Lancaster Hole

[Frog]

Had a brilliant trip down Lancaster Hole yesterday with Simon, Rachel and Dave from the TSG.
Ive never caved with them before but they made me feel very welcome and helped me out when I got stuck on climbs, in chokes, etc.
Have to say this is the prettiest cave I have seen so far and it was also very interesting all the way through.
Just as I started to descend the pitch the heavens opened and the water was pouring directly into my wellies. By the time I got to the bottom I was soaked. We did lots of scrambling over rocks, sliding down mud and negotiating climbs with the aid of ropes. At one point I declared my imminent death whereupon Simon asked if he could have my van!
We had a great time and a lot of laughs and when we finally ascended the pitch we were greeted with sunshine.
All we had to do now was get the vans off the very wet grass verge!!!
Thanks to the TSG for letting me cave with them and for looking after me. I will certainly be caving with them again.

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

You have a lot to look forward to if Lancaster Hole is the prettiest cave you have been down! I'm glad you had fun... that's what it is all about.

CN

 

[Frog]

thanks for your reply.
i havent done many caves yet so im sure you are right when you say i have a lot to look forward to.
which caves would you class as pretty?

 

[cap n chris]

Down Saaaffh there's Otter Hole in the Forest of Dean (quite impressive), Fairy Cave Quarry Caves - Shatter & Withyhill (not bad), St. Cuthbert's Swallet (OK), Dan-yr-Ogof - Cloud Chamber's a bit cloudy but probably worth a look (average), Ogof Ffynnon Ddu (a bit short), Craig-y-Ffynnon (not bad either). Not too sure about Ooop North but White River Series of Peak Cavern is supposed to be averagely OK. :wink:

Oh yeah, there's also Little Neath River Cave and Llygad Llwchwr in South Wales which are both damp and both have a couple of good stalactites in, and again on Mendip there's Swildon's Hole (Barnes Loop contains a stalagmite worth a look-see) and for passage morphology try Slaughter Stream Cave and Ogof Draenen (Forest of Dean and South Wales respectively) - again both quite short caves but worth a journey anyway. :shock: Daren Cilau in South Wales has also got some flowstone apparently.

 

[cucc Paul]

Daren has many prities but its getting to them.... bit of a slog....

 

[Frog]

thanks for all the suggestions for down saaffh.
any suggestions for ooop north?

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

thanks for your reply.
i havent done many caves yet so im sure you are right when you say i have a lot to look forward to.
which caves would you class as pretty?

Notts II has some very nice pretties as does Easegill if you travel the remoter areas... Fire Hydrant Chamber and Cape Kennedy for instance. Gaping Gill also has some nice pretties in the Far Country and some of the newly discovered entrances. But, beyond pretties, Northern caves are classic wet caves and have their own unique beauty.

CN.

 

[kay]

There's a lot of pretties in the Dales. But Northern Caves is very coy about these, presumably in the hope avoiding damage - some of them are relatively easy of access.

 

[hell little caver]

Dan-yr-ogof is really pritty!!!!!!!britans greatest natural wonder aparently!!!!!!!! and the OFD is ace if you want pritty go to the swanse (ok i'm sure thats not spelt right) vally (or that)

 

[Hammy]

You won.t get prettier than this......

http://www.postojnska-jama.si/en/cave.htm

Depends if you like your caves wild....this one has had over 30 million visitors!

 

[Hammy]

Or hows about this one!!

http://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si/Eng/a-Skocjan Caves Regional Park.htm

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

You know, all Frog wants is some hints on the Northern parts of England... give Frog some Yorkshire Dale's caves to visit!

 

[Hammy]

I.ve carefully read Frogs postings and nowhere can I see the North of England specified.....Neil are you in telepathic communication with Frog??

Perhaps I should have been more homely with suggestions....

Hagg Gill Pot is quite nice....Wharfedale

 

[Langthwaite Pot]

Ribblehead Cave - Upper Series has many fine formations. I highly reccommend it. Infact it is very noticeable that once you start exploring off the beaten track the pretties improve quite remarkably.

GN.

 

[pisshead]

I.ve carefully read Frogs postings and nowhere can I see the North of England specified

thanks for all the suggestions for down saaffh.
any suggestions for ooop north?

sorry - just thought i had to point that out!

I remember Eyam Dale House Cave being pretty...parts of the upper series in Giants are pretty too - the ceiling...i'm sure if i stopped and thought for a bit longer i'd think of more...Sidetrack?

 

[tubby two]

The dales are full of pretties, there are all those mentioned already and lots more, you just have to find them. I was down illusion about a fortnight ago, beautiful- just be very very very careful!

tt.

 

[AndyF]

Or hows about this one!!

http://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si/Eng/a-Skocjan Caves Regional Park.htm

Yes, this an awesome place - the best show cave I've ever been in.

It's worth flying on Fly'n'scair (sorry, Ryanair) for 50p just to visit it.


Carlsbad in New Mexico is quite good too..

 

[Frog]

Thank you for all your replies.
You have all given me plenty of food for thought and many suggestions on which caves to visit.
Now if it would just stop bloody raining!

 

[dunc]

Now if it would just stop bloody raining!

Ahh, in that case you should check out the best wet weather options posts in the Yorkshire section!!

 

[Frog]

already have!
just need some other nutter to come with me now.
still need my hand holding