Dowkerbottom Cave-Worth a Trip?

[Fatman]

Hi, based in Kettlewell for a couple of days and trying to find info on Dowkerbottom but all a bit scant. Basically want to take some novices (teenagers) down a local cave; bit of ladder at the entrance etc. Not sure how wet the cave gets and distance to the duck (not planning going through it unless completely dry). Many thanks.

 

[Pitlamp]

There are no real pitches for ladder work in Dowkabottom and the duck is very near to the entrance.
I suspect the water will be high in the area of the duck over the coming days.

You might be better going somewhere like Dow Cave (weather permitting). Assuming the Hobson's Choice choke is safely passable (check the boulders!) you might might use your ladder & lifeline on the waterfall beyond, which normally has to be climbed (but isn't especially easy for novices). Even if you limit your trip by turning round at that choke, it's still a very fine cave with much of interest. But do check weather forecasts as the stream quickly becomes scarily big and there's a risk of being trapped if it comes up. This nearly happened to a group I was with as a very young caver and the place rapidly became quite hostile.

 

[Fatman]

Cheers, thanks for the info. I'll check the info on Dow cave, I've never been there so deffo worth a look. I'll check out Dowkerbottom at some point later in the year, looks an interesting spot.

 

[Pitlamp]

This is a massively useful resource for Dow Cave: https://www.mudinmyhair.co.uk/

From the menu on the left select "Dow Cave" and "Book of Dow: surveys". (Don't expect just to spend 5 minutes looking at this; there's a good chance you'll quickly become absorbed. )

 

[Fatman]

Brilliant. I'll take a look. Thanks

 

[mrodoc]

I ended up in Dowkerbottom Cave some years after my companion had worried about doing Birksfell in case it rained and had decided on Hagg Gill. He professed to know its location but unfortunately we went past it and then Sleets Gill to arrive at Dowkerbottom. We had a pleasant little trip - I don't remember seeing anything a duck but then we were in the midst of a long dry spell (don't get me started on whey we didn't do Birksfell.) If it were on Mendip it would be the site of an intensive digging effort in view of the size of the passages. A couple of photos here.

 

[georgenorth]

Excellent photos! Does anyone know if Dowkabottom is actively being dug?

 

[Lankyman]

Does anyone know if Dowkabottom is actively being dug?

I have been conducting passive digging operations here for a number of years. From the comfort of my armchair I am making good progress west towards the huge Parson's Pulpit caverns that once drained towards a fossil resurgence at Falcon Cave. Progress can be tough at times but usually helped by a nice hot cup of tea.
To the OP: Dowkabottom is well worth the walk up and it's in a fascinating landscape. Climb up onto the edge of the depression and look for the prehistoric remains while you're up there.

 

[spelfish]

This is a massively useful resource for Dow Cave: https://www.mudinmyhair.co.uk/

From the menu on the left select "Dow Cave" and "Book of Dow: surveys". (Don't expect just to spend 5 minutes looking at this; there's a good chance you'll quickly become absorbed. )

That was 45 minutes well spent (or, according to my wife, wasted).