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Written by: Katie Eavis

Published: 04 May 2022

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Katie and Bernie

Plus Masson Team: Fabian, Sam and Shaun

I planned a Tuesday night trip to Hillocks/ Knotlow and unusually for a Tuesday night trip only had one taker! So the team was Bernie and me!
However Fabian replied to say there was already a Masson CG trip heading down Knotlow that day and maybe we could do an exchange?
This sounded like a good plan to me, as I really enjoying the crawling, awkward bits and wet canal of Meccano ?
On the night me and Bernie headed down Wharfe climbing shafts and headed straight for Meccano. We were aware the other team had less caving to do than we did to reach the exchange point. Having previously spent time over several trips trying to identify the start of Meccano, or insert myself into ridiculous tight wet puddles that result in dead ends I seem to have finally learnt and we went straight to and straight through Meccano with no straying off route.

Soon we reached the squeeze under a hand-picked arch that signals the start of the wet canal. We stopped here for a few minutes to catch our breath, cool down, and have a light-hearted discussion about dying of hypothermia. As I crawled in the cold water made me a gasp a little, but I kept crawling forward. Once you get going the canal is quite pleasant. You can keep most of your head out (as long as you remember to turn it sidesways!) and just crawl along happily in chest deep water as your tackle bag gently bobs along behind. Eventually the crawl gets lower and dryer and heads up hill. It is at this point I remember the big blue tackle bag has teeny tiny drain holes, as I struggle to crawl up slope with the weight on it behind. Once there is more manoeuvre space and I turn around and turn the bag upside down, draining the water out the top and back down into the canal for Bernie to enjoy.

Soon after this we reached the pitch down to Knotlow Waterfall chamber and could see the other team waiting. We rigged the pitch and abseiled down to meet them. After quick chat (Well shout over the roar of the water) we headed off our separate ways. Me and Bernie headed out of Knotlow, pausing only for a little pitch head knitting and to retrace our steps when we went under the big obvious climb up. Soon we were back on the surface to find a nice night and not even pitch dark yet!

Knowing that we had the shorter trip out me and Bernie elected to wait for the others so we could swap back rope and rigging kit from the warmth of the pub. Having drunk our pints, eaten our crisps and chatted a bit last orders approached and we wondered if we should be worried about the others? Driving back to the Knotlow triangle there were no lights by the cars….

As we walked to the shaft entrance I debated whether I could cave in my normal clothes if they weren’t visible as the thought of getting back into my very very wet furry was not appealing…. Luckily as we approached the copse of trees I could hear the click of karabiners. The other team had had a good trip and been exploring, unaware they had missed last orders!

A really good trip! I do really enjoy exchange trips and haven’t been in Knotlow climbers in ages. And Meccano is always a pleasure ?

Thanks to the Masson for rigging Knotlow and derigging Wharfe and thanks to Bernie for keeping me company and buying me a pint! 

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Written by: Victoria Kocher

Published: 05 March 2022

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February 8th found us out to see the new area in Bagshawe Cavern. I know that Bagshawe has many levels to explore but this was to look at the new area that is being dug. This evenings crew were  Katie, Brendan, Edvin, Bernie, John, Hal and Victoria.

We explored up a short pitch on a ladder which did not go very far. There was one short pitch which led us into some short crawls and into some rifts where digging was going on. I learned the lesson on the way out to check my gear to make sure it was my actual gear. I picked up someone’s ( who is much taller than me) hand jammer. Even on a short pitch that made it interesting. Luckily no one was injured as I chucked it back to the rightful owner.

We all decided to head down to the Dungeon to wash our suits and gear. It was quite muddy but great fun as usual!

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Written by: Victoria Kocher

Published: 05 March 2022

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A great night out with the Eldon. Katie Eavis has been super about coordinating trips out on Tuesdays. On the 1st of Feb 2022 six of us went down to explore Water Icicle Close Cavern in Monyash. On this trip the cast of characters were Katie, Brendan, John, Bernie,  Hal and Victoria. I took our 5 gas meter with us-I’m still getting used to it but all readings were in acceptable ranges. See the photo.

We were happy to get out of the predictably cold and wet weather into the warmth of the cave. We all explored the Northwest passage and slogged through the wet mud. In the North passage Katie, John, Brendan and Hal went into a few side squeezes to see what was there and Bernie and I hung tight. We went until we reached the mud choke. This trip did not take us into the gated section but Katie made a quick trip up the ladder to check the gate was locked. All was good. It is always nice to take your time to look around in Water Icicle. It’s a recommended trip.

Afterward we made it to the Bulls Head in Monyash. As the Conservation Officer for the DCA I had the pleasure of awarding Katie a £50 Starless River Voucher for her submission of a Cave Monitoring Form from a previous trip in 2021.