CNCC
Well-known member
We have received a report (29th March 2024) that there has been a lot of boulder movement on the climb up from the riverbed at the Dr Bannisters entrance to Upper Long Churn. Boulders, some of which are very large, are currently loose.
We are reporting this via multiple media formats owing to the popularity of this cave particularly amongst novice groups.
We are not totally clear on the exact position or nature of these loose boulders, but it sounds like the scramble down from the surface and into the river at the entrance. We recommend avoiding this entrance to Upper Long Churn for the immediate few weeks while things settle, and after this initial settling period, paying close attention to the situation (particularly after any flooding) and taking extreme care scrambing up/down between the surface and the entrance, and when passing underneath the boulders just inside the entrance. If you judge it safe enough to proceed, doing so one at a time through this section might be sensible.
Please report any observations so we can update our warning or take any necessary actions.
We are reporting this via multiple media formats owing to the popularity of this cave particularly amongst novice groups.
We are not totally clear on the exact position or nature of these loose boulders, but it sounds like the scramble down from the surface and into the river at the entrance. We recommend avoiding this entrance to Upper Long Churn for the immediate few weeks while things settle, and after this initial settling period, paying close attention to the situation (particularly after any flooding) and taking extreme care scrambing up/down between the surface and the entrance, and when passing underneath the boulders just inside the entrance. If you judge it safe enough to proceed, doing so one at a time through this section might be sensible.
Please report any observations so we can update our warning or take any necessary actions.