Easter Grotto

[Paul_L]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

"An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who intentionally posts controversial or contrary messages in an on-line community such as an on-line discussion forum or group with the intention of baiting users into an argumentative response."

And i'm bloody good at it! (obviously)

 

[Wren]

I only asked a simple question!

First, as I started this I'll clarify some points
1. By "Novices" I mean "relatively inexperienced" and by relatively I mean my sons!: about 6 good trips each.
2. How can the 'Inexperienced' learn except by following the 'Experienced'?
3. I first went to Easter Grotto in 1972; with the late (sadly) and great (in many ways)Joe Latham.  It was my fourth or fifth cave.  After that joined a club etc etc. I only want to give others a chance.
4. THIS IS MY THREAD AND I ONLY WANTED AN ANSWER TO A SIMPLE QUESTION - SO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SILLY, PENDANTIC AND POINTLESS ARGUEMENTS ABOUT WHO IS/ ISN'T 'QUALIFIED' TO GAZE UPON THE PRETTIES OF EASEGILL- START YOUR OWN THREAD.

So to start again.  I've been to Easter Grotto many times, but not for a number of years.  I can easily remember the way to Holbeck junction and a little beyond.  However, in my dotage I've become hazy about the start of Whiteway and just how to get to the Assembly Hall below Easter Grotto.  The Braemar site is helpful but I just wondered if anyone who had been there recently could just fill in a few details?

So any Help? or do I have to and grab DB out of retirement and get him to lead?


Proper suggestions ONLY, Please.
p.s.  As an occasional caver now, I'm unaware of this Spiral Staircase Connection. Any comments?

 

[susie]

I've been to Easter Grotto many times, but not for a number of years.  I can easily remember the way to Holbeck junction and a little beyond.  However, in my dotage I've become hazy about the start of Whiteway and just how to get to the Assembly Hall below Easter Grotto.  The Braemar site is helpful but I just wondered if anyone who had been there recently could just fill in a few details

I've taken another look at the braemoor site, and I think that it says all you need to know. The start of the Whiteway is an obvious step up on the left in the area of some stals, and when you enter it is obviously the right place, being a distinct passage in its own right. When you reach the chamber at the end head up the slope on the right and climb up the hole in the roof (four metres?) - it currently has some string hanging down. At the top traverse round the hole make your way for about 5-10 metres through the boulders on the far side of which is the Assembly Hall. The climb up to Easter Grotto is on the right, and also has some string hanging down.

As an occasional caver now, I'm unaware of this Spiral Staircase Connection. Any comments?

There isn't an awful lot one can say. It used to be an obscure passage at the end of Green and Smelly which finished in a cobble choke near the top of Wretched Rabbit. The connection was dug out by Red Rose who are / were digging in the Borehole which comes in at the bottom, and it now also provides a direct route to Holbeck Junction.

 

[NigR]

Seems a bit of a shame that Wren has (as Pitlamp was concerned that he might) taken offence at the ensuing discussion over his proposed trip to Easter Grotto.

He asks for 'Proper suggestions ONLY, Please.', so here is mine:

If you are so lacking in confidence that you feel the need to go online to ask for directions to somewhere you have already been are you sure that you are up to the trip in the first place?

 

[Peter Burgess]

Nig, if you are one of those rare individuals who has never found the need to ask anyone for advice, then you must be a very knowledgable person indeed.

 

[Peter Burgess]

Wren: Ignore him. Sorry I can't help you or I would gladly do so. I'm sure there are positive and friendly folk here only too happy to help, whatever the question.

 

[Cavegod]

from holbeck junction head upstream if wet its knee deep, you will get to a low bit were you climb out on right and go over some calcite and slide back down to the stream, kepp heading upstream and you will see the climb out into white way, straight on is a bad idea, follow white way and you come to a dead end with way on being climb up rope over to your right as you enter the end chamber.  once up the climb head up the slope and over a few boulders into the assembly hall, there are two ways up that i know of but easiest is a rope climb which you should be able to see on the right (after entering the assembly hall)  or you could go through gypsum caverns,

from holbeck junction go back up the slope and head to the right keep going up and heading in an upstream direction, you will pop out into a large passage (gypsum caverns) go left and you will find a rope climb down, keep walking left until you reach a junction with 2 ways on, the left is a muddy slope and right is a climb into a flat out bedding/passage, follow the flat out bedding to a climb up into a muddy chamber, head left were you climb up and follow passage to the other end of easter grotto.

as for spiral staircase if you are not familiar with the area keep out as its confusing but..

in wretched rabbit, down the climbs, big hole in the floor, down that keep going right until you drop out of a narrow rift 2-3ft drop, go right and you will find a drop, climb down rope on left and through hole on your right, follow passage downstream and then go left at the junction and right into the dry oxbow, you will then climb over a few boulders and pop out behind the block at holbeck, it isn't to hard to find the way if you are not sure since following the water ends to low and the way to holbeck is more or less walking. but personally id stick to the way you know, if you have time you could look and if you find the holbeck then that saves you time.

