Visiting Eldon Hole

[Cantclimbtom]

Please may I ask several fairly daft question, about the newly re-instated pull through and also Eldon hole in general (yes I did read the mini guide and rigging topo on PDCi before posting this)

1) The pull through up to Miller's - I'm wondering about what's at the top and so how to attach the rope to the pull through cord, does the rope need a small hole (melted with a hot nail) in the end and a bit of string (or use whipping knot like for a throw line) to get it to negotiate some maillon etc at the top or is there some obvious method that will be clear when I see it ( is this obvious and doesn't require questions?)

2) How busy is Eldon (usually), it's pretty famous, would it be expected to find another party there (and so decide on which of the 4 routes based on if any are available) or is meeting other parties an unusual things (on a weekend outside of summer)

3) Maybe a how long's a piece of string question... but for an average small party how long would it be expected to take to go down t 'ole and up Miller's and back up and out again

Thanks all for your patience

 

[wellyjen]

Miller's is a chamber, with a moderate amount of prettiness and a fixed rope heading upwards to Damocles Rift.
To attach the rope to the cord, take a roll of insulating tape and wrap round the end of the rope length ways along the cord. The rope has to feed cleanly through a large metal ring at the top, so you want a smooth transition as it meets the rope.
You might meet another party, you might not. Take enough kit to do an alternative route. Worth checking on here. It is very occasionally used for things like rescue practices, like any other site and avoiding that day will stop it feeling too crowded.
Well worth going.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Thank You!

 

[pwhole]

If/when you decide to go, let me know - if I'm free, I'll come with you if you want?

Some rather old photos here (east route down the main shaft), but they show the climb up, MIllers Chamber, and Damocles Rift above that:

Eldon Hole, Peak Forest, 2011

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Thank you!
Wow... never seen pics of the pretties before, that is very pretty/decorated indeed!

 

[Roger W]

They are in colour - they can't be that old! Seriously - some very good pics!

 

[pwhole]

The most sparkly flowstone in the world is on that large boulder in the foreground in no. 12 - my mate's looking out into the main chamber from the top of the pull-through.

 

[pwhole]

Actually, it's not the boulder, it's the large boss behind it - this is a crop from the original - it even comes out in photos.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Does the pic above look to others like a naked lady with golden hair doing a huge amount of sparkly poo?

Asking for a friend. .

 

[Ian P]

Does the pic above look to others like a naked lady with golden hair doing a huge amount of sparkly poo?

Asking for a friend. .

It didn’t, but now I can’t “unsee” it

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Apologies for more daft questions but I notice the rigging guide says 55m rope, but the Micro Guide states 45m is required.

I'd probably be there with a 60m but if I had to chose a different route down the main hole due to other parties and I needed to re-juggle which rope to use where - please may I ask which rope length estimate is closer to the current rigged "up" for Miller's?

Thanks again all,

 

[wellyjen]

Last time we were there, we took a 60m, but I can't remember how much was left over. CCPC rigging guide also says 55m minimum. If you end up with a shorter rope, you could always join two ropes together to get >55m. Attach the longer rope to the pull up cord, so the knot doesn't have to go through the ring at the top. Arrange that the non-knot side is the climbing rope and the knot side is attached to the twin resin anchors at the base of the pitch. That way, you don't have to do a knot pass. When pulling down, haul on the knot side, so again, the knot doesn't have to pass through the ring.
You have to be careful setting all that up and dismantling it afterwards, as there is a risk of jamming the rope, if you aren't. Best to have a 55m+ rope to do it in a one.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Thank you!

 

[wellyjen]

To add to the above, use unequal length ropes, if joining two together. If the knot ends up close to the ring, it may suddenly pull through the ring when the climbing side is weighted, giving the climber the shock of their life and an unexpected knot pass! The side it ends up also risks a dismantling jam, if it isn't the side you expect.

 

[LarryFatcat]

Please may I ask several fairly daft question, about the newly re-instated pull through and also Eldon hole in general (yes I did read the mini guide and rigging topo on PDCi before posting this)

1) The pull through up to Miller's - I'm wondering about what's at the top and so how to attach the rope to the pull through cord, does the rope need a small hole (melted with a hot nail) in the end and a bit of string (or use whipping knot like for a throw line) to get it to negotiate some maillon etc at the top or is there some obvious method that will be clear when I see it ( is this obvious and doesn't require questions?)

2) How busy is Eldon (usually), it's pretty famous, would it be expected to find another party there (and so decide on which of the 4 routes based on if any are available) or is meeting other parties an unusual things (on a weekend outside of summer)

3) Maybe a how long's a piece of string question... but for an average small party how long would it be expected to take to go down t 'ole and up Miller's and back up and out again

Thanks all for your patience

It's a place I know well having climbed and then had to reclimb it recently to reinstall the pull up. 1.There's a large c12cm diameter ring at the top, tape your 55m rope to the pull up rope, (I personally use my home made elastic bands made from old innertube). 2. It's never been a problem for us but could be. Get there early to avoid probs. 3. Depends on efficiency, if your waiting for the whole team etc- I'd say about 3 hours for a mixed ability team - (we took 8 hours car to car to re-establish the pull-up). There's also a big dig in the main chamber.

 

[LarryFatcat]

Apologies for more daft questions but I notice the rigging guide says 55m rope, but the Micro Guide states 45m is required.

I'd probably be there with a 60m but if I had to chose a different route down the main hole due to other parties and I needed to re-juggle which rope to use where - please may I ask which rope length estimate is closer to the current rigged "up" for Miller's?

Thanks again all,

View attachment 14225

Somewhere I think it says the climb is 24m so do the maths

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Somewhere I think it says the climb is 24m so do the maths

The "hitch n hike" micro guide says 19m ascent so there's some contradiction and why I'd asked, but if in any doubt... have to assume the longest one.

 

[Gritstone]

We were there a week ago. I left a roll of tape on the hangers at the bottom of the pitch for anyone who didn't remember to take some, please remove all your waste tape after you're done. The new pull through is much meatier than the old one and so is the knot, after a few failed attempts we found that if you connect your rope immediately behind the knot it acts to protect your connection and help get your rope through the eye bolt, a little too and fro is required. All the fixed ropes are good. I think the 19m might relate to the actual pitch to the point where you almost walk up the flowstone to the anchors giving it an overall 24m or so.

 

[coggy]

Be careful in Eldon Hole, the devil may singe your arse !