 Clapham Cave H. Brodrick et al 1913 Clapham Cave H. Brodrick 186 10-12 May 1913 Gaping Gill T.S. Booth, H. Brodrick, C. Hastings, L. Moore, P. Robinson A. Rule, C.B.R Wingfield, et 16 al. 187 10-12 May 1913 Little Hull Hole Miss Bowden, I de V. Hazard, F. Payne, Mrs. Payne, Miss Payne, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 188 7,15&30 June 1913 Fox Holes (Clapham) H. Brodrick, CA Hill et al. Aug. 1913 Fox Holes (Clapham) c:s. Hill, A. Rule et al. Aug. 1913 DiccanPot W.V. Brown, W.G. Ledgard, C.D. Frankland 189 20 Sep. 1913 Clapham Cave H. Brodrick, CA Hill et al 190 30 May-l June 1914 Meregill E.T.W. Addyman, O.l Addyman, F.H. Barstow, Miss Capper F. Payne, Mrs. Payne, Miss Payne, E.E. Roberts, R Sanderson, S. Sanderson, RF. Stobart, Mrs. Stobart 191 July 1914 Fox Holes H. Brodrick, C. Hastings, C.A. Hill et al 192 Sep. 1915 CalfPot (Upper) A. Charlesworth, E.E. Roberts 6 Sep. 1918 Dismal Hill Hole F. Payne, E.E. Roberts 18-21 Apr. & 7 June 1919 High Hull Pot I de V. Hazard, E.E. Roberts 7 June 1919 Hull Pot F. Payne, Miss D. Pilley, S. Sanderson, R.F. Stobart 7 June 1919 Ribble Swallow F. Payne et al. 7- 9 June 1919 Deaths Head Pot,Gavel Pot,Rumbling Hole 7- 9 June 1919 Sell Gill Hole F. Payne, Miss D. Pilley, RF. Stobart 8- 9 June 1919 Hardrawkin I de V. Hazard, F. Payne, Miss D. Pilley, E.E. Roberts, S. Sanderson, RF. Stobart 193 22-25 May 1920 Gaping Gill! Flood Entrance E.T.W. Addyman, IC. Appleyard, F.S.Booth, T.S.Booth, IBuckley, C.E.Burrow, D.Burrow, C.Chubb, W.Clarkson J.CouIton, ID.Ellis, G.L.Hudson, T.Lovett, E.E.Roberts, P.Robinson, C.B.RWingfield et 13 al. 194 1920 Disappointment 195 1920 Clapham Cave A. Bonner, E.E. Roberts 196 6 Feb. 1921 Scosca Cave 197 13-17 May 1921 Gaping Gill, Car Pot, Nettle Pot, Nick Pot C.E. Burrow, D. Burrow, IH. Buckley, ID. Ellis, G.L. Hudson, E.E. Roberts, et 23 al. 198 1 July 1921 Old Ing Cave 7 members 199 Aug. 1921 Diccan Pot C.D. Frankland, w.V. Brown 200 8-10 Oct. 1921 Goyden Pot, Manchester Hole 10 Oct. 1921 Eglins Hole I Buckley, E.E. Roberts 26 Mar. 1922 Penny Pot C.E. Burrow, C.D. Frankland, IN. Longfield, E.E. Roberts, IF. Seaman 26 Mar. 1922 Scosca Cave IN. Longfield, E.E. Roberts 27 Mar. 1922 Gillhead Pots C.D. Frankland, E.E. Roberts 7 May 1922 Stump Cross 18 May 1922 Pillar Pots 2 & 3 May 1922 Hull Pot E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 201 May 1922 Little Hull Hole J.D. Ellis, Legge, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 3- 5 June 1922 Diccan Pot W.V. Brown, C.D. Frankland, I HiIton 202 2- 4 June 1922 High Hull E.T.W. Addyman RF. Stobart 203 2- 4 June 1922 Gaping Gill H.P. Devenish 204 4 June 1922 Little Hull Hole E.T.W. Addyman, N. Bates, ID. Ellis, Mrs. Ellis, Legge E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 205 6 June 1922 Hunt Pot J.D. Ellis, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart, et 1 al206 7 June 1922 Diccan Pot W.V. Brown, C.D. Frankland, J. HiIton, RF. Stobart 207

The YRC Bulletin 39 Winter 1996 2 July s: 17 Sep. 1922 Alum Pot AS. Lowden 9-10 Dec. 1922 Manchester Hole 208 1922 Goyden Pot at least 15 men 209 Dec. 1922 Angerholm l Buckley Mar. 1923 lH. Buckley, H.P. Devenish, E.E. Roberts 31 Mar.-2 Apr. 1923 Marble Steps Pot B. Holden, A Humphreys, H. Humphreys Apr. 1923 Hell Hole (Wharfedale) 210 19-21 May 1923 Diccan Pot w.v. Brown, lM. Davidson, C.D. Frankland, l Hilton, E.E. Roberts 211 June 1923 Angerholm r.o. Ellis, E.E. Roberts 212 7 July 1923 Diccan Pot w.v. Brown, C.D. Frankland, l Bilton, E.E. Roberts 213 23 July 1923 GinglingHole (Fountains Fell) W.v. Brown, l Bilton, E.E. Roberts 214 29 Mar. 1924 Cuddy Gill Cave & Pot, Gunnerfleet Cave W.v. Brown, C.E. Burrow, E.E. Roberts 10 May 1924 Gunnerfleet Cave AS. Lowden, E.E. Roberts 215 1924 Tub Hole, Dentdale 216 6 June 1924 Gaping Gill Barranjr., F.S. Booth, W.v. Brown, Buckley, C.E. Burrow H.P. Devenish, C.D. Frankland, M. Gaunt, l Bilton, AE. Horn, E.D. Hollis, AS. Lowden, Mallinson, Richardson, E.E. Roberts, P. Robinson, IF. Seaman 28 June 1924 Gingling Hole (Fountains Fell) W.V. Brown, H.P. Devenish, l Bilton E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart, Wright 217 17 Aug. 1924 BighHull l Bilton, AS. Lowden, E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 18 Aug. 1924 Keld Bank Spring E.E. Roberts, RF. Stobart 23 Aug. 1924 Juniper Gulf 6 men Aug. 1924 Holme Bill Cave 10 May 1925 Blayshaw Gill No. 2 F.H.Barstow, D.G.Culross, AS.Lowden, E.E.Roberts 31 May 1925 Marble Steps Pot Anderson, F.S. Booth, H.S. Booth, W.v. Brown, l Bilton, AS. Lowden, E.E. Roberts 21 June 1925 Blayshaw Gill No. 1 D.G.Culross, AS.Lowden, E.E.Roberts, W.L.Sutcliffe 27-28 June 1925 Marble Steps Pot Anderson, F.S. Booth, H.S. Booth, W.Y. Brown, J. Bilton, AS. Lowden, E.E. Roberts 218 18-19 July 1925 Diccan Pot W.Y. Brown, F.S. Booth, H.P. Devenish, l Bilton E.D. Hollis, E.E. Roberts 219 2 Aug. 1925 Yordas Cave E.T.W. Addyman, D.G. Culross, E.E. Roberts, w.L. Sutcliffe 21 Mar. 1926 Bull Pot of the Witches W.V. Brown, E.D. Evans, E.E. Roberts 23 May 1926 Rowten Pot F.S.Booth, W.V.Brown, C.D.Frankland, lBilton, E.E.Roberts 11 July 1926 Gavel Pot F.S. Booth, W.Y. Brown, l Bilton, E.E. Roberts 220 12 July 1926 Rumbling Hole F.S. Booth, W.v. Brown, l Bilton, E.E. Roberts 221 1926 Boggarts Roaring C.D. Frankland, E.E. Roberts 222 4- 6 June 1927 Gaping Gill Large party 223 19 June 1927 Bidden Pot (Barbon) E.E. Roberts, E.l Woodrnan 16 July 1927 Bull Pot, Kingsdale F.S. Booth, H.S. Booth, W.Y. Brown, l Bilton, E.E. Roberts, S.H. Whitaker July 1927 Bull Pot of the Witches, Foss Gill Pot, Swindale Pots C.D. Frankland, B. Beetham 224 28-29 Aug. 1927 Gaping Gill Large parties 225 3- 4 Sep. 1927 Gaping Gill Large parties m 11 Sep. 1927 Jockey Pot F.S. Booth, H.S. Booth, E.E. Roberts 11 Mar. 1928 Goyden Pot May 1928 Goyden Pot 226 26-28 May 1928 Gaping Gill 26-28 May 1928 Lost John's Hole J. Bilton, E.E. Roberts, S.H. Whitaker, et 1 al Short Drop Cave E.E. Roberts, S.H. Whitaker 227 1928 Foss Gill Pot C.D. Frankland 228 23 Mar. 1929 Goyden Pot C.E. Benson, G.C. Marshall, E.E. Roberts, H. Yates 16 June 1929 Goyden Pot W.Y.Brown, J.Hilton, G.C.Marshall, E.E.Roberts, H.Yates 229 30 June 1929 Long Kin West Aug. 1929 Scot Hole Pots

