Sounds like an excellent idea, there should be 6 of us which would make it a good trip to get everyone underground simultaneously. We should be fine for rope as I can raid the store room (we are apart of Durham University caving). Is Maskhill therefore not suitable for SRT novices, i.e. people who can only manage the basics, as I believe a few newer members will be coming !!I would definitely recommend a Maskhill-Oxlow exchange... if you have enough rope & people. Oxlow is fairly straightforward, while there's a bit more technical difficulty to the SRT in Maskhill.
Sounds great, the 18th century graffiti is most certainly intriguing. Although Titan is on my bucket list i currently dont have access to a long enough rope, as the club doesn't have much use for such lengths. Will definitely look into going down JH though.There are few finer trips in the UK than a visit to the White River Series going in and out of JH or Titan. Block Hall is rigged for upwards SRT. Make sure you'd don't descend the Moosetrap by mistake, then pull through at the downstream end of series. The way back to the Speedwell streamway involves some crawling, but nothing too desperate. You can of course exit Peak but then you have the faff of going back to Titan or JH to derig. Don't miss the 18th century graffiti in Speedwell up a short side passage a little upstream of the JH entry. It's also worthwhile to carry on there to Main Rising, an impressive sight.
I wouldn't recommend taking SRT novices into Maskhill. Depending on how novicey they are, they would probably be ok going in and out of Oxlow. There's a deviation on the 3rd pitch (down to West Swirl Passage). As long as they're ok with that, I think you shouldn't have too much to worry about.Sounds like an excellent idea, there should be 6 of us which would make it a good trip to get everyone underground simultaneously. We should be fine for rope as I can raid the store room (we are apart of Durham University caving). Is Maskhill therefore not suitable for SRT novices, i.e. people who can only manage the basics, as I believe a few newer members will be coming !!
Thanks very much, I'll bear that in mind once I know everyone's true ability !I wouldn't recommend taking SRT novices into Maskhill. Depending on how novicey they are, they would probably be ok going in and out of Oxlow. There's a deviation on the 3rd pitch (down to West Swirl Passage). As long as they're ok with that, I think you shouldn't have too much to worry about.
I agree with all of that.I wouldn't recommend taking SRT novices into Maskhill. Depending on how novicey they are, they would probably be ok going in and out of Oxlow. There's a deviation on the 3rd pitch (down to West Swirl Passage). As long as they're ok with that, I think you shouldn't have too much to worry about.
Could be a nice option for a simple trip before the drive home !!!Somewhere on UKC is a list of 'worthwhile' Peak District trips I asked about a few years ago.
Logimos post above seems to cover most of the best.
I'd perhaps add Water Icicle as another fun one to tag in. Simple abseil in, followed by a bit of exploring. (and flat out bedding plane crawling as an optional extension to push the far ends).
Ah I see, think the JH trip could just be a separate option for the more SRT capable of the bunch in that case.I agree with all of that.
I also think the JH, Block Hall, Ventilator, JH circuit is not the place for SRT novices.
Eldon Hole is somewhere you can look after those novices, rig a couple of routes for variety and is spectacular.
The Peak "tourist trip" taking in Far Sump and the far end of Buxton Water Sump is a good half day out with some big passages, and the SRT freaks can look at Victoria Aven and a few similar places.
The Giants round trip plus going to the bottom is and excellent trip. There aren't many Crab Walks around!
P8 is a fine cave for an evening trip.