Clapham
Village - Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail - Ingleborough
Cave - Trow Gill - Clapham Bottoms - Gaping Gill
- Bottoms Rigg - Brunt Riggs Moss - Simon Fell (slopes)
- Ingleborough - Little Ingleborough - Gaping Gill
- Clapham Bottoms - Trow Gill - Ingleborough Cave
- Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail - Clapham Village
On a bright and almost sunny start to the day 11 explorers
and 2 dogs met in Clapham village for the now annual
event to Gaping Gill. The forecast was mixed so it
was a day to wait see what happened. The group consisted
of Liz Lemal (who organised the event), Barrie Fearnley,
Steven Procter, Lorraine Barks, Dave Dimmock, Peter
Burgess, Brian Burgess, Mary Singleton, Stephen Siddall,
Matthew Siddall, and myself.
After waiting for everyone to arrive we set off from
near the National Park Car Park the village at 9.50am.
The walk through the village is a very pleasant one
following Clapham Beck before walking down Church Avenue
to arrive at St James’ Church with its 12th Century
tower. As the sun was out a few photos were taken at
this point. We then continued on to the Old Sawmill
and the entrance to the Ingleborough Estate Nature
Trail. Once upon a time there used to be an honesty
box here but now it’s as if we are all cars and have
to pay at the meter!! There was quite a delay as we
had to fumble around for some loose change in our pockets
and rucksacks. Once we were all “legal” we placed ourselves
into “gear” and headed off along the path through the
nature trail.
We passed a lake and a folly (where group photos were
taken) before arriving at Ingleborough Cave. Then it
was onwards to Trow Gill where the melt waters of the
Ice Age created this spectacular ravine. The path through
the limestone ravine is quite steep and rocky. After
a short time we were all safely through the Gill and
heading to the moorland beyond.
Eventually
we arrived at Gaping Gill (the highlight of the day).
Gaping Gill is one of Britain's most famous
caves. The stream of Fell Beck plunges 105 metres (360
feet) into the Main Chamber and is Britain’s highest
unbroken waterfall. Those wishing to descend to the
depths below registered their names with the organisers
of the winch meet (Craven Pothole Club) and paid their
dues. However we were informed that there was a waiting
time of 2½ hours. Like in previous years this
gives plenty of time to ascend Ingleborough (one of
Yorkshires Three Peaks). Some of the party did not
want to carry on to climb Ingleborough so they stayed
behind and waited.
Steven
Procter, Lorraine Barks, Dave Dimmock, Peter Burgess,
Brian Burgess and myself set off across Bottoms
Rigg and Brunt Riggs Moss to the slopes of Simon Fell.
Then we joined a well trodden path to the summit of
Ingleborough (723 metres). Strangely the summit is
quite flat and very rocky and also used to be a hill
fort in Roman times. There are great views in all directions
from the summit which has several cairns as well as
a large shelter and a Triangulation Pillar. We decided
that we were in need of refreshments so we all congregated
at the shelter. Here were a group of young people from
the YHA all having a good time too.
As we were about to finish our lunch we saw rain approaching
so it was time to don our waterproofs, have a quick
photo session, and then escape off back towards Gaping
Gill. Incredibly we were soon back to greet our colleagues
who had been patiently waiting at the pothole. It was
still raining when we arrived at Gaping Gill. Liz and
Barrie had descended the gill moments before we arrived.
This was my second descent of Gaping Gill so I knew
what to expect ... well more or less anyway ... except
for how much water was going to pour over me as I was
winched into the depths in the safe and secure bosons
chair. The descent starts off slowly as the chair nears
the edge of the gill then speeds up once inside the
huge cavern. When one arrives at the bottom it is so
dark that your eyes have not had time to adjust. Anyone
looking at you take your first steps must think you
are drunk or something as you grope around in the dark.
Then it’s an “is that you?” scenario as it’s difficult
to tell who’s who with helmets and waterproofs on.
Anyway eventually everyone descended safely and gathered
for the launch of the new “Lost Sheep” presented by
Peter. Well done to Peter for publishing it in time
for today’s big event. I guess it must have been the
deepest launch its history. It was also amazing that
Peter had managed to keep them all dry.
Everyone
had plenty of time to investigate the chamber and
take lots of photos in the gloom. The chamber is
actually floodlit and makes for some great photo
opportunities. One downside while at the bottom of
Gaping Gill was that it was cold and damp (obviously)
and while waiting for the ascent back to the surface
(over ½ an hour) we had to stand close to
where one of the waterfalls was cascading downwards
... which meant we got quite wet. I can’t speak on
behalf of the others but during my ascent I got drenched
as I was winched back up through the mouth of the
Gill.
Back at the surface it was still raining but however
was starting to ease. We were now split up as getting
everyone back to the surface was taking some time and
therefore we decided to return back to Clapham in small
groups. We returned back the way that we came ... through
Trow Gill (which had now become quite slippery with
the rain). It was early evening when we arrived in
Clapham.
We headed to the New Inn for food and drinks. Peter
handed out a copy of the Lost Sheep to everyone as
well as a signed certificate (by Peter and Liz) for
the Gaping Gill Descent. This was another great OFC
outing. Well done to all concerned especially Liz and
Peter.
Neil Haslewood
Peak and Fell Walking
www.walkthelakes.co.uk
Picasa Web Albums - Neil Haslewood
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