Topic

With Keith, Ian and shezi heading for Black Shiver Pot Myself and Michele decided to take it a bit easier and head for Sunset Hole.

I had never caved in Chapel-Le-Dale before excluding Skirwith at the far end so I was half hoping Michele would know the way or it would be great big obvious entrance. we followed the vague description on the cncc website but that didnt go well.

We found "entrance where a stream sinks" on a limestone escarpment past great douk so we set off down the passage with gusto, initially a roomy hands a knees soon turned into tight twisty rift where we used the 'Space Hopper' judgement to conclude that was not sunset and exited after about 30 metres.

Not to be deterred we carried on looking, following another stream to its conclusion in rather nice roomy passage for about 10 metres until the stream disappeared under a wall, This was not Sunset.

We carried on our 'Prospecting' further south finding a lidded shaft, again this was not sunset so we carried on. Along the way several streams sank into small grotty holes but none were large enough to gain entry.

We decided that we had gone too far as the cncc description made it sound close to the road so we followed the main path back along to great douk where we decided to have a quick trip

This was quite a surprising cave after listening to several cavers description of a cave not worthy of too much attention from actual cavers, but never the less we had a really pleasant stomp through a surprisingly large amount of passage with a couple of free climbs, waterfalls and more surprisingly a few delicate formations clinging to life in a cave regularly frequented by adventurous walkers and outdoor groups.

This was followed by chips in inglesport, a couple of hours of SRT wall work (Thanks for the Tea's Carol) and we later found out we had visited middle washfold and knacker trapper.

An excellent day 'prospecting'

Trip time: about 4 hours on the fell
Party: Anthony, Michele

Oh and I now have some bright pink cows tails

cavemaps.org/

There is more to Sunset Hole than people think about. I've not met anyone who has visited the Upper Series, maybe Damian?

Segment of Northern Caves 2 Description for Sunset Hole

Upper Series and 1968 Extension

WARNING - Great care should be exercised in the 1968 Extension. Rescue of an injured person from beyond the corkscrew squeeze would be extremely difficult.

At N end of chamber is awkwared 5m climb into Upper Series with link to right into tight bypass. Down short drop is bedding plane crawl to second pitch and further bedding to a boulder chamber. Below pitch is tight corkscrew descent between blocks with pitch immediately beyond - descend corkscrew with great care.
Pitch enters Rift Chamber. At far end, roof passage leads to small chamber, with further chamber and short length of passage in roof and inlet. The inlet links back to traverse above pitchj via anbother chamber and crawl. Downstream ends too tight after 15m. From Rift Chamber lower passage descends to blind well above which alternative routes lead into Shake Cavern. Hole in floor through unstable boulders emerges in Block Chamber. Short crawl and awkward corkscrew descent leads into walking passage. ine way a short crawl ends under Block Chamber. The other weay is 40m to a junction. Straight ahead chokes after 15m. To the left is choke up through which a chamber can be entered (now collapsed). A further small chamber is situated in the centre of the choke.

Tackle

Pitch	Ladder	Belay	Lifeline
2nd climb	4.5m	3m	-
"Final" Chamber	15m	3m	21m
Upper Series Climb	4.5m	1.2m	12m
2nd Pitch	9m	1.5m	15m
Rift Chamber	9mm	2m	15m

stuartw wrote:

Poor Hopmeister - he survived the trip to the bottom and back out only to get thoroughly deflated on the walk back down.
We now have a new grading system for cave passage size - ie will a space hopper fit along it. These will be known as SPH accessible trips and are quite comfortable roomy trips.

I refer you to my experience of Knacker Trapper where I can confirm that even deflated Space Hopper would struggle

I loved how we could use the space hopper judgement to determine it was not Sunset hole he he. Good day practised re belays and changeovers and had a go at the traverse on the srt wall. Sunset hole i will come back and find you thanks Ian Keith and Shezi for offering going to de rig sorry we werent there.

MY rule is provided my rope bag fits its fine for me. I assume the lidded entrance was actually knacker trapper (you had gone past the wall I take it?) and the first cave you visited which does have some awkward bits is prob one of the ents into Sunset.