Bull Pot (Kingsdale)

The programme had shown Ibbeth Peril as the venue for today's trip, but this turned out to be unfeasible due to the recent wet weather. An alternative was needed, and it happened that Carol and Liz were planning a trip to either Bull Pot (Kingsdale) or Jingling Pot on the same day with Bob Wilson, who was visiting from Cambridge. Since I had been the only taker for Andy's Ibbeth trip, it was arranged that Andy and I would join the Kingsdale party.

The five of us met at Carol's house where it was decided that we would do Bull Pot rather than Jingling, and after a period of gear sorting we set off for Ingleton, giving a lift to a hitch-hiking fell-runner on the way. Cavers are unable to pass through Ingleton without visiting at least one of Inglesport or Bernie's, and today we called at both before continuing on into Kingsdale, where we were surprised to find a complete absence other cavers. This gave us the luxury of a whole lay-by to get changed in.

Following the long slog up the hillside with all the kit to Bull Pot entrance, the rest of us took a welcome rest while Bob rigged the entrance pitch. Carol followed Bob down, then Andy, and then it was my turn. Now I haven't been doing SRT for very long, but I've already decided I don't like deviations, especially acute ones, so there just had to be a very acute one right at the top of this pitch. Passing it involves hanging in a more-or-less horizontal position while you struggle to pull the krab that last half inch closer so you can clip it onto the rope above you. After a bit of sweating I eventually succeeded, and was soon at the bottom of the pitch, alongside some rusting sheets of metal and the remains of an unfortunate sheep.

After Liz had descended and made the deviation look easy, we made our way down a sloping rift passage over boulders to a point where a small stream is met, and the passage goes round a couple of sharp bends. Sounds of rigging could be heard coming from an unseen Carol and Bob ahead, suggesting that the second pitch was not far away. This is reached by climbing up to a traverse line and following the rift round a further corner to the take-off point. The landing requires a small swing onto a ledge to avoid dropping into a pool. Alternatively, look helpless, and someone will pull you across.

The third pitch in Bull Pot is known as The Slot, and starts as a narrow hole in the floor of the same ledge. The shaft is so narrow that Carol decided to lock the brake of her descender off, to avoid having to operate the handle. I didn't feel confident enough to do that, but the pitch is wider than it looks, and I was able to descend normally. 8 metres down the rope is rebelayed at a point where there is a convenient small ledge to stand on, which helps in passing the rebelay. The pitch then continues down for a further 11 metres to the floor.

The way on from this point involves dropping down into the stream and following it through a short crawl to where a traverse is required over a smooth chute. This traverse, which is not over-endowed with footholds, leads to the head of the fourth pitch. Carol rigged everything except the right-hand bolt of the Y-hang, and then came back saying that she couldn't quite reach the last hanger. I had never done any rigging before, but recklessly offered to have a go at it providing I had some coaching first. Following some knot-tying practice I made my way along to the pitch-head and found I could just about reach the hanger. After adjusting my knot about 19 times I was finally happy with it, and went back to get Carol to check it. She said it was ok, but would need adjusting…

I'm sure it had more to do with it now being 3 o'clock than any reluctance to trust my rigging, but after a short debate about whether to go on, we decided that it was probably best not to do the fourth pitch, but to head back out. So I was sent back along the rift to take my knot out again. Having started the derigging process, I might as well carry on with it, so supervised by Carol, I ended up derigging the whole cave. This was useful experience, but as the last one out of the cave you feel quite isolated waiting on your own at the bottom of the pitches while everyone else has disappeared from sight.

Our exit from the cave went without incident, and we were soon back on the surface, where, in contrast to my last couple of trips, it was still light enough to get changed without the aid of our caving lights - luxury! A good meal in the Marton Arms rounded off a great day's caving - thanks to everyone for making it so enjoyable.

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Bull Pot (Kingsdale)

Nick James