Gaping Ghyll Winch Meet 24&25 May 2008Keith MasonAfter talking to Martin Jackson about the planned Wales Weekend, and coming to the joint decision that because of a low turnout it would not go ahead. It was at this point that attentions turned to the Yorkshire Dales and the fact that the Bradford had got their winch meet at Gaping Ghyll, meaning lots of ready rigged pitches to do and no rope to carry up the hill. What more could one ask for, and so that was how we came to be in Inglesport having breakfast bright and early on Saturday Morning.So after one of Tracy’s breakfast we were soon heading off to Clapham to bag a parking space, once parked we were soon changed and heading up towards Trow Ghyll, trying to work out what was missing……got it, tackle bags full of rope….heaven!!!. And in what seemed like no time at all we were at the signing in tent at the top of Gaping Ghyll, were we found ourselves talking to Sue Ryall.After asking us what our plans were for the day, she casually suggested that we may like to carry some gear, i.e. a couple of ladders up to the Blow Hole for Dave’s planned dive on the Sunday, so agreeing to this the ladders were dually sent down on the winch ready for us to pick up in the Main Chamber, and we allowed to abseil in via Dihedral Route, which was very impressive especially with the Main Chamber being floodlit, Suddenly realising that stood at the end of Jib Tunnel and looking down you could see the floor of the Main Chamber and what looked like very small people milling around.Once down in the Main Chamber, we picked up our ladders and we were on our way and soon passing the bottom of Flood and Bar Pot before getting down to some squeezing and low crawls before regaining some walking size passages which soon brought us to the fixed ladder which would take us up to the short crawl to the Blow Hole, were we could then deposit our ladders before turning round to retrace our steps.As we were making our way back we decided to exit through Flood Entrance, this went without any hold ups, as there weren’t many people coming in this way. Once on the surface we thought it would be rude not to take advantage of all the rigged pitches, so we dropped in via Bar Pot and made our way through the system to reach our next exit point, this being one of my favourites, Stream Passage Pot.Once back on the surface we made our way back to the signing in tent, where we were greeted by Dave and Sue Ryall, and the offer of a hot chocolate, just what the doctor ordered….. as Lee was only up for the Saturday, Suesuggested that I come back on the Sunday and help getting the gear from the Blow Hole to the dive site at Deep Well. Being a sucker for punishment I agreed and committed myself by leaving my gear at the tent for the next morning.After walking off the hill and getting changed it was back to the school for some food and a few pints in the Helly, before an early night, in anticipation of on early start and a hard day. Once breakfast was out of the way I soon found myself parked in Clapham again getting changed and looking forward to the prospect of an easier walk back up to Gaping Ghyll, as all my kit was already up there. Once back up at the tent a plan was hatched, which meant that just five of us would ferry the gear forward to Deep Well.As Echo Rift was going to be laddered this meant no SRT kit, this was going to turn out to be a bad idea later on. After a free ride down on the winch, we regrouped in the Main Chamber, before setting off to retrace our steps of the previous day back to the Blow Hole. Once there we realised that getting the gear to the dive sight would be no easy task, as there was nine items of kit, including three cylinders and only five of us.We then got all the gear through the Blow Hole and to the top of Echo Rift, it was at this point as we were rigging the ladders that the Calvary arrived, in the shape of four more bodies…… who says there isn’t a caving God!!! Once down Echo Rift we were soon on our hands and knees heading for the Southgate Duck, which thankfully had some airspace, after passing the duck it was then mainly stooping and crawling for the remainder of the way to Deep Well.When we finally got on site, Dave started to get kitted up, whilst we found a good place to set up camp. Once this was sorted the kettle was put on, after Hot Chocolate and light refreshments it was at this point that I left them to it and started to make my way back out. I was quite surprised to find myself back at the bottom of Echo Rift so soon, as it seemed to take us hours to get in with all the gear. After self lining up Echo Rift I was soon back at the Blow Hole.After a bit of a push and a shove I soon found myself back on the right side of this little obstacle and heading back down the fixed ladder, then all that remained was to make my way back to the Main Chamber, which was quite easy going as I had nothing to carry for a change. When I arrived back in the Main Chamber and saw the queue for the winch, it was at this point that I realised the bad idea of no SRT kit.So after a wait of about 1hr15 and at this point, starting to get rather cold, it was finally my turn for the free ride back to the surface and the waiting sunshine. After this all that remained was the walk back down the hill again. All in all a very enjoyable weekend even if it was hard work. No pain No gain as they say………Trip time day one 5hrs, Lee Langdon, Keith MasonTrip time day two 6hrs, Keith Mason, Dave Ryall and friends
