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ISSN 1463-6131 Number 125 (January 2017) Craven Pothole Club

Founded 1929 www.cravenpotholeclub.org

President John Webb

Chairman Paul McWhinney [email protected]

Secretary John Helm [email protected]

Membership and Assistant Glenn Costin [email protected] Secretary

Treasurer Rob Scott [email protected]

Editor Patrick Warren [email protected]

Recorder and Librarian Pat Halliwell [email protected]

Tacklekeeper Pete Jones

SRT Tacklekeeper Gordon Coldwell

Cottage Warden John Webb [email protected]

Conservation Officer Chas Roberts

Committee Bob Cross Ric Halliwell (Junior Vice President) Tracey Jones Steve Kelley Steve Kirk (special responsibility for IT)

Neville Lucas Alan Pedlar (Senior Vice President) Terry Shipley Katie Wood

Front Cover: Best Underground Print – GG Main Chamber by Liz Hornby

Back cover: Best Above Ground Print – South Harris from Tiorga Mor by Rob Scott Craven Pothole Club Record

January 2017 Number 125 Contents

Editorial Patrick Warren 4

Equinox Hole (Swaledale) – Update John Cordingley 7 2016 Literary Awards and Photography Competition 7 Aerial Acrobatics in Juniper Gulf Mike Bottomley 9 Long Kin West: another bloody saga! Tony Credland 10 Denis Brindle Steve Warren 15 Hecky Pecky David Hodgson 18 Denis Brindle Ric Halliwell 20 Some Thoughts on Car Pot Patrick Warren 21 Denis Farewells 21 The Late Herbert W. Rhodes Stephen Craven 22 Gaping Gill Survey – Update Kevin Dixon 23 Digging Update Ric Halliwell 24

Meet Reports Sell Gill Holes – 3rd July Terry Shipley 25 Langstroth Pot (aka Rowten Pot, Kingsdale) – 1st October John Helm 26 Sleets Gill-Dowkabottom Caves – 2nd October John Helm 26 Kingsdale Master Cave – 30th October John Webb 27 Washfold Pot diverted to Sell Gill – 12th November Gordon Coldwell 27 Presidents Meet: Gordale Scar to Malham Cover Circular John Webb 29 – 26th November Lost Johns' Cave – 10th December John Helm 29 Long Kin West – 11th December John Helm 30 The Alternative Families / Come and Try Meet – October Tony Credland 31

Surveys and Drawings from Denis Brindle Pat Halliwell 35 Library Additions for January 2017 Record Pat Halliwell 36 Letters 38 The Back Page: notices etc 39

The Club Rules, Constitution and related matters are incorporated in the Craven Pothole Club Handbook. The Record is published by Craven Pothole Club Limited, Registered Office: Ivy Cottage, Horton in Ribblesdale, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 0HF. Registered in England No. 31935R. No part of this Record may be reproduced without permission from the Committee of the Craven Pothole Club. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Craven Pothole Club. For further information on the CPC see www.cravenpotholeclub.org

Send all material for publication to: Patrick Warren, 11 Bryony Way, Rock Ferry, Wirral, CH42 4LY Tel: Evening 0151 644 1525 Mobile 0779 256 4734 E-mail: [email protected]

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Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 3 Editorial

Follow that!

teve Kirk is of course too polite to say such a thing, nevertheless the previous Record was so full of derring do, with Snightmarish images of vast floods in GG, and heroic stories of jungle caving with astronauts, that it seems all but impossible to fill his shoes. It's at times like this I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young.

"Why, what did she tell you?"

"I don't know, I didn't listen.”

(yes – the shamelessly stolen Douglas Adams quotes will still be here).

This edition of the Record comes with articles touching on exploration of new caves and new routes down known caves, stories of the exploits of Denis Brindle and others of that era, and Meet Reports galore. I have also included some of the winning photographs from the Dinner and will save the remainder for the April Record (if your photograph is not here it will be in that issue!). Lastly a letter from Tom Austin is accompanied by photographs of some really quite accomplished (in my view) impressionist paintings of underground scenes (take heed, ISSA!). These I will also spread over the next few of issues.

As a Club we have many things to be proud of (Eurospeleo!). We run a full programme of meets. Although attendance can be a bit hit-and-miss, by my reckoning we do pretty well. We have up-to-date facilities in Horton, if sometimes it can feel a little cramped. And I learned at the AGM that the CPC Library is regarded as an internationally important archive.

As a Club we have some things to think about too. There is the perennial problem of managing the Winch meet as the 21st century collides with (let's be honest!) a somewhat aging membership. There are plans afoot to move the Library to Horton, with all that implies about the competing space requirements from the tackle stores and so on. And despite much effort we still have not yet found Long's Lake. If you have ideas or opinions on these things by the way, let us (the committee) know!

In these cold winter months I'm also trying to help with the new edition of Northern Caves by calculating cave lengths from the by now extensive and nearly complete Leck Fell dataset. Armchair caving with a purpose, is my claim. Occasionally I find myself reliving some of the trips I ended up on, such as the time we surveyed through the sump in Ireby (which had been pumped out). At the time Becka Lawson (an experimental psychologist) was gathering data on how well people estimate measurements so she was having me guess out loud the clino readings, whilst secretly recording the actual reading. On the way through we encountered one of the digging parties, who must have been amazed at the claimed accuracy of the final survey after overhearing things like: "clino +10, no maybe +15,... let's make it +12". Anyway, despite the enormous progress made with the resurvey there are still things to be finished off (Rumbling Hole Inlet, anyone?). If you want to take a look at the 3d dataset yourself, it's all online: just download a copy of Survex and follow the link at the bottom of the page.

Well that's it from me, now over to the people who really count...

Patrick Warren http://cave-registry.org.uk/svn/NorthernEngland/ThreeCountiesArea/survexdata/

Note added:

You will notice this issue of the Record is in full colour. This is for a trial period and feedback is requested.

4 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) ▲ Best above ground print associated with Club activities – Quinag from Sail Gorm by Edward Whitaker

▼ Best Humorous print – You Can Stop Pushing Hoggy He's Gone by Pete Jones

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 5 6 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Equinox Hole (Swaledale) – Update

his new cave high in Swaledale (at grid reference NY Last March it had seemed that the main inflow from the Blue T8198 0369) was found less than twelve months ago. It John Holes sink may have been passed, unnoticed in the was first described in CPC Record 122 (April 2016) pages 8 gloom. The end of the sump was thought perhaps to be & 9. It's the main rising for Blue John Holes (see the Northern associated with potholes further afield (maybe the Fells End Caves guide) in the Main Limestone. The underwater cave Pots?). However on the recent dives I noticed a number of was explored for 65 m but, because the water is very peat sheep bones towards the end, probably originating from the stained in the warmer months (resulting in bad visibility) the Blue John Holes. Indeed, just after I'd decided to throw in site was left until this winter. the towel at the end of this site, a large sheep's skull had floated up right in front of my mask; I'll swear the damn thing There was a cold spell in late Autumn 2016 and the water was laughing at me! finally cleared, so I went back for another go. The dive logs will appear in CDG Newsletter 202 (January 2017) for anyone There remains the question of where does drainage from who wants to read full details. During the initial exploration Fells End Pots go to? Very little water sinks here but there is the cave had hit a substantial choke at 61 m from base, where certainly enough to test on a wet day. There is a rising at the I'd tried a feet first approach (sneaking along the side of the head of Dukerdale (which Dave Haigh in the BPC kindly boulders in an alcove against the right wall of the passage). alerted me to). This is slightly nearer than Equinox Hole but On the first of the recent dives I laid 5 metres of line along either could be the rising for the Fells End Pots (as both are the same route, head first this time. There are boulders piled in the same limestone and both are lower). The hydrology of up on the left all the way; I stopped because a brief faff with this area really does need sorting out. the line reduced the visibility and it wasn't possible to verify the safety of the route beyond. On the second dive I only got The sketch survey with these notes is just my working a metre further before hanging cobbles prevented safe drawing, made as the cave was explored. It's reproduced progress. This point is 67 m from the entrance and at only here purely so it's available for anyone else researching this 0.6 m depth. It's not really the sort of circumstances where a area. There is certainly more cave to be found in the vicinity. dig would be very easy. John Cordingley

2016 Literary Awards and Photography Competition

Albert Mitchell Trophy – Not awarded

The Tom Pettit Cup, Winner – The Great GG Flood by John Helm

The Tom Pettit Cup, Runner-up – The Dow Cave–Providence Pot Re-survey Project by Patrick Warren

Meets Report Prize – Black Shiver/Small Mammal/Bar by Tony Credland

The Young Achievers Award – No nominations were received.

Best Underground print – GG Main Chamber by Liz Hornby (see front cover)

Best Above Ground Print – South Harris from Tiorga Mor by Rob Scott (see back cover)

Best above ground print associated with Club activities – Quinag from Sail Gorm by Edward Whitaker (see page 5)

Best Portfolio 6 prints – Tenerife Lava Tubes by Kevin Dixon (held over for next issue)

Spirit of Gaping Gill – Steps in Flood by Amy Holly (held over for next issue)

Best Humorous print – You Can Stop Pushing Hoggy He's Gone by Pete Jones (see page 5)

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 7 8 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Aerial Acrobatics in Juniper Gulf

ack in August 2012, I began a small project to investigate the bulge, the traverse continued easily on a good, although Bthe huge aven that soars up into the darkness above the still narrow ledge to the top of Geoff Barber’s old rope, and final pitch in Juniper Gulf. Some work had been done here then past a loose section of the wall to a steep boulder slope previously by Geoff Barber (assisted by Dave Elliott and John and into the inlet itself. The traverse to this point had Forder amongst others) back in the 80s, who had gained an swallowed well over 20 bolts and a 60 m rope, and was inlet roughly 25 m above the take off for the last pitch and certainly exciting in places. followed this to another aven which was climbed but the small, tight passage at the top not entered. Although, I believe, A climb down between dodgy looking boulders led to a not traced it seemed highly likely that this was the water squeeze through into a flat out crawl which soon arrived at from Juniper Cave. I was curious as to whether a connection a hole up into a more impressive, albeit short, section of could be made between the two caves, but also as to whether walking streamway. This quickly ended at the base of the anything entered higher up in the main rift itself. I was already waterfall previously climbed by Geoff. This was re-scaled on aware of the potential in the area having had a trip down the the next trip, belayed by Tom baker, and was 14 m to the 100 m deep Vulcan Pot route in Nick Pot a few years ago, so limit of Geoff’s ropes, just below a tight squeeze. This was the possibility of a similar route entering from the top of the passed after a couple of attempts, and beyond a narrow final rift in Juniper Gulf was too enticing to ignore! streamway was followed round a corner but quickly became too tight for further progress with no sign of enlargement By August 2012, I had already spent a few trips trying to dig ahead! It was disappointing not to have been able to make out the sump at the end of Juniper Cave (an entertaining little much more progress here, but I was satisfied that I had at cave located further out on the bench from the awesome least been for a look! entrance rift of Juniper Gulf), but this was solidly choked and I only made around a body length of progress before deciding It was quite some time before I returned to Juniper Gulf, again it would be worth trying to attack the sump from the other with Tom Baker, to continue the climb in the final rift to see side. what lay above. The aven certainly looked to continue upwards for at least another 15-20 m, and the fact that one Rather than repeat Geoff’s climb from the top of the last pitch, wall was wet from water entering above was encouraging. I started bolting a traverse from the top of the penultimate Maybe there was a way in at the top? The climb was completed pitch following the same shale bed that leads past ‘the bad over two short evening trips, with around 10 m of progress step’ from the base of the 2nd pitch. From the y-hang p-bolts made on each visit. The first trip gained a tiny sloping ledge, at the top of this ~25 m pitch, a narrow rift continues for a where a ‘blank’ traverse was started back into the shaft. The few metres to an enlargement from where there is an second trip saw me at the top of the aven, where the walls alternative pitch as described in northern caves. Here, the pinched in and the only inlet entered via a tiny crack in the rift widened and a few metres of rather ‘blank’ traversing corner. The last few metres of the climb did involve a bit of followed where etriers proved invaluable for forward route-finding past ‘hollow’ sounding areas of the wall, which progress. Thankfully, the walls soon closed in enough for me was certainly absorbing over 90 m above the floor! to make use of ledges and flakes as footholds and I called it a day at a narrowing of the rift, beyond which the rift belled Once again, it was disappointing not to have found anything out dramatically. at the top, but I had certainly enjoyed the climb, and a final trip with Richard Cole during the summer of 2015 saw the Although the passage walls were solid enough, there was final rift surveyed, which put the top of the aven at still plenty of loose rock around and so I decided mid-week approximately 98 m above floor level! The traverse was de- evening trips would be wise so as to minimise the risk of rigged on the way out, which proved exciting without etriers working above other cavers. The next trip saw easy progress on the blank sections! So this concluded a fun little project in along a good ledge to a significant bulge in the wall which a magnificent cave and although no ‘Vulcan pot’ could be sounded unnervingly ‘hollow’ when tapped with a bolting found, I’m sure the final pitch of Juniper Gulf will continue hammer. I decided it would be best to drop under this and to impress the generations of cavers to come! back up the other side, which was achieved on the next trip this time accompanied with Tom Baker (ULSA/CPC). Beyond Mike Bottomley

