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Written by: Josh

Published: 20 June 2026

Hits: 193

Thursday night saw me (Josh G), Jon and Jim heading to Eldon Hole after a long break from caving.

I arrived first on the scene and, after being told off for parking in the wrong place, found myself standing on the side of Eldon Hill. The sun was setting, sheep were baaing, and green hills rolled away into the distance. A beautiful sight. Twenty minutes later, Jon's big red van came bounding up the hill like it was searching for the nearest school, disturbing the peace.

I suited up, expecting to head straight for the cave, but instead spent the next 30 minutes waiting for a photoshoot for Jim’s LinkedIn.  Once that was finally over, we set off up the hill, discussing local legends surrounding the hole, including the tale of a goose that supposedly fell in and later emerged from Peak Cavern with its wings singed off.

Soon enough, we were standing at the edge of Eldon Hole itself. The 80-metre-deep chasm is quite a sight, and it also seemed like the perfect place to test my second-hand SRT kit for the very first time. There's something about a huge black hole that makes you need to know what's at the bottom of it, a privilege I was soon about to enjoy.

Jon rigged the north pitch and Jim set off first. I received a quick refresher course in SRT before following behind. The first section consists of a series of steep slopes descending a narrow, muddy passage. Eventually, this leads to a ledge decorated with wild garlic (with a powerful smell) and sheep bones.

After a short traverse to the edge of the ledge came the main event: a rebelay leading into a 65-metre free-hanging drop into the abyss.

Jon disappeared over the edge and, after waiting for him to rig the rebelay, it was my turn. Jim talked me through the setup. I always feel safe when Jim's big arms are nearby. After triple-checking everything on my new stop descender, off I went. Dropping into that enormous black crevasse instantly became a new core memory.

I reached the rebelay, with Jon talking me through it from below, before finally touching down at the bottom of the hole. The floor consisted of rocks and rubble, thrown down over the centuries by curious passers-by. In one corner stood a fenced-off ladder leading further into the darkness. However, I wasn't alone… A small crow was also sitting at the bottom.

We'd been hearing its caws echoing around the hole all evening and had finally found the culprit. It was pretty obvious the poor thing was trapped. Jim and Jon soon joined me and, being the severe empaths they are, immediately set about rescuing it.

Jim calmly stuffed the crow into his bag before beginning the long journey back to the surface, while Jon and I continued down the ladder into the chamber below.

The chamber is seriously impressive, a cavern roughly 20 × 15 × 40 metres, with countless stalactites decorating the walls. Another ladder stood in one corner, descending into the dig site where, apparently, ancient human remains were discovered a few years ago. There is also a route onwards into further chambers high above the floor via additional pitches.

After another photoshoot, this time for my LinkedIn, we headed back to reunite with Jim and his new pet, which was patiently waiting inside the bag. The prusik back to the surface was long and painful for me after months of doing virtually no exercise. At least it gave me the wake-up call I needed, and I've since started running and going back to the gym. No doubt I'll soon be deadlifting more than Jim.

Eventually, we emerged out of the hole where it had now become dark outside. Jim attempted to release the crow but unfortunately, the fledgling had grown rather attached to its newfound father figure and refused to let go of his arm.

Long story short, Jon ended up taking it home because Jim has a cat. The following morning he delivered it to a wildlife sanctuary, so it's safe to assume the crow is now living it large and has a happier life than the slow death it faced at the bottom of Eldon Hole.

I'd call that successful trip.

Jim and his new son

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Written by: Victoria Kocher

Published: 09 June 2026

Hits: 351

Tuesday Nighters – Knotlow Exchange Trip

Jess, Cat, Pete x2, Chris, Robert, Edvin, Frances and Victoria gathered in the Knotlow Triangle on Tuesday evening for an exchange trip from Wharf Climbing Shaft to Wharf Engine Shaft.

With the sun shining and the weather glorious, it seemed like the perfect evening to spend several hours underground. Naturally.

After Robert successfully located the rigging guide, we split into two groups and prepared to head off. Following some careful consideration, Pete #1 decided against what would have been a fairly lengthy prussiking trip. A wise reminder that listening to your body (and your brain) is always good practice underground. We bid him farewell and hoped he'd enjoy the sunshine on our behalf.

Grace had been making her way over, but the universe apparently had alternative plans and diverted her elsewhere. Hopefully next time, Grace!

I joined Edvin, Jess and Frances, with Edvin leading the charge to rig Climbing Shaft. Part way down, Jess spotted that a block or two appeared to be missing from the pack wall after the first rebelay. She promptly shouted up a warning for everyone following to take extra care on the descent.

