Gaping Gill Aug 2024

[Ian P]

The Craven Pothole Club 2024 Gaping Gill Winch meet is now upon us.

We would like to offer an open invitation to ALL cavers (even “Southerners” and the BPC )to come along and enjoy this amazing system.

Below is some information to help with your visit. Any questions please post on here and we will get back to you ASAP.

* The winch is operating 9th - 16th August.

* Cavers not requiring the winch are welcome from Monday 5th

* There will be something rigged until midday on the 16th.

* Which entrances are rigged will be updated on this post.

* All cavers please come and register at the booking in tent, we will have up to date information which could help your trip planning.

* Cavers NOT requiring a DESCENT on the winch do NOT have to join the (probably very long ) queue. Just “discreetly” come down to the booking in tent. (Accessing the shake hole via the opposite side to the steps would work well)

* Please do not use the “Short cut” up from Clapdale farm on your walk up, we have been specifically asked NOT to use this by the landowner.

* Dihedral route only to be used outside of public winching times.

* The UKC promotional code of “Any chance of a brew” is valid once again. Just come up to the catering tent and see one of our very friendly club members. There may even be a chance of Custard Cream this year !!


Looking forward to seeing as many cavers as possible.

Ian, on behalf of the
Craven Pothole Club

 

[Ian P]

Current routes rigged

Dihedral (Outside of public winching)

Bar Pot

Small mammal, inc Flowstone.

South East Aven

Marilyn / bottom of Disappointment Pot.

 

[Ian P]

Flood / Wades now in.

We will be speaking to the BPC “Stream Passage entrance repair team” tomorrow and seeing if there is anyway to make it useable for the week.

Ian

 

[Ian P]

Thanks to the efforts of the BPC, Stream Passage Pot is now “open” and we have now rigged it.

The “alternative” way down the big pitch in Bar Pot has also been rigged . (Nobody is sure what this is called “Pulpit” and “Gulley” route have been offered up)
This provides an alternative to the straight 30m pitch, but does involve a rebelay.

Most of the rigging is on 9mm rope. Please report any issues with the rigging to the booking in tent.

Ian
On behalf of the CPC

 

[Ian P]

Gaping Gill Topos and route descriptions available on the CNCC website

Cave Route Descriptions

A selection of free navigation route descriptions for caves around our northern England and Scotland.

cncc.org.uk

 

[hannahb]

Thank you for having us today, I found it fun with so many people underground.

 

[Ian P]

A busy weekend up at Gaping Gill.
Great to see lots of cavers. (57 on Saturday and 10 today).

All entrances still rigged and we are here until next Friday so still chance to go exploring.

A picture below of the queue at 7.30

 

[Ian Ball]

Great photo

 

[Andy Tharratt]

Is this the CPC campers queuing for the toilet after a night in the ale tent? And if not, what happened to the ‘Crack of Noon’ start? 7:30 am is an uncivilised time to be going underground.

 

[JBarty]

God, it's like the Evererst queue all over again!

 

[Inglesport]

A busy weekend up at Gaping Gill.
Great to see lots of cavers. (57 on Saturday and 10 today).

All entrances still rigged and we are here until next Friday so still chance to go exploring.

A picture below of the queue at 7.30View attachment 19908

Ian! Would we be OK sharing this photo across our social media, crediting you?

 

[Ian P]

Ian! Would we be OK sharing this photo across our social media, crediting you?

No problem

 

[Inglesport]

No problem

Ta very much! Would you be able to send across the full-size version at all?

 

[Ian P]

It’s a wrap !!

Gantry down, routes derigged. “Normal” service resumes.

Same time same place next year. Please feel free to feedback on any aspects to improve future caver visits.

Ian
On behalf of the CPC

 

[Andy Tharratt]

No more August Bank Holiday madness anymore?

 

[mikem]

Too many members away

 

[Pitlamp]

No - it's for a number of reasons but one of the main ones is that families were finding there wasn't enough time after the bank holiday weekend to recover, deal with the inevitable aftermath of camping for a fortnight and then get children ready for start of school term. Most members seem to prefer the August meet being a week earlier than formerly, so I think the present arrangement is likely to stay. (It's also just that little bit lighter in the evenings and mornings.)