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Written by: Chris Hibberts

Published: 05 May 2023

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Team – Jim Thompson & Chris Hibberts

After dragging staples to the start of French Connection over 2 months ago and 1 subsequent trip that was unfruitful, optimism was high that the sump had dried up enough to allow us entry to start the job of stapling a route up Madame Guillotine.

The dragging of Drills and SRT Kits cemented the need to put staples in to avoid the pain in the proverbial getting through Taylors way and Snakes Pyjamas. After reaching the spot just before FC, where we’d left the staples, Jim decide it was my turn to see if the sump was passable. I passed the first small pool of water and down to the second and could see about 6” of space through so continued. Jim kindly agreed I didn’t need to return, and he would haul the 3 tackle bags through with him. Much puffing, panting and cursing later Jim was through and passed the bags up through the scaff section into the bottom of MG.

After 5 Minutes of deliberation, we decided to start up the scree slope to the right of the main route to give us the most height and thus reduce the number of staples required. This would involve a short 3m climb up followed by a 4m traverse left to the bottom of the route that would hopefully then continue straight up.

The first staple went in to give a foot hold to allow a step up onto a ledge this also needed a further 2 staples to give hand holds to assist. Once onto the ledge a spot of gardening was required to clear a way for the traverse left. Jim stuck one more staple in high up to give a hand hold to get onto the freshly cleared ledge.

First four staples to reach the Traverse - By Chris H

With no Safety line in place and now around 8m up from the bottom of the slope I decided to get onto the in-situ rope that was rigged to get up the pitch. Level with the ledge, a spot of swinging back and forth allowed the clipping of a long cows tail, plus the tether from the drill, into the last staple giving a better position to add a further staple as a hand hold to get to the start of what will now be the route up.

One more staple was added as a foot hold but at this point the battery had started to die, and Jim was starting to feel the cold, it was 9:15 and thoughts of making The Anchor were now prevailing. We packed up the drill and SRT kits and head out to reach the surface around 10:30. Our best efforts to make the anchor were unsuccessful and a beer in the back of Jim’s van was the next best thing.

We’ll return next week with the challenge of reaching the top. The in-situ rope is now starting to pull us away from the wall and will need to be replaced with one straight down the wall to give better positioning.

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Written by: Chris Hibberts

Published: 03 May 2023

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Team – Jim T, Hal D, Victoria K, Miriam A, Chris H. 

After an evening of pondering our options in the dump, and the conclusion being to split the group of 10 in two meant that in the morning 5 of us were heading off to Ireby Fell Cavern (or so we thought). We sorted out ropes and metal work and loaded up Hal’s truck for the 30min drive over to Ireby. However, arriving at the parking area we were greeted by a group of 10 cavers who were using the cave to brush up on surveying skills and decided we needed a plan B.

The previous trip to the Dales included a trip into Knotts II which was thoroughly enjoyed by the group, as Miriam and Vic were not on that trip, we decided it would be a good idea to revisit with the intention of looking at some other areas of the system as there had been less rain that last time.

A short 10-minute drive round to Leck fell and we were soon parked up, gear on and ready to go. The group agreed that the short walk to the entrance was of great benefit, and we were soon descending the remarkable entrance shaft. Kerplunk vs. Snakes and Ladders springs to mind whilst descending through the jungle of Scaff poles and Sections of Ladder…… c’mon double 6.  This was descended by all with no issues. Following a couple of small climbs down and another small section of scaff we were met by some members of the Caving Crew at the top of a slightly awkward climb down. They let us pass and shortly after we entered the Streamway.

At the junction we opted for a steady amble upstream to admire the many formations that adorned the roof and walls having time to stop and take some photos on the way. After passing through some waist deep sections, we eventually reached the section that was sumped on the previous trip this had now turned into a wet flat-out crawl, determined to go further than last time we continued for approximately another 50m only for the sump to stop us yet again.

Returning downstream we found a nice spot to stop and, thanks to Hal and Vic, a banquet of cheese and chocolate was washed down with Ribena. Fed and watered we resumed downstream past the junction for the way out, and down through the small cascade that had considerably less water flowing than the previous visit. A few meters on marked the spot we reached previously which was again, now a flat-out crawl. Goading Jim to continue with the cry of “…I didn’t come to Yorkshire to go crawling…” (those who know Jim can imagine the accent involved) we crawled a similar length to the previous flat-out crawl to be met yet again by a sump.

On the return Jim decided to climb the very impressive in situ rope ladder on the right-hand wall off the streamway, this led to a Phreatic Tube which Jim continued down for about 30m he returned shortly after and decided further information on where it was heading would be a good idea. As we found out later that evening this was a good choice.

Regrouped in the streamway we started heading for the surface passing another group of three coming down the slightly awkward climb which Jim tackled with ease taking a totally different route than on the way in. We all followed and agreed it was a great choice and much easier. Steady progress was made, and we were soon on the surface enjoying the good weather. We let the other group know we were out and decided the next course of action should be to head for the pub for refreshments.

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Written by: Rob Eavis

Published: 22 April 2023

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With the rest of my faithful team members off on a jolly, I was surprised to find myself wandering across a barren quarry in Stoney to meet Ben, again. I can assure you it’s not the prospects of this project that have brought me here today. Ben has decided that his first ever dig will be the making of him and he’s certainly giving it a good go, and I suppose I mostly came to judge his character and determination (and to hopefully help to make sure it wasn’t going to be his first and last dig ever!).

Ben in his hole

This evening he was joined by TSG’s Gottzone which made it a very easy and sociable digging session. We each took it in turns, digging, picking, capping, and general pisstaking as much as possible. I made the mistake of ending up at the front when my newly opened beer was at the back which didn’t help my already lacking determination to stay digging. To be fair it’s a very pleasant and easy dig, so at least it’s got that going for it. And if Ben can get this excited about such a crap looking dig, I have every confidence in his digging enthusiasm well into the future.

Al chatting shit at the entrance

After me, Gottzone was doing his final session until we hear a load of shouting and swearing. A few minutes later he emerged with the rock that had fallen on his finger, which was now pissing blood all over the place making a right mess! We pack up quick and get him back to the cars before his blood loss causes him to pass out, because he’s be quite heavy to carry. We then make a very poor dressing of tissues and cable tiesand head straight to the Miners who refused us in (21:50, shocking!) but at least gave us a plaster. Then we rush to the Moon which also had called time (22:05, what’s wrong with the world!?). With I suppose a little bit of concern we encourage Al to drive his low blood sugar and blood levels body back home, but make sure he gives us a shout when back.

Apparently he is the second TSG member to smash a finger in this dig. Some may say the extra detail of the club membership is unimportant here, others may disagree…

Ooops