Bad air / pollution / bad bolts / etc

[undergroundHP]

Hi everyone.
While out walking the other day past BPOW I noticed that tree that the majority of people go down from into the open pot is an ash tree and it's not looking healthy. Not sure if people are aware ash trees are being attacked and dying off from ash dieback disease. Most ash trees in the dales have it now and are slowly and unfortunately dying.
I suspect at some point the tree at the open pot will start to drop branches and eventually fully go.

Also, I noticed the cliff face under the tree is starting to look loose and a couple of rocks have definitely come off in the last few months. ( not been for a while)
it's certainly worth keeping an eye on along with the tree.

stay safe out there people

 

[Fjell]

There is a national treasure on the climb into Butterfields Passage in County. Bolts look 40 years old and the rope lost a fight with a hungry goat.
Is it listed or something?

 

[Alex]

Box head/Lost Johns - Cresta run

I got a report from a friend, which I have not checked myself warning of the following:

I was on a trip the other day from Its A Cracker to Lost Johns. At the start of what I think is the Cresta Run there is a climb down a tricky slot on a fixed handline. The point of this is that whilst going through the said slot from the Boxhead Its A Cracker side a large rock slice mud covered but big enough to hurt loosened and cracked off and is now perched over the rope and slot. It can be passed with care but if approaching from beneath it could be pulled into the slot blocking it and obviously injuring folk.

 

[Badlad]

Your friend was in touch with CNCC too..

https://cncc.org.uk/news/20200910-cresta-run-in-boxhead-pot

Thanks

 

[samueld]

Short Drop Cave / Gavel Pot Traverse

The in situ rope in place to mark and assist the climb up to the beginning of the traverse at the Short Drop end is significantly abraded at the upper anchor to the point where the core is visible.

It's more safely accessed until it has been replaced from the Gavel end so you can rig your own rope down the climb.

 

[andrewmcleod]

Stake Pot, Easegill

The in-situ rope here is damaged at the Fall Pot end (on the first drop). It's hard to assess given that it is more mud than nylon now, but I'd assume it is cored.

 

[andrewmcleod]

Kingsdale Master Cave

The in-situ rope on the pitch out of the roof tunnel (Valley Entrance) is damaged. One of the two hangs is heavily (and obviously) worn. I pulled this hang up onto the shelf (probably should have cut it off). However, the other hang is cored at the knot loop of one leg of the Y-hang where it passes through the resin anchor and rubs up against a maillon.

Anyone who decides to replace this rope may want to bring a 12mm spanner for the in-situ maillon.

I would advise against removing the rope without replacing it because people do, despite the CNCC warnings, assume the rope is in situ for various pull through trips.

 

[langcliffe]

Kingsdale Master Cave

The in-situ rope on the pitch out of the roof tunnel (Valley Entrance) is damaged. One of the two hangs is heavily (and obviously) worn. I pulled this hang up onto the shelf (probably should have cut it off). However, the other hang is cored at the knot loop of one leg of the Y-hang where it passes through the resin anchor and rubs up against a maillon.

Anyone who decides to replace this rope may want to bring a 12mm spanner for the in-situ maillon.

I would advise against removing the rope without replacing it because people do, despite the CNCC warnings, assume the rope is in situ for various pull through trips.

I believe it was last replaced by the army.

 

[caving_fox]

Death Head's Hole

We couldn't find Bolt 24.
Before I report to CNCC for a minor topo correction I thought I'd check on here whether we were just not being sufficient observant.

At the bottom of the first chamber, the 20m rope to the main chamber - is shown as 4 p-hangers, we could only find 3. (At the start of the 'rift', and then left and right sides at the edge) It rigs perfectly fine with a free drop, but I was curious if there is supposed to be a proper Y hang bolt? Which side?

(Two in-situ ropes for the scaf climbs in good condition 16/05/26)

 

[Will B]

Death Head's Hole

We couldn't find Bolt 24.
Before I report to CNCC for a minor topo correction I thought I'd check on here whether we were just not being sufficient observant.

At the bottom of the first chamber, the 20m rope to the main chamber - is shown as 4 p-hangers, we could only find 3. (At the start of the 'rift', and then left and right sides at the edge) It rigs perfectly fine with a free drop, but I was curious if there is supposed to be a proper Y hang bolt? Which side?

(Two in-situ ropes for the scaf climbs in good condition 16/05/26)

I was last there about a month ago. There were 4 bolts then. Two on the opposite wall to where the main hang drops you, these two are spaced quite far apart and far back from the edge up the slope. There are then two to form a large y-hang. Here is a photo from my trip that shows the y-hang from below.

 

[caving_fox]

I was last there about a month ago. There were 4 bolts then. Two on the opposite wall to where the main hang drops you, these two are spaced quite far apart and far back from the edge up the slope. There are then two to form a large y-hang. Here is a photo from my trip that shows the y-hang from below.

Thanks! Maybe we just missed one of the far back ones then.