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 9 Long kin West: another bloody saga!

aving chosen for my first VMC cave one that needed Fast forward a few weeks and I’m heading down the right Hextensive re-bolting and 6 visits to get sorted, I thought route, having found the cave first time and with ease. There I’d just pick a simple classic for my next one. A shaft bomb are bolts everywhere, more than in the topo, so single hangs for a quick Sunday meet before the drive back to Scotland. become Y hangs and consume rope and krabs, but I’ve Chuck a rope down kind of job. brought extra as none of the guides agree on the rope lengths required. It is a simple shaft bomb, all the way to the bottom. Long Kin West looked interesting, not too far to walk, kind But it takes me two days because my dislocated bicep tendon of ‘on the way home’ as well. But, simple or not I thought doesn’t like 200m of rope in 3 tackle sacks. I don’t like 3 tackle I’d better have a look at it first……………… sacks either come to that. But I’m noticing things as I go down, and when I come back up. Firstly there is a very I should have known the whole project was doomed to interesting window affair off to one side on the second pitch. difficulties when after walking an additional 2km, most of it It is mentioned in the books, but the route goes past it. I saw round in circles, I still hadn’t located the cave. And on a it on the way down and stopped for another look-see on the bright sunny day too. There was no excuse for it; I mean, I way up. But it is too far off line to see much. Another thing can navigate fairly well, but not when I’d left compass and I noticed was yet more rope rub on the 4th pitch, in two map on the seat of the car. Trouble was, having followed the places. Not serious, but there. It got me thinking…….. guidebook description I found I was spoilt for choice. There were caves everywhere, as in there were lots of them. I know, But time was seriously running out and I had to get a move ‘cos I went to them all. And a lot of sinks that were just dips on. Having stripped the 4th pitch it was obvious that I had by the time I had walked across the moor to them. In the to cut and run: I didn’t have time to derig the rest because I end I went back to the ‘attack point’ and paced out the now had the dreaded 3 tackle sack syndrome, having brought guidebook’s 300m, then, trying to maintain this distance, them in as a pair and a single over the two days. I just had swung round in a semi-circle. I found LKW at the extreme to abandon the lot and get off the hill. end of the sweep. 1 : nil to the guide book then. Expect that at some point I’d ditched the sack…..it was pretty heavy and The following week I was back again, not just to de rig, but it was, as I said, a warm and sunny day. I’d dropped it by a to have a look at that window. I derigged to the top of pitch really obvious sink hole. Well, it was obvious when you were 2, then dropped back down again; a pendulum round a rib standing by it. It had steep sides and was quite deep. But gave access to two small spikes and much loose rock. The from LKW it was totally invisible, and with only the slightest loose rocks were consigned to the deep and the spikes idea of its whereabouts it was another 45 minutes before both conscripted as Y hang belays. They were only wee things, the sack and I were safely in position at THE cave. ▼ ► Rigging with Dyneema cord and Amarrage Souple (AS) I had spotted the stake and first P bolt as I crossed the bridge anchors (photos: Tony Credland) so set about rigging. After a few meters I could see some rope rub developing, but I was expecting a re-belay at 6m, so pressed on. Then followed a re-run of the ‘search for the cave game’, but this time in miniature. I really needed that bolt…….but just couldn’t find it. After a bit more ‘down’, then some ‘up’, then some [thankfully limited] sideways I had to give up. Rope rub on 9mm, even when it was not over an edge, just isn’t on.

Back at the start and the Y hang bolts I figured that I could do a better job, make the hang asymmetrical, and try again. I won’t bore you further with the details but for this strategy to be successful the rigging had to be perfect in 3 planes. It took a while. In fact it took so long that I needed a pee by the time I’d got it right. I’m not admitting to the total number of attempts, but it was a good job a mob of CPC members weren’t queuing up behind me!

Anyway, disengaging from the rope to answer the call of nature I spotted another line of bolts leading from the same bolt I’d started with but going down the other side of the bridge……….

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry I did the manly thing and laughed, but I wasn’t happy. In fact I was rapidly losing the will to live. I reckoned on 3 options: re rig down the correct route, throw myself, sans corde, down the pit, or go home. So I went home: at least my dog was pleased to see me hours sooner than anticipated!

10 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) but still only just long enough. I was using a 70m rope, and clearly needed to pinch a bit more rope from the belays above………………

That was pitch 2 sorted then. Pitch 3, a short drop and possible free climb, was fine as per the book. Pitch 1 featured a long drop; very time consuming with a group, especially on the way out so I decided to have a look at that too. It proved to be a worthwhile exercise and fairly straight forward. I managed to dig out a micro-thread for 5mm dyneema, and found some [also micro] spikes, and so soon had the entrance pitch split into 4 rather than the topo’s 2. This consumed 55m rope, being made up of a 5m lead-in rope and a 50m main rope. I had to replace the lead-in rope after mice {?} had had a nibble at it during the week it had been left rigged! Both these extra re-belays are semi hanging and technical, but there are some footholds.

Once again I was timed-out and had to leave the cave rigged. The following day saw me walking up the hill at 4:30 AM, having risen at 3:30am. This very early start was needed because I had an appointment with a new dog in Kirby Lonsdale that afternoon: Penny was to be our new foster collie! I made the appointment with just enough time for a coffee. I’m not sure what the dog thought of this stranger who smelt of cave, but we got on very well for the 7 weeks we had her, though we never took her caving.

By now I was feeling that the cave was looking much better so the next stage was undertaken very carefully! From this as a club SRT trip, but I still had that rope rub on the last position the window was much closer, but still off line. A pitch to sort, and being the last pitch meant having to rig the bit of swinging and clawing saw me level with the window full cave again. So, with only days to go before the CPC at head height; rather too low. I arranged a temporary meet I was back yet again. This was starting to feel like the deviation which took longer to construct than it did to use, Jean Pot saga all over again. LKW was supposed to be an and was soon clambering onto the window ledge. This was easy option for me! liberally covered with small stones that I had to remove, and I noticed that the mud on the ledge was unmarked. Either I needed to get to pitch 4, but the weather was having none nobody has been this way before, or it was a long time ago. of it. Walking up the hill in the pouring rain wasn’t much fun, and neither was the amount of water in the cave. I made The window gave access to a hanging parallel shaft that was it to the big ledge after the window, but things were looking full of character, with much fluted rock. It went up as well, very hostile below. The squeeze into the third pitch looked and it looked like I’d joined the shaft in about the middle. like solid water! So, once again I abandoned my ropes and Best of all was the stonking thread belay that was quickly made my way out. However, I made good use of the used to fix the traverse line I’d thoughtfully being trailing opportunity to arrange a deviation just above where the move behind me, as well as to form one half of the next Y hang. across to the window is initiated. Without it there was some There was another natural I could have used, but it had very rope rub when accessing/egressing the window. This, in sharp edges and was awkward to access, so I opted for a bolt. common with many other belays points I have added, is [AS for ease of adjustment. These stringy things are great another micro-thread using dyneema. I plan to leave them for rigging with, I’ll be using them much more] in situ otherwise I’ll not find them again.

This hang dropped straight down to the big ledge on the Checking my caving log I saw that today was going to be other side of the main shaft where a traverse line of some Day 6 of the saga. It almost proved to be my last. Ever the vintage was fixed. It looked like a dig might be active there, optimist I carted in the rope and rigging for pitch 4, cutting though I didn’t get off the rope to investigate the hole at the across the moor in the dense mist, but recognising all the back of the ledge. I didn’t want to continue the drop to the minor landmarks as I passed them. Speeding down the by floor of the chamber without a re-belay, so set about looking now very familiar entrance ropes was a joy, as was the lack for options off the ledge. At first sight it looked simple, but of big drips; things were looking and sounding much drier most locations would have given rope rub at the knot. than yesterday. Eventually I found two old spits in the very spot that I reckoned was the only option. Great minds think alike! [And The hanging shaft after the window had already been the fools seldom differ]. The threads were still good after a clean scene of some dramatic gardening as it was very loose in and grease so I fixed hangers and dropped the rope. It didn’t parts. However, it was a case of the more you look the more reach the bottom………………………but it was close. A re- you find. I was looking for the flake that the rope had snook shuffle of the rope and knots seemed to make the difference, behind yesterday when I had gone well off line to the back

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 11 12 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) of the ledge for a nibble of chocolate [well, if you must know, a full bar!] I spotted a big flake right at the bottom of the hanging shaft that looked fairly solid, but perhaps not. I swung across to it; easy enough as it wasn’t far off line. I grabbed it with one hand intending to get the measure of how solid it was and found it wasn’t. The damn thing teetered towards me, paused for a second then slowing tipped over. It was rather large, about 1m plus high, and 40cm wide. It made a very loud bang as it exploded on the lip of the big ledge below me and then continued down to the chamber below, exploding for second time. My previous efforts at gardening were done before I had rope below me: this time my rope was in the line of fire, and I was hanging on it. ▲ Rope damage! (photo: Tony Credland) Very mindful of the potential for damage I continued, slowly, and with light of full beam, inspecting the rope as I inched going, mindful that I had consumed all the slack on that pitch down. It looked good! So I continued with the job in hand, when isolating the damage, so might have problems getting rigging the last re belay to the floor. This proved a challenge a Stop on, and would have to re-rig the last hang to reinstate as when I hangered the old spits for the Y hang it became the loop at the hang. apparent that the first couple of meters below them would rub once you had descended about a third of the way down Overnight I got to thinking about that knot pass and the club the pitch. I searched for alternative, but knew that there trip, and decided that it wasn’t really on, so raided the NPC wouldn’t be any, as I did look hard some months ago, when tackle store for a replacement rope. I could have used a CPC I had found the spits. one, but as I was overnighting at Greenclose it seemed the best solution. {Just to be clear, I think the window and hanging shaft had not been dropped before, but there is a lot of historical So Day 7 started with a partial re rig of pitch 2, just from the evidence that down from the ledge is an old established route, window down, then a dash through the water; just as wet serviced by the fixed traverse line crossing the main shaft}. and cold as yesterday, but by now I was getting a bit annoyed with Long Kin West and needed to get the job done. Pitch My answer was an unusual one, but one that is ‘in the book’. 4 starts with a crawl/traverse over some holes, then drops I extended the Y hang from the bolts with an 8m rope to form to a bridge where I found an old spit sleeve from which to a 4m V and tied a loop in the bottom of that, equalising the rig a deviation as I recalled rope rub here from my summer anchors. This gave zero rub at the knot and below, a free- CNCC route drop. Then comes a big drop which really needs hanging re belay, with rope rub being confined to the 8m ‘oh splitting up, and had been on my game plan. However, I shit rope’. was very harness sore by now and couldn’t face 20-30 minutes of hanging about placing bolts so I just dropped to the bottom, I dropped to the bottom, dumped the pitch 4 tackle sack and fixed a minor rope rub issue and headed for the surface. It had a quick look at the water fall of pitch 3. It looked took a while as by now I was slowing down somewhat. But reasonable, so I rigged it as fast as I could, then retreated, I had a route variation in place and lots of re belays to make very wet and a little chilly. Not fancying going any further life interesting and, more importantly, much faster for a and finding myself cut off below pitch 3 by the afternoon’s group. I was looking forward to some good company forecast rain, I headed back up the rope for an early bath. tomorrow. {And I got it, thanks John}.

