Alex
Well-known member
About Out on Rock
Before we get started let me say something quick about this new club.
Out on Rock is a new caving and climbing club we are forming, mainly consisting of LGBTQIA+ members but basically anyone is welcome, though we currently lack the equipment to take complete novices so having a basic caving kit including SRT and knowing how to use it would be useful. If you are interested in talking to us or even consider joining us then you can contact us either via: Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/outonrock/?fbclid=IwAR0GZUWK2TgsRBNkBaKc33OlNrXG_VVfIU-8lEgdlyvgVa5BA702nDoQOJA or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1093173048334177/:
So anyway onto the trip report. We want our caving activities to take us off the beaten track rather than just doing simple tourist trips ... we'll give Churns and Great Douk a miss, thanks. Instead, for our first club trip we had a look at Gatekirk cave, Homeshaw cave and Daimler hole on Bruntscar. These caves are close to each other, and it was pretty cold today!
Gatekirk cave
Thankfully the weather gods had been kind, and for once it was not raining. However, thanks to the snow melt it meant the water was absolutely stonking through this cave. We battled our way upstream, making sure to hold onto the walls less we get embarrassingly washed out into the entrance pool. We tried going further upstream, but beyond the boulder slope was nothing but sump! We then took a look at maze-like bedding planes provided entertainment and eventually we wormed our way back out to the entrance where snacks were enjoyed by at least one member.
Homeshaw cave
This one was a bit of a walk but we did not mind as it provided very picturesque views of the viaduct that was not far in the distance. We scrambled down the entrance hole, using tree branches to slow our descent and then ventured downstream. We were slightly disappointed that the 4.5m and 3m cascades were actually 4.5ft and 3ft meaning we had brought a hand-line for nothing. Beyond the cascades the cave took on the form of a high rift and it was largely easy going until the rift ended at a flat out crawl. Me being the way I am was the only one to push it but probably that was more because I was wearing neo-prene.
Daimler hole
This one was only a short hop skip and a jump away and we were soon hopping skipping and jumping down the entrance climb and into the cave. This cave has lots of variation, some challenging climbs and squeezes as well as decorated passage. We got about 100m before the stream-way became too tight, so we backtracked and found a fly-over route, only that seemed to get too tight too, so we painfully reversed. However, reading the description afterwards that was indeed the way on, so that's one for us to come back to.
These are all little gems, and are well worth a visit, I cannot believe I had not been before.
Cavers
Alex R, John P, Rob C, Byron M
Before we get started let me say something quick about this new club.
Out on Rock is a new caving and climbing club we are forming, mainly consisting of LGBTQIA+ members but basically anyone is welcome, though we currently lack the equipment to take complete novices so having a basic caving kit including SRT and knowing how to use it would be useful. If you are interested in talking to us or even consider joining us then you can contact us either via: Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/outonrock/?fbclid=IwAR0GZUWK2TgsRBNkBaKc33OlNrXG_VVfIU-8lEgdlyvgVa5BA702nDoQOJA or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1093173048334177/:
So anyway onto the trip report. We want our caving activities to take us off the beaten track rather than just doing simple tourist trips ... we'll give Churns and Great Douk a miss, thanks. Instead, for our first club trip we had a look at Gatekirk cave, Homeshaw cave and Daimler hole on Bruntscar. These caves are close to each other, and it was pretty cold today!
Gatekirk cave
Thankfully the weather gods had been kind, and for once it was not raining. However, thanks to the snow melt it meant the water was absolutely stonking through this cave. We battled our way upstream, making sure to hold onto the walls less we get embarrassingly washed out into the entrance pool. We tried going further upstream, but beyond the boulder slope was nothing but sump! We then took a look at maze-like bedding planes provided entertainment and eventually we wormed our way back out to the entrance where snacks were enjoyed by at least one member.
Homeshaw cave
This one was a bit of a walk but we did not mind as it provided very picturesque views of the viaduct that was not far in the distance. We scrambled down the entrance hole, using tree branches to slow our descent and then ventured downstream. We were slightly disappointed that the 4.5m and 3m cascades were actually 4.5ft and 3ft meaning we had brought a hand-line for nothing. Beyond the cascades the cave took on the form of a high rift and it was largely easy going until the rift ended at a flat out crawl. Me being the way I am was the only one to push it but probably that was more because I was wearing neo-prene.
Daimler hole
This one was only a short hop skip and a jump away and we were soon hopping skipping and jumping down the entrance climb and into the cave. This cave has lots of variation, some challenging climbs and squeezes as well as decorated passage. We got about 100m before the stream-way became too tight, so we backtracked and found a fly-over route, only that seemed to get too tight too, so we painfully reversed. However, reading the description afterwards that was indeed the way on, so that's one for us to come back to.
These are all little gems, and are well worth a visit, I cannot believe I had not been before.
Cavers
Alex R, John P, Rob C, Byron M