The YRC Bulletin 40 Winter 1996 Aug. 1929 Hollow Mill Pots A Butterfield, G.c. Marshall, E.E. Roberts, B.1. Wood, H. Yates 270ct. 1929 Blue John Hole(Swaledale) E.E. Roberts, H. Yates 8 Mar. 1930 Clapham Cave A Bonner, E.E. Roberts 9 Mar. 1930 Pillar Pot 7- 9 June 1930 Lost John's Hole W.v. Brown, 1. Hilton, G.c. Marshall, E.E. Roberts H. Yates, & 4 guests May 1930 Jingling Cave 13 July 1930 Lost John's Hole AE. Bottomley, W.v. Brown, 1. Hilton, B. Nelstrop, E.E. Roberts, H. Yates 230 27-28 Sep. 1930 Long Kin East & Rift Pot 20 members 231 1930 Goyden H. Armstrong, A Butterfield, B. Nelstrop, H. Yates 11 Apr. 1931 Goyden Dean, W.F. Higgins, B. Nelstrop, H. Yates 3 May 1931 Goyden H. Yates et al. 10 May 1931 Goyden A Butterfield, H. Yates 232 23-25 May 1931 Gaping Gill F.S. Booth 233 30 May 1931 Goyden A Butterfield, E.E. Roberts, H. Yates 5 June &26 July 1931 Goyden A Butterfield, W.F. Higgins, B. Nelstrop, B. Yates 31 Aug. 1931 Goyden A Butterfield, B. Nelstrop, H. Yates Sep. 1931 Rumbling Hole W.F. Higgins, E.E. Roberts, H. Yates 8 Nov. 1931 Goyden A Butterfield, AE. Heys, W.F. Higgins B. Nelstrop, E.E. Roberts, H. Yates 21 Nov. 1931 Rumbling Hole Dean, W.F. Higgins, H. Yates, Feb. 1932 Goyden Mar. 1932 Goyden 20 Mar. 1932 Goyden W.F. Higgins, B. Nelstrop, H. Yates 23 ApT. 1932 Goyden 234 1 May 1932 Giants Grave,Lockey Cave W.F.Higgins,E.E.Roberts,1.Williamson,HIYates 235 15 May 1932 Gaping Gill & Flood Exit H. Armstrong, F.S. Booth, C.E. Burrow, 1. Crowe 1. Hilton, Marshall, E.H. Sale, H. Yates 236 22 May 1932 Penyghent House & Upper Heselden I,ll A Butterfield, H. Yates 237 4 June 1932 Goyden 238 18 June 1932 Birks Fell Cave W.v. Brown, E.E. Roberts 239 26 June 1932 Rumbling Hole W.v. Brown, Dean, W.F. Higgins, B. Nelstrop, E.E. Roberts, Vivian, H. Yates 240 June 1932 Bishopdale Gavel Pot III C.E. Burrow, 1. Hilton 241 10 July 1932 Marble Steps 15 men 242 July 1932 Bishopdale Gavel Pot III W.v. Brown, 1. Hilton, E.E. Roberts 243 24-25 Sep. 1932 Goyden 244 Sep. 1932 Bruntscar& Ivescar E.E. Roberts 245 lOct. 1932 Goyden E.E. Roberts, H. Yates et al. Dec. 1932 Goyden W.F. Higgins, Mariner, B. Nelstrop, H. Yates 246 7 Apr. 1933 Bishopdale Gavel Pots V & VI 247 7 May 1933 Rowten Pot 2- 6 June 1933 Gaping Gill 1.0. Brown et al 5 June 1933 Marble Pot W.F. Higgins, B. Nelstrop, E.E. Roberts, H. Yates 248 June 1933 Jingle Pot (Hubberholme) F.S. Booth, W.v. Brown, E.E. Roberts 2 July 1933 Long Kin East - Rift Pot 1.0. Brown, W.V. Brown, W.F. Higgins, 1. Hilton, B. Nelstrop, E.E. Roberts, B.1. Wood, H. Yates 249 10 Sep. 1933 Lost Johns Hole 3 members 250 1933 Tub Hole, Dentdale 1.A Holmes 251 Feb. 1934 Scosca Cave P. Armstrong, E.E. Roberts Apr. 1934 Scosca Cave P. Armstrong, E.E. Roberts, 1. Williamson June 1934 Bishopdale Gavel Pot IV P. Armstrong, 1. Hilton, F.W. Stembridge, H.L. Stembridge, E.E. Roberts Sep. 1934 Douk Cave (Ingleborough)B. Beetham, E.E. Roberts 1934 Yockenthwaite Pot P. Armstrong, E.E. Roberts 1934 Aygill Cave, East Gill Cave, Rosebush Pot 1.0. Brown, H.G. Watts

The YRC Bulletin 41 Winter 1996 5- 6 May 1935 Meregill 6 members May 1935 Helmsley Windypits W.V. Brown, E.E. Roberts 252 9 June 1935 Gaping Gill H. Armstrong, F.S. Booth, Brown, C. Chubb, J.M. Davidson, Leach, T. Lovett, H.L. Stembridge, F. W. Stembridge 253 Sep. 1935 GoydenB. Nelstrop, E.E. Roberts, J. Wood Nov. 1935 Helmsley Windypits W.V. Brown, E.E. Roberts Jan. 1936 Nick Pot II F.S. Booth 254 Mar. 1936 Hawnby Windypit V G.S. Gowing, E.E. Roberts, H. Thompson, S. Thompson, H. Stevens Apr. 1936 Hawnby Windypit IV E.E. Roberts, H.L. Stembridge, F.W. Stembridge 255 June 1938 Gaping Gill F.S. Booth, J.T.H. Godley, B. Nelstrop, AW.A. Matheson, J. Rigg, E.E. Roberts, J.F. Wardle June 1939 Stot Rakes Cave J.c. Addyman, E.E. Roberts 1939 Litton Upper Shaft J. Rigg, E.E. Roberts 256 1- 8 Aug. 1942 Otter's Cave E.E. Roberts 257

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the YRC for access to its library, and to Dr. T.R Shaw for reading the manuscript and for his helpful comments.

References

14 Baker EA. (1906) "A Visit to Mitchelstown Hutton J. (1781) "A Tour to the Caves in the Cave" The Irish Naturalist,li. (2), 29 - 36. environs ofIngleborough and Settle in the (1907) "A Visit to Mitche1stown Cave" pp. West Riding of Yorkshire." (London: 159 - 167 in Baker EA & Balch H.E. "The Richardson & Urquhart, 2nd. ed.). Netherworld of Mendip" (London: Simpkin, 2 Banks W.S. (1866) "Walks in Yorkshire Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co.). North-West and North-East" pp. 66 - 72. (London: Russell-Smith). Hill C.A. (1908) "Mitchelstown Cave" The 3 Craven Weekly Pioneer 7 May 1870 Irish Naturalist 17. (11), 239 - 240. (Skipton). Brodrick H (1908) "The Marble Arch Caves 4 Hastings C.(1926) J.Gritstone Club J. (1) in Co. Fermanagh" The Irish Naturalist 17. reprinted (1930) lYRC. Q. 60-62. (11),240 - 241. 5 Craven Pioneer (1879) 24 May p. 2 (1908) J. YRC. 2. 291 - 305 (Skipton). Tate T. (1880) "The Source (1909) Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. 27. Sect. B, of the River Aire" Proc. Yorks. Geol. & (9), 183 - 192. Polytech. Soc. 1.(2), 177 - 186. (1909) J. YRC. J. 49 - 65. 6 Proc. Yorks. Geol. & Polytech. Soc. (Brigg W.A.) (1909) J. vnc.a 95. (1900) (n.s.) 14. 1 - 44. (1904) (n.s.),li. 248 - 304. (1910) J. YRe. J. 206,207. 7 Yorkshire Weekly Post (1898) 25 June p. 9 Baker EA. & Wingfield C.R.(B.) (1913) J. (Leeds). YRC. 1. 138 - 144. 8 Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Baker EA. & Kentish HE (1913) J. YRC. Society Minute Books (University of Leeds 1.128 -137. Library). Baker EA. (1932) "Caving"pp. 120 - 209 9 Anon. (1902) "Kyndwr Club Notes" (London: Chapman & Hall). Climbers' Club J. 1. (16), 182 - 183. Gowing G.S. (1936) J. YRC. Q. 320 - 328. Kyndwr Club Log & Minute Books (Derby Bartlett P.N. (1936) l YRC. Q. 329 - 331. BoroughLibrary). (Roberts EE) (1936) J. YRC. Q. 349 - 350. 10 Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Bartlett P.N. (1938) J. YRC. 1.35 - 42. Society Minute Book 9 May 1899 GowingG.S. (1938) J. YRC.l. 43 - 51. (University of Leeds Library). 11 Craven S.A. (1976) J. YRC. 11. 170 - 172. (Roberts EE) (1938) l YRC. Z. 79 - 81. 12 Craven S.A. (1976) British Caver 64. 27 - 35. (1947) J. YRC. Z. 144 - 152. 13 Toothill F. (1904) Leeds Mercury Weekly (1947) J. YRC. 1. 177 - 178. Supplement 24 Sep. p. 4 (Leeds). Holmes JA (1949) J. YRC. Z. 233. Botterill M. (1929) J. YRC.l. 309 - 310.

