Abbreviations
The descriptions of the caves use four abbreviations to help define some parameters:
The technical (ropework) difficulty, 0= no ropes, 1= very easy ropework, 5= very hard ropework. For any caves with ropes, some prior training in how to use them and the equipment safely is essential. For caves graded 1-2, the ropework is quite simple and supervision is possible. For those graded 3-5, the ropework will involve some exposed traverses, re-belays or deviations, some of which may be complicated, or in confined spaces. They require the caver to be able to be completely self-sufficient when on the rope under a variety of challenging situations.
The caving (non-ropework) difficulty, 1=very easy, 5= very hard. A higher grade for this means that the caving involves more strenuous passage, crawls, squeezes or may simply be long and more tiring. A higher grade may also indicate challenging climbs, or exposed sections where experience in caving is essential. Those graded 1-2 are generally quite simple caves with no major obstacles. As the grade increases, so does the physical challenges associated.
Wet weather, how passable the cave is during/after wet weather, 0= passable in all weather, 3= passable in/after slightly wet conditions (e.g. a few light rain showers), 5= cave can flood seriously in any wet conditions, or requires long periods without rain for water levels to drop sufficiently for the cave to be passable. This is only a guide, and you must always check the weather forecast before every trip, and seek guidance from local cavers if in doubt. Always review what the weather has done over the last 48 hours, as well as what is forecast during your trip.
The approximate time (in hours) it will take an average caver to complete the trip. For single entrance potholes and caves this is the time to the specified location (typically the bottom or the first sump). For multiple entrance caves it will be the time to a particular location. Obviously the time will vary on the number and ability of your group and does not include the time taken to walk to the cave.
The descriptions of the caves use four abbreviations to help define some parameters:
Technical
The technical (ropework) difficulty, 0= no ropes, 1= very easy ropework, 5= very hard ropework. For any caves with ropes, some prior training in how to use them and the equipment safely is essential. For caves graded 1-2, the ropework is quite simple and supervision is possible. For those graded 3-5, the ropework will involve some exposed traverses, re-belays or deviations, some of which may be complicated, or in confined spaces. They require the caver to be able to be completely self-sufficient when on the rope under a variety of challenging situations.
Caving
The caving (non-ropework) difficulty, 1=very easy, 5= very hard. A higher grade for this means that the caving involves more strenuous passage, crawls, squeezes or may simply be long and more tiring. A higher grade may also indicate challenging climbs, or exposed sections where experience in caving is essential. Those graded 1-2 are generally quite simple caves with no major obstacles. As the grade increases, so does the physical challenges associated.
Wet Weather
Wet weather, how passable the cave is during/after wet weather, 0= passable in all weather, 3= passable in/after slightly wet conditions (e.g. a few light rain showers), 5= cave can flood seriously in any wet conditions, or requires long periods without rain for water levels to drop sufficiently for the cave to be passable. This is only a guide, and you must always check the weather forecast before every trip, and seek guidance from local cavers if in doubt. Always review what the weather has done over the last 48 hours, as well as what is forecast during your trip.
Time (in Hours)
The approximate time it will take an average caver to complete the trip. For single entrance potholes and caves this is the time to the specified location (typically the bottom or the first sump). For multiple entrance caves it will be the time to a particular location. Obviously the time will vary on the number and ability of your group and does not include the time taken to walk to the cave.
Printing
All the descriptions have been optimised for printing. Just hit print from your web browser and you should get a nice print out you can read later or even take underground with you. For longer descriptions such as Gaping Gill, each cave or section should start on a new page so you can print just the pages you need.
Casterton Fell
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Hole to Fall Pot via high level route | 1 h | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Lancaster Hole to Fall Pot via Wilf Taylors and Double Decker Passage | 2.5 h | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Cow Pot to Fall Pot | 2 h | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| County Pot to Stop Pot | 2 h | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Wretched Rabbit to Stop Pot | 1 h | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Pool Sink to Stop Pot | 2 h | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Top Sink Stop Pot | 2.5 h | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Leck Fell
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Johns’ Cave to Lyle Cavern | 2.5 h | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Boxhead Pot - Return trip to bottom of main pitch | 2 h | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Boxhead Pot - To Lyle Cavern via Cresta Run/Tate Galleries | 3.5 h | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Boxhead Pot - To Lyle Cavern via the Tube | 1.5 h | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Death’s Head Hole - To bottom and back out | 1.5 h | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Death’s Head Hole - To Lyle Cavern | 3 h | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Notts Pot | 3.5 h | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Rumbling Hole | 3 h | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Gavel Pot | 3 h | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Short Drop Cave to Gavel Entrance | 1 h | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Masongill
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireby Fell Caverns | 4.5 h | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Kingsdale
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heron Pot | 1 h | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Heron Pot via high level traverse | 1 h | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Yordas Pot | 1 h | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Yordas Cave | 0.1 h | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Swinsto Hole - Through trip to Valley Entrance | 3 h | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Swinsto Hole - Return trip or exchange with Simpson’s Pot | 4.5 h | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Simpson's Pot - Through trip to Valley Entrance | 3 h | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Simpson's Pot - Return trip or exchange with Swinsto Hole | 4.5 h | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| King Pot | 6-8 h | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Jingling Pot (and Cave) | 2 h | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Valley Entrance to Master Cave | 1 h | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Rowten Pot (and Cave) | 3 h | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Chapel-le-Dale
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meregill Hole | 3.5 h | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Great Douk Cave | 1 h | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Selside
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Churn Caves | 1 h | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Alum Pot (from Long Churn) | 2 h | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Diccan Pot | 3 h | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Alum Pot (NW Route) | 2 h | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Gaping Gill
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Shaft by Winch | 0.1 h | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bar Pot to Main Chamber | 1.5 h | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Flood Entrance Pot to Main Chamber | 1 h | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Stream Passage Pot to Main Chamber | 2.5 h | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Disappointment Pot to Main Chamber | 3.5 h | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Marilyn to Main Chamber | 3 h | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Corky’s Pot to Main Chamber | 2 h | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Main Shaft via Dihedral | 1 h | 5 | 2 | 4 |
Allotment
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juniper Gulf | 4 h | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Rift Pot | 3 h | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Long Kin East | 3 h | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Pen-y-ghent
| Cave name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calf Holes to Browgill Cave | 1 h | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Penyghent Pot | 5 h | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Little Hull Pot | 3 h | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Sell Gill Holes Dry Route | 2 h | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Sell Gill Holes Goblin (Wet) Route | 2 h | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Birkwith Cave | 1 h | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Old Ing Cave | 1 h | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Hunt Pot | 1 h | 3 | 1 | 4 |
