Hillocks to Knotlow Through Trip

[jasonbirder]

Thinking of having a crack at this one at the weekend...anyone have any route finding tips?
Cheers in advance 

 

[Brains]

It is more pleasent and easier to follow from the Knotlow end, there is one awkward wet bit that seems to bend you the wrong way but not too bad. If towing a tackle bag, beware of downhill crawls and the bag dropping down on your legs just as you get to a snug bit, causing a jam. IIRC there is a timbered section near the Hillocks end, try not to touch the timber, or moist sponge cake which it now resembles. Good trip, you will enjoy it

 

[jasonbirder]

Cheers! Will probably have a crack at it in that direction then!

 

[SamT]

If you do that - dont you have to pre place a ladder down the little shaft in hillocks ??

 

[Brains]

?Dont recall any pitches other than the usual entrance exit routes - do you mean the last short drop at the bottom of the Whalf climbing shaft?

 

[drainrat]

If you do that - dont you have to pre place a ladder down the little shaft in hillocks ??

I think we'll toss a 100m rope down Whalf engine shaft first, to facilitate our exit

We had initially planned to do it Whalf -> Knotlow, but Brains has suggested otherwise, so Knotlow -> Whalf it is then!

Drainrat.

 

[AndyF]

If you do that - dont you have to pre place a ladder down the little shaft in hillocks ??

You can free climb out. Both pitches are easily done if you are confident...

 

[jasonbirder]

Mr Drainrat is more than aware of that aren't you
After dropping his rope down the second pitch from the oil drum entrance

 

[Cave_Troll]

notlow through to Walf should cut out all the route finding problems.
and its nasty and wet and unpleasant

 

[paul]

Don't forget that the Knotlow end of Meccano Passage (the connection between Whalf Pipe/Hillocks and Knotlow Cavern) is some 15 metres or so from the bottom of Knotlow Engine Shaft.

Also Meccano Passage is a known area which often suffers from excess CO2 levels - so watch out.

 

[drainrat]

Trip report posted here:

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php/topic,2664.0.html

Drainrat.