After about 25m of up you can imagine my reaction upon It’s now Sunday, the day of the club meet and Day 8 of the finding some white furry stuff ‘attached’ to the side of my saga for me. rope! Yes, it was the core, making an escape bid through a chewed sheath. That falling flake had indeed damaged my Only John Helm wants to come out to play………… rope, but I hadn’t seen it on the way down. Perhaps it was running through the Stop and then being weighted that My first task when I got home was to look up the Bradford caused it to ‘pop’, or perhaps my eyesight is even worse than for a membership form. I thought. And I’d been swinging about fixing that extended Y hang that is 4m off line to the R……and it had taken a Perhaps John will write a trip report; I’m done with LKW. while….. Tee Cee (Tony Credland) Well, what can you do, except continue prussiking carefully passed the damaged section, then start breathing again. I reached down and isolated the damage with an Alpine and overhand to form a loop for tomorrow’s knot pass and kept

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 13 14 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Denis Brindle

first got to know Denis Brindle when I found myself When Denis and his colleagues were exploring Car Pot they Istanding knee deep in water in a rather gloomy narrow were encumbered by massive rope ladders and heavy cave passage, the newly discovered Dowber Gill Passage, unwieldy lifelines. Their often pitiful lighting, a carbide lamp late in 1954. I had been encumbered with a backpack holding and maybe a pocket torch or a modified cycle lamp, was the a glass container (a Winchester) containing some mysterious order of the day. Unusually however, Denis and Norman chemical that, under the direction of Norman Brindle, was were equipped with a miner’s Nife Cell, no doubt because dribbled through a rubber tube into the slow moving stream of their engineering connections. around our feet. Photography was under the control of what appeared to me to be almost a Norman Brindle ‘lookalike’ – In writing about the Notts Hole siege in 1946, Jack Myers this other figure was Denis Brindle. Meanwhile Bob Powell wrote: ‘we lay down in our sleeping bags on the thick heather and Arthur Hardy stood nearby, somewhat amused, or and bedded down till morning…. having forgotten to bring bemused, by the whole operation. The exercise was an early plates with us .. anyone passing by (the entrance to Notts attempt at flow analysis sometime before Denis’s ‘green Hole in the morning) would have been amazed to see four messenger’ – fluorescein, had delivered its message – the figures clad in rags and eating sausages, bacon and eggs on direct connection between the water swallow in Dowber Gill flat slabs of sandstone’. The recent invention of ‘wild camping’ and Dow Cave. - for TV - was, in fact, the norm for the cave explorers of those days. Denis Brindle was a redoubtable figurehead in the Dales caving scene from the late 1940s until well into the 1970s. He In the context of the Craven Pothole Club activities, Denis was a quiet spoken, unassuming person, of a temperament Brindle was a staunch supporter of the great Irish meets of and physique that on first acquaintance might give entirely the early 1950s. After an earlier 1949 visit to Ulster, in 1950 a a wrong impression. This all concealed a highly active mind party of 16, including two Brindles, took on the Siege of and exceptionally tough physical stamina. Along with Pollaraftra involving canals and rubber dinghies, as well as younger brother Norman, who introduced him to caving, new explorations at Marble Arch, Pollaraftra, and and companions Arthur Hardy and Bob Powell, ‘The ‘Pollabrindle’! In the same year Denis wrote about ‘Potholing Brindles’ left a rich legacy of cave explorations all around the (or so we had hoped) in the Pyrenees’ with visits to Foix and Craven Dales. Labouiche, Hospitalet and Andorra. “This intrepid band of potholers returned home only to claim: ‘Well we saw a bit of In 1949, after preliminary diggings in Car Pot that reached a Labouiche’. 1951 saw a return to Ulster and Pollaraftra then depth of 100 feet, Albert Mitchell wrote in the CPC Journal: to Pollnagollum, again a place of lakes and dinghies, and also ‘it was decided that Car Pot would not ‘go’. However, Denis to Noons Hole and Coolarkin. In 1952, Denis teamed up again Brindle ‘privately held a different view’: and, ‘he returned with the club to visit Co Clare when more explorations were with two friends and, after scraping away loose pebbles, undertaken at Pollnagollum, Botair Faunrooska and managed to squeeze through’. ‘He wriggled for a distance Ballyyelly Pollapooka. It was during this visit that Brian of 40 feet’. This ‘40 feet’ was the now infamous Baptistry Crawl that led Denis and his colleagues to the exploration of the full ramifications of Car Pot. Car Pot is a serious pothole even to this day just as it was to those CPC members of more than 60 years ago. The final exploratory trip to remove tackle took some 17 hours. In the CPC 1949 Journal account of the Car Pot explorations Denis wrote: “Directions are not given for finding this pot, as I refuse to accept any responsibility for directing any unsuspecting person to the place”.

In this country there was almost no recognition for the little known science (and sport) of speleology but the cave explorers of the 1940s and 1950s were a hard breed. Have a look at ‘Underground Adventure’ published by Arthur Gemmel and Jack Myers in 1952. Their ordeals in Hull Pot, Disappointment Pot, Mossdale and elsewhere were at the cutting edge of cave exploration every bit as challenging as that taking place in the great continental systems. It was the likes of Gemmel and Myers and all their colleagues, including Denis Brindle and his younger brother Norman, who supported them. It was Norman who, in Notts Hole in 1946, ‘managed to squeeze through” and “establish a connection’.

◄ Denis Brindle in Ireland ca 1951 (photo: Albert Mitchell).

► Scaling the large aven in Providence Pot, Jan 2nd, 1955 (photo: Denis Brindle).

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 15 Mitchell and Edgar Smith of the importance of recording our speleological activities. ‘Once a photograph or an exploration is in print, it is there for everyone, and it is there for ever’. Write down ‘who reached what, where and when, and what was there’. Denis contributed much to this ethos as he was not only at the forefront of exploration, he also contributed much to the science of exploration. In 1953, during a ‘walk on a fine August afternoon’, a few weeks after John Hobson’s discovery of the Caseker Gill Extension in Dow Cave, Denis ‘first saw Dowber Gill’. ‘It had a water swallow in the stream bed, just below the junction of two streams, at about 1300’ O.D., and the dip and jointing of the limestone strata suggested a possible connection with Dow Cave’. This was no chance encounter for, only four years later, Denis was writing in the CPC Journal: ‘Digging for cave systems’. This combination of the practical and the scientific approach was of the essence in the Brindle search for new caves.

The explorations in Providence Pot and Dowber Gill passage have been well recorded elsewhere but around this time ‘The Brindles’ started investigating possibilities on Darnbrook Fell and further afield. After an unsuccessful dig at ‘The Cockpits’ greater success was achieved with new explorations at Darnbrook Pot and Cherry Tree Hole. Alongside these efforts attention was focusing on the Nidderdale scene with the exploration of New Goyden Pot, and later on, the superb but little visited Rowantree Cave hidden away in woodland near Buckden. Denis summarized explorations on Darnbrook Fell in the CPC 1966 Journal “The Eastern Flank of Fountains Fell”. It was to be another decade before his son Ian was able to report in detail on the “Ramifications beneath Darnbrook Farm”, complete, of course, with a sketch plan of the system. ▲ Denis Brindle's iconic photograph in Car Pot in 1948: Norman had teamed up with Arthur Hardy and Bob Powell Arnold Waterfall (front) + unknown (back). The original to ‘set off’ almost every weekend in the 1950s, accompanied appeared in CPC Journal vol 1 no 1, facing p24. more often than not by various ‘hangers-on’ including myself. On these occasions Denis would appear, sometime over the Varley and Mike Dickinson discovered Poll an Ionain with weekend, accompanied by family as often as not. Occasionally its gigantic stalactite. Other explorations included Pollelva, the whole family would appear on a club meet, notably on and Pollnodough where Denis relieved the rest of the party a long weekend camp at Swindale near Brough in 1966. On from ‘total immersion by finding a dry traverse’. Further on: this occasion several eyebrows were raised, not to mention ‘Brindle gamely waded through with foam rafts sailing by hackles - as Denis adopted his naturist theme and paraded his ears but was stopped by a boulder choke’. In the same around ‘in the buff’. It was this attraction for the naturist year Denis joined John Frankland, John Hampton and Brian theme that led to a series of late Sunday evening swims in Hartley for a visit to the ‘Seldom Trodden Hills of Malham Tarn after a Darnbrook digging session, with the Connemara’. ‘chicken challenge’ that persisted even into the winter snowfalls. It was in 1948 that Arnold Waterfall and Denis saw the fruition of their dreams for a great dig at the Malham Tarn water Denis used his engineering skills to design and construct a sinks. ‘The Malham Dig’, ‘The Craven Dig’, or ‘Waterfall's scaling pole specifically to access the ‘large aven’ in Folly’ as some cynics called it, was arguably the greatest Providence Pot. Perhaps he found some ideas in Pierre potholing dig in the Dales, certainly of the late 1940s and Chevalier’s ‘Subterranean Climbers’ in which rather than early 1950s. A large stream sink, an equally large resurgence, trying to climb a bare pole, it was found safer to suspend a and some 400 feet of unbroken limestone were the ingredients wire ladder from the pole top. Denis published his ideas in for a scheme to unveil a vast cave system hidden behind the CPC Journal 1958 where he showed from basic mechanical stony facade of Malham Cove. It was no folly, in fact it was theory that a steel pole was superior to a pole of alloy. Denis a carefully conceived project engineered by Arnold and Denis. and Norman devised chemical methods of estimating water Enthusiastically taken up by other members of the Craven flow volumes and, of course, undertook a number of Pothole Club, the project had to be abandoned late in1952 ambitious dye testing projects. Denis’s 1956 article on ‘Tracing when, at a depth of some 90 feet, the quantity and nature of the paths of underground waters by Dyes’ was a detailed the fill was found to be quite overwhelming. mathematical and scholarly discussion of the subject. Denis was also an enthusiastic photographer and he was Denis was not only active out in the field but he was a great instrumental in leaving a fine photographic record of many one for putting his exploits, and researches, into the Journals of his exploits. of the time. Many of us were reminded by the likes of Albert

16 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) ▲ The original dig in the main Darnbrook Cockpit, early 1955 (photo: Steve Warren).

In the 1958 CPC Journal Denis again applied engineering practical skills that kept the vehicle on the road. However, a theory in a five page study of the construction of wire ladders. catastrophic breakdown of the vehicle on Malham Moor In summary ‘the metal ladder may be said to have ousted resulted in Denis and family acquiring the use of an isolated the heavy wooden rung type. Perhaps, in time, we will have cottage behind Darnbrook Farm for a few days: this became nothing but metal ladders – did I hear someone say? “Heaven a second home for many years. Denis was a ‘self-taught’ skier, help us”. modifying longer skis to use as shorter skis for some of his family. He took up hang-gliding for a short spell and also Denis was born in Nelson in 1927, of a mother who firmly walking in more obscure areas of the British Isles and on the believed that education was the key to success. He lived in Continent with the Ramblers Association. the area all his life and never lost the Nelson accent. Quietly spoken, Denis was ever able to offer a useful contribution to To some extent this was in aid of the current campaign for any conversation, often interspersed with a few “Ums” and access to the countryside: the countryside that for so many “Ahs”. With a background in engineering from the age of 17, years Denis had surely considered should be freely open to all. he achieved great success in the subject, gaining a first class Honours degree from the University of London. He became Denis Brindle 1927-2016 a member of the Institute of Chartered Engineers and from 1957 he lectured in mechanical engineering, as a Chartered Steve Warren Engineer (C. Eng.) at Burnley College until retirement.

