Cave_Troll
Active member
that's your boyfriend that is 
M
Mike W
Guest
Nearly there Susie, it was Dave Elliot, not John Cordingley.
O
Ovenpaa
Guest
What about the far end of New Oxlow - it used to be good for a giggle a few years ago, or consider freeing some of the existing aid routes in west chamber unless they have been done or the old hangers have been chopped/disolved, or my mind is shot and I am totally confused,
Oh and Hi! First post etc.
Oh and Hi! First post etc.
E
epik
Guest
SamT said:
Do you mean Rowter Hole Entrance Pitch? 69m and as you say impressive!
Surprised how many climbs there are underground already done. The next Rockfax guidebook maybe?
SamT
Moderator
the abyse is the large chamber adjacent to the main chamber in rowter - i.e. get to the bottom of the entrance shaft - go left/down (rather than up and right to hypo. inlet) through short level and into bottom of the Abyse.
its a big natural (but worked) chamber ala oxlow/long rake. And actually climbed free by mark I believe.
its a big natural (but worked) chamber ala oxlow/long rake. And actually climbed free by mark I believe.
L
LoneRanger
Guest
After prussicking about fifty feet up Henslars Aven yesterday, I suddenly realised that I was in the purest, longest, cleanest and most perfect back-and-foot chimney imaginable. This was like Yosemite, but with round corners.
I don't know if the bottom section would be free-climbable, I didn't look. But the top two thirds has the potential to make an awesome bolt protected free-lead.
Imagine being fifteen feet above your last runner, 100 feet above the floor, in a competely smooth and holdless, parallel sided scoop, eying-up the next runner and the ledge above. The urge to retreat is almost overwhelming, but you push on, clip the runner and continue to the ledge, where there are in-situ abseil chains. You bring up your second, then both ab down and exit via Bar Pot.
Later, in the pub, you meet your mates and you debate the relative merits of Henslar's and The Superdirectissima on Kilnsey. Both now prized ticks in your guidebook.
After a few pints you might also speculate on potential free-caving through trips, maybe a pull-through descent of Disappointment Pot followed by a free ascent of all the pitches in Henslars Pot. Now that would be a good trip.
Maybe I'm dreaming, but before Martel, a descent of Gaping Gill was just a dream, and there were many then who said it couldn't, or shouldn't, be done.
I don't know if the bottom section would be free-climbable, I didn't look. But the top two thirds has the potential to make an awesome bolt protected free-lead.
Imagine being fifteen feet above your last runner, 100 feet above the floor, in a competely smooth and holdless, parallel sided scoop, eying-up the next runner and the ledge above. The urge to retreat is almost overwhelming, but you push on, clip the runner and continue to the ledge, where there are in-situ abseil chains. You bring up your second, then both ab down and exit via Bar Pot.
Later, in the pub, you meet your mates and you debate the relative merits of Henslar's and The Superdirectissima on Kilnsey. Both now prized ticks in your guidebook.
After a few pints you might also speculate on potential free-caving through trips, maybe a pull-through descent of Disappointment Pot followed by a free ascent of all the pitches in Henslars Pot. Now that would be a good trip.
Maybe I'm dreaming, but before Martel, a descent of Gaping Gill was just a dream, and there were many then who said it couldn't, or shouldn't, be done.
Cave_Troll
Active member
ever thought of going cave diving?
Pitlamp
Well-known member
The problem with free climbing stuff in caves - unlike proper routes out in the open air - is the back wall. Hit that and you get hurt. The last time a friend of mine boned off an aven climb (exploration climbing - not just for kicks) he shattered his olecranon process. This is the pointy bit on your elbow and I'm told it's exceedingly painful if you fracture it. He managed to do this on the wrong side of a reasonable length sump; fortunately he was hard enough (and with good mates) to get himself out.
In normal climbing situations the steeper the rock the safer it is to take a big whipper. Things aren't quite so cosy underground.
In normal climbing situations the steeper the rock the safer it is to take a big whipper. Things aren't quite so cosy underground.
