Links to other Years:
Sun, Apr 26 2026
Yesterday, the club were at Giant's hole, near Castleton in the Peak District. The trip included a novice on his first trip underground. The group did the round trip. Down the Crabwalk to the Eating House, then back via the high level route and the Giant's Windpipe.
Fri, Apr 24 2026
Two updates for caves in the Stoney Middleton area and an update to the Giant's Hole rigging topos. Amendments to the Topo Key.
The Nickergrove Mine topo has been modified to cover the changes to the rigging for the Didsbury Shaft and the pull through rigging on the main internal pitch to the passage part way down. Didsbury Shaft now has a Y hang just under the lid, replacing the old method of a deviation from the lid. There is now a notch in the lid to accommodate the approach rope from a tree. The internal shaft has a new style DCA pull through chain anchor, for those doing a through trip to Didsbury Shaft If getting off the rope at the passage part way down, there are now twin anchors, set further back, to give better protection away from the edge.
The Eyam Dale House Cave topo has the two extra deviations installed in the entrance shaft. This should eliminate rope rub on this drop. There are now a total of four deviations and they need short slings, or climbing quickdraws, less than 20cm total length. All this new and modified rigging is on DCA installed and tested resin anchors. The Giant's Hole topos have been rearranged into a hopefully more logical order. Topo 1 gives the main trade route down to the East Canal, via Geology Pot. Topo 2 gives other SRT pitches to explore that are above Garlands Pot. Topo 3 gives other SRT pitches to explore that are at and below Garlands Pot.
In the Key, the symbol for belaying off a spike, or flake has been retired, as we no longer have any topos where this is used. There is now a symbol of a climbing caver, where a pitch can be free climbed to rig it for SRT for others to follow.
Tue, Apr 14 2026
On Sunday's trip was to Hungerhill Swallet. The visit included seeing the spectacular speolothems (pretty bits!) in "A Bag of Worms". Some photos from Gaz McShee.
Thu, Apr 9 2026
Added a topo for the new SRT practice route on the crag above the entrance to Gautries Hole.
Mon, Mar 30 2026
Late changes of plan and problems with vehicles meant we were down to three people for our Saturday trip to the Dales and Bull Pot of the Witches. Water levels had dropped to normal from the deluvian mid week storm where over 100mm fell on Bull Pot Farm in only twenty four hours. Lots of people there at the Red Rose hut, but we had the cave to ourselves. We did the SRT descent via the Chimney to the Long Gallery.
Sun, Mar 15 2026
Our first visit this year to Peak Cavern was yesterday. Five people, club members and guests, had a trip to Buxton Water Sump, Cadbury Passage and Squaw's Junction in high, but manageable water levels.
Thu, Mar 12 2026
Added the rope traverse line in Giant's Hole in the roof of the upstream passage above Basecamp Chamber on the second Giant's Hole topo.
Tue, Mar 3 2026
On Sunday, we did the Magic Roundabout trip in the huge Lancaster Easegill System in the Dales. Three CCPC members, plus two guests from the YSS made the trip in around four hours.
Sat, Jan 17 2026
Our most popular trip in a long time. We divided our twelve cavers into two groups, rigging the usual route down Waterfall pitch and one of the high level alternatives. Meeting up on the ledge, we split again. Half of us traversing high and descending the Iron Ladder pitch, meeting the others who descended the true second pitch. From there we went to the main sump, before returning to the base of the Iron Ladder pitch and splitting in to two groups again to exit and derig. Very sporting, with plenty of water, noise and spray. We finished off with drinks and chips at the Devonshire Arms for an excellent day out.
Mon, Jan 5 2026
Our first trip of the new year was on Sunday. We didn't have enough bodies for an exchange trip with Maskhill Mine, so three of us descended Oxlow Cavern to West Chamber. Getting changed at the roadside was bitterly cold and we were glad to get underground and afterwards, visit the Devonshire Arms in Peak Forest for aprés-cave drinks, before heading home through the falling snow.
Alum Pot. Photo © Gareth Williams 2022.