CNCC
Well-known member
Devis Hole near Grinton is a cave/mine system which most northern cavers have probably heard of, but far fewer will have visited. This is one of the most well known Northern Dales trips which combines mine with hypogenic cave (other examples include Danby Level Caverns, the newly extended New Level Cave, the Faggergill system, Hudgill Burn Mine Cave, and the recently discovered Draughting Hole / Missed Pot system).
An extremely concise history of Devis Hole exploration here:
cncc.org.uk
'Big Cave' - the impressive start of the South Cave Series - Photo by Gary Douthwaite
Devis Hole probably doesn't receive the number of visitors it deserves, for many reasons.
cncc.org.uk
This route takes in excellent mine passages, an abseil descent and two sections of hypogenic cave, both of very different character and with some impressive passages and fun navigation. It is a great route to the furthest reaches of Devis, and the document is furnished with the required surveys for the more complex maze sections, so should serve as a one-stop shop for anyone happy to accept our recommended route.
For those looking to explore other areas, larger-scale surveys (and all MSG journals) are on the NYMCC website.
Long Rift in the East Cave Series - Photo by Gary Douthwaite
We'd like to thank Tony Harrison (MSG) for use of the surveys, and also for reviewing the description.
Visitors are reminded of the need for additional care in mines, watching out for unstable roofs and bad air (bad air is not too much of an issue in Devis unless you explore off-piste from our description). Please respect any mining artefacts by leaving them alone, and watch out for historic miner graffiti (dating from around 1860) in some of the areas of hypogenic cave, which stands as a historic record of the tenacity of early explorers who pushed along these natural passages either in search of new mineral veins - or perhaps purely for recreation - we may never know.
An extremely concise history of Devis Hole exploration here:
Devis Hole description
We're pleased to add a description for Devis Hole to our website, an excellent trip via mine adits and superb hypogenic cave. Something a little different!
cncc.org.uk
'Big Cave' - the impressive start of the South Cave Series - Photo by Gary Douthwaite
Devis Hole probably doesn't receive the number of visitors it deserves, for many reasons.
- Located in Swaledale, a long way from the Three Peaks.
- The trip involves complex navigation requiring multiple surveys.
- Hard to work out which bits are worth visiting from online trip reports.
- Limited information about the tackle and anchor status for Pearson's Sump.
- A lack of appreciation for hypogenic cave (Devis has some of the finest).
Devis Hole Mine Caves
Access information for Devis Hole Mine Caves (Swaledale & Arkengarthdale)
cncc.org.uk
This route takes in excellent mine passages, an abseil descent and two sections of hypogenic cave, both of very different character and with some impressive passages and fun navigation. It is a great route to the furthest reaches of Devis, and the document is furnished with the required surveys for the more complex maze sections, so should serve as a one-stop shop for anyone happy to accept our recommended route.
For those looking to explore other areas, larger-scale surveys (and all MSG journals) are on the NYMCC website.
Long Rift in the East Cave Series - Photo by Gary Douthwaite
We'd like to thank Tony Harrison (MSG) for use of the surveys, and also for reviewing the description.
Visitors are reminded of the need for additional care in mines, watching out for unstable roofs and bad air (bad air is not too much of an issue in Devis unless you explore off-piste from our description). Please respect any mining artefacts by leaving them alone, and watch out for historic miner graffiti (dating from around 1860) in some of the areas of hypogenic cave, which stands as a historic record of the tenacity of early explorers who pushed along these natural passages either in search of new mineral veins - or perhaps purely for recreation - we may never know.
