Topic

Feeling a bit ropey the morning after the night before, three of us needed a good hard trip to sort us out. Picked up NFTFH flicked through it and put it down, we wanted a harder challenge. Lucky we had a copy of NC2 and found a suitable alternative. Always wondered if Gatekirk would be a suitable 'try caving' venue. Kit packed, mission on. Cave in Bruntscar area, past the Station Inn at Ribblehead and half way to the Hill Inn a small road on the right. Down this for about half a mile crossed the small (dry) river and stopped. Got changed, Stu realized that he had no oversuit
The cave is situated in a beautiful tree lined limestone valley, as Stu approached the cave he noticed a Heron, fishing inside the cave entrance. The cave was walk in with a good stream, water was about knee depth, a nice sand beach furnishing the right hand side. waterfall on the left. The main cave passage was short but there were a number of oxbows and side passages containing many interesting crawls. some nice flowstone in the cave including small gours. As a 'Try caving' venue may be a bit short although other caves in the same area might make it viable. I think it would be an ideal cave to let the kids have a bit of fun though. Got back to the car where carol waited for Stu to remove his clothing before she took a full frontal photo of him (watch out lads ).

cavers Nigel Steel, Stu Weston, Pete James.

Time: about as long as it took to write this report

PVC oversuits being hard to get in my size - I decided to accidentally dispense with it for this trip, by leaving it in the cellar at the hut. They are definately a good bit of kit, since it gets a tad chilly without one! Might try a tweed jacket and a candle next time.
The Heron stood in the entrance to the cave would have made the most stunning photo, but it flew off along the stream as I approached, truly brilliant.
Its a shame the lovely streamway is so short before it shuts down.
Beware of Carol with her camera, I'm sure that kind of thing is unlawful, but after being in cold water with no oversuit, it must have a fantastic zoom lens. (She has deleted the pic now!)