When Denis married Irene in 1953 they set up home in Brierfield where they were soon joined by Ian and Lynn. A typical family weekend comprised throwing all the gear into the back of the van, including the ‘kids’, and setting off into the Dales or further afield. Often enough, it was Denis’s

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 17 Hecky Pecky

A tribute to Denis Brindle. As well as his caving exploits he soon took up skiing so we would spend the winter chasing the snow around the Dales enis was one of four brothers who all excelled in their and often he would be seen in the sunshine skiing down the Down fields. He joined the CPC in 1947 followed in 1949 fell side at Darnbrook with only his swimming trunks on. by brother Norman. He soon proved his worth in the caving When asked what it was like when you fell he would say, world by pushing through the tight crawl in Car Pot (1948) don’t fall its easier that way. After an hour or two skiing we and discovering the super Craven Passage and this crawl has would retire to his vehicle for morning coffee being prepared protected the fine formations ever since. From there it was by Irene that Denis would doctor with a generous glug of Dow Cave to Providence Pot, a journey from Dow Cave that rum to help the day go by. It was not long before Ian and always started off with you being soaked to the skin. Lynn were introduced to skis and soon became accomplished Remember all you hard lads out there we caved in old woollies skiers themselves. or any other rags we could pick up from relatives or jumble sales. Wet suits didn’t appear until the mid sixties. The only On seeing a pair of skates in a second hand shop Denis thought cavers I met who didn’t appear to feel the cold were the it would be good to have a go and so armed with the skates Brindles. we ventured to Darnbrook Tarn. A high lake and only shallow so if the ice broke you would not get too wet. However I first met Denis in the late fifties and was surprised at how because of the lakes position the wind always blew across keen and dedicated to caving he was. We spent many happy causing the surface to ripple. This caused your whole body hours at Darnbrook and other places looking for new caves to rattle or your false teeth to fall out. Skating fell out of favour. . He was a pleasure to cave with and always believed the way on in any cave was just round the next corner. This was One weekend we decided to take a dingy into Bouther Gill always great fun when you were digging with him and laying Cave to try to get a good photo of the entry into the chamber in a crawl half full of water and he would say just try to get and to photograph the calcite wall. Rain the previous night a bit farther and look round the corner. stopped play but a new sport of dingying was born. The dingy was launched above the bridge at Yockenthwaite with I am adding here a list of caves that he was involved with a spade as a paddle. Then the chase ensued to catch the dingy over the years taken from my notes, recollections and chats before it got to Hubberholme after the occupant was thrown with Denis. out on one of the falls. This was far better than the present white water rafting but after one of the SCC lads nearly Car Pot 1948. perished going over Stainforth Foss in flood we decide to Dow Cave/Providence Pot 1953-1956. abandon this sport. Darnbrook Pot 1957. Cherry Tree Hole 1960. Denis also had a brief spell at hang gliding, although exciting Georges Hole 1965. he never seemed to be as dedicated to this as his other sports although Ian still carries on with this. Robinsons Pot 1975. Stirrup Pump Pot 1965. Denis would go to any length to get to his caves and the way New Goyden 1956. to get all your gear to GG was not by tractor and trailer but Scrafton Pot 1964-1968. by wheelbarrow. A long haul from Clapham but he got there. Lancliffe Pot 1954-1961. In between the caving were many light hearted moments out Cowside Beck Flood Rising 1959. with Denis and I recollect a few of those memories. Denis Darnbrook Beck Shaft No.1 1965. was an expert in keeping his vehicles going with a spanner Enigma Hole 1958. and with fibreglass. His old Commer, UTB, was seen all over Great Darnbrook Blowing Hole 1960. the country and this was followed by a Bedford camper van, Middle Stream Sink 1958. far more comfortable for Irene and the family. This followed on the tradition and covered the length of the British Isles. Pennine Pot 1959. Tennant Gill Shafts 1965-1971. Many of the tales centred around Darnbrook where by the Upstream Pot 1969. late sixties Denis and Irene had become really good friends Goyden Pot 1959. with the Robinson brothers who farmed there for over thirty Rowantree Cave 1976. years. They used to help Denis in his quest for new holes and help dig them out if necessary like Georges Hole in the beck Fossil Pot 1955. below the farm. Other highlights at Darnbrook were the Outgate Pot 1956. Christmas party with the Robinsons where George used to Wall Pot 1948-1954. excel at pinning the tail on the donkey when blindfold. Boreham Cave 1959. Litton Risings 1959. Whatever we did at Darnrook usually ended with a trip down Cowside Beck for a customary dip, summer or winter. Before As far as I can tell this will give readers a good idea of how anyone plunged in out would come Denis’s trusty active he was in the Dales covering roughly 30 years of his thermometer that was encased in wood with directions for caving life. use stamped on like too cold for bathing, ideal bath

18 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) ▲ George's Shaft (Darnbrook Beck Shaft no. 2 in Northern Caves). LHS: Peter Robinson at back, George Robinson at front. Centre: Denis just coming out of hole. RHS: Arthur Smith in best jumper and Norman Robinson. (Photo: Dave Hodgson). temperature etc. All these instructions meant nothing but if On another occasion the Sunday gang were on Raisgill the water temperature got to 52 degrees Fahrenheit (11⁰) common looking for a top entrance into Langstroth Cave and Denis would say its really warm and in we would go, it was suddenly Graham Jones, always one for a prank, said just be always freezing cold. Another way of removing the digging quiet a minute I think I can hear a train. All went quiet then mud from your body that Denis discovered in the winter Denis with his usual reply said Oh yes, Oh yes. He knew months if conditions were ideal was snow rolling. This needed what was going on and just let it ride over him. The nearest to be done fairly close to your clothes or you ended up with stations were Hawes and Grassington that had been closed a long naked walk. for many years.

I remember being with him in the River Cover after a trip On a caving weekend in the Northern Dales Denis thought into Otter Cave and getting washed off in the river with ice it would be worth walking up Mickle Fell, sleep out on the forming at its edges. Denis had to get the thermometer top and watch the sun rise then go back to the campsite for because he thought the water was quite cool and with the an early breakfast. At the opposite end were trips up thermometer reading 29⁰F (about -1.5⁰C) Denis did not seem Darnbrook Fell to lie on the fell in your sleeping bag looking worried that it was freezing. at the stars. I have done this in recent years while bat catching at Cherry Tree Hole and it is surprising how much you can One day in the week he had a half day at college and decided see. He once told me he got lost in Glasgow late one night to go to Darnbrook for a dip in the beck. When he got out of returning from a skiing trip and managed to navigate his the water he couldn’t find his glasses and as he struggled way out using the stars. without them spent a long time searching. Eventually he sat down by his clothes to get dressed and sat on his glasses. He In the early seventies we were camping in Corsica so Denis spent several weeks with the glasses repaired with fibre glass could get some serious sunbathing in. We had hired cars to and a piece of farmers hairy string round his ear. visit some Megalithic sites but unfortunately we got caught up in a massive forest fire. We were lucky that we were A trip to Asda saw some flared trousers on offer at £2. These camped on a strip of land between the sea and a freshwater were a bargain if you didn’t mind the trouser bottoms lake but still ended up burying our gear in the sand. Many flapping around but Denis just tucked them into his socks tents, cars and caravans on the site were destroyed but our and they were fine. hire cars were OK but we lost our money on them. One of our neighbours on the site was a bloke who looked the image

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 19 of Joe Coe but we christened him negative Joe because of his to the large passage in Georges Hole and we did think there attitude. One day he accused us of being rowdy so Denis must be a connection somewhere. Denis was ahead of me spoke to him in his best French and then in very polite English with one end of the tape looking back and taking compass told him to bugger off. This was the only time I heard Denis bearings and all was very quiet. I could hear water running swear so it obviously upset him. and we dropped into the passage that connected to the master cave. Denis was speechless as we looked down into the stream Not only was Denis active in caving in the Dales he spent a way, all this time looking for this passage and here it was all considerable amount of time caving in the Emerald Isle the time under Darnbrook House. visiting some sites and extending others. And why you may ask, Hecky Pecky. You would be chatting Together with Norman he pushed for the club to move from away to Denis about any subject and he would reply Oh yes, rope to electron ladders as they were lighter to carry and Oh yes; you would reply that it should be different and he made big trips in the Dales far easier. would always reply Hecky Pecky. Hecky Pecky would cover for swearing, a problem or just very cold water and it was Although the Brook brothers are well known in British caving always the same. circles the Brindle brothers are not and in their time did a large amount for cave exploration as well as early diving in A fantastic bloke and someone who loved the caves, the hills, the Dales. the dales but also the birds, bees and butterflies, the people who worked the land and most of all his family. Denis it was Probably my finest moment underground with Denis was a pleasure to have caved with you. on the night of 24th April 1975. We had entered Robinsons Pot on the 19th April and Denis and myself decided to go David Hodgson down on the Thursday night to survey the large abandoned stream way beyond McColls rift. This was nearly identical

Denis Brindle

he two Brindle brothers are not that well known outside Brindle,D 1956 Tracing the paths of underground streams by Tthe CPC, probably because they were not boastful, but dyes CPC Journal 2(2) pp 104-107 in their day were the equivalent of the sixties and seventies duo, the “Brook Brothers” in the. They were busy at the Brindle,D 1957 Digging for Cave Systems CPC Journal 2(3) forefront of major discoveries such as Car Pot and Dow Cave pg 184-186 through to Providence Pot. They were at the pushing end with equipment and techniques; digging, diving, maypoling, Brindle,D 1958 The Scaling Pole CPC Journal 2(4) pp227-228 water tracing and the introduction of electron ladders in the 1950s. The sad loss of Denis Brindle means that the club has Brindle,D 1958 Light-weight Metal ladders CPC Journal 2(4) lost one of the members who was heavily responsible for the pp234-238 development of the Craven into one of the major clubs in the Dales. Brindle,N 1955 Dow Cave – Providence Pot system, Wharfedale CPC Journal 2(1) pp 4-9 Brindle,D 1949 A guide to Car Pot CPC Journal 1(1) pp20-22 plus survey Brindle,N 1959 Boreham Cave, Littondale CPC Journal 2(4) pg 290 plus survey Brindle,D 1955 Climbing the large aven in Providence Pot CPC Journal 2(1) PG10 Ric Halliwell

20 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Some Thoughts on Car Pot

hen the 'History of Cave Exploration in Northern Obviously Car Pot is only 1/4 the depth of these famous WEngland' comes to be written, I believe the exploration systems, but 100m is not to be sniffed at. I'll wager nowhere of the 104m deep Car Pot in 1948 will come to be seen as a else at the time was such a significant depth gained only after major landmark not only for British Caving. As Northern penetrating such awkward passages, squeezes, and crawls Caves puts it: "Car Pot is the original tight deep hole which as are encountered in Car Pot. has protected its fine formations for 30 [70!] years by applying its own access restrictions." Still, to this day, it is regarded Let me propose a little more evidence. In the Dales there are as a hard trip, and is included as such in Mike Cooper's book a handful of classic deep tight potholes, that are highly 'Not for the Faint-Hearted'. The battalions of P-hanger fitters regarded as rewarding test pieces: have not yet penetrated beyond Bapistry Crawl (to my knowledge) so an SRT trip involves rigging from ancient Car Pot 1948 spits and naturals, with a wire or two, or a ‘friend', coming Hammer Pot 1957 in handy to deviate away from the water on the final pitch. Strans Gill 1968 It is my favourite pothole, at least, it became so when I Pippikin 1970 discovered the secret of the Letterbox squeeze (willing to share, for a small fee!). I'll leave Marble Sink (1957-65), Quaking Pot (1932-73), and other even more 'orrible places to the specialists,* thank you Why do I think the 1948 exploration is so significant. Let me very much! All these are described in Mike Cooper's book, set a little context. First their contemporaries in France: from which I have taken the exploration dates. The point I want to make is that although probably everyone agrees Car In 1947 the explorers of the Dent de Crolles system made the Pot is the easiest on the list, it is still on the list. The exploration, final connection between the P.40 on the plateau and the Trou using whatever post-war equipment the Brindles and their de Glaz, thus setting a new world depth record — see Pierre companions could lay their hands on, was pioneering stuff. Chevalier and others in 'Subterranean Climbers'. I rest my case. Also in 1947 the exploration of the Henne-Morte in the Pyrénées reached the final 'siphon' again setting a depth Patrick Warren record (446m) — recorded by Norbert Casteret in 'Cave Men New and Old'. *Including our own D. M. Judson: CPC Journal 2(5) 306-9 (1959).