The YRC Bulldin 42 Winter 1996 Praeger R.L. (1969) "The Way that I went" 45 Northern Cavern & Fell Club Log Book pp. 1l0, 322 - 327 (Dublin: Allen Figgis; (1934)~. West Yorkshire Pioneer (1935) 22 2nd. ed.). Mar. p.l0 (Skipton). l YRC. (1960) 2. 107. 15 J. YRC. (1909) 1. 96. 46 Hensler E (1937) Caves and Caving (2), 79. 16 J. YRC. (1938) 1. 52 - 61. Grainger B.M. (1937) Caves and Caving (3), 17 J. YRC. (1909) 1. 96 - 97. 110 - 112. 18 J. YRC. (1910) J 206. 47 Craven Herald (1931) 26 June p. 6. 19 l YRC. (1912) 1. 81. 48 r. YRC. (1954)~. 85. 20 l YRC. (1921) 1. 275. 49 J, YRC. (1954)~. 13 - 18. 21 r. YRC. (1922)}. 135 - 140. 50 J. YRC. (1960) 2.41 - 45, 92. 22 r. YRC. (1934) §. 240 - 242. 51 r. YRC. (1970) 10. 376. 23 l YRC. (1911)}. 313. 52 J. YRC. (1964) 2. 331. 24 l YRc. (1909) 1. 101. 53 l YRC. (1968) 10. 247 - 253. 25 Baker EA (1932) "Caving" pp. 210 - 246 54 J. YRC. (1949) 1. 233 - 247,266 - 268, 274. (London: Chapman & Hall). 55 l YRC. (1954) ~. 3 - 8. 26 J. YRC. (1930H. 122 - 126. (1936H. 56 J. YRC. (1954)~. 83. 308 - 313. 57 J. YRC. (1960) 2. 52 - 66,90 - 91. 27 Allsup W. (1934) "Notes on Walking around 58 l YRC. (1962) 2. 205 - 210. Shillong" pp. 63 - 65. 59 l YRC. (1964) 2. 321 - 328. l YRc. (1949) 1. 277. 60 l YRC. (1957)~. 118 - 126. 28 l YRC. (1934) §. 235 - 239. 61 l YRC. (1960) 2. 1 - 8. 29 Hill C.A. (1911) "TIle Cave ofthe Dragon: 62 r. YRC. (1964) 2. 331. Majorca" l YRC. J 275 - 285. r. YRC. (1966) IQ. 89 -92. 30 r. YRc. (1936) §. 304 - 307. 63 J. YRC. (1960) 2. 23 - 31, 92. 31 Brodrick H. (1905) "Notes on the geological 64 Judson D.M. (1965) J. Craven Pothole Club 242 - 243. J. YRC. (1966) 10. 18 - 33. features of Rift Pot" J. YRC. 2,. 157 - 159. 1. 65 Judson D.M. (1967) Craven Pothole Club Dwerryhouse AR. (1907) "Limestone r. 1. 48 - 52. J. YRC. (1968) 10. 152 - 158. cavems and pot-holes and their mode of 66 J. YRC. (1970) 10. 352 - 355. origin" J. YRC. 2,. 223 - 228. Dwerryhouse AR. (n.d.) "Geology" (London: Jack). 67 Whalley J.(C.) & Judson D.(M.) (1969) l Anon. (1934) "Samuel Wells Cuttriss" J. Craven Pothole Club 1. 138 - 141. YRC. §. 245. Judson D.M. (1970) J. Craven Pothole Club 32 Brodrick H.(1924) "Fox Holes, Clapdale-A 1.189 - 191. l YRC. (1970) 10. 371- 372. Rock Shelter" J.YRC.}.112 116 68 J. YRC. (1968) IQ. 189 - 219. 33 H(ill) C.(A) (1911) "Speleo-entomology" l 69 r. YRC. (1968) 10. 261. YRC. J 298 - 299. 70 r. YRC. (1970) IQ. 315 - 335. 34 Green J.A et a1. (1911) "Cave exploration" 71 J. YRC. (1973) 11. 44 - 52. pp. 230 - 238 in The Earl of Suffolk and 72 Judson D.M. & Whalley r.c. (1976) l Berkshire (ed.) "TIle Encyclopaedia of SPOlt Craven Pothole Club}. 188 - 194. and Games 1. Hunting - Racing" (London: l YRC. (1979) 11.227 - 234. William Heinemann), 73 Allanach D. et a1. (1980) J. Craven Pothole 35 Roberts EE. (1910) "The Accident to Mr. Club §. 80 - 106, Boyd" l YRC. 1. 179 - 185. 74 Judson D.M. (1971) J. Craven Pothole Club Craven Herald (1935) 14 June p. 2. 1.259 - 260. (1972) J. Craven Pothole Club J. YRC. (1936) §. 373 - 374. 1. 299 - 301. l YRC. (1973) U 1 - 29. 36 The Bradford Observer (1895) 3 Aug. p. 5. Judson D.(M.) (1973) "Ghar Parau" 37 (Watts H.G.) (1947) "Edouard Alfred Martel'' (London: Cassell). l YRC. 1. 105. 75 J. YRC. (1960) 2. 73. 38 l YRC. (1902) 1. xii - xiv. 76 Leeds Mercury Weekly Supplement (1893) 39 Kendall P.F. & Wroot H.E (1924) "Geology of 25 Mar. p. 8 (Leeds) Yorkshire" pp. viii, 476, 533, 534, 826. YRC. Annual Report 1892-3 p. 11. 40 Dwerryhouse AR. (n.d.) "Geology" 77 YRC. Annual Report 1893-4 p. 10. (London: Jack) pp. vii + 301. 78 YRC. Annual Report 1894-5 p. 15. 41 Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Leeds Mercury Weekly Supplement (1895) Society Minute Book 14 Nov. 1899 15 June (Leeds). (University of Leeds Library). 79 Cuttriss MS. June 1896. (YRC. Library) 42 Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Yorkshire Weekly Post (1895) 24 Aug. p. 5 Society Minute Books (University of (Leeds). Leeds Library), 80 Cuttriss MS. No. 55. (YRC. Library) 43 Howes C. (1989) "To Photograph Darkness" 81 Cuttriss MS. No. 42. (YRC. Library) p. 204. (Gloucester: Alan Sutton). Simpson MS. (Folder 29) (British Spe1. 44 J. YRC. (1921) 1.251 - 266. Assn. records).

