Gaping Gill Winch meet August 2025

[Ian Ball]

Could be a windy walk up

 

[Ian Ball]

If you go in Stile Pot, you can get to the big pitch so just need rope for that. If you follow the Braemoor rigging topo and not the CNCC you need 23m of rope less ;-)

 

[Stevie]

Thanks for the advice Ian. I’ve not been down Stile before. I’m heading up with a friend who’s never been down Gapin Gill so we’re planning a speedy in and out. I think tonight’s not the night to explore but sounds an interesting alternative for next time. Am I right from what you say you can use stile to get to the top of Bar Big pitch without having to rig? Where’s the surface entrance in relation to Bar?

Miserable week to be setting up for the winch. Hoping for a strong southerly to blow us up the hill tonight.

 

[Ian P]

Update from up on the fell at GG.

We have had a really efficient and productive weekend getting the winch set up, just a bit more “fettling” to do before the engineering inspector comes on Wednesday.

The weather was kind to us over the weekend, but today we are “battening down” the hatches, with rain and VERY strong winds descending on us.

CURRENT ROUTES RIGGED.

Dihedral

Bar Pot

Stream Passage

Wades/ Flood

We start “public” on Friday however cavers are welcome anytime this week. Just come and let us know your plans. Evening visits are absolutely fine as well.


I will keep updating here as best I can.

Hope to see plenty of cavers up here.


Ian

On behalf of CPC

 

[Ian Ball]

If you stand at the double gate over the wall by Bar Pot, Stile Pot is on the far side of the depression to your left. Maybe 20m from the gate. It's also about 10m from Small Mammal Pot which is my preferred way into a GG trip. There is a map on the Braemoor site Gaping Gill section.

Small Mammal and Stile join in Small Mammal House, which connects through a crawl with a low section from the top of Flowstone Chamber to the slot above the boulder climb down at the foot of the first Bar Pot pitch, don't drop into the Rabbit Warren. From here you descend Bridge Hall to the top of the second pitch so you can get there without rope. However, if you are taking srt kit and speed is a factor, it is a much longer way in and out than abseiling the Bar Pot first pitch.

I've rarely been up or down the Bar Pot 1st pitch since the opening of Small Mammal Pot in 05, it's a more fun way into the system I think. You can spend a good couple hours in Bar Pot without descending the 2nd pitch, there is a lot to see. I've yet to brave getting to Sump 2, the skills to get across the rift I don't possess.

The Braemoor site has all the info you need.

StilePot - So Why Bother J.Gardner (CPC Record no.92 2008 p.26-27)
Bar and Flood Entrance Pots - A Description J.Gardner 2003 from Bar Pot: a Comprehensive description. Boothroyd & Johnstone 1978 LUSS

 

[Ian Ball]

Though it appears Bar Pot is already rigged for you to enjoy

 

[Ian P]

I’m planning a quick trip down Bar to main chamber late afternoon today. Does anyone know if it’s been rigged ahead of the winch meet? (Rather lazily want to avoid carrying ropes up if we don’t need to). Cheers.

Yes it is rigged.

 

[Ane]

Any chance you might be rigging Hensler’s before Saturday? Was hoping to go down there if pre-rigged

 

[Stevie]

Yes it is rigged.

Amazing. Thank you. Ropes back in the shed then.

 

[alanw]

Note that it is a *lot* easier to get down Stile than it is to come back up. There's a drop just inside the entrance, at a guess a bit more than 3m, then it's a tight sloping tube. I've been down twice, never fancied the return journey, especially when, as a member of the BPC, there's a free winch available.

 

[andrewmcleod]

I've been up out of Stile at least twice and greatly enjoy it (not sure I've come in that way), but then I am a wriggly little bugger and many may find it very tricky (particularly with a tackle sack). It is definitely not an 'easy' entrance, and the entrance chimney is quite a slippery free-climb and high enough to have significant consequences if you slipped.

 

[Ian P]

Any chance you might be rigging Hensler’s before Saturday? Was hoping to go down there if pre-rigged

No Henslers unfortunately

 

[Ian P]

Final (planned) entrances rigged today.

Small Mammal (Not flowstone)
South East Aven (Highly Recommended)
Marilyn / Bottom of Dis
Bar Pot “Gulley” route (A fine alternative to the “big pitch”

The stage is set, please come and enjoy.

Ian
On behalf of CPC

 

[langcliffe]

Final (planned) entrances rigged today.

Small Mammal (Not flowstone)
South East Aven (Highly Recommended)
Marilyn / Bottom of Dis
Bar Pot “Gulley” route (A fine alternative to the “big pitch”

The stage is set, please come and enjoy.

Ian
On behalf of CPC

I intend to stagger up with my new ankle on Thursday to have a play. Make sure the kettle is on, please!

 

[Ane]

No Henslers unfortunately

Thanks for letting me know - have to pick something else, then

 

[caving_fox]

Do we need to come and check in/out anywhere?

 

[mikem]

At the tent near the winch

 

[Cantclimbtom]

50:50 chance I'll be about this Saturday.
If I bring biscuits as a trade and ask very nicely, is there a secret phrase (and/or special action gesture) needed to get a cuppa tea at the tent?

(Don't worry nobody else is reading this, just you me and the internet )

 

[Ian P]

I intend to stagger up with my new ankle on Thursday to have a play. Make sure the kettle is on, please!

The kettle will be on and hopefully some jammy dodgers left.
Hope to bump into you.

 

[Ian P]

50:50 chance I'll be about this Saturday.
If I bring biscuits as a trade and ask very nicely, is there a secret phrase (and/or special action gesture) needed to get a cuppa tea at the tent?

(Don't worry nobody else is reading this, just you me and the internet )

Sorry, Yes forgot to mention that the usual code words of “any chance of a brew” will hopefully result in some form of brown liquid.
I have purchased some biscuits specifically for visiting cavers, hopefully they will last the duration.