Denis Farewells

Very sad news, Denis was always a true gentleman and a great person to cave with. Many good memories of underground trips in the UK and Ireland. — Dave Barker

Thanks for sharing this sad news. I remember Denis as one of those intelligent hard men from the 1950 and 60s who quietly got on with pushing the limits. — Arthur Champion

I am very sorry to hear that Denis has died. Fond memories of caving with him in the 60s come back and in particular his calm reassuring nature. On one occasion, I was with Denis, I think it might have been in Goyden, and he was taking photographs. He had his rather expensive looking large camera on a tripod in a flowing river and just as he was getting ready to set off his flash, the tripod, camera and all fell over into the river. Denis calmly strolled over, pulled the camera and tripod out of the river, shook off the excess water, looked at it and then at me and said "Should be all right"! Yes indeed, I echo David Barker, Denis was a gentleman and a "rock " of a caver. He will be greatly ▲ Carmen Smith in North Craven Passage, Car Pot missed. (photo: Patrick Warren) — Ian Metcalfe

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 21 The Late Herbert W. Rhodes

artin Mills of the Shepton Mallet Caving Club wrote Casteret N. (1949) My Caves (London: Dent) with his Man interesting article in the previous Record (124, pp. bookplate. 11–13. He drew attention to some little known articles written by Rhodes during the early 1940s when, because of the Chevalier P. (1961) Subterranean Climbers (London: Faber ongoing war, very little cave literature was published. & Faber) with his bookplate.

My late father was also a (Barclays) bank manager in Ilkley Collyer R. & Turner J.H. (1885) Ilkley: Ancient & Modern where we had lived at 44 St. James Road, not far from Rhodes’ (Otley: Wm. Walker) with his bookplate. home at 7 Ashburn Place. Shortly after Rhodes’ death I called on his widow asking for his early CPC Journals. Someone Cowling E.T. (1946) Rombalds Way (Otley: Wm. Walker) had beaten me to the Journals, but she was pleased to let me with his bookplate & signed by the author. give a good home to: Dawkins W.B. (1874) Cave Hunting (London: Macmillan) Caves & Caving Vol. 1 (1937-8) bound with his bookplate. with his bookplate.

Cave Science Vols. 1, 2 & 3 (1947 – 1955) bound with his Fletcher J.S. (1908) The Enchanting North (London: Eveleigh bookplates. Nash).

Dalesman Vols. 1 – 8 (1939 – 1947) bound with his bookplates. Greenwood J.F. (1952) The Dales are mine (London: Skeffington) dedicated to Rhodes and signed by the author. Balch H.E. (1947) Mendip the Great Cave of Wookey Hole (Bristol: John Wright, 3rd. ed.) with his bookplate & signed Mitchell A. (n.d.) Yorkshire Caves and Potholes 1. – North by the author. Ribblesdale (Skipton: Craven Herald); no bookplate, but dedicated to Rhodes signed by the author dated May 1937. Bogg E. (1904) Higher Wharfeland the Dale of Romance (Leeds: John Sampson) with his bookplate. Thornber N. (1947) Pennine Underground (Clapham: Dalesman); no bookplate, but pasted inside front cover is a Casteret N. (1939 reprint) Ten Years under the Earth (London: letter dated 14 Aug. 1947 addressed to Rhodes by the author. Dent) with his bookplate. Seven booklets bound together with his bookplate.

Five assorted pamphlets bound together with his bookplate.

Several cave articles from National Geographic Magazine bound together with his bookplate.

I was also given “A free translation of the chapter – ‘The Descent of Gaping Gill’ by Monsieur E.A. Martel on August 1st. 1895”. Extracted from “Irelande et Cavernes Anglaises”. The translation is by J.A. Pilling F.R.G.S. Copied and emended by H.W.R. on 20 Oct. 1946. The typed manuscript is packed in an envelope with the comments written in Rhodes’ beautifully legible script.

It appears that no cave library has a complete set of Rhodes’ articles published in the Methodist Magazine during 1942 and 1943. There is a complete set of that Magazine in the British Library. Perhaps our Librarian, and / or that of the British Cave Research Association, can arrange for the articles to be scanned and made more easily available to the caving community?

Stephen Craven

◄ Handwritten dedication by Albert Mitchell to Herbert Rhodes (image: Steven Craven)

22 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Gaping Gill Survey – Update

Ingleborough Cave – Kevin Dixon and Meg Stark inconclusive whether they were attracted to our lights. We 21st October, 11th and 25th November, 2nd December 2016 did not see any of the white fish reportedly in that area. Low water levels are required to make further progress with the he GG re-survey project continues but now at the bottom survey. Tend with Ingleborough Cave, courtesy of the Jarmans. The first three trips surveyed from the entrance through to Beck Head Stream Cave & Clapham Beck Head – Kevin Giant's Hall, including the Abyss. My first time in Dixon and Kirsty Pegg Ingleborough Cave and the formations are excellent, well 11th December 2016 worth a visit. At the end of the show cave, straight ahead is a dug out area in boulder and sand infill taking you to a cross Water levels were higher than hoped for. Ingleborough Cave rift which cuts across to Cellar Gallery. Back at the end of the was busy with lots of families queueing to visit Santa. So we Show Cave, a step up on the left leads to the start of Cellar headed for Clapham Beck Head – neither of us had ever been Gallery, floored with sharp sand, still muddy and wavy there before. A small hole at the base of a cliff is the entrance surfaced from the major flooding event of August. Towards and we could hear the stream loudly below. A vertical drop the end of Cellar Gallery, the Foot and Mouth Passage inlet leads to the start of a flatout bedding, in feet first, moving is passed on your right, water from this disappears into The rocks to make progress to the edge of the stream. Slot and down to the sump level. Here starts the Second Downstream, we could see the roof lowering to water level Gothic Arch, a good headlamp helps illuminate the roof and large quantities of recent foam. Travelling upstream, stalactites, ribbons and flowstone. This leads to a complex against a good flow, you frequently plunge into pools along junction with a short sandy crawl on the left to Giant's Hall. the way, to the right are occasional glimpses into a bedding. With our backs brushing the foam off the roof, we approached John Cordingley kindly provided access to a number of his the roar and mist of Broadbent Falls, a 3m climb on the right drawings for Ingleborough Cave based on dives and available led to a continuation of the stream passage to the large cross surveys. I had been expecting some complexity given all the rift sump from Ingleborough Cave. This upper section above feature names that I had found during my research eg. Blue the Falls had no foam evident. A small flatout bedding in the Sump, Black Sump, Termite, S.B. Aven (S*^! Bricks), Gour roof leads a bit further upstream from the sump. With the Aven, Termite, Rimstone East, Upper Series, Nether Wallows high water and mist levels, we decided to leave the survey etc. all in addition to the more well known names of First to another day. On our way out, we admired a couple of areas and Second Wallows, Terminal Lake and Inauguration of nice white flowstone, waves of water rippling over them. Cavern. The complexity was borne out by John's drawings. I subsequently compiled a graphic for Ingleborough to aid Clapham Beck Head was visited but progress was minimal survey planning and station placement, based upon all because of the water level. We did find the Dippers nest in a available sources, inclusive of the Foxholes Connection – now roof alcove. even more complex – which means more days to get it surveyed. It is intended to digitise the Ingleborough compilation inclusive of Gandalf's Gallery, the dives to Radagasts Revenge On our fourth trip we helped carry in equipment for the visit and Bilbo's Battery to see whether this surpasses the 4.2km of Santa and along the way admired the LED lit Reindeer length as listed in Northern Caves 2. and Candy Canes, the flickering laser pattern on the first oxbow pool, the Santa climbing a ladder above the Abyss Beck Stream Passage Cave – Kevin Dixon and Meg (obviously old school – no SRT) and the coloured lighting Stark throughout the cave. The stuffed Red Deer head poking out 17 December 2016 of an alcove was a bit of a surprise at the old gour Water level down 6 inches from the previous Sunday so we breakthrough. could survey most of this cave. Fresh foam on the roof just below Broadbent Falls which is where the roof is lowest and We tried to head on from Giant's Hall but the slope down would be the trap point for anyone caught above. Complex was filled with sand. Back at the complex junction, we series of inter-twining stream passages above Broadbent Falls followed a tube to a flowstone slope down to a bedding plane took a while to survey. With the water level down, there were with the main stream flowing from left to right. A short dogleg several good fossils visible in the walls near water level, some to the right brought us to a pool with another tube above, large shell spirals blackened and showing their internal and this led to the start of a ladder laid horizontal across the chambers, the walls had many corals. The water was a lot stream and covered with rubber providing a slick surface to clearer which helped us identify the pothole trip hazards in slide across, mostly out of the water. The retaining rope at the streamway and although neither of us had a full dunking the far end could then be followed to a roof anchor at the from tripping, some of the pots were waist deep. We collected start of the Far Eastern Bedding Plane. From here, a mostly the 3 diver weights that John Cordingley had left some time flat out crawl led past a bedding in the left roof near the start, ago at the upstream sump. Five hours was more than up a step in the floor near where Foxholes connects and we sufficient standing in cold water so with feet cold we left for went as far as two additional left side passages and surveyed the entrance with a lead laden bag and whilst I completed a back out. Lots of shrimp encountered in the stream, set of observations for the downstream sump, Meg collected

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 23 Gaping Gill survey cont. flood debris rubbish from an alcove which we later binned. the bedding plane and Beck Head Cave. On our way back to Came out to a very dark, starry evening with the grass already Clapham, we both saw a Tawny Owl flying down the estate frozen, quickly changed out of wetsuit and then completed trail. the Disto observations to the GPS control point at the Ingleborough Show Cave Bridge. 840 measurements were Kevin Dixon taken for this complex cave, need to return sometime to do

Digging Update

ue to a shortage of fit persons no more progress has progress. The second shaft is nearly 4 metres deep so we Dbeen made at Sixpence since the last report. Work on only have about another metre to go to reach the level of the Blea Dub has been on hold pending renewal of the digging water ponding back in the original dig. A quick survey has permission from Natural England but progress has now been shown that the shaft is coming down just beyond the current made on this and hopefully digging will recommence in the blockage in the first dig. Sadly we still do not have a draught not too distant future. but downward progress is steady if a bit slow.

Digging has been continuing on a regular basis at Pond Sink Ric Halliwell (Stump Cross) and, although it is requiring some significant scaffolding and boards to hold the sides back, we are making

24 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Sell Gill Holes – 3rd July 2016

Present: Terry Shipley (coordinator), Tony Credland, John Forder, John Helm, John Webb, Dave Shepherd, and Steptoe and Sons.

he CPC have now taken over the Tresponsibility of doing the clean-up and checking for debris at Sell Gill Holes, from one of the local scout groups. The weather on the day was good but there had been some wet weather over the previous two days, so we had to deal with a reasonable amount of water coming into the cave. We decided to split into two groups with TC JF JH JW setting off for Goblin Shaft with everyone managing to reach the bottom okay, although JW did say that he had successfully managed to dodge a stray stone on the higher pitch.

In the meantime DS and TS tackled the dryer route on ladder and life line. I had forgotten just how long the last pitch is, so we had some very entertaining moments, especially because And so that’s how we did it, one piece at a time to the first there was only the two of us. Eventually Dave and I met up pitch, were it now sits waiting to be moved onto the top pitch, with the others at the bottom of the pitch, where we then onto the track to be taken away by a Landrover at some discovered that they had already cleared up most of the point in time. No humans or animals, well as far as we know, rubbish. JF was having a bit of fun trying to dislodge an iron were injured during the filming of this episode of Steptoe fender from the floor, lose but it wasn’t giving itself up, no and Sons and we all managed to get out unscathed. The lads way. It took six of us and the demolition of most of the cave even said how good it was to climb on ladders again, although floor to get it out, it was two metres long! So, there it was, a it was agreed that SRT was probably more relaxing! A jovial great pile of iron, plastic roof sheets, wooden posts, bones, fun shared day was had by all whilst helping to clean up our old fencing and pallets, I kid you not! Me thinks the Wombles caves. Thanks lads, a smashing day. had been a wombling down there. Now we just had to get it to the surface, and that’s were Johnny Cash came in, telling Terry whistling: us, that we should do it one piece at a time, thanks Johnny. Any old iron, any old iron, any any any old iron ….