The YRC Bulletin 43 Winter 1996 82 Cuttriss MS. No. 37. (YRC. Library) Bogg E (1898) "2000 Miles in Ribblesdale" 83 Cuttriss MS. June 1896. (YRC. Library) pp. 232 - 243 (Leeds: James Miles). Yorkshire Weekly Post (1895) 24 Aug. p. 5 Spelunca (1898) 1. 31 - 39. (Leeds). 108 Cuttriss MS. 11 July 1897. (YRC. Library) 84 Leeds Mercury Weekly Supplement (1896) 109 Cuttriss MS. July 1897. (YRe. Library) 30 May (Leeds). Proc. Yorks. Geol. & Polytech. Soc. 11. 316 1. YRC. (1899) 1. 65 - 74. - 324. 85 Bradford Observer (1896) 14 May p. 5. 30 110 Alpine J. (1897) N. 567. J. YRC. (1900) 1. May p. 6. Yorkshire Weekly Post (1896) 23 134. May p. 3. III Proc. Yorks. Geol. & Polytech. Soc. 13. 316 - 324. 86 Bradford Observer (1895) 17 Sep. 112 YRC. Annual Report (1897/8) pp. 13 - 14. Yorkshire Weekly Post (1896) 30 May p. 5 Proc. Yorks. Geol. & Polytech, Soc. 13. 433 (Leeds). - 443. 87 Cuttriss MS. June 1896. (YRC. Library) 113 YRC. Annual Report (1897/8) pp. 13 - 14. 88 Cuttriss MS. No. 42. (YRC. Library) Cuttriss MS. No. 45. (YRC. Library) 89 Cuttriss MS. Nos. 39 & 40. (YRC. Libry) 114 J. YRC. (1907) 2.. 249. 90 Cuttriss MS. (YRe. Library) 115 Cuttriss MS. 1898. (YRC. Library) J. YRe. 91 Alpine J. (1896) N. 185 (1922) 1. 63. 1. YRC. (1899) 1. 65 - 74. 116 YRC. Annual Report (1897/8) pp. 13 - 14. 92 1. YRC. (1899) 1. 65 - 74. Bradford 117 J. YRC. (1922) 1. 63 - 64. Cuttriss MS. Observerfl Svfi) 17Sep. (1896)14 Mayp. 5. 1898. (YRC. Library) Yorkshire Weekly Post (1896) 23 May p. 3 118 YRC. Annual Report (1897/8) pp. 13 - 14. 1. (Leeds). 30 May p. 5 (Leeds). YRC. (1903) 2.. 28 - 34. 93 Alpine J. (1896) N. 185. 119 Cuttriss MS. 1898. (YRC. Library) 1. YRC. (1900) 1. 123 - 133. 120 J. YRC. (1900)1. 140. YRC. Annual Report (1895/6) pp. 10 - 11. 121 Cuttriss MS. May 1899. (YRC. Library) Bradford Observer (1896) 30 May p. 6. J.YRC. (1900)1.140. J.YRC.(1922)1.62/63. 94 Cuttriss MS. June 1896. (YRC. Library) 122 J.YRC.(1900)1.140. Cuttriss MS. (YRC.Lib) Speight H. (1900) "Upper Wharfedale" p. 384 123 J. YRC. (1900) 1. 135. (London: E Stock). Proc, Yorks, Geol. & 124 J. YRC. (1901) 1. 233 - 234. Yorkshire Polytech. Soc. (1899) 13. 316 - 324. Weekly Post (1902) 25 Oct. p. 15. Yorkshire Weekly Post (1896) 4 July p. 8 125 J. YRC. (1903) 2..48 - 51. Yorkshire Post (Leeds). (1903) 1 June (Leeds). Leeds MercUJY 95 Bogg E. (1904) "Higher Whalfeland" p. 321 (1903) 1 June. Craven Herald (1903) 5 June (Leeds: 1. Miles). Cuttriss MS. Aug. 1896. (Skipton). West Yorkshire Pioneer (1903) 5 (YRC. Library) Martel EA. (1897) June (Skipton). Lancaster Guardian (1903) 6 "Irelande et Cavemes Anglaises'' p. 390 June, (Paris: Delagrave). Yorkshire Weekly 126 J. YRC. (1913).1. 107 - 127. Post (1896) 8 Aug. p. 8 (Leeds). 127 Lancaster Standard & County Advertiser 96 1. YRC. (1901) 1. 220 - 228. (1903) 11 Sep. 97 Maltel EA. (1897) "Irelande et Cavemes 128 1. YRC. (1905) 2.. 165. 129 J. YRC. (1905) 2.. 145 - 156. Anglaises" p. 332 (Paris: Delagrave). 130 J. YRC. (1907) 2.. 249. 1. YRC. (1901) 1. 220 - 228. 131 J. YRC. (1905)2.. 145 - 156. 98 1. YRC. (1901) 1. 114 - 122. 132 J. YRC. (1907) 2..249. Baker EA (1932) 99 Cuttriss MS. (YRC. Library) "Caving" p. 71. (London: Chapman & Hall). Bradford Observer (1897) 10 July p. 7. 133 1. YRC. (1930) §.. 75 - 79. Proc. Yorks, Geol. & Polytech. Soc. (1899) 134 1. YRC. (1905) 2.. 173. n. 316 - 324. 135 J. YRC. (1913) 1. 107 - 127. lOO YRC. Annual Report (1896/6) pp. 10 - 11. 136 J. YRe. (1907) 2.. 229 - 235. 101 Cuttriss MS. No. 55. (YRC. Library) 137 J. YRC. (1921).1. 262 - 263. 102 1. YRC. (1924) 1. 156. 138 J. YRC. (1912) 1.30 - 43. 103 Cuttriss MS. Apr. 1897. (YRC. Library) 139 1. YRC. (1907) 2.. 249. 104 as 99 140 1. YRC. (1960) 2. 75. 105 Alpine J. (1897) 18. 480. Lancaster 141 J. YRC. (1907)2.. 202 - 210. Standard & County Advertiser (1897) 21 142 J. YRC. (1907)2.. 249. May p. 7. 1. YRe. (1900) 1. 114 - 122. 143 J. YRC. (1907)2.. 211 - 215. 106 as 99 144 J. YRC. (1912) 1. 30 - 43. 107 as 99 and Alpine 1. (1897) 18. 480. 145 J. YRC. (1908) 2..306 - 311. YRC. Annual Report (1896/7) p. 15. 146 J. YRC. (1912) 1.30 - 43. 147 J. YRC. (1908) 2..306 - 311. 148 1. YRC. (1909) 1. 95. (1911) 1. 291 - 295.

'Ibe YRe Bulletin 44 Winter 1996 149 J.YRC.(1908)2..312-314 :,!-30-43. 200 J.YRC.(1924)~.117-124. 150 J YRC. (1911) J. 288 - 290. 201 J. vac. (1922)~. 73 - 77. 151 Leeds Mercury 23 Sep. 1908 p. 5. Craven 202 J. YRC. (1924),2.117 - 134. Herald 25 Sep. 1908 p. 3. Yorkshire Evening 203 1. YRC. (1924),2. 125 - 134. News 23 Sep. 1908 p. 5. J. YRC. (1909)}. 204 1. YRC. (1922),2.73. 45 - 48. 205 J. YRc. (1924),2. 125 - 134. 152 J. YRC. (1909) J. 94 - 96. 206 J. YRc. (1922),2.75. (1924)~. 134. 153 Leeds Mercury 2 June 1909. Yorkshire Post 207 1. YRC. (1922),2.73. 2 June 1909. Yorkshire Evening Post 2 June 208 J. YRC. (1924),2. 156 - 157. 1909 p. 5. Yorkshire Weekly Post 5 June (1927) 2,. 228 - 229. 1909 p. 19. J. YRC. (1909) J. 67 - 77. 209 1. YRC. (1922),2. 65 - 67. 154 J. YRc. (1909) J. 94. 210 J. YRC. (1924),2. 155 - 156. 155 J. YRc. (1910)}. 174 - 176. 211 J. YRC. (1924),2.117-124. 156 1. YRC. (1909)}. 97. (1910) J. 186 - 192. 212 J. YRc. (1924),2. 155. 157 J. YRC. (1910)}. 209. 213 J. YRc. (1924),2. 117 - 124. 158 J. YRC. (1909n. 102. 214 J. YRc. (1927),2. 215 - 221. 159 J. YRC. (1909)J. 94. (1910)}.177-179. 215 J. YRc. (1927) ,2. 240 - 245. 160 J. YRC. (1909)}. 94. 216 1. YRc. (1954)~. 87. 161 1. YRC. (1910n. 179 - 185. 217 J. YRC. (1927),2. 215 - 227. 162 1. YRC. (1910)}. 186 - 192, 196. 218 J. 'I'RC. (1927),2.240 - 245. (1912) 1.44 - 53. 219 J. YRC. (1932)Q. 153 - 155. 163 1. YRC. (1912) 1.30 - 43. 220 1. YRC. (1927),2. 240 - 245. 164 1. YRc. (1910)}. 186 - 192,196. 221 1. YRC. (1934) §. 229 - 234. (1912) 1.44 - 53. 222 J. YRC. (1960) 2. 75. 165 J. YRC. (1910) J. 176 - 179. 223 J. YRC. (1929),2.300 - 308. 166 1. YRC. (1911)}. 288 - 290, 298. (1930) Q. 25 - 26. (1952) 1. 343. 167 1. YRC. (1924) 2,. 125 - 134. 224 J. YRC. (1929),2.328 - 331. 168 1. YRC. (1962) 2. 197. 225 J. YRC. (1929),2.300 - 308. 169 J. YRC. (1927) 2,.215 - 221. (1930) §. 25 - 26. 170 J. YRC. (1912) 1.57 - 58. 226 1. YRC. (1929) ,2. 328 - 331. 171 J. YRC. (1912) 1.30 - 43. 227 J. YRC. (1929),2. 338. (1930) §. 28 - 35 & 172 1. YRC. (1911n. 286 - 287. 75 -79. Yorkshire Evening Post 1 June 1928 173 J. YRC. (1911n. 291 - 294. p. 11. 174 1. YRC. (1924) 2,. 117 - 124. 228 1. YRC. (1929),2. 328. 175 1. YRC. (1912)1. 57. 229 1. YRC. (1930) §. 77. (1934)§. 216 - 228. 176 1. YRC. (1924) 2,. 125 - 134. 230 J. YRc. (1930) §. 34 - 35, 75 - 79. 177 J. YRC. (1912) 1.30 - 43. 231 J. YRC. (1932)§. 163. 178 1. YRC. (1912)1. 57 - 58. 232 1. YRC. (1930) §. 77. (1934) §. 216 - 228. (1924)2,.125-134. 233 1. YRC. (1932) 6. 153 - 154. 179 YRC. Annual Report (1911/12) p. 3. J. YRC. 234 1. YRC. (1934) §. 216 - 234. (1912)1. 55 - 57. (1913)1.175. 235 J. YRc. (1934) §. 258 - 259. 180 J. YRC. (1912) 1.30 - 43. 236 1. YRC. (1934) Q. 271. 181 J. YRC. (1912) 1.58. (1922) 2,.65 - 67. 237 J. YRC. (1934) §. 258 - 259. 182 J. YRC. (1912) 1.58,80. 238 1. YRC. (1934) Q. 216 - 228. 183 J. YRC. (1912)1. 175. 239 J. YRC. (1934) §. 259. 184 1. YRc. (1912) 1.58. 240 1. YRC. (1934) Q. 229 - 234. 185 1. YRc. (1922),2. 74. 241 J. YRc. (1934) §. 259. 186 1. YRC. (1912) 1. opp. 107. (1930) §.78. 242 1. YRC. (1934) §. 272. 187 J. YRc. (1913)1. 160 - 163,178. 243 1. YRC. (1934) §. 259. 188 J. YRC. (1921) 1. 272 - 275. 244 J. YRC. (1934) §. 216 - 228. (1924),2. 125 - 134. 245 J. YRC. (1934) §. 258. 189 1. YRC. (1913) 1. 165 - 166. 246 1. YRC. (1934) §. 216 - 228. (1924),2. 112 - 124. 247 J. YRc. (1934) §. 259. 190 1. YRC. (1913)1.107 - 127, 178. 248 J. YRc. (1934) §. 256. (1934) §. 274. 191 1. YRC. (1921)1. 272. 249 1. YRC. (1934) §..260 ~ 261. 192 1. YRC. (1924),2.112-116. 250 1. YRC. (1934) §. 257. 193 1. YRC. (1921)1. 272 - 275. 251 1. YRC. (1954H. 87. 194 1. YRc. (1921) 1.237 - 244. 252 J. YRC. (1936) §. 350 - 357. 195 Y. YRC. (1921) 1.274 - 275. 253 1. YRC. (1936) §. 373 - 374. 196 J. YRC. (1930) §. 78. 254 J. YRC. (1936) §. 350 - 355. 197 J. YRC. (1921)1. 267. 255 1. YRC. (1937) 1. 84. 198 1. YRc. (1922),2.57 - 59. 256 1. YRC. (1947) 1. 178 - 180. (1952) 1. 343. 199 1. YRC. (1922),2.75. 257 British Caver (1943) lQ. 70.