At the bottom of the shaft, there was further evidence of rockfall, so we made a mental note to report it on UKCaving. ,Jenny helpfully chimed in on the Tuesday Nighters group chat with the reminder that:

"The law of gravity is only loosely enforced underground."

Words to live by.

With everyone safely down, we spent some time exploring and heading towards Mercano. Frances treated us to some fascinating geology commentary, proving once again that every cave trip can double as a field lecture if you bring the right people along.

Eventually we met up with the other group at the bottom. After a blurry photo or two—which should be sufficient evidence that the trip definitely happened—we completed the exchange.

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I always enjoy Climbing Shaft and somehow always forget quite how long the prussik up Engine Shaft feels. No matter. Upwards we went.
A special thank you goes to Edvin for retrieving both bags during the de-rig. I made sure he received a half pint in compensation afterwards, although on reflection that may not have been entirely adequate payment. Perhaps next time.

We emerged back into daylight having made good time, which left the important business of the evening still to be completed: a cheerful pint and catch-up at the Bulls Head.

Another thoroughly enjoyable evening underground with great people, good company, and only the usual amount of gravity.

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Written by: Dylan Kocher

Published: 17 May 2026

Hits: 331

Chris H, Jon P, Dylan K, Ned H, Joe B, Rob E, Jim T

After a cracking classic of the full traverse, our members had a great introduction into the famed welsh cave of OFD. After Rob and Jon strung me along a lovely jog, where I had the luxury of running past Ned's promising dig further up the bryn. That night it was discussed that the group wanted to see the far reaches of OFD; as well as Ned’s desire to poke around the far reaches of ‘Paul Allen's Revenge’. This trip would also require crossing the infamous traverses with a twenty meter freeclimb shrouded in mystery. After dinner, an engaging contest of strength and fortitude would be held. This proceeded with Jim benchpressing Ned for three reps and squatting Chris. The rest of us tried to keep up with second place going to ‘The Goat’. We had clear objective in a more esoteric part of the frequented cave ahead. It all sounded like a perfect trip awaited, and away Ned went into the library for the remainder of the night…

With a solid breakfast the next morning off to ‘Top’ we went. I led the group through to Salubrious streamway with Ned giving a hand. Passing the corkscrew, we were soon at a junction. Ned takes over guiding us through varying passages and a lovely crawl leading to the further reaches of OFD. Jim hummed all the way through to the midnight chamber. Passages begin to grow with polished stones and solid floors leading to exciting downclimbs where descents off Munters seem to be in trend. No one was keen to kill themselves before our upcoming traverses. Things began to uptick from here, with varying freeclimbs leading us around an ever growing and imposing passage; until we reached ‘The Shambles’. Joe, in the front, went around hitting a dead end with a sign saying “Balls!” Looping back round, up and over the loose and hostile boulders giving ode to the name. Quick freeclimbing up and over, brought forth a calcite pool and directly left was a hole to which my light disappeared down the winding rift below. Here lies the Travereses’.

Dylan risking the OFD 3 Traverses - Rob Eavis

My personal experience with the traverses was always hearing of it from varying members of YUCPC. Tales of dangerous and daunting obstacles with sharp consequences. Since they had not spoken of any tight ducks or sumps it of course went in one ear and out the other. The reality exceeded expectations. When the group gathered, Ned proposed we all have a bite to eat. Instantly, I responded that we should just get on with it and go; having a feeling that waiting at the start would un-nerve the group (me). Jon had wanted to take some photos of the trip to this point with the agreement of Chris and Jim they decided to hang back and let ‘Team Balls’ carry on. I first jumped at the traverse. A solid ledge big enough for 2 feet quickly dropped off into impending doom. Deciding to go on my hands and knees crawling across led to a nervous step back up as the floor quickly shrank in width. I was forced to now awkwardly lean across and carry on till the passage bridged, offering some respite. I definitely fucked the first one up. Ned followed, and leaned across in a typical lanky boy fashion. Jon wanting to give the first one a go before taking photos seemed to perform fine, however I was scanning the route ahead. Just Rob and Joe to-go. Of course Rob attempts to show how casual Neds’ method could be, dancing back and forth on it over and over. I had to look away! Once all over, Jon traversed back leaving just us four to venture on. The second traverse was simple and easy, with the passage never bellowing out too far and offering some enjoyable level changes. In the back of my mind, I was hoping the third would be more of the same this was far from the case. Beyond the rift bellowed out into a black hole. Joe and I both did a double take. Beyond the walls compressed slightly, though an initial faithful leap would be needed by falling onto the wall opposite and pressing with your feet and hands; all whilst staring down into the space beyond. Below the passage did not constrict, ensuring that a slip would surely see an all encompassing fall. Only a few shuffles were taken before the walls became closer and eventually I was able to join Ned, who showed us how it was done. Joe was next quickly mentioning “I don't think I like this” clearly stressed before taking the fall. Being the smallest in height; Ned's method of planking across definitely showed its limitations in comfort if you're not above six foot. Rob quickly followed and didn't take the piss dancing back and forth over the rift like a child, so it definitely seemed a bit more real. I looked back; now feeling more remote with our fellowship broken and ‘Team Awesome’ now halved either side of the Traverses’. With the high level passage constraining, we slithered down a small and awkward hole marking the end of the Traverses’. Quickly, we emerge into a large chamber containing a junction. To the right (Smiths Armoury) and left our goal of the ‘Paul Allen Series’. From here, Ned has agreed to write up a well detailed report of our galavanting; marking his first trip report as a member of Eldon. 

