Pate Hole in Flood
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Mr Dinwiddy
Member
Thanks- I like that- its quite a powerful rising. Have you been in when its dry?
A_Northerner
Active member
If you spot an orange mask or purple-handled dive knife floating out of there let me know 
After seeing Roo Walters' video, we had to have a look at Pate Hole and have been today. Sad to report that I didn't see your gear A-Northerner. Given the amount of water, your items have probably reached Carlisle by now.
We also had a wander up the valley to the East of Great Asby (Dale Beck). There's a huge resurgence, comparable to Pate Hole, a few hundred yard up the valley. Anyone ever taken a look at it?
Stangely given the deluge, the divers entrance to Preacher's Cave on the Fell End Clouds was dry.
We also had a wander up the valley to the East of Great Asby (Dale Beck). There's a huge resurgence, comparable to Pate Hole, a few hundred yard up the valley. Anyone ever taken a look at it?
Stangely given the deluge, the divers entrance to Preacher's Cave on the Fell End Clouds was dry.
Pitlamp
Well-known member
Here's the entrance to Preacher's Cave in flood. You must have just missed it Graham. Under the vertical scaff poles there is a 4 m shaft then a steep boulder slope to a sump pool - normally.
It was mentioned above that Pate has much in common with Sleets Gill. Preacher's Cave in another example. Yet another example is Mammary Pot on the slopes of Whitbarrow. They're all percolation-fed systems, with underflow to more recent (and less mature) risings. In high flow, water backs up alarmingly fast, then resurges powerfully from an older, higher entrance.
It was mentioned above that Pate has much in common with Sleets Gill. Preacher's Cave in another example. Yet another example is Mammary Pot on the slopes of Whitbarrow. They're all percolation-fed systems, with underflow to more recent (and less mature) risings. In high flow, water backs up alarmingly fast, then resurges powerfully from an older, higher entrance.
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Benfool said:What was the weather like today? Was it raining? Hopefully by Saturday it will of calmed down and will be perfect!
Thanks
It stopped raining around midday i.e. just before we arrived at Great Asby. The road from Orton to Great Asby via Bank Moor was impassable due to a water filled dip in the road just above the village. As the road wasn't wadeable and there were no parking places, we drove to Great Asby via Orton and Sunbiggin Tarn. A local told us that the Drybeck route was impassable.
Things might be drying out a bit but another dollop of rain is due tomorrow.
Great to see the photos of a completely sumped Pate Hole.
I've had about ten trips in there in the last few years and it is a really interesting place to visit. There is a nice round trip if the water levels are low and settled, and the sump pool is a beautiful and underestimated place.
I believe that the resurgence can spout five feet in the air in really wet conditions, so it can be assumed that there is a significant amount of unexplored cave beyond the sump, as I'm sure the divers can testify!
Agreed -rather similar to Sleets Gill -cavers beware!
I've had about ten trips in there in the last few years and it is a really interesting place to visit. There is a nice round trip if the water levels are low and settled, and the sump pool is a beautiful and underestimated place.
I believe that the resurgence can spout five feet in the air in really wet conditions, so it can be assumed that there is a significant amount of unexplored cave beyond the sump, as I'm sure the divers can testify!
Agreed -rather similar to Sleets Gill -cavers beware!