The YRC Bulletin 45 Winter 1996 George Spenceley writes ofmemories ventures down Goyden Pot, placed me evoked by a recent visit to a bookshop at the feet of my first mentor, Ernest Roberts. I became a regular visitor to Those members who have visited our his Harrogate home and gladly home will soon recognise that I'm a accepted his invitation to caving compulsive collector of books: excursions, driving through the Dales mountain books of course, but others in his open Armstrong Siddley tourer. covering interests all too wide, The benefits were not entirely one­ offering learning all too quickly sided for never before had Roberts forgotten. With an awareness of caved with one so slim who could be increasing age my chief lament is that coerced into the most restricted of many will remain unread. cavities. Recently while walking in the It was on one ofmy visits that Roberts Cotswolds I browsed in a bookshop in lent me a copy of the recently Dursley and, for a modest, price, published Norbert Casteret 'Dix Ans bought a first edition of Geoffrey Sous Terre'.I regret I failed to Winthrop Young's 'Mountains with a confess that my mastery ofthe French Difference'. The unexpected reward language was hardly adequate for a was that between its pages was a proper understanding but no doubt I letter of thanks written and signed by returned the book with appropriate the author himself It was headed words ofappreciation. 'The Two Queens', Cambo, Northumberland, dated May 1953, Now for what started out as the chief and addressed to a Miss Mortimer. purpose for beginning these ramblings. E. Mortimer - her bookplate is on the In the Dursley bookshop I found a inside cover. Who is she I wonder? copy in good condition, reasonably To research this question would have priced, of the English edition of delighted myoId friend, the late Louis Casteret's book 'Ten Years Under the Baume, and the answer could well Earth' It may now be a collector's have enhanced the book's value. piece! Should any member be Louis was a bibliophile extraordinary, interested it may still be for sale at The collector and seller of many treasures. Bookshop, 28 Long Street, Dursley, A slightly damaged copy of Slingsby's Glos. tel. 01453-544711. 'Northern Playground' which I picked up for £2.50 in Salisbury, Louis sold for me for £300 to a Norwegian collector. Following the struggles of the earlier Another book on the same shelf in part of this century to gain public Dursley brought back much earlier access for tramping the High Peak of memories. While still in my mid teens Derbyshire as we approach the end of my father, much concerned at my solo the century the damage caused to the

The YRC Bulletin 46 Winter 1996 vegetation IS all too evident. The wide enough to pass without slowing wear and tear caused by a still and turning. increasing number of feet, added to the effects of sheep grazing and acid rain, have left wide swathes of bare Seven members joined lain Gilmour ground exposed to the ravages of the in July this year on the ascent of weather. Schiehallion, the last summit needed Help is already underway though to complete his round of the Munros, organised by the National Trust and He started in May 1984 with the financed in part by the National nearest one, Ben Lomond and has Lottery. lOkm of paths at a cost of included all but 70 of the tops along £ IIz million works out at about £40 the way. Working through those is for each stride. These paths consist of next on the agenda so lain is seeking gritstone pavers, weighing in at up to climbing partners for the trickier tops IIz ton, which are airlifted into place by such as the Bhasteir Tooth. helicopter then laid on prepared ground by a small team ofworkers. At first they look pale and imposed on the landscape. Over a year or so Harvey Lomas is now a qualified though the surrounding vegetation re­ Cave Leader certificated to also take asserts itself and the pavers darken as control of youngsters in outdoor they weather blending in with their pursuits. So ifyou know of anyone in surroundings. Apart from being wider need ofthese services you know who and not yet worn to a groove, with the to contact. passage of time and feet, they are not unlike the paved ways across other parts ofthe Northern Pennines and the North Yorkshire Moors. Having seen John Bartons photograph of members at the 1949 These paths are restricted to the high Irish Meet, John Godley confirms moors and do not link with roads or that WOOed Booth is one of those car parks to minimise the chance of missing from the picture which was encouraging even greater usage. taken at Mr Barbours Killesher Farm To Michael Smith at least they are and not Florence Court as stated. preferable to some of the other John Godley maintained unbroken attempted solutions to the problem, attendance at those meets from 1938 such as matting, wooden platforms or right through to 1959. honeycomb lattices, as they are easier on the eye and give a firmer footing in wet and freezing conditions. They are used by most walkers in preference to A large volume of material has been the surrounding uneven ground. An deposited by our Archivist, Raymond exception is at busy times, when Harben, with the West Yorkshire repeatedly stepping on and off to Archives Service in Leeds. In the avoid approaching groups becomes main it relates to accounts including tiresome since the pavers are barely balance sheets, cash & subscription books covering 1936 to 1983.

'111C YRC Bulletin 47 Winter 19% Also deposited there is the Treasurers' Drumochters with the summit correspondence which contains a difficult to :find in fog and deep wealth of interesting information snow, giving an insight into the activities of Silliest day out - Glas Maol, Creag Y.R.C. members such as the letter Leacach, Cam of Claise, Tom from Denny Moorhouse in October Buidhe, The Tolmount and Cam an 1965 in which he records having Tuirc done at night to avoid being completed the first British ascent with shot during the stalking season, Brian Shirley of the Carlesso Sandri route on the south wall of the Torre Most disconcerting meteorology ­ Trieste with, unintentionally, only the Binnein Mor when ice axes started 5th ascent of the direct finish to this to crackle and spit sparks in cloud route. This latter part climbed as a and heavy snow, result ofthe poor route description in the English guide book! ! Most midge-bites in least time - Loch Maree below Slioch, Also in the correspondence is the telegram from George Spenceley to Most peas in sleeping bag - Loch Stanley Marsden advising ofthe fatal Maree below Slioch, accident in the Himalayas. Largest hole eaten in tent by mice ­ The club is fortunate that it can now outside Aviemore. bring together all its archival material "We've had a lot of fun playing this under one roof which will prove game and now intend to repeat almost extremely beneficial to those wishing all ofthem. " to research the history ofthe Club and its members. Peter Chadwick managed to :find some heavy weather and take a The summit of Ben Nevis, this soaking or two while sailing in the September, saw Rory Newman and Hebrides. The trip included a visit to Sue Thomason, who many members Soay offthe Isle ofSkye. will remember from Norway and Open ~-c:<:><::J~ Meets, complete their round of the Munros started in 1987. Rory included Any reduction in errors in recent all the tops as anyone who has seen Bulletins is due to the proof-reading him on the hills would expect. They efforts of Elspeth Smith and David have picked out for us some of the Laughton. The remaining errors are highlights: entirely the Editor's responsibility.

