Trip Members: Sam P., Jon P., Dylan K., Chris H.,
Having been into Bagshaw the previous weekend on a family trip and explaining to my Partner and Daughter about the delights that lie past the locked gates, tonight was my opportunity to finally go and visit these spectacles of speleo-wonder.
As planned Jon, Sam, Dylan and I met in the car park at 6:15 only to find another group of cavers getting ready to do a trip into the Dungeon. We explained we were going into Madame Guillotine and beyond and were asked by their Leader if we would like any tips on where to go, which we politely declined. After polishing off Sam’s freshly cooked chips washed down with pre beers we got ready and decided to share SRT kits.
After heading down into the Coe the pleasant and familiar part of the trip to the start of the gates was over quickly and we were soon through into the stunningly decorated Taylor’s Way and on to Full Moon Passage. I could now understand the need to restrict access to these areas for preservation. Crawling passage then seemed to be the order of the evening broken up by some of the usual Bagshawe down dip bedding.
I was so glad I had knee pads at this point after what seemed like an eternity of crawling, we reached a short duck which led to the bottom of a scaff supported boulder choke. Jon went through first giving me guidance on what to avoid on the way through this bought us out into the bottom of Madame guillotine. Jon then proceeded to explain how this was previously found and that the route we took now offered a much drier passage. Sam also took the time to explain we would possibly see some CCC’s and their significance.
After the very educational pit stop Dylan and Sam made their way up Madame Guillotine followed by Jon and Myself. Jon, Dylan, Rob and Sam on a previous trip turned left and the top of the pitch through to Batham Gate and back to Hollywood Bowl, however this evening we were going right towards Frogs Legs and Cognac and on to the Bitter End. A short distance on we stopped to admire a small pile of CCC’s, and Dylan decided he was a little peckish and, finding a Daren drum full of goodies, opted for some Cola Bottles, not sure they were at their best.
More crawling then ensued through more great passage Dylan and Sam and Jon were up a head and I stopped for, what I would like to say was to admire my surroundings but was in fact to have a rest. I could see their lights in the distance in what looked like a bigger chamber much more appealing than where I was lay down. I crawled through and found the three of them in Ben’s Dig, one of the most well decorated chambers I’ve seen. The walls were stunning, and the roof had Hundreds if not thousands of Stall adorning it.
After discussions on the possibilities of making the Anchor, Dylan and Sam decided to continue along Ben’s Redoubt to assess the dig at the end and Jon and I decided to get some photos. First of which was a wall of carefully stacked Flowstone that had been removed in previous years to make a way on which Dylan and Sam had disappeared down.
Stacked Calcite Wall in Ben's dig, By Jon P
Chris Hibberts in Ben's Dig, By Jon P
Jon and I decided to head out with a stop for one more photo at which point Dylan and Sam caught us up. They explained at the face of the dig they could see on for some 5-6m which was dry, easy digging and worth pushing.
Chris Hibberts towards the end of Bagshawe, By Jon P
The trip out was as good as on the way in and a few more stops to catch my breath allowed time to admire the views. Dylan and Sam overtook us and were soon gone in a race to make the Anchor. We exited the gates and made our way back through the muddy puddles and were surprised to see lights in the distance. These turned out to be that of the group who had been into the dungeon a quick hello before the ascent of the steps and about 10 minutes later we were back at the surface.
I can say this has by far been one of my favourite trips of the year, only let down by the absence of stories and witty banter of recent trips from one J. Thompson. I’m really looking forward to future trips to hopefully extend what is a great section of a cave I’ve visited many times but never knew existed.
Ben's Dig Bagshawe Cavern, By Jon P