LOBSTER POT

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diggerdog adam

Guest
Last night in the pub in yorkshire i got chatting to a couple of lads

They were telling storys of lobster pot i think it was in the mendips (beer!)

one of the guys said "you see the size of the bar stool thats what the entrance shaft is like!"

So was just wondering even if you are slim enough to slide down how the hell do you get back out again they were talking about a hauling system for the way back out !

has any one done the trip love to hear whats the best tecnique to exit

look forward to your storys !
 
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andymorgan

Guest
Sounds like the Lobster Pot in Sidcot Swallet, which isn't the entrance shaft but a small hole into the lower series about 5m deep. From what I remember the hole was fairly tight but is probably bigger than the top of a bar stool (depending on the size of the stool of course!). Once you are through the hole it bells out slightly underneath and you can climb down the wall with just a handline for aid. Getting out is more of a problem (hence lobster pot), as there are no handholds around it , and it is very slippery, and there is nothing to push your legs on below. If you put a sling around a natural belay before you descend it, you can just pull yourself up on it and it isn't a major obstacle.
Here are some pics of it I found on the web at
http://www.dudleycc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/jul__to_sep_02.htm
and
http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/dave/personal/cave/sidcot1.jpg
 

martinr

Active member
In my experience the best way to exit the Lobster Pot in Sidcot is as follows:
1. Stand on the shoulders of the bloke below.
2. Make sure you are not the last to attempt to exit.

It always worked for me
 

mudmonkey

New member
The Lobster Pot is a bit fiddly - but not toooo bad, it's on the standard "Burrington beginners' circuit". I'm told that the bypass is much, much smaller.....

On that note, Purgatory down there is actually quite nice - I was pleasantly surprised - not very long though.
 

cap n chris

Well-known member
I broke ribs trying the bypass route (first injury underground but not the last!) so won't try that ever again. However, here's my personal Lobster Pot technique for pie-eaters....

Climb up as far as the obvious sloping ledge, place both arms up through the hole and stand up on ledge as high as possible, put right arm up to good jug and thrutch while twisting your body until left arm grabs same jug, then just pull up. Easy, takes about 5 seconds. Mind you, like Graham, I haven't been there for years.
 
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andymorgan

Guest
cap 'n chris said:
I broke ribs trying the bypass route (first injury underground but not the last!)

Is that the very first squeeze as you enter it? Did you get through, I can barely squeeze through it myself.....
 
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andymorgan

Guest
I'm impressed you even attemped the squeeze. Was it a fair few years ago! :LOL:
 

Hughie

Active member
Cap'n - I remember 17 stone of Richard C going through there not so long ago. He could only just scrape through. He also managed to get through Hallelujah Hole in Eastwater. He had to de-kit on both occasions!
 

Wolfart

New member
Did it last year after many years and rembered why i would never do it again. Not handy if you've got long legs
 

cap n chris

Well-known member
Yes, Hallelujah Hole - that was another "fun" event. I'm amazed Big Chad got through at Sidcot - congrats to him. De-kitting is becoming more common for me, too, nowadays.
 
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