County Pot

After the obligatory preamble at Inglesport Cafe seven of us set off up to Bull Pot Farm in glorious sunshine! I'd been to BPotW on Friday in glorious sunshine and couldn't believe that twice in 3 days the weather was so good. The bleak landscape suddenly seemed attractive rather than the usual wet and grim. A few new faces came out to play, but remembering names didn't prove a problem as we had 3 Pauls, Alison (not Paul's girlfriend Alison though), Liz, Ursula and myself. We have come to the conclusion that there is a conspiracy to have all cavers called either Paul or Alison.

The usual trudge to County entrance was actually enjoyable but hot and so after dunking my head in the river to cool down we were all glad to get underground. The usual slitherings led us down to the first pitch, which Paul rigged with ladders. After a lot of grunting I finally got my bulk through the narrow pitch head with feet flailing wildly (I do not like ladders but Paul says they're good for me and who am I to argue). A quick flop over the edge into the Broadway left a few of us wondering how to return up a climb that involved jumping the last few feet. A bit disappointed at the shower bath to find only a trickle we headed off to the next fun and games at Poetic Justice. Paul (hero that he is) asked Ursula if she could climb it if he couldn't but in the event manfully levitated himself up. For the rest of us he dropped a ladder as an extra aid.

Being a bit of a fat git I managed to get into the chimney but upward movement seemed a little unlikely as my upper body seemed a bit squashed and my legs wouldn't bend. Ursula came to the rescue and for the first time of the day I ended up standing on someone's shoulders. Progress was slow (and vague grunts of pain and pleas for a rest wafted up from Ursula as her shoulder buckled under the strain). Finally at the top I pootled off through the connecting crawl to the 2nd pitch to catch Paul and Alison with Liz in hot pursuit. A long while later and a bit of grunting Ursula arrived to say that the other Pauls had decided not to come up PJ and she went back to take them on an alternative loop. It only remained to agree on a signal so that on our return we wouldn't strand anyone at the foot of the first pitch. Quick progress was made down to Confusion Corner and Eureka Junction and a somewhat dampish hands and knees crawl led into Stop Pot.

On the return we made a slight detour just before Confusion Corner into a short oxbow and found the most beautiful collection to tiny gour pools with cave pearls - brilliant white and completely stunning. I also spotted some helictites growing out from calcite veins. I'd seen helictites in pictures before but not in the flesh (I'm not very observant most of the time!) The time had come to reverse PJ (not looking forward to that) but it was much easier on the way down - gravity is helpful. Back at the junction with Broadway another session of climbing with combined tactics left Paul with an aching shoulder and me floundering with my legs hanging out over the climb. Being a little on the chubby side I couldn't wriggle off the top of the climb which called for much hilarity and a call for the camera (which luckily none had!) Back up the top pitch and the entertaining series of climbs/squeezy bits on the way out. Combined tactics were again resorted to as I couldn't get through one section and had to climb over (thanks Paul - sorry about the aching shoulder) but at least I felt vindicated as no one else could climb it without help - not that they needed to!

So back to the land of sunshine. A good day had by all but I've come to the conclusion a radical diet is in order to save future humiliation (and mutilation of companions shoulders!)

	Search this site powered by FreeFind
	Swaledale Outdoor Club

County Pot

Carol Haynes