Terry Shipley

▲ The debris awaits the daylight.

◄ The Coordinator satisfied with his clean up at Sell Gill entrance.

(photos: John Webb)

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 25 Langstroth Pot (aka Rowten Pot, Kingsdale) – 1st October 2016

John Helm (coordinator), Patrick Warren, Dave King, and Glen Costin.

atrick Warren and I did meet by the entrance of PLangstroth Cave at 10am, however the amount of water in the Wharfe and the forecast rain meant that we decided to regroup at Ivy cottage to determine a plan B.

A suggestion was made (by IP) that Rowten Pot in Kingsdales was another potential pull through with free dive out the bottom and so we re-grouped on the Kingsdale road.

On arrival at the entrance we encountered another group just starting down the main route and thus we decided to do the high level route entering the pot at the extreme southern end of the opening. Patrick set of rigging and we moved fairly rapidly down the pot. We managed to avoid too much overlap with the previous team (a group of Mendip cavers who had ▲ Inspecting Rowten sump (photo: John Helm). ‘seen the light’ and headed to the Dales for some clean wet trips!). easy to float through (hood and mask preferable) on your back without touching the roof or floor. In the air-bells there We reached the sumps, at which point there was a technical is evidence that during flooding the water level is much problem in that Dave King who was planning to dive through higher with traces of grass. I dived back through the sumps with me realised that his new facial hair stopped him getting and we then all carried on out to the surface. A very pleasant a seal with his face mask. Thus I made the dive through the trip. three short sumps on my own, to Kingsdale Master cave. Noting that the line through is a full climbing rope and not John Helm just a diving guide line, also the water is very clear and it is

Sleets Gill-Dowkabottom Caves – 2nd October 2016

John Helm (coordinator), Dave King, Dave Milner, Andrew where a few souls decided to have a brief look in Hydrophobia Lister, Rowan Worsman, Dave Hodgson, Mike Ashmore, passage. We all then exited and walked up the hill to Patrick Needham. Dowabottom cave. A few of us visited the southern part of the cave with it old graffiti dating to when the cave was being he weather had been fine for the previous days so it was excavated for archaeological remains at the end of the 19th Tdeemed safe to visit Sleets Gill with it flooding hazard. century. At the bottom of the entrance slope the way through was a little encumbered by rocks, suggesting that it is not so well A rope was put on the entrance climb in to the northern visited these days. We all then enjoyed the walk along the entrance, which proved handy for those shorter in the leg! huge main passage with its formations to the boulder choke Dave Hodgson and Rowan did some biological studies in the entrance series whilst the rest of us continued up the flowstone dam through the ‘lake’ and former duck in to the passages beyond. We noted that there had been quite a bit of digging that had taken place in here and visited just about every nook and cranny of this section, before exiting to the surface where it was pleasant and sunny.

All in all a great day of exploring these two classic caves of Lower Littondale. Thanks to all who attended.

John Helm

◄ Main passage, Sleets Gill (photo: John Helm)

26 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Kingsdale Master Cave – 30th October 2016

John Webb (coordinator), John Helm, Andy Brennand, Nick about 50m from Rowten Sump. An obvious and easy pebbly Gymer, Trish Boardman, Nick Bennett. crawl leads for about 80m to a very short flat-out section right at the end which breaks out into a wide 2m high river bedding nly a small group again for what is usually a popular with a strong stream flowing left to right. To the right meets Ocave. Anyway six of us dived headlong into the oil- the “upstream” end of the Mud River Sump which emerges drum and quickly traversed the “low’ish” water levels of the at the deep water section near Master Junction (bottle dive first pool/duck (I don’t think it will ever be a duck again!) only!!) whilst left leads to the upstream sump leading on for and stomped along the roof tunnel to the pitch. Surprisingly divers to Ogden’s Passage. A phreatic roof passage intersects there was a long wading section in the Roof Tunnel so the the bedding cave and leads to a wonderful curtain/flow passage must be more susceptible to post-flood ponding than formation, most unexpected in such a location. This series is it originally was. well worth a visit but watch the water levels if planning to enter. Ladder duly rigged, we descended into the main canyon with Rowten Sumps being the first aim. “Above average” flow A traditional romp up to Swinsto Final Aven via East Entrance conditions meant an enjoyable wade was had against the Passage concluded the trip, where a sizeable waterfall was flow to Master Junction. Onward into the deeper water section found entering from Swinsto Passage. All suitably impressed, with a few shrieks, and eventually we arrived at Rowten we were soon back at the pitch and then out into “almost” sump where many minutes where whiled away talking about sunshine before the obligatory refreshments were imbibed our free-diving exploits when we were all young and carefree at Bernies. Good trip to somewhere new, without much (mad!). exertion!

I had always wanted to see the rarely visited Mud River John Webb Series, so I led the group downstream to an alcove on the left

Washfold Pot diverted to Sell Gill – 12th November 2016

Tony Credland, Nick Gymer, John Helm, Sean Howe, Mick second pitch. It starts with an exposed climb up to a muddy Potts, John Worden, Gordon Coldwell (coordinator). roof tube. Once through the flat out tube, the floor drops away, requiring a ladder. Without a ladder, this was as far his meet was due to take place in Wasfold Pot, on the as we could get. Teastern flanks of Ingleborough. The forcast wasn't good, and so I'd had some alternatives planned, but wanted to see An old tin bath was then dug out from the floor for the second what the weather was actually doing, and what the team pitch chamber, and hauled out the cave before the party wanted to do, before making a final decision. As expected visited Calcite Way. Despite many many visits to Sell Gill heavy rain in the night made the decision very easy. Washfold over the years I've never been into Calcite Way. It a nice was definitely off. This was a shame as Washfold Pot is a passage, easy going following a small stream. The passage, great trip, and one I'd not done in a while. sometimes low, sometimes walking, passes various calcite flowstone formations. Due to the mud on our suits from Out of the alternatives, the group decided on Sell Gill. I'd crawling in the Guano Level, we carefully passed these never been into Calcite Way, and so was keen to have a look impressive features. After a few minutes you arrive at a pitch in here. There was also some rubbish to be removed the requiring a ladder. It was here we retreated. bottom of the entrance pitch. Once back at the entrance pitch, a few more bags of rubbish On a previous trip into the cave (3rd July 2016) a lot of rubbish was hauled up the entrance pitch before most of the team was removed to the base of the entrance pitch. This was free climbed out of the rift on the back wall. instigated now that Sell Gill is the CPC's registered cave under the 'adopt a cave' scheme as seen in Descent. The rubbish Overall we had a good trip, even it wasn't as originally mainly consisted of rusty digging buckets, old timber fence planned. It was good to spend some time clearing out rubbish posts, and bits of plastic. from the cave, although there is still some more to do. All the rubbish we removed made its way off the hill and has been Upon arrival at the cave on this occasion, the entrance pitch disposed. was rigged, and some of the rubbish was hauled to the surface. The rest of the cave was rigged, and all those who wanted to Many thanks to all those who took part, let's hope that descend to the bottom, did so. John Helm was particualery Washfold Pot can take place soon! interested in foam deposits on the ceiling, and dashed back t the surface for his camera. Gordon Coldwell

Whilst John was doing this a visit was made to the Guano Level. This heads off from the chamber at the base of the

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 27 President's meet

▲ ► Gordale: approaching and descending waterfalls

▼ President's Refreshments

(photos: John Webb)

28 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Presidents Meet: Gordale Scar to Malham Cove Circular – 26th November 2016

John Webb (President), Dave Allanach, Ian Patrick, Lin Patrick, The obstacle safely overcome, all then headed to Janet’s Foss Alan Pedlar, Steve Pickersgill, Barbara Pickersgill, Jenni Smith, for a look at this beautiful glade/waterfall setting, though James Smith, Edward Whittaker, Mike Whitehouse, Abbi Jenni still didn’t fall in when we all shouted at her. The very Robertson, John Helm, Steve Kirk, Paul McWhinney, Dave pleasant continuing path along the stream gorge and Barker, John Taylor, Gail Taylor Laurie Todd & Grandsons. meadows took us into Malham, where the Listers Arms had been decorated as a giant Christmas parcel waiting to deliver ecent “Presidents” meets have not always been “weather- us well-deserved alcoholic refreshments, and bags of pork Rkind” to the newly elected President, so I was more than scratchings, which Laurie sadly didn’t get chance to lick the pleased when the morning broke settled and dry, and even crumbs off as the barman whisked the empties away smartish! sunny for a while. Leaving Langscar Gate the group followed the Pennine Way along the dry valley towards Water Sinks, With time marching on, daylight fading fast, and ham and before cutting off east to the green track leading towards the eggs calling from over the hill, the group wound its way head of Gordale Scar. Assuming the worst from the weather along the path up to the Cove for a look at the overhang, and earlier in the week, I had packed an “emergency lifeline” in at the dive base at the foot of the cliff, before making the my rucksack, just in case the waterfall climb was a tad damp! heart-thumping tramp up the “staircase” beside the Cove and back along the dry valley to the cars. With only average flow conditions, but quite damp and greasy rock underfoot, it proved fruitful to bring the rope into play Thanks to all who attended my first meet of the year. I hope as a handline down the left hand side climb (facing to see as many of you as I can through 2017. downstream) which has a few tricky moves, especially when the no-one is told about the loose holds at the bottom of the John Webb climb!

Lost Johns' Cave – 10th December 2016

John Helm (coordinator), Paul McWhinney, Mike Hartley, inspect the Lake (downstream)), at the point Patrick and Gordon Coldwell, Jacqui Cowling, Pat Halliwell, Ian Patrick, Simon decided to exit the system via Notts II. Patrick Warren, Andrew Lister, Simon Parker, Kirsty Pegg, John and Miranda Forder, Aaron Judd. Paul and I went upstream with them to the bottom of Lyle cavern so see them head off up the fixed rope, then drop back his meet was initially going to be lead by Katie into the stream-way and followed up the well decorated THainesworth, but due to a prior engagement with the passage to the tube, where we turned around. On arriving new man in her life, Rupert, who had his own trip out into back at Groundsheet junction we found a message written the cold world, she asked for a stand-in! in pebbles on the mud bank saying ‘5 out’, so that was the folk with Gordon. Then just when it was getting a little At the Cowan Bridge car park there was a great turn out, and worrying of having no news of the Dome route team, they since I had already been warned that this would be the case. appeared. Apparently after initially performing an inspection I had rigged the Centipede (dry) route with Glenn Costin on of Monastery route! They decided to look both up and down the Sunday before (a great 4-1/2 hour trip, in rather drier stream and agreed to de-rig the Centipede route on their way conditions than this weekend). out whilst Paul and I would de-rig Dome route. The trip out was smooth and we caught up briefly with the team of five This enabled multiple routes and trips reducing waiting times on their way out via Dome and Cathedral. on pitches. On the surface the conditions were thick fog (low cloud) and One team consisting of Ian Patrick, Andrew Lister and Mike damp, though relatively warm. Hartley set off to rig the Dome/Cathedral route. The rest went down the pre-rigged Centipede route in two teams, one Some folk had already headed down to the Cowan Bridge consisting of Gordon Coldwell, John and Miranda Forder, car park, and soon all the others left and just as they set off, Kirsty Pegg, and Jacqui Cowling. The rest of us followed Ian Patrick, Andrew Lister and Mike Hartley appeared out down at a more sedate rate. Patrick Warren inspected the of the mist. Dome route but saw no sign of the rigging team, which was a little worrying. All on all, out of 14 people on the meet, 12 went down and out of the system by different routes, in a total of 5-1/2 hours. By the time we reached the start of the Battle Axe traverse, The team that had not done any of the rigging or de-rigging Pat and Aaron had decided that it was far enough and time then washed the ropes back at the cottage after a stop at to head out carefully to the surface. Bernie’s for cream teas. Thanks to all for a great day of caving in this Dales Classic system. The rest of us carried on to Groundsheet Junction where there was no sign of the group with Gordon (they had gone to John Helm

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 29 Long Kin West – 11th December 2016

Tony Credland (coordinator), John Helm (reporter)

ony had spent a few days prior to the meet day, rigging Tthis pothole, by a different route through the distinct window part way down the second pitch, plus new deviations (he is preparing a rigging guide for this route for the Record). He had also used Dyneema loops and AS 8mm ‘hangers’ in a number of places. These AS (Amarrage Souple) cord loops and hangers can take load from multi-directions and their strength and abrasion resistance is that of steel wire. They have been in common use on the Continent for the past 15 years and since they can also be used instead of maillons or carabineers can substantially reduce weight being carried by a caving team.