(Ned) the blank area North of the fabled 3 traverses has always been interesting to diggers in OFD. The rift is incredibly high and many vertiginous sections remain unclimbed. Inlets coming in here could come from high level passage, similar to the Paul Allen series, somewhere we were destined to visit on our trip. The climb sounded ominous. An exposed 20m scale up the rift begins with a short section of hemp rope with limited lithic handholds, prescribing the need for pull ups. Once up here, Dylan and I youthfuly slithered down to what would be an extremely exposed waterfall climb, Kocher expressing interest in an attempt. Rob and Joe had done a switchback, following the narrower rift section vertically up and summoning us when it was clear they’d found the high phreatic beginnings of the Paul Allen series. Some tat was left here, which we obviously didn’t need but we rigged anyway because we didn’t want to carry it back. An entertaining historical traverse was noticed from the safety of the upper passage, where an old intrepid Cambrian caver had stomped footholds into some dubious mud atleast 20 metres above the boulder floor of the main OFD stream passage, and then wisely decided to re-trace his steps after the 5th.

Climbing up the 20m entrance - Rob Eavis

The impressive phreatic tube at the start of the Paul Allen Series - Rob Eavis

Paul Allen series had an excellent draught coming towards us as we entered, indicative of an air connection to some surface feature due to the high external temperature of the day. Some beautiful formations were passed, with directional helictites adhering to the air flow. Eventually, after passing several smaller inlets and unclimbed avens, a cross- rift is reached. To the East, more unclimbed avens in this enlarging passage, with similar characteristics to areas of OFD2 fossil passage. This reaches a boulder choke with no particularly obvious draught, however the scale would make this difficult to spot anyway. The Western route leads over some pristinely viscous mud clay, taking you to another smaller choke. This one had a draught whistling towards us and in, directly towards the aforementioned exciting blank space. This area, and many others in and on the way to OFD3 are ripe for further and new exploration, the problem being the remote inaccessibility. A dig I have been working on from the surface happens to be around 100m to the East of this series, Hot Air Mine. It is an old SWCC dig, with a 15m entrance rift down to a large chamber to the East. This is of similar proportions to other high level OFD, and is a beautiful bit of cave. To the West at the rift climb is Kermit’s Flat, where I and historically others have dug. After extended chemical persuasion here by users, the draught was once lost, leading to too tight rifts and nothing but several frogs after every blast (hence the name). Recently, I have refound the significant draught (hot air) in the highest level of the flat after some removal of a mud plug. The digging is a mixture of capping and conglomerate infill, however blank space is always there and the draught is particularly enthusing, switching between in or out based on the weather. An entrance here could be an enormously exciting way to tackle the difficulty of exploration in these areas, where entire new series’s have the potential to be found. So I shall keep digging! On reflection, back in Paul Allen series the climb down was initially made slightly less scary with the tat, but then made more so when viewing Rob’s ‘knot’. Discovering Dylan’s beheaded bottle at the base of the climb, launched in a fit of excitement was a lovely way to end the series exploration and begin thoughts on finding the others on the far side of the traverses.

(Dylan)

Nothing more to mention, Love Island is on, so I’ll keep it short. We got out all safe and sound.  I had sprained my ankle post-traverses’, but thankfully it didn't really blow up until post-trip. Jon, Jim, and Chris seemed to have a successful photo shoot. All in all, two mega trips! Short and sweet; hard and fast.  That's how we do it!

Dylan Kocher, Ned Hopes.

 Jim below the ladder pitch

The happy team