Wettest Munro - Ben More on Mull, ~-c:<:><::J~ Windiest Munro (actually atop) - As this edition of the Bulletin goes to Creag an Leth Choin, print news has just arrived of the recent death of one ofthe Club's most Most unsuccessfully attempted Munro senior members. Cliff Downham - Cam Dearg (Monadh Liath) died peacefully on 23rd October after whose summit was :finally reached a period ofillness. Ifit is not possible at the fifth attempt, to include an obituary in tills edition it Worst navigation - Geal Charn in the will appear in the next issue.

'!11C YRC Bulletin 48 Wintcr 1996 memories of this event differed Low Hall Garth considerably. Several members braved 5 - 7 January 1996 the elements and retired to the Three Shires Inn whilst others retired to their A poor weather forecast saw bunks. nineteen members assemble at Low Hall Garth cooking evening meal Sunday morning dawned damp and exchanging experiences. As the misty, again a full English breakfast evening progressed some sat by the was enjoyed A few members departed fire whilst others ventured to the early for home whilst others set out Three Shires Inn. Saturday dawned for half and full day expeditions. fine but with low cloud which Another enjoyable meet at Low Hall remained all day, different groups Garth, our thanks to David Hick for were away quite early after an organisation and the excellent food. excellent bacon and eggs breakfast. Attendance: Parties visited the usual Lakeland Ken Aldred tops via the well established routes for Alan Brown this traditional January meet. One high Derek Bush (President) level group walked via Wet Side Ian Crowther Edge, Three Shires Stone, Cold Pike, RoyDenny Crinkles and Lingmoor and other Martin Truler (guest) visited Wetherlam, Swirl How Carrs Andrew Duxbury Coniston Old Man, some ~ember~ Mike Godden visiting tops twice in a day! After, David Hick parties circumnavigated the Coniston Richard Josephy fells at various levels. Tim Josephy David Martindale Whatever the activity everybody David Smith assembled back at the cottage by late Michael Smith afternoon, by now the weather had Derek Smithson deteriorated to the normal wind and Bill Todd heavy rain which persisted throughout Martin Woods the evening. Alex Woods (son)

The well established and ingenious re-organisation of the furniture under the supervision of F.D. Smith enabled everybody to sit down at the same time to a first class evening meal washed down with adequate amounts ofwine and beer.

After dinner a selection of slides were shown of recent YRC activities overseas. These were made much more enjoyable by the critical comments of the audience whose

The YRCBulletin 49 Winter 1996 Joint Meet with the Attendance:

Gritstone Club Gritstone Club 12-14 April 1996 Chris Ambler, Matthew Ambler, Early Friday evening the ghost of David Bateman, winter re-appeared on the crest of an Mike Butterworth, easterly wind that carried snow down Andy Chapman, to the 300m contour. By morning the Dennis Chapman, wind had freshened and wind-chill put Jack Escritt., paid to any rock climbing aspirations. Peter Green, Plans were moderated to walks over Andy Grimshaw, Scawfell Pike, the Dodds, Helvellyn Peter Haigh, and the hills between Thirlmere and Edward Hodgson, Borrowdale. It was a day of sombre Malcolm Hopkins, beauty with blue silhouetted hills Dave Mort, beneath menacing skies. Supper was a James Nichols, relaxed occasion in the village hall Pete Roberts, ably hosted by the Gritstone Club. Mike Rose, Andy Sparks. Overnight the weather warmed as the wind shifted towards the south­ YRC west. A dull morning of limited Derek Bush, visibility hinted of rain later. Ken Aldred, Undeterred, members were out and David Atherton, about early with Eagle Crag, Albert Chapman, Thirlmere, being the venue for a Arthur Craven, GritslYRC quartet who climbed lan Crowther, routes Anarchy and Genesis. A YRC Alan Brown, duo found excellent snow and ice in Derek English(G), Central Gully, Great End, and made Mike Godden, an enjoyable ascent. Another party David Handley, walked up Blencathra whilst others Mike Hartland, went away to do other things. A fine George Heeles(G), drizzle arrived too late in the JeffHooper, afternoon to affect the aspirations of Tim Josephy, members present. David Laughton, MarkPryor, Joint meets are a sociable occasion Alister Renton, for people of similar outlook and this Harry Robinson, one was no exception. As the David Smith, weekend progressed the rapport Derek Smithson, between the clubs grew. Some Peter Swindells;, members began to talk about future Robin Swindells(G), joint expeditions, such was the Bill Todd. convivial time had by all.

The YRC Bulletin 50 Winter 1996 Ladies' Weekend 26 - 28 April 1996 It should not be necessary to begin this Meet report with an apology; but this scribe feels compelled to do so. Not, he hastens to say, to apologise that the YRC has a meet with their partners (PC for wives). That, folklore has it, was blessed thirty five years ago by Ernest Roberts, no less. At the committee meeting when it was proposed that there should be a ''Ladies' Evening", all present (struck this year showed his disdain for dumb) looked to Roberts for a sign: neckwear by publicly discarding it thumbs up, or thumbs down? Roberts during the meal. There is now a real pronounced that there had been a equality in those attending. Those who Ladies Evening in 1921 and that he have not yet attended should no 'been' there. So with a Nihil Obstat longer be put off by the Bertie from such an authority, the event Wooster title. entered the club's calendar of meets and has remained so ever since. No, The success of this reconstruction is the apology concerns the patronising best expressed in numbers. This year word 'Ladies' in the title of the meet, there was a record attendance: forty which in 1996 is surely redolent with two people came. Twenty one the pre-PC days of 1960's. In those couples, which is in line with meet unreconstructed days, the meet was a average attendance. Costs are kind of 'Thank you' to the Ladies inevitably double those of the average (God bless them!), for allowing their meet, for obvious reasons. This means bread-and-butter providers to go on that the meet is a bit harder on the meets, and to let them see what a jolly pocket than meets with communal good lot of chaps they were in the catering. Its prime appeal is to those YRC; and by implication, she had no who are 'unsalaried' (PC for retired). fear that there would be any danger of who either have a lump sum in the hanky-panky. In 1996 the meet surely bank and can afford the hotel bill, or deserves a better title, one that more to those who have spent their lump suitably expresses the equality ofsexes sum on a caravan, and want to get that exists in a meaningful relationship some use out of it. So the concept (PC for marriage.) hinges upon first finding a good tolerant hotel and second a good It deserves a better title because over caravan site nearby. It is a social the years the event has transformed weekend, when the prime aim is to itself Evening has given way to a enjoy ourselves; it therefore helps if Weekend; dancing for walking; and members are still on speaking terms DJ's and long dresses for fleeces and with their wives. But then the After bags. We still have dinner together on Dinner meet and the Christmas meets the Saturday evening, and most are also enjoyable social meets. There members wear a tie, but the President are other meets in the calendar where

The YRC Bulletin 51 Winter 1996 .' -- -- ... -.-, l'iialv Cross wife disported themselves). to J r / I Staindale and so to Levisham for I I A16( ,,-'- ,l en route refreshments. Then on ,­ - -.... • 'j " Double Dike I ..... -.. _~ ~ t \ by Skelton Tower, Levisham I l, Dike',"',' I~ .-'. bottom, Huggitts Scar, , . .• '- 'Parkmg ,- Blakey , I Topping Hudson's Cross and Yewtree J Hole of & Start \ ·-;Skelton Horcurn .. Scar back to Hole of Horcum. L I Tower L On Sunday, the route centred on I I L I Wheeldale Moor, and although I Bride ./ Stones' • some rain threatened in the "\ I.. .. -,., \ ,,' morning, the afternoon gave \ . ." perfect walking conditions. Our .' ,.' Newton "~. -_J:'n. - '.LeVlsham thanks to Gerry and Margaret Dale ' ~ --_ ... - .. -_. Lockton Lee for their organisation of the whole weekend. grasp, endurance and smews can be To close, it should be recorded that tested to the ultimate. there were two couples present who had not been at this event before. It deserves a better title because the May there be more New couples at event is purposeful and aims to take us the New Ladies Meet in 1997, in line to those parts that other meets do not with the New political Agenda. reach. Last year we were in Holmfirth (quite!). But it gave us an excellent Dennis Armstrong sixteen mile walk. This year we were near Pickering on the North Yorkshire moors. On Saturday some fifteen miles were covered by the main party and on Sunday slightly less, to allow for a later start after the late night festivities. The views over the moors were far and wide, the north wind sharp enough to tingle the face, the sun warm enough to compensate, and we saw very few other people. Ideal walking conditions. The Cottage Leas Hotel, some 2 miles north of Pickering, looked after us well and the dinner on Saturday evening was a splendid confection of formality, (ties Was it by chance that the Hole of and dresses), and informal humour and Horcum was chosen for the main walk unconscious wit, (the President's for this meet? According to Norse speech). mythology the Hole was caused by the Giant Horcum (alias Wade) scooping For the record, the circular walk on up a fistfull of earth to throw, in an Saturday started at the Hole of atypical moment of temper, at his Horcum, went via Malo Cross, Blakey scolding wife, Bel. His aim was poor Topping, High and Low Bride Stones and the clod landed to form Blakey (on which some members and one Topping. MS

