Topic

Thanks to Ales we were able to take advantage of an ULSA permit that was going begging for Birks Fell , not the best weather for a trip into the far reaches of this Yorkshire classic but the forecast didn’t look to bad. 4 of us set off bright and early from the school, stopping off en route at Arncliff to pick up Man at C&A, aka The Nigemiester .
By the time we were changed and had done the walk up it was about 10.30, as there was only a very small trickle of water dropping into the entrance we decided to carry on with the trip, fairly easy going up to the Bradford Crawl and after moving a few boulders this was soon passed. After a few more obstacles and a section of crawling in a wet canal we arrived at the first pitch, which we rigged rather than doing the bypass.
Once down the first pitch it was fairly easy going and we were soon back in the streamway, again several obstacles and a boulder choke to pass, this eventually leads you to a low wet section. Once through this and back in dry passage we made our way towards the second pitch, at this point the cave was starting to leave its mark on some of us, so Nigel decided that he needed to leave his mark .
From the bottom of the second pitch good progress was made, passing several nice formations along the way, then after more wet low sections we arrived at the top of the third pitch which was very wet. After several attempts to rig it without getting a soaking, we decided to call it a day as time was also getting on and people were starting to feel the cold
All that was left now was to turn tail and retrace our steps back to the surface, few route finding probs on way out.....doesn’t always pay to follow phone cable all the time
Trip time 7hrs
Paul Thomas, Rich Rae, Nigel Steel, Ales Hrabec, Keith Mason

Thanks to Nigel's dress we really looked like ULSA team in their best times

I have to admit for the further hesitating visitors, that it's a fantastic cave.

Too right Ales, it is one everybody should tick off

keithm wrote:

Nigel decided that he needed to leave his mark

I think the mental scar of dropping down a climb and seeing Nigel in a "state of undress" then retching as the smell hit will haunt me for a long time.

www.cncc.org.uk/technical-group/locations.php
Birks Fell
"Currently eco-anchored up to but not including Shale Pitch (which is currently quite difficult to rig due to damaged spits and lack of natural belays)."

Shame there are 3 pointless P-hangers at the end of Moon Milk Cave when they're desperately needed on Shale pitch.

richardrae wrote:

I think the mental scar of dropping down a climb and seeing Nigel in a "state of undress" then retching as the smell hit will haunt me for a long time.

Needs must dudes

The required P bolt anchoring on shale pitch is a 'must do' for a certain member of the YSS

Birks Fell is wonderful, certainly a trip Susan and Alex would enjoy.

That 3rd pitch needs re-bolting I almost drowned on it in low water conditions! Anyone who knows how to bolt want to come with me sometime?

Poor Damian cannot bolt under the auspices of the CNCC because he has not got the relevant sanctions or something to that effect. It seems a shame as he is probably the best bolter they have, C'est la vie, as they say in the Vercors

I'm very happy to support the bolting group! Perhaps by carrying beers and chips for the hard-workers

Ales wrote:

I'm very happy to support the bolting group! Perhaps by carrying beers and chips for the hard-workers

Or you could just carry the drill! Anyone got any spare P-bolts? If not could just use expansion bolts and there'll be no need to wait for the resin to set to finish the trip

richardrae wrote:

Ales wrote:

I'm very happy to support the bolting group! Perhaps by carrying beers and chips for the hard-workers

Or you could just carry the drill! Anyone got any spare P-bolts? If not could just use expansion bolts and there'll be no need to wait for the resin to set to finish the trip

Got plenty of m10 stainless expansion bolts going spare

The club have got a permit soon, ideal.