Peak district classics?
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Logismos
Member
Depends a lot on what sort of a caver you are (size, fitness, SRT-keeness, squallid mudhell tolerance).
I'd plug the trip reports of SUSS and the TSG (many of which are about the Peaks):
www.shefcavers.org.uk
www.tsgcaving.co.uk
And the regional cave database:
peakdistrictcaving.info
Key caves for me would be: Peak Cavern (/Titan/JH), Giants, P8, Rowter, Bagshawe, Carlswalk (/Merlins), Streaks, Nettle, Winnats Head, Eldon, Oxlow, Maskhill, and Longcliffe.
I'd plug the trip reports of SUSS and the TSG (many of which are about the Peaks):
Trip Reports – SUSS – Sheffield University Speleological Society
www.shefcavers.org.uk
Trip Reports | Technical Speleological Group
And the regional cave database:
Caving Areas
Locations: Peak District, Location: Derbyshire, Location: Staffordshire, Caves, Mines, Potholes, Caving, Potholing, Guides, Surveys, Speleology, Hydrology
Key caves for me would be: Peak Cavern (/Titan/JH), Giants, P8, Rowter, Bagshawe, Carlswalk (/Merlins), Streaks, Nettle, Winnats Head, Eldon, Oxlow, Maskhill, and Longcliffe.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Every member of our group is SRT competent, via many dull vertical dales caves. I personally am quite partial to a bit of squallid mudhell but I believe that view is not shared with the rest of the group !!!
Is there a particular route down Giants you would recommend ?
Every member of our group is SRT competent, via many dull vertical dales caves. I personally am quite partial to a bit of squallid mudhell but I believe that view is not shared with the rest of the group !!!
Is there a particular route down Giants you would recommend ?
Logismos
Member
I'd go for the "Giants round via east canal" as the classic for existing cavers.
In to Garlands, down the crabwalk, detour to East Canal and back (optional swim to truly admire), up to the Giants Windpipe, back to Garlands and out.
Should take in the ballpark of 5-6 hours at a steady pace with a bit of route-finding.
In to Garlands, down the crabwalk, detour to East Canal and back (optional swim to truly admire), up to the Giants Windpipe, back to Garlands and out.
Should take in the ballpark of 5-6 hours at a steady pace with a bit of route-finding.
David Rose
Active member
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.
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 !!
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.
rm128
Well-known member
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.
Thanks very much, I'll bear that in mind once I know everyone's true ability !
caving_fox
Active member
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).
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).
Chocolate fireguard
Active member
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.
Could be a nice option for a simple trip before the drive home !!!
Ah I see, think the JH trip could just be a separate option for the more SRT capable of the bunch in that case.
David Rose
Active member
Bitch Pitch in JH is fine if you're competent, but a little awkward if not. Rather narrow and wiggly. But I got the impression the party is fairly competent from the posts at the top. That said, Cartgate, the long mined passage between the entrance pitch and Bitch always makes me a bit uneasy. A lot of stuff stacked up behind rather elderly shoring, and there was a big collapse at the Bitch pitch head a while back.
paul
Moderator
Also, take a look at the https://peakdistrictcaving.info/ site for information including access info and rigging topos.
There is of course a book about it (although a bit dated):
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Selected Caves of Britain and Ireland by Donald Rust, Des Marshall (Paperback, 1997) for sale online | eBay UK
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