We arrived at the meeting point by the Newby-Cold Cotes lay-by at 09:45 but were disappointed to find that even by 10:20 no other CPC cavers had come along for the meet.

So we headed up into the thick low cloud, making visability about 50m. Fortunately since Tony had made a number of trips up in the past days, route finding was not too difficult and we were soon at the entrance.

The trip down the two entrance pitches was straight-forward, then a new fixed diagonal guide-rope takes you into the obvious window on the north side of the shaft. This was followed a fine new abseil down a fluted shaft landing close to the base of the direct 55m pitch. At this point there was a slight squeeze through a vertical slot to the top of a 10m pitch, ▲ Long Kin West meet (photo: John Helm). which had all the water from the entrance cascading over you! Beyond this a low traverse leads out to the final last 70m We exited to a damp grey foggy day and walked back down pitch. At this point Tony decided to remain near the top whilst the car after 3-1/2 hours underground. I went to the bottom and inspected the dig/shaft (which had water cascading down it). I then de-rigged the pot on the Thanks to Tony for coming all the way from Fife and prepping way out with a hefty four tackle bags to be brought to surface the meet so well and hope you have a better turn out when between us (including a personal rope damaged during you run the meet for the NPC. rigging). John Helm

30 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) The Alternative Families / Come and Try Meet – October 2016

was unable to make the Come and Try weekend, though II did have lined up a couple of novice cavers to swell the numbers…….so I thought I’d do my own Come and Try, and combine it with a family meet. Not having any family myself to bring along, I hunted around a bit and found Paula and her kids on a bus, and Gianni and family in a car park. No kidding, this is literally how it happened! I’m not sure what this says about me; lonely old man accosting random families, or what it says about them, taking pity on me!

Riverside duly booked we became a large and jolly party of nine: Eva, 7yrs, Max 6yrs, Ewan 4yrs and Stella 3yrs. The two mums, Paula and Debs were of course 21 again this year as, according my dear departed, mums are always 21; dad Gianni aged somewhere between old and older, and the au- pair Maria at 22, and of course yours truly aged ‘decrepit’. There was a plan for two dogs and a dog trainer but they wisely decided to stay at home!

And so it was that a mob-handed group of assorted ▲ Uncool and the Gang……..Paula, Stella, Eva, Maria, Ewan, desperadoes tramped across the Ribblehead moor towards Debs, Max, Gianni and an unattached interloper without Runscar and Thistle caves. The approach was almost family portfolio at the back (all photos: Tony Credland). uneventful, until Paula decided to inject some excitement into the mundane task by allowing the bog-badgers to switching to Plan B; a much longer section of cave but with swallow one of her legs whole. They didn’t like the taste an easy ‘in’. though and spat her out, still complete with footwear which was a blessing. The high but narrow passage was helpful to prevent a rout of desertions – only the rear marker could run away and I’d We had a good array of modern LED lighting, as well as an given Gianni a big tackle sack that prevented him turning ancient Petzl Mini Zoom that seemed to be recycling 1980’s around. Any such desertions would have to be conducted moon beams, and a temperamental Aceto carbide. Well, just by running backwards – a rather cunning plan I thought. a standard carbide; they are all temperamental I think? However, it was the modern LEDs that initially caused the However such manipulations seemed unnecessary as folk most trouble. Have you ever considered how complicated seemed quite relaxed and a gentle pace kept us moving it is just to turn them on and off?? And with such a wide forwards. We had a few stops though to admire the cave selection of lights in the party it was quite a while before we and for me to cast an eye on folk. Soon we noticed the roof were ready to head out of the sunshine and into the darkness lowering and the adults had to start ducking down. The kids of Runscar 3. didn’t seem to be affected by this. Then it started to get wet under foot and they certainly noticed this! In fact getting wet Plan A had been to start on Runscar 2 but the little climb feet continually caused the greatest upset throughout the down at the start may have been off-putting to some of the three days. Tight spaces, crawling, climbing, sliding down, group so a bit of dynamic group assessment saw us smoothly playing wriggly worms: no problem at all. Wet feet? Catastrophic disaster! Howls. Tears. And that was just from the adults, you should have heard the kids!

This led me to begin to doubt the wisdom of Plan B as Runscar 3 ends in a wet canal with not a lot of headroom for us big folk. Time for sit down and conflab. Should I return the whole group back to the start or take a few out, and return for the others, then retrace steps?

The issue was suddenly decided by the tiny 3yr old Stella who had clearly had enough of the adult procrastination. She walked forward away from her mum, grabbed my hand and set off, splodging through the water with a determined expression on her wee face. Of course nobody was prepared to turn back now, so under her in dominatable leadership we were soon basking in the sunshine in the shake hole between Runscar 3 and 4. Cave 1 ticked off!

▲ The intrepid pink ladies bravely heading underground for After a breather we walked down the hill to look at the exit the first time. of Runscar 4, which is rather small. I decided that we would

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 31 ▲ Paula clearly planning to stick the boot in…….Ewan, smiling, unsuspecting the evil streak in his Mum………

◄ Eva looking to see where that silly man has disappeared to this time……

and combined a gentle leg-pull with some words of encouragement and soon her smile had returned. Perhaps the smile was in relief, but perhaps it was the anticipation of her mum having to squirm about! But it was her wee brother that followed next, with the same unhappy initial reaction. This was dealt with in fine fashion by his mum’s boot placed firmly on his head followed by a shove. I’m sure she loves do section 4 upstream, so that any refusals would be left on him really. the surface rather than still in the cave. However, this is psychologically more demanding, moving from comfort to Paula then blocked the way out so poor Ewan had no option darkness rather than having the encouragement of moving but to continue. He seemed pretty happy once he could stand towards the light. When I pointed out the hole there was up again. Max and Maria followed on with Gianni bringing some disbelief that we were going to fit through it, so I led up the rear again. Stella and mum Debs decided not to join the way to prove that it was indeed possible. us, a sensible decision given that their clothing was not ideal for cave crawling and wetness. The intrepid Eva soon followed and things were looking good for a moment, and then she stopped, clearly unhappy that I managed to persuade folk to do some of the wriggly-worm having passed the constriction she still couldn’t stand up. oxbows without the benefit of my leadership, including the Sensing a possible panic in the making I grabbed her boot dead-end NE inlet as far as the aven [not the hanging death boulder choke a little further on]. Little Stella re- joined the team for this as it is very close to daylight. She apparently walked the whole way to the aven, being so tiny that crawling was unnecessary. The others got sore knees!

Food and a warm up in a bivvi shelter [KISU for the old timers] prepared us for Thistle cave. Gianni warmed himself up by having to return to the car for the sandwiches!

Thistle was judged by all to be easy but really good, which was just as well as a few folk were feeling a little chilly by the time we had tramped through the cave. We were all warm enough though by the time we’d walked back to the cars. It was lovely to see shy Ewan and little Stella hand in hand and helping each other across the boggy bits. And smiling too, perhaps at their new found friendship rather than the caving?

▲ TeeCee trying to convince the crew that the tightest bit is really as big Life in Riverside was very cosy and for most of as the last fish he caught……just look at those disbelievers! the weekend the floors were not visible under

32 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) ▲ A picture is worth a thousand words: the mental state of TC after 3 days…………

◄ Max the Model: when your feet are cold, anything goes! children’s toys and games, clothing and boxes of food. A just jumping in and shouldering children without due care great delight of the weekend was that I was fed and watered or consideration to the other side. The sunshine was most every day, with only some washing up as a contribution in welcome and Max’s feet were soon sporting a pair of gloves! the kitchen. When the central heating went AWOL we reverted to the traditional open fire which added a nice touch. Our final day was another Plan B, Browgill to, but not into, A visit to Ivy Cottage saw the children very enamoured of Calf Holes via the staircase climb and the crawls. By now the bunk rooms – they really wanted to sleep there rather the team were beginning to look like and move like proper than Riverside! cavers so the zig zag climb provided an additional challenge. With Paula wedged between the zig and the zag, Gianni The following day we tackled the uber classic Longchurns, shoving at the difficult start and TC sitting on the exposed starting at the middle entrance and heading up to Dr edge we soon had the kids and Maria safely to the top. Then Bannister’s. Despite the huge number of cars and mini buses followed some interesting crawls made a little more in the lane we didn’t see that many folk in the cave. The interesting by dint of a forgetful guide. mandatory crawl around the pool and under the waterfall and then a gentle gallop back to the start didn’t take long and A lunch time appointment back at Riverside forced a turn- then we headed off for the lower section and the Cheese Press. a-round before Calf Holes, which was good as it means they However we had to pass the waterfall first, using the oxbow will have to return next time. I’m assuming there will be a climb to stay dry, at least for a while. Double Shuffle and next time? Plank Pools saw some of the adults getting a little damp, passing the kids over. Only Gianni and I struggled a little Thanks to all the CPC members who advised me on suitable with the Cheese Press, Paula and Maria slid smoothly through trips and gave me pointers for caving with little people. The and Eva and Max rattled through without touching the roof. input was gratefully received and very useful. There was a suggestion that I would find the weekend, living and caving There were some folk coming up the Dollytubs pitch and this with 4 young children, more challenging than soloing a cave group had left a hand line on the climb out of the chamber. with 2 tackle sacks and 200m rope. Sometimes discretion is Useful! But before we made good use of this [it saved me the way to go, so no comment. However, it is telling that I getting my rope out] we had an underground picnic. We was smiling for a great deal of the weekend, and would be must have had too much food as we spent so long sitting that happy to repeat the experience. After all, we have a date we were soon getting cold. Our exit was very fast once we with Calf Holes…… had met the challenge of the scramble rope climb. The big pools were passed very quickly indeed by virtue of some fool A fantastic trip and the kids went beyond all our expectations!

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 33 This was a new adventure for me (save a crazy, middle of We had an amazing time caving the night Blair Witch kind of expedition in some and I can’t wait to go again! I Herefordshire caves many years ago…) and I am certainly loved the Cheese Press the best up for a sequel. Riverside also exceeded all expectations, and wriggling through the tight having been made out to be rather basic digs when indeed, spaces. Especially the extra the cottage was absolutely brilliant and the lap of luxury tunnel bits. And crawling compared to many outdoor accomodations that I have bunked behind the waterfall. I was a bit down in in the past in pursuit of sporting activities around scared of Tony’s headlight the world. Our guide was fantastic; calm and composed in though because it had fire in it. Sometimes it was a bit the face of the unknown realms of 4 enthusiastic yet cold when we got out but Tony put a bag on me which temperamental cavers under the age of 8 – delicately judging was very funny. When I got back to school I told how far to encourage and cajole and cleverly testing the everyone that I had lunch in a cave! It was really cool. group’s sense of direction with a couple of planned route I really loved the cottage and thought the bunk beds errors (ha ha). next door were so cool. Next time I want to do the abseiling bit into the cave. HUGE thanks to Tony for coming up with the crazy suggestion and for making it all possible. 3 days felt like a Eva, 7 whole week away in a completely different world. Just what we needed. I liked sploshing around in the water. It was cold when the water went over the top of my wellies but then it TeeCee (Tony Credland) was warm and it was fun. My mummy gave me a piggy back over the lots of water bits because it was bigger than my head. I liked the little holes to squish into and I really liked sitting on top of the seat bits in the caves.