The YRC Bulletin 52 Winter 1996 Gaping Gill Centenary Meet at Low Stern 10 - 12 May 1996

The low temperatures and cold winds which had been a feature ofthe 1996 Spring continued over the returned via Gaping Gill where a weekend as members met to tented village had been erected by the commemorate the Centenary of the BPC which would be in situ for two first descent ofGaping Gillby Edward weeks to include the Bank Holiday. Calvert in May 1896. One member Kegs of Fosters "down under" lager had driven through snow on his were much in evidence on the surface southward journey over Shap and which would eventually be stored on Peny-y-Ghent wore a white mantle on the cavern floor to prevent a Saturday. recurrence of a previous theft of the amber nectar.

Because of the logistics of raismg a group of eleven cavers to the surface, Mike Godden's anticipated 7.00pm dinner was delayed until around 8.15pm and was then avidly consumed with the aid of copious amounts of Bulgarian The direct descent into the main Red. Marcian gooseberry crumble chamber was not possible as the BPC was greatly appreciated to follow the were setting up the equipment in main course chicken. readiness for their own Gaping Gill meet the following week. Alternative During the repast toasts were plans saw eleven members descend given, firstly to John White who had Bar Pot on Saturday to enter the main visited Gaping Gill during the day with chamber from South East Passage. Albert Chapman. A second toast was YRC resourcefulness had triumphed to lan Crowther, who had became a again. and although they could not grandfather for the first time on Friday match Calvert's two minute descent, night. Pressure is already being they stood on the floor of the applied by him to have the child 'gruesome cavern' almost one christened Thatcher Crowther. hundred years to the day after their illustrious predecessor. Most of the assembled company then appeared in the New Inn, so Other members visited perhaps the Bulgarian Red was not Crummackdale and Ingleborough and sufficient.

The YRe Bulletin 53 Winter 1996 Sunday morning saw a group of six on Giggleswick Scar whilst other went into existing caves leaving the rest to their digging, I would like to record that as I was unable to go down Bar Pot, I returned to Gaping Gill the following week and was lowered by the BPC whose members then gave me a guided tour of the environs of the main chamber. Many thanks to them. Dave Martindale

Photography by Richard Gowing

Attendance:

Ken Aldred Denis Barker Tim Bateman * Bruce Bensley * Derek Bush * Albert Chapman lan Crowther * Mike Godden Richard Gowing * Mike HaItland David Hick * Richard Josephy * Tim Josephy * Harvey Lomas David Martindale Alistair Renton * Graham Salmon * David Smith Michael Smith * John White

Those marked * visited Gaping Gill

'111C YRC Bulk-tin 54 Winter 1996 the start, some 16 miles away at about The Long Walk 3:30 am. Due to the hour of the day and the fact that the route to the start went offthe available maps navigation The Fans, to the start point on the A4069 Brecon Beacons Brynamman to Llangadog road proved more difficult than navigation on the walk. 21 - 23 June 1996 At 4:15 am on a crisp and bright 'A splendid weekend was enjoyed by morning the walking party set off on all' is perhaps the most appropriate this 36 mile challenge across the way to begin the meet report covering southern part of Wales heading in an the events of this year's long walk in Easterly direction. The stroll to Foel South Wales. Fraith was a very welcome way of clearing the early morning cobwebs Accommodation for the walk from the and the views to the South towards Black Mountains to the Brecon Cardiff and Swansea were invigorating Beacons was finely catered for using as the route proceeded across good the facilities at the Dulwich College walking country over short grass and Field Centre at Glynetowe. low flat rocks to the top of Garreg Las. Low cloud and early morning The June weather had so far been mist descended as the walkers, slowly mixed, but hotted up in the week into beginning to spread out as the fast­ what most people hoped would lads got into gear, ascended to the continue for the weekend's walking. Bannau Sir Gaer ridge. Bright and sunny conditions covered most ofthe country for the journey to Despite poor visibility route finding South Wales, a journey which some was not too difficult due to well decided to make early on the Friday defined paths to Pies Du. From here enabling themselves time for the route descended steeply before familiarisation of this quite beautiful climbing to the trig-point that marked part of the countryside. The clear the top of Fan Brycheiniog, at 802111, weather allowed fantastic views from the highest climb before breakfast. the low ground of Fan y Big, Cribyn, The warm sun soon burnt offthe mist Pen y Fan and Corn Du. resulting in spectacular and far reaching views as the walk crossed As usual on the eve of such an event Fan Hir and descended to the Centre the local watering hole was on most for breakfast. people's agenda for dinner and liquid refreshments prior to retiring for the High on the agenda for discussion night. over breakfast was which route to take over to and up Fan Gyhirych. The The peace of the early morning was unappealing option of taking the shattered at 2:30 am by the fire alarm A4067 north and then climbing the ofthe Centre, set off as a result ofthe steep route up to the summit was soon well done toast being prepared for dismissed and the conversation breakfast. After breakfast was served, focused crossing Glyntawe Common. the various vehicled parties set off for Once over the old quarry railway the

The YRC Bulletin 55 Winter 1996 route was straight forward with most eye could see the start ofthe walk was choosing to travel north around the not visible, even on this clear day. TIle wood and take the short climb to the late afternoon sun continued to bum top. A more gentle route was to take as the highest peak, Pen y Fan of the the track through the wood which Brecon Beacons was conquered. continued almost to the summit. The sun at this point of the walk, at about Loud cheers from a group of four 10:30 am was very hot indeed but teenagers every 2 or 3 minutes half once on the tops the cool breeze way up Cribyn were a source of both refreshed the legs and lungs. From the amusement and confusion. Were the summit we dropped back on to the frequent crazed cheers and run track, only turning off at the last arounds on the steep slope because of possible moment for the scramble up something in the teenagers temporary Fan Nedd. shelter or were they the result of some other event? Whatever the answer the Whoever decided to set up an extra thoughts helped to pass the time. Only feeding station at the base of Fan when we drew level with them did we Nedd prior to climbing Fan Dringarth find out that they carried a transistor deserves a medal. Alan Brown and radio and were holed up listening to John Sterland were a welcome sight the England and France penalty shoot and perhaps, some may say a vital out. stop in the strategy of the walk. The section from breakfast at the Centre to Tempting though it was to descend tea at The Storey Arms would have the ridge of Bryn Teg, Fan y Big was been overwhelming. Following lunch targeted and taken and what followed the route proceeded east straight up was a feeling of the utmost relief and Fan Dringarth where the purists accomplishment as the gentle Cefn headed north across pleasant walking Cyff ridge sloped down to the low grounds passing wild horses and lands and the farms of Rhiwiau, through a nature enclosure towards Tynllwyn and the riverside walk into Fan Frynych as the majority skirted Llanfrynach in the early evening. around Rhos Dringarth to climb Fan Fawr. From the top, The Storey Arms Early finishers completed the route by and Harry's van were clearly visible about 4:00 pm, perhaps too early to and provided a boost to the tiring enjoy the softer tones and cooler limbs and flagging spirits. conditions created by the declining evenmg sun. At tea some were ferried back to the Centre, and later regretted the The walk was a huge success which decision as the best of the walk was would not have been at all possible yet to come. As the hot-dog(s) was without the local knowledge and fine digested, the chocolate shared out and organisation of the meet leader the tea guzzled the weather warmed Harvey Lomas. Thank you to Harvey up for the 3:30pm push up to Corn for all his hard work and thank you Du. Again both routes, north and also to the support team, who must east, were taken by various people and have covered many miles east and both were rewarded on the summit west during the 16 to 20 hours that with breathtaking views in all spanned the walk. directions. Looking east as far as the

The YRC Bulletin 56 Winter 1996 Quote ofthe day: "Cribyn is unfair at 6:30 in the evening !" The Sunday after the Long Walk Michael Wood R. Gowing

I drove to the finish of the Long Walk at Llanfrynach but decided this wasn't the ideal spot to start and Attendance: finish my intended walk, so I drove to Llwyncelyn farm where I parked and Meet Leader Harvey Lomas followed by-roads and field paths to the foot of the north ridge of Peny Support Fan, which I followed to its top. Alan Brown lan Crowther I then made the short traverse Harry Robinson to Corn Du where I had my lunch. George Spenceley finding a new use for my trekking pole John Sterland in fending offgreedy sheep!

