Fallen tree at Alum Pot

[Fulk]

We had an interesting trip to Alum Pot today, where we planned to descend the big pitch at the NW end. When we arrived we were dismayed to find that the tree round which we'd intended to tie our rope had fallen down, and we did wonder if we should abort the trip.

However, we found another tree – not where we wanted it to be, but there again, I guess trees are like caves – they’re where you find them.

Anyway, we tied our rope to the 'new' tree and rebelayed it to the second tree that is nearer the edge than the fallen one, albeit with some trepidation as we reasoned that the first (that is, the fallen one) was over a bit of a ridge of ground, away from the hole, whereas the second one was – still is – 2 or 3 metres nearer the hole, and if it went over there's a sporting chance that it would go right down the hole. Anyway, we proceeded with our trip with no untoward incidents, but nevertheless somewhat disconcerted.

We couldn't see any other clear way of rigging the pitch; anybody got any ideas?

 

[wellyjen]

From the CNCC entry on Alum Pot.

Warning 3 years ago


Ash Dieback has badly affected some of the trees overhanging Alum Pot, leaving them in a critical condition (i.e. dead). They are likely to shed branches and potentially even be uprooted. Care should be taken descending particularly in times of gusty winds, and of course do not use them for rigging.

Alum Pot

Access information for Alum Pot (Alum Pot)

cncc.org.uk

 

[Alex]

Should we not put stakes into the ground then so we don't have to use the trees?

 

[wellyjen]

Should we not put stakes into the ground then so we don't have to use the trees?

Similar to Eldon Hole in the Peak District. Probably the solution, till any replacement trees reach maturity.

https://peakdistrictcaving.info/img/caves/800/be87aa7c-a978-4839-859b-091e7502cd0e.jpg

Or use the other Peak District solution; cap the shaft and have access via Derbyshire Key!

 

[alanw]

Storm Arwen was November 2021, the estate cut down the Ashes in March that year.

https://www.facebook.com/IngleboroughEstateNatureTrail/posts/pfbid0rHHBzKvAgURUKhTmWL1sBVGpa6DANu51RwpRSMbqF2WSrWfy5Nqs3MaodVfPmfZsl

 

[paul]

Moderator comment: Off Topic posts moved to new thread in Idle Chat: https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?threads/ash-dieback-split-from-alum-pot-thread.34642/

Let's try and keep on topic please: rigging the route now that original tree has fallen.

 

[undergroundHP]

Thanks for posting this.
Do we know where the fallen tree is now? Had it uprooted or broken?
Any debris fallen down the shaft?

 

[Fulk]

The tree is uprooted, not broken, and it was growing about 1–1.5 m from the dry-stone wall that surrounds Alum Pot.It has fallen such that it now points towards the hole, albeit at an angle, and as such it is still a bit back from the edge; no debris seems to have gone down the hole. Sorry we didn't have a camera or cell-phone with us to take a picture.