 

[Peter Burgess]

 

 

[Wren]

Thanks Susie and Peter.  Its is about 20 years since I was at Easter Grotto.  I've been through Wretched Rabbit a few years ago, down to Trident and Eureka Junction,, but I may try this Spiral Staircase way.

As for NigR - Well, each to their own opinion Eh!!!

 

[dunc]

but I may try this Spiral Staircase way.

It makes for a pleasant alternative to the Rabbit. Down the usual Rabbit entrance climbs, forward to obvious hole in floor. Small to start but soon becomes walking size with some nice straws at one point. Turning right reaches rifty section before it then reaches an awkward ~4ft drop (more awkward on the return as there is nowt in the way of foot/handholds). Following this is another climb with rope on it, about 10ft, nothing more difficult than the Rabbit entrance climbs imo. From there you quickly join the usual Pool Sink trade route to Holbeck.
Definitely the quickest route to that part of the system!

 

[Wren]

Thanks: did Pool Sink many, many years ago.  Have you been to Magpie Chamber?  I was told that some of the Happy Wanderers traversed from (or to) Pool Sink in the roof (no ropes or ladders) wearing only wellies, helmets & lights and underpants!!!  Way to do it Eh.

 

[dunc]

Have you been to Magpie Chamber?

Yes, it's a place worthy of a detour.

I was told that some of the Happy Wanderers traversed from (or to) Pool Sink in the roof (no ropes or ladders) wearing only wellies, helmets & lights and underpants!!!

Nice.....

 

[Hammy]

Just back from a Lancaster - Wretched Rabbit trip and thought the following information might be useful.

Since I was last there the entrance climbs in Wretched Rabbit have been re-equipped with a new rope. Unfortunately it is a pretty poor job using a 9mm rope which is difficult to get hold of. It has a few knots in it but they are not in particularly useful places and it would be difficult to retie more knots in it as there isn't enough slack. There is a very jolly looking childrens rope ladder on one of the climbs with the rungs quite far apart. It doesn't look as if will last very long.

The result is that it is significantly more strenuous and precarious to exit the Wretched Rabbit climbs than it was before.

 

[Trog]

I'll second what Hammy said about the rope in Wretched Rabbit. I did Lancaster to Spiral staircase today and arrived at the climbs somewhat knackered. I've never had problems climbing out before, but the new rope was no help at all. The knots are too widely spaced and there are no loops where you can clip a cows tail. The plastic ladder looks like it has come from a kiddies tree house and should probably go back there immediately.
I guess I should be gratefull that someone has taken the time and trouble to replace a worn out rope but with a bit more thought it could have been done much better.

 

[dunc]

Unfortunately it is a pretty poor job

If you or others don't like the way it is rigged then the best course of action would be for everyone to walk all the way over to WR, rig your own rope, walk back to Lancaster and then do the through trip.
Although I admit that ladder thing sounds somewhat suspect to say the least. :doubt:

The result is that it is significantly more strenuous and precarious to exit the Wretched Rabbit climbs than it was before.
I've never had problems climbing out before, but the new rope was no help at all.

Fine statements for not trusting any in-situ gear you think may be in place for your intended trip.

 

[Wren]

At last, I've completed the trip: Wretched Rabbit to Easter Grotto via the spiral staircase route and back via Gypsum cavern and Eureka Junction. A cracking trip. No problems finding the route this time (well nothing major) - I must have been eating more Fish!

Many thanks to all the helpful posts on the route etc.  Despite the damage Easter Grotto is still well worth a (careful) visit.
Wren.

 

[MSD]

You insult my intelligence, refuse to clarify your own opinion and want me to let it rest?

Errr, didn't you describe yourself as a "thicko" in a previous post? You can't insult something which doesn't exist....

Mark

 

[knuckledragger]

Hey up Wren,

Thanks for guiding me and the others on a great mid week caving trip. First time through wretched Rabbit to Easter.. T'was nice to sit and have a hot coffee and sweets while admiring the straws 

Hope your not aching too much!!

Hello to any of the Welsh group we met when we greated them coming out of County. Hope you enjoyed your caving week up North