Notts 2 advice (tomorrow)

[tim.rose2]

Hi,

Can somebody who knows how Notts 2 responds to rain help me out...

Plan A is a 'tourist' trip to Notts 2 tomorrow (Friday 30/06). Given the rain we've had in the last couple of days and there being some light rain forecast for tomorrow, is this sensible? I'll have a family member with us who's not done much caving and driving a fair way to meet us so want something easy and enjoyable and obviously want to avoid aborted trips / epics. We've agreed to be underground by 10am and intend on a 3 to 4 hour trip. I've done Notts 2 before and other than the potential rain issues is exactly the trip I'm looking for!

If Notts 2 is out, what are the options for a plan B? Ideally I'd like to avoid SRT, though some easy & minimal rope work would be ok. We did take Tony down Sell Gills a couple of years ago so he has had a 'bash' at srt and seemed to cope fine. I'd rather not do Sell Gills again (I know that's a good wet weather option). I don't know Ease Gill so we'd have to go route finding but both County Pot and Lancaster Hole seem to come up as good wet weather choices.

Thanks in advance.
Tim

 

[snebbit]

It needs a fair cloudburst to become unsafe in the main streamway and levels in the Dales last night were still relatively low given the recent weather. Would just keep an eye on the forecast. That said, summer is the time when unforecasted afternoon cloudbursts do happen. Make sure you're familiar with the flood escape route.

Something to bear in mind if you're with a novice, a few weeks ago I noticed that on the bottom climb on the way down (in the rift), the uppermost in-situ handline has either been replaced by a much shorter one or has been cut, so that for a novice it might be quite a bold step across to the scaff bar with arm extended holding the handline. Might be wise to take a ladder and/or a lifeline for that climb if you weren't already planning on doing so.

Backup plan: Mistral can be done in pretty much any weather. County is a good option too yep, could always ladder the pitch if needed

 

[Ian Ball]

Notts 2 is worth it just to appreciate the entrance efforts

 

[MJenkinson]

I have never done it but I would say that from a 6ft 100kg caver, the flood escape route in Notts 2 looks a little snug for someone who hasn't done much caving - as I say, I may be wrong here. Also I suppose the threat of drowning would motivate most people through tighter stuff!

I'd suggest:

Mistral - bit rattly in entrance series but plenty to see without any other ropework than a handline.
Lancs - High level route, does need SRT but Lancs is straightforward.
County - I have been up into the Trident series in wet weather whcih is good way to spend a couple of hours.
Small Mammal - If you do first pitch of that, then bar pot main hang you can be in GG main chamber with simple rope work.

 

[Babyhagrid]

I have never done it but I would say that from a 6ft 100kg caver, the flood escape route in Notts 2 looks a little snug for someone who hasn't done much caving

I've made it through at 6"3 and 100kg. Was snug but not tight , a little awkward over some of the slidy mud

 

[MJenkinson]

I've made it through at 6"3 and 100kg. Was snug but not tight , a little awkward over some of the slidy mud

Good to know thanks!

 

[tim.rose2]

Thanks all.
Looks like only light rain for most of tomorrow so given there's been nothing today we'll go with plan A and do an early trip in Notts 2. Obviously I'll check the forecast in the morning in case that changes. Currently I'm unfamiliar with the escape route, other than knowing it exists. I'll take a copy of the description & survey from Northern Caves as a just in case measure. To be honest if I see any evidence of the water rising we'll be turning around and getting our arses back to inlet 13 for a hasty exit.
Thanks also snebbit for the info regarding the rift climb rope - As I normally do when in unfamiliar caves I'll take our 10 m length of 9mm and a sling. I remember from before thinking it was straight forward enough with a handline.