Walkers I returned over Peny Fan and Denis Barker Cribyn, past crowds enjoying the Adrian Bridge sunshine, to Fany Big which I Derek Bush, President descended by its pleasant NNE ridge Derek Collins to Rhiwiau and by lanes and field P Davis paths back to the car. lain Gilmour Richard Gowing As I descended the ridge two Neil Grant (G) gliders soared in a thermal rising from Mike Hartland its end before making off towards the JeffHooper Black Mountains. A Jones (G) Richard Josephy A memorable day which I Tim Josephy would have missed had I doggedly Alan Kay pursued the main walk to its end, KMaddocks finishing long after everybody else! A Maddocks (G) RoryNewman Arthur Salmon David Smith Anthony Toon (G) Nick Welch Frank Wilkinson Michael Wood Alan Wood (G) John Woodier (G)

The YRC Bulletin 57 Winter 1996 Dove Crag Cave of the day being from Dove Crag Cave. We crossed Stoney Cove Pike, crossed 5 - 7 July 1996 the road at Kirkstone Pass and struggled Those who attended this meet came up Red Screes before crossing Black from the extremities of the North of Brow and descending to the cave. The England. From as far north as Carlisle, president being very newly retired had as far east as Middlesbrough, a president been subject to much advice of varying from the West and a poet from the quality and this did not stop when we South, Leeds. Even they were not all reached the cave. Here a smell of there for the whole period and arrived at burning paraffin was the first indication the cave from different directions. My that Ian Crowther had made it from the definition of 'rambling is walking where Gritstone Club hut in Thirlmere where there are no roads and sleeping where he spent Friday night. there are no houses and being interested The situation of the cave is unsurpassed in being there. This meet demonstrated and we had it to ourselves and we had again that we are mostly not in not spent time together recently, which agreement about how we should ramble made it all the more enjoyable. The and this may be an essential part of the president had received a spirit flask as a character of the Club. The president recent gift and carried it so far that it confirmed this by telling us that only two would have been churlish to deprive him people found the proposal to go to of the pleasure of giving us whisky. Iceland irresistible whereas about twenty This did lead to a maudlin discussion of were expected at Ailefroide. We the different attitudes of the soldiers in enjoyed the Lakes and it was perhaps the First World War to those in the improved by the simplicity of being few Second and even produced a most in numbers. affecting love story from real life. The Two retired members met at The only complaint could be that the wall Brotherswater Hotel, where one car was erected to reduce the wind blowing into left without quibble. They then had a the cave, prevented us enjoying the view pleasant walk over High Street and as we lay in our sleeping bags. We slept down to Small Water. The weather late the next morning and, before we had reports had promised rain so they had a packed up, a group of walkers arrived. tent which was erected before there was They seem impressed that we had come any sign of rain. The only rain that fell from so many different places to meet in during the weekend happened that the cave. Their youth made them also evening as the president walked over impressed by our great age and the from Kentmere and erected his tent, but number of years we had known each he said it was only light, as the others other. We were so late that, even though cowered in their tent. The stone shelters the sun was shining, we each just were examined as we walked out the walked back to our cars. The two next morning and they would have Dereks went together as far as provided adequate shelter, but not as Patterdale where the president turned off comfortably as a tent. The three of us to go to Kentmere whereas I had only to walked over Thomthwaite Crag where walk to Beetham Cottage situated on the Ken left us to walk back to his car via road side just beyond the tum off to Threshthwaite Cove, Hartsop and Hartsop. Ian, I hope, made it to Brotherswater. We were sorry to lose Thirlmere. D.A.S him, but he had to be home for Saturday evening. The two Dereks continued the Attendance: high level route that gave views over the Ken AIdred, Derek Bush, eastern Lakes all day with the final view Ian Crowther, Derek Smithson

The YRC Bullelin 58 Winter 1996 Cwm Eigiau the rocks slippery. Nevertheless three 23 - 25 August 1996 ropes completed the grand mountaineering route ofAmphitheatre Quite a different meet for us in many Buttress with degrees of competence respects. Unfortunately not so in one; varying from the energetic to the we don't seem to get much luck with geriatric, so we can report that over our weather in North Wales generally, 50% of the attendance went on the & this was no exception. However, crags. The others made various forays the Cwm Eigiau hut of the Rugby upon the cirque of hills around the Mountaineering Club which was valley, several of them solo. The cosy booked by meet leader Tim Batemen hut with it's stove was very welcoming (a member of both clubs) is reputedly to the soggy specimens who returned the oldest club hut in the UK, having from the hill! Some of the party then been occupied by our old friends the made the considerable expedition in Rucksack Club from 1912 until 1919. the dark in order to visit the hostelry It hasn't changed a great deal since in the Conwy valley and our lone then in general appearance, and there member camping with his canine were photographs from the 1913 companion at the valley camp site. Rucksack Club Journal to prove it. It is very cosy and well equipped in a Sunday dawned with the distinct style suitable to it's remoteness, it threat of further rain showers, and so being between 20 & 45 minutes walk after a leisurely breakfast everyone from where cars can be left according chose to pack up and leave together in to whether or not you have a key to a convoy in order to facilitate the locked gate! Everything has to be arrangements for driving out through carried in along a roughish track, but the locked gate and securing it behind the owners have made shift to provide us. Some were going to rock climb at Calor Gas, fuel for the pot-bellied lower levels, some to walk more easily stove and running (cold) water! It is in accessible hills and others to drive a superb location scenically, in an straight home. In spite of the pretty upper valley which is now almost unco-operative weather it was a entirely uninhabited but shows much successful meet with a bit of evidence of the work that has been everything done and a good carried on there historically. This attendance for a meet in August includes the reservoir, much reduced immediately following on the return in size since the original rather flimsy home of the summer Alpine party. looking barrage burst in about 1925 Tim Bateman earns our thanks for resulting in devastation in the Conwy arranging a meet in an unusual and valley. attractive setting and which required more effort on the part of those A disadvantage of the hut is that attending than is often the case. accessibility to hills is pretty well restricted to the eastern sides of the WCIC Carneddau, so after a wet and windy Attendance: night on Friday parties set offfrom the Tim Josephy (President Elect) hut or their damp tents for the prime Tim Bateman Harvey Lomas target of Craig Yr Ysfa which looms Derek Clayton David Smith large and forbidding over the head of Ian Crowther George Spenceley the valley. The whole day was Eddie Edwards Niel Renton (Guest) Mike Godden Alister Renton showery, the tops wet and windy and

The YRCBulletin 59 Winter 1996 included visits to Sellafield power station, the fleshpots of Keswick, Ennerdale tent drying, a descent of a deep working iron ore mine and an 11 - 13 October 1996 examination of the Georgian architecture of Whitehaven. Early in October the organiser of Saturday was concluded by an this meet was wonied about the excellent meal and good cheer small numbers who had sent in their helped by the usual consumption of forms. In the event over twenty red wine. members and guests arrived on Friday to find the rain falling gently Sunday dawned with a spectacular on the Scout Camp hut situated on sunrise. The upper valley was the very edge of Ennerdale lake. again penetrated and a promising During the night this gentle rain gully explored for use in more swelled to a continuous heavy favourable conditions. One downpour. Our sense of cosiness member drove to Glenridding in the hut was emphasised by the where he and his wife walked up knowledge that one of our number Hellvelyn. A group drove south was camping by Black Beck Tarn. and walked up Black Coombe. The ascent of this infrequently After breakfast the downpour had, visited top in the glorious Autumn if anything, increased in intensity weather was a most worthwhile and the anival of the (very wet) expenence. camper was greeted with hilarity. However in true YRC fashion the No climbing was attempted such hut quickly emptied. A party was the weather. intending to do the Ennerdale skyline soon realised the Our thanks go to Andrew for impracticality of this (given the finding the Scout Hut, the excellent weather) and divided itselfinto two food and the log fires. I'm sure we parties, each doing half One man all felt that we should return there did in fact walk (or run) the entire before long. round. We can all guess who this Harry Robinson was! Simply to walk round the lake was an interesting experience with the path along the southern Attendance: bank being mostly ankle deep in The President, Derek Bush running water. lan Anderson David Martindale lan Crowther Rory Newman The main Ennerdale beck was a Andrew Duxbury Frank Platt (guest) raging torrent and could only be Eddie Edwards Harry Robinson crossed by bridges. The bridges lain Gilmour John Schofield however could only be approached Mike Godden David Smith by wading. On the tops walkers Richard Gowing Derek Smithson were blown about to such an extent George Heeles (guest) George Spenceley that ankles, spectacles and noses David Hick Bill Todd were damaged. By midday the rain GeoffHooper Michael Wood moderated and other activities David Laughton AIan Wood (guest)

The YRC Bulletin 60 Winter 1996