Topic

Penyghent Pot? Or rather Pain-y-ghent Pot?

The day starts with wonderful sunshine and while we leave BPC parking, our yellow suits stay in the tacklebags. Despite the steepness of the path, the walk is enjoyable and we nearly wish it to be longer. The view down to the dark hole is in such a situation a bit frustrating. We are cavers, it's our job and it should be our pleasure





The cave starts immediately with the endless crawl, probably one of the longest in Dales. 250 meters of knee killer. I can quite understand Ruth which decides to turn around and go back to the daylight. The others continue crawling which gets even worst as it becomes lower and lower and more 'refreshing'. The approaching rumble water indicates only good news. First cascades and finally a pitch. After a few pleasant bits we have to get back on our knees. Even my is very very low at this point. Soon we reach the big pitch, we admire the bigger space. I feel that since this point we are like in Washfold. In a 'drifty', wet and cold place. We pass some YSS in-situ ropes, one pitch starts from a very narrow flake which cuts the bottom into other smaller pieces (I suffered much more on the way up...). After a very long time I can see Keith. We struggle to find some bolts for the next pitch so Keith and Rich freeclimb a 6 meters rift down partially in a water stream. They are followed by Nigel and Susan. During my searching I find some old ropes and a ICCC carabine which I decide to attache to the other rope and make handline. It will be a bit helpful on the way up. The trip goes quite steadily until the final sump where we all reunite again.

Short moment of happiness, chocolate bars and time to get back on the surface. After the first pitch I decide to take the de-rigging helm and to exercise a bit on the way to start rigging... It's quite amusing. The only less funny thing is that it's not very socializing activity as one spends all the time practically alone. Only Susan gave me an oportunity to meet Richard on the bottom of the big pitch, as she forgot to take her pantin. The final crawl is endless again, but this time I'm powered by the fact that it's a sunny day outside. Nice Yorshhire classic trip.

PS: Keith mentioned on the bottom to me some extensions and how to find them. Once we got back to the School (after a long drive via Ingleton...) and a look into survey I understood, that the word extension can also mean something like 2/3 of the cave





Party: Ruth S, Nigel H Steel, Ales H, Keith M, Richard R, Susan B
Trip Time: 6hrs

Excellent report Ales. Yes, the extensions beckon!

Like the ''Kidney Crusher''? Sounds like a place where everyone wants to have a Sunday picnic

Nice report Ales, and yes the extensions are calling
At least Nigel didn't leave his mark this time

15 hours round trip to Penyghent? Very masochistic option...

At least Nigel didn't leave his mark this time :whistle

Or did he

Excellent report Ales and a very satisfying trip.