Ewan, 4

34 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Surveys and Drawings from Denis Brindle

ust before he died, Denis Brindle asked his son, Ian, to pass New Goydon Pot: Survey – ink on paper with colour added Jon his surveys and drawings to the Club. The list below 1957. Final version appeared Vol.2 p71. shows the range of work that Denis and his fellow members carried out in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Where the surveys were Pollnacrom, Co. Fermanagh: Dieline of known cave 1962 published in Club publications, references are listed below. Final version appeared in Vol.3 No.2 end folder. Darnbrook Pot and Cherry Tree Hole: · Rowantree Cave, Wharfedale · Pencil on paper - Cherry Tree entrance with dig to north · Line drawing with sections on paper · Dieline of Cherry Tree Hole survey with sections, 1961 · Version with lettering but not completed (shows Darnbrook “blowing hole”) · Final version appeared in volume 5 295-97 with survey in · Original drawing of Cherry Tree on tracing paper end folder · Original drawing on tracing paper – Cherry Tree – showing · Robinsons Pot cave and bearings to other holes · Dyeline(?) copies on paper of part of Robinsons Pot (A4) · Original drawing of Cherry Tree on tracing paper showing · Initial drawing of most of Robinsons Pot on paper 83x73cm bearings to other features – Final versions in Vol.3 No.6 and Draft survey Vol.5 p117 Final version appeared in end folder Vol.5 Nos.4 & 5 Vol.5 · Dyelines of Darnbrook Pot – 3 copies – final version in Vol.4 No.4 All above in one poster tube. Ink on tracing paper of Darnbrook Pot

Dow Cave and Dow Providence: West Scrafton Pot: Pencil on tracing paper nd · Dieline of Dow Cave survey · Dieline of whole survey Dyeline of Innes Foley’s survey of Lost Johns Cave · Dowbergill Passage (not Providence) with surface features shown – pencil on paper Car Pot: Dyeline of 1948 survey with section – 2 copies Vol.1 · Dowbergill Passage (with Providence Pot) with surface p21 features shown – pencil on paper · Dyeline of Dowbergill/Providence with surface features Stump Cross Caverns: Dyeline of 1955 Survey - Vol.1 No.2 1955 77x110cm on paper 2 copies end folder · Original drawing on tracing paper of Dowbergill/Providence with surface features 1955 77x110cm Pat Halliwell (original of above).

Dow Cave survey was in Vol.1 No.5 end folder; Dowbergill Passage was in Vol.1 No.6 end folder.

◄ New Goyden Pot survey dated 2-3 March 1957. This does not appear to be quite the same survey as was published in the CPC Journal (vol 2, p 71, 1956). The figures seem to be heights OD working to within 1/2 ft so possibly it was done by levelling, and plumbing the pitches. If anyone has more information please pass it on! (Photo: Pat Halliwell).

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 35 Library Additions for January 2017 Record

Exchanges Belfry Bulletin, Journal of the Bristol Exploration Club Oct.2016 No.559 Vol.60 No.8: Thailand 2015; Unterstein Cave, Alabama, USA; UNCABA 2016; damage in Hunter’s Lodge Inn Sink; EuroSpeleo 2016; Tribute to Michael Wheadon’s Life; 1954 report of camping on Crib-y-Ddysgl.

Chelsea Spelaeological Society Newsletter Vol.58 Nos 7/8/9 July/Aug/Sept 2016: report on EuroSpeleo 2016; Meet reports; a “not-caving” trip – Ibbeth Peril II, Dentdale , Aug.2016 – flooding; Daren Cilau 100th birthday bash; Vurley Dig Summer 2016.

Grampian Speleological Group Bulletin Fifth Series Vol.2 no.1 Oct. 2016: Meets reports; additions to the Library; Carnshalloch limestone mine, Ayrshire; caves of Assynt and the meteor; foreign press coverage of Neil Moss tragedy; Loch Croispol Cave, Balnakeil, Durness; Aquatic invertebrates in Scottish caves; More about Sawney Bean’s Cave; Belafonte Pot, Traligill; Caving in the abode of clouds 2016 – a different story; Index to Fifth Series No.1 of GSG Bulletin.

Irish Speleology Journal of the Speleological Union of Ireland No.22 October 2016: Poll an Bliain Uire, Cavan Burren; caves of Largy series 3,4 and 5; cave investigation of Irish caves in 18th and 19th centuries; the rediscovery of Tryan Cave; Exploration of Shannon Cave, Co Cavan; animal bones found in Pollaraftra Cave, Co. Fermanagh; images from Irish Caving Club photo collection; Corratirrim Cave, County Cavan; new caves near Carron, Co. Clare; Review of the ‘Archaeology of Caves in Ireland’ by Marion Dowd.

MCG News Newsletter of the Mendip Caving Group Summer 2016 Sept.2016 Issue 380: How safe is your Croll?; report from 17th Symposium on Volcanic caves, Hawaii, Feb.2016; digging at Sandford Hill; digging in Grebe Swallet – Battle report 2016; caving diary from 1950s; Upper Flood breakthrough – 10 years anniversary; detailed report of caving at EuroSpeleo 2016.

RRCPPC 11 Journal of the Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club 2009-2016 2016: This volume (all 245 pages!!) summarises the work that has been done by the RRCPC during the last 6 years.

Subterranea Croatica Vol.14 No.20 1/2016: 52 pages with many colour photos and surveys. In Croatian with English summaries of all major articles.

Underground the Newsletter of the Speleoleogical Union of Ireland and the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation Issue 91, Autumn 2016: Obituary Brian McGavin; Ice Age woolly mammoth; Lava tube in Iceland; recollections of a veteran Irish caver.

Wessex Cave Club Journal 339 October 2016: Eurospeleo on Mendip & in Yorkshire; Obituaries of Bob Gannicott and Stu Genders

White Rose Pothole Club Newsletter Vol.35 Issue 3 Sept. 2016 : Tales about cavers and water; Meet reports.

YSS 450 Yorkshire Subterranean Society Newsletter

No.450 June 2016: digging Black Moss Pot; Washfold Pot topos; Hush Hush Pot.

No.451 Sept.2016: Report on Mines Tour 2016; winter flood damage in Notts II.

36 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) Purchases BCRA News (Newsletter of the British Cave Research Association) October 2016: Report on Malham hydrology study weekend, May 2016; general BCRA administrative matters.

BCRA Review British Cave Research Association Annual Review for 2015 October 2016: BCRA Officers’ Reports; Reports from Special Interest Groups; Report on BCRA Grants & Awards; Reports on BCRA Scientific Meetings – Symposia and Field Meetings; Minutes of BCRA 2015 AGM; BCRA contact addresses.

Donations From Robert Scott: Descent No.251 Aug/Sept 2016: Extending Krypton, Peak Cavern; Hypogenic Danby Level Cave. Descent No.252 October/November 2016: Yorkshire Dales floods, August 2016; Bilbao’s Iron Caves, Spain; solving a climate riddle – Devils Hole, Nevada; Finding the Lost River, Gaping Gill; the unique status of Pen Park Hole, Bristol. Descent No.253 December 2016/January 2017: Obituary Doug Nash and Paul Dold; Boreham Cave extensions; caves in an ancient land – Israel; EuroSpeleo reports; entomological secrets of Matienzo; 1860s cave photographer Charles Waldack.

From Ric Halliwell: “Cavers make new link under Dales” Front Page and p3 Westmorland Gazette 25.8.16

From Pat Halliwell: 27th British Cave Research Association Cave Science Symposium October 2016 - Abstract Booklet – Abstracts of presentations under headings – Archaeology & Palaeontology; Analytical methods; Hydrogeology & Speleogenesis; Speleothem records.

From Denis Brindle:

Coleman, JC The Caves of Ireland Anvil Books, Tralee 1965

Farr, M The Darkness Beckons the history and development of cave diving Diadem Books 1991 (2nd edition)

Franke, HW Wilderness under the earth Lutterworth Press, London 1958 translation of German 1956 edition

Howes, C To Photograph Darkness the history of underground and flash photography Alan Sutton Publishing 1989

Howes, C Images Below a manual of underground and flash photography Wild Places Publishing 1997

Lovelock, J Life and Death Underground G Bell & Sons, London 1963

Middleton, J & T Waltham The Underground Atlas a Gazetteer of the World’s cave regions Robert Hale Ltd. 1986

Waltham, Tony Caves Macmillan 1974

Also a large number of original drawings/tracings of cave surveys drawn by the Brindles

Pat Halliwell

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 37 Letters

To The Editor CPC.

No underground tales in this report. To make up for it sending photos of some paintings. One self portrait. Report about U.F.O. over Gaping Gill reminded me of a dramatic experience I had sleeping by myself years ago. Bright sparks came into the bedroom for a while before going out. Then I felt something moving up my body. It was an alien creature. It looked into my eyes before disappearing. (Believe it or not.)

from old member T. Austin

(Do not put in if unsuitable for members to read.)

This report takes you into the paranormal. I have lived with all my life, even underground.

My First UFO Sighting

Came down slowly and silently one morning over scout tents. Could see shapes moving about in portholes in dark band beneath light coloured spheres. Must have been looking at us. Then away they went up into the sky, very fast, and soon disappeared out of sight.

▼ ► Paintings by Tom Austin

38 Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) The Back Page

Giants Hole Meet Upcoming Meets

Hi all, Enclosed in this edition of the Record is the new meets card for 2017/18. Here is a ‘heads up’ for what’s coming Hopefully you will have noticed a Giants Hole trip on the up in the next couple of months. meets card for the 26th Feb. Weekend of 14th and 15th of Jan, we have trips in For those unfamiliar with the cave it’s a superb Peak Lancaster hole and Tatham Wife hole. District classic and anyone who makes the effort to travel south will not be disappointed. A trip to the bottom or Weekend of 28th and 29th Jan there is a straightforward just the ‘round trip’ has a little bit of everything apart SRT trip into Sunset hole..ideal for those new to SRT as from a big pitch. There is nothing overly difficult in the the cave only has a couple of very short pitches and a system but you are continually ‘caving’. Highlights straight 50ft hang .On the Sunday there is a trip into include Crab Walk..one of the most famous passages in Devis Hole mine near Leyburn. the UK, The ‘Vice’, lots of cascades and a final dunking in ‘Giants windpipe’ on the way out. A trip to the bottom Weekend of the 11th and 12th Feb, we have a meet down and out takes about 5 hours and is not suitable for Notts pot on the Saturday and a ‘County Pot novices. The cave will be rigged for SRT (2 simple extravaganza’ led by ‘Team Patrick’ on the Sunday. pitches) and some of the traverses in the lower reaches will be protected. Sunday 26th Feb, we have a meet in Giants Hole, Derbyshire. Please see left for details. There is a trespass fee of £3 that you will need change for. Personally, I think it’s one of the finest sporting trips in Weekend of Saturday 11th and 12th March, we have an England but don’t take my word for it, come and see for Alum/Diccan/churns exchange trip and a novice meet yourself. into Heron pot.

If anyone needs further directions for the meeting place, Weekend of 25th and 26th March, we have a trip into Rift give me a shout. pot (Marble steps area) and a trip into Dismal Hill cave.

Glenn Costin Hope plenty of members can support the trips and most importantly have fun.

Glenn Costin

New CNCC Website

The CNCC website has been refreshed and now includes downloadable rigging topos and cave descriptions, amongst a wealth of other information. I also understand CNCC are looking for someone to take on the role of Individual Caver Representative.

Patrick Warren

Puzzle – follow that!

1. Oddy, Kirkstall Forge, Newlay, Dobson, Field, Dowley Gap, — , — . 2. Kirkgate, Marshfield, Sheriff Brow, — . 3. Alex, Charles, McKenzie, — . 4. Snowdon, Crowden, Wain Stones, — . 5. Alkelda, John, Peter, — . — answers in the next Record

◄ Self portrait (Tom Austin)

Craven Pothole Club Record 125 (January 2017) 39