GG Mud Hall Traverse

adep

Member
I was in there in Feb,  I was expecting it to be a lot worse, from what I could see its not affected the ropes, we traversed across a d didn't even notice at first
 

Stevie

New member
Hi All.

Looking for a bit of advice.. I've not been down Gaping Gill before and am planning a trip from Bar pot / South Henslers Crawl / Mud Henslers crawl / Mud Hall / Main chamber and back via SE passage.

I understand once down Bar Pot there are no more pitches so no extra rope needed but is Mud traverse now passable or still off limits due to collapse? I'd appreciate a bit of beta if anyone has been through recently.

Also how 'ducky' are the ducks at the end of mud Henslers crawl?

Any other advice for a GG virgin happily received. Tech / route / best bits not to miss.

Thanks.
 

andrewmcleod

Well-known member
Mud Hall traverse was fine (well, as fine as it ever was) at the last winch meet (May 2022). I think the CNCC traverse warning is a bit out of date now.

I haven't done the 'ducks' at the end of Mud Hensler's since 2016 but I remember them not being particularly ducky (and Mud Henslers a low wet canal crawl).

Although we had gone in via Disappointment (with its very ducky ducky) and I was probably wearing a neofleece, so your mileage may vary...
 

Rachel

Active member
The ducks aren't very ducky at all really. On hands and knees, the water is above the elbows but below the chin. Going towards Mud Hall, it gets progressively wetter as you go.

It's probably worth taking a rope to protect yourself while crossing South East Pot, especially as you'll be nicely mud coated.
 

Ian Ball

Well-known member
Ecosia Braemoor Caving and you'll find a wealth of good data on the GG system, a treasure trove to the GG fans.
The Bar Pot Alternative Bar Pot to Main Chamber via Hensler's Master Cave is worth tacking together, it's a favourite trip of mine, a lot of variety compared to the usual trip through Bar Pot to the Main Chamber.

The Nature Trail walk from Clapham is £2.50 per adult, an alternative is Clapdale Lane which is a tougher walk as it climbs a lot more but it is not £2.50 and you can spend your cash on an ice cream at the excellent show cave on the way.

If you are going in a small group, consider carrying your cave kit rather than wearing it, I generally carry my oversuit and walk up in an undersuit. I would also say an old rucksack with nice padded straps and a waist belt is a good idea to carry your tackle bag in, depending how many people you are.

The LUSS survey and accompanying notes are well worth a look, also on the Braemoor site (Bar and Flood Entrance Pots - A Description)
 

Stevie

New member
Thanks for your advice. All sounds eminently doable. I Like the pre-cave advice too. Only two of us going so I’m all for making life as comfortable as possible.

Should have asked before. What’s the rough time for the circular trip?
 

Ian Ball

Well-known member
Which route are you going?
If you follow the Bar Pot Alternative it's about 90 minutes to the New Hensler's connection.
I'd then say a steady hour to get to Mud Hensler's and a steady 20 to get to the main chamber.
From there if you go to South Passage and South East passage back to South East aven it's 30 minutes
Derigging and getting up the pitches is probably 90 minutes.

If you add in seeing West Chamber, the Blowhole, Hensler's Master Cave, Diss last pitch chamber, staring at the main chamber waterfall or down South East Pot, Mud Hole, Sand Cavern, then add on some time. And if you choose Bar Pot not Small Mammal cut an hour off.
In my view GG is a national treasure and all trips should be savoured rather than rushed. maybe that is because I am still undercaved and on the bulbous side.
 

andrewmcleod

Well-known member
Which route are you going?
If you follow the Bar Pot Alternative it's about 90 minutes to the New Hensler's connection.
I'd then say a steady hour to get to Mud Hensler's and a steady 20 to get to the main chamber.
From there if you go to South Passage and South East passage back to South East aven it's 30 minutes
Derigging and getting up the pitches is probably 90 minutes.

If you add in seeing West Chamber, the Blowhole, Hensler's Master Cave, Diss last pitch chamber, staring at the main chamber waterfall or down South East Pot, Mud Hole, Sand Cavern, then add on some time. And if you choose Bar Pot not Small Mammal cut an hour off.
In my view GG is a national treasure and all trips should be savoured rather than rushed. maybe that is because I am still undercaved and on the bulbous side.
And if you don't know any of the ways and have to keep reading the description/survey, it can take a bit longer...
 

Ian Ball

Well-known member
Doubt it, if you're taking on a GG short round trip without having visited before I reckon you'll be fine. When are you thinking of going?
 
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