Team – Jim T, Hal D, Victoria K, Miriam A, Chris H.
After an evening of pondering our options in the dump, and the conclusion being to split the group of 10 in two meant that in the morning 5 of us were heading off to Ireby Fell Cavern (or so we thought). We sorted out ropes and metal work and loaded up Hal’s truck for the 30min drive over to Ireby. However, arriving at the parking area we were greeted by a group of 10 cavers who were using the cave to brush up on surveying skills and decided we needed a plan B.
The previous trip to the Dales included a trip into Knotts II which was thoroughly enjoyed by the group, as Miriam and Vic were not on that trip, we decided it would be a good idea to revisit with the intention of looking at some other areas of the system as there had been less rain that last time.
A short 10-minute drive round to Leck fell and we were soon parked up, gear on and ready to go. The group agreed that the short walk to the entrance was of great benefit, and we were soon descending the remarkable entrance shaft. Kerplunk vs. Snakes and Ladders springs to mind whilst descending through the jungle of Scaff poles and Sections of Ladder…… c’mon double 6. This was descended by all with no issues. Following a couple of small climbs down and another small section of scaff we were met by some members of the Caving Crew at the top of a slightly awkward climb down. They let us pass and shortly after we entered the Streamway.
At the junction we opted for a steady amble upstream to admire the many formations that adorned the roof and walls having time to stop and take some photos on the way. After passing through some waist deep sections, we eventually reached the section that was sumped on the previous trip this had now turned into a wet flat-out crawl, determined to go further than last time we continued for approximately another 50m only for the sump to stop us yet again.
Returning downstream we found a nice spot to stop and, thanks to Hal and Vic, a banquet of cheese and chocolate was washed down with Ribena. Fed and watered we resumed downstream past the junction for the way out, and down through the small cascade that had considerably less water flowing than the previous visit. A few meters on marked the spot we reached previously which was again, now a flat-out crawl. Goading Jim to continue with the cry of “…I didn’t come to Yorkshire to go crawling…” (those who know Jim can imagine the accent involved) we crawled a similar length to the previous flat-out crawl to be met yet again by a sump.
On the return Jim decided to climb the very impressive in situ rope ladder on the right-hand wall off the streamway, this led to a Phreatic Tube which Jim continued down for about 30m he returned shortly after and decided further information on where it was heading would be a good idea. As we found out later that evening this was a good choice.
Regrouped in the streamway we started heading for the surface passing another group of three coming down the slightly awkward climb which Jim tackled with ease taking a totally different route than on the way in. We all followed and agreed it was a great choice and much easier. Steady progress was made, and we were soon on the surface enjoying the good weather. We let the other group know we were out and decided the next course of action should be to head for the pub for refreshments.
