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Monday 16 May. Alan, Nigel and Phil had a digging trip to Black Moss Pot to assist the outlying Dales digging team. Excellent location beside the road hands and knees along a black limestone passage for 3-4 meters to first pitch which had an outstanding pulley system (not a patch on Bobs MkII mind). this pitch had ladder and a ledge half way down, through ZigZag which is walking to next pitch again laddered. Bottom of this leads to boulder choke and further pitch (SRT), bit too tight for Nigel but descended by Phil. We brought out 60 odd bags from bottom of 2nd pitch and then up to top of first pitch. Both pitches had very handy platforms enabling hauling in a standing position. A most enjoyable day in a pot that has great potential.

Tuesday 17 May. Bob, Lugger, Nigel. Great Hole. Overcast but warm with a westerly breeze. Bob set out on the early shift and did a beautiful job extending the reach of the ladders into the depths, the pulley system was improved enabling Lugger and Nige to manage the hauling of boulders on the late shift. Scaff secured at the base of pitch to keep within vague HSE guidelines for digging in the Yorkshire dales, it certainly feels safe, Much removal of small angular stones followed by an exercise in capping obstinate boulders, adding to the growing pile at the top of the shaft. The draft was blowing outward and although not a monumental draft it was certainly noticeable. Tea boy Steel made an excellent brew for the crew at lunch time, at the end of the day we felt that the possibility of a breakthrough on Thursday is reasonable...but then, every digging trip has a reasonable chance of the 'big breakthrough'. 

Wednesday 18 May. Lesser Kelco Cave. Lugger Alan and Nigel 'tinkle' Steel. Lugger asked by John Cordingley (jc) to survey and  look at some animal bones in the cave. Lugger had the misfotune of asking El Presidente and Alan to tag along and cause a nuisance which they both did accordingly. The walk up was through a beautiful woodland full of garlic the scent was lovely the cave entrance being quite large gave us some false hope. 3 squeezes later we came to the duck. Jc had kindly left a bailing scoop so El P got to work giving the pensioners a well earned rest. Soon through the now, not so duck into a small chamber 3-4ft high and another squeeze. Finally we were into some larger passage see photo later on. Then another far too tight squeeze. Alan had an epic whilst Lugger and El P were taking photos and chewing the cud. So we all had a go and failed at the squeeze. Lugger started a dig and El P and Alan started photographing the passage. I continued the dig whilst Lugger and Alan surveyed the cave. Got through the squeeze to find it continued and continued, got to a place 25ft in where I thought I could turn around but curiosity got the better and I continued but not for long as passage continued in current form. Turned around and it took quite some time to get out as roof to floor 8 inches in places Finally met Alan and Lugger close to entrance. Will not be going in there any time soon tightest I have been in for some time. 

Top post El P thank you.

I can't see myself taking on an 8" passage anytime in the next couple decades, brave stuff!