United Cavers Exploration Team

It's that time a year again where you can go and see gaping gill main chamber with the lights turned on.

This is the spring BPC winch meet, you can go in and out on the winch,you can SRT in and out or you can SRT in and go out on the winch.

Use of the winch costs £10, if you see the effort andwork that goes into setting this up, £10 is a small price to pay.

some blerb..

Quote from: BPCSituated on the SW slopes of Ingleborough at an altitude of 1300ft (400m) above sea level, Fell Beck ends its meandering course abruptly, and plunges 330ft(100m) down into the limestone plateau creating Britain’s highest unbroken waterfall. It lands on the floor of Gaping Gill, the largest cavern in Britain, known as the Main Chamber

It is an experience never forgotten and many visitors return year after year, becoming familiar faces to be welcomed back as old friends. The cavern is floodlit, allowing the public and cavers alike a view not normally seen outside Winch Meets

The Gaping Gill system is one of Britain’s longest and most complex cave systems. As well as the Main Shaft the system has nineteen other entrances. All these entrances unite underground and the water running through the caves eventually emerges into daylight at Ingleborough Cave, the Show Cave passed on the walk up to Gaping Gill. The connection between the two caves was made in 1983 by cave divers negotiating flooded sections of passages called sumps, using breathing apparatus.
The other entrances are not suitable for inexperienced cavers, who should use the winch.

The plan..

To meet in clapham at 9.30 - 9.45am and set off on the walk up the fell.

MEETING DETAILS-
Meeting at The Church of St James, Clapham, Yorkshire.
The nearest postcode i can find is - LA2 8HH which is about 150m away.

park where you can, you cant (you're not supposedto) get changed in Clapham village, pack for a walk up the fell, it's a fair way.

we will decide who wants to do what (SRT / Winch / SRT+Winch) and SRT route will be decided depending on the people and the weather on the day..

we will all agree to meet in the main chamber at an agreed time where we will go and explore, we'll then return to the main chamber, where people exiting on the winch will exit on the winch, those SRT'ing will exit via SRT. all meeting on the fell for the walk back down.

Simples..

Really, no matter if you are into caves or mines, this is something you really should make the effort to see, you wont have to get soaking wet or covered in mud, the system on these winch meets really does offer something for everyone no matter what your interest or ability.

Who's comming?

and the next day in a bankholiday, so you wont (maybe) have to get up early the next day..

Mad-Dan
Andy (weather he wants to or not)
Tony
Debz
Tim
Mike L
Newstuff - (needs a lift)
Aunty V
Ali
Amy
Richard S
Jaden
Dylan
GUY

If I can get a lift, I'm fancying being a lazy sod and using the winch.

[quote="NewStuff" post=17463]If I can get a lift, I'm fancying being a lazy sod and using the winch.[/quote]just need a winch on trevor rocks next  :whistle:

Me and Debz are in.

Lol... git.

I would love to do this trip but I think I`m doing a triathlon that weekend.

I'm in - i'm actually not working and currently have a empty space in my diary - shock horror!!!

Get my name on the list danny old boy.

i should be ok for this one as well, any idea which route we are doing

Has the date changed for this? I thought it was on the 12th May. If its tge 26th then count Amy in too :-)

Tim, great stuff, I'm in the Wessex on my phone so can't edit the post, you'll have to wait till I get home..

Dylan, cancel your triathlon.

Mike, no idea yet, depends on what people want to do..

Tony, no the dates not changed..

i'll do it myself ;-)

I'm working, and with the new rota I can't swap shifts with anyone :'( :'(

I'll be there - looking forward to it since I couldnt make the last visit

Nice one Vikky :-)

added to the list.

starting to recover from the weekend now.

woop woop - 'tis gonna be a corker!

I will come along too please.  :)

Great stuff ali, added to the list :-)

ok - a couple of points

any one wishing to go down on the winch will face a long wait - i realise that arriving on the fell at ` opening time ` - is nigh impossible if you are driving up from wildest wales - but the wiinching rate is 15 ~20 / hour - and queues do form - 1 hour wait is not atypical

which obviously makes attempting to meet others underground a bit problematic

booking a chit to come back out only takes 1 ~ 5 minuites - whatever the queues

dylan - we can create the GG triathalon for ya - cycle up - have a swim in pool passage - or far waters - and run back down to clapham - far more fun

mike - no idea on routes - like dan says - see who actually makes it up the fell and what they fancy - and plan on the fly - we leave call-outs with the bradford and everything is rigged - so it makes no difference

one final thought though - is anyone up for a weekend ? - there are cave huts [ YSS at helwith ] , bunkhouses [ clapham ] or campsites

rock up - and do a trip saturday - stay over - and you are on site for a good start sunday ?

Can you add Amy to the list please Dan.

Done.. :-)

looks like a good turnout for this, dont worry about the queues for the winch, you dont have to "stand in a line" you have a number and they put a sign asking for number x to number y to go to the winch, so you are free to sit on the grass or take pictures or what ever untill you are asked to queue.

WINCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL..

only for the peep's who dont SRT.

that said, i'm tempted to use it to exit, lazy caving is the future.

i'm tempted coz it means i'm more likely to take more camera kit ;-) or failing that, i'll let someone else take my camera kit back up the winch for me ;-)

i'll carry it out IF i exit on the winch...

i'm not taking mine, or if i do it'll just be the small one, i've done GG 3 times now and lugged the camera every time

Been wanting to do this for ages : can you add me to the list of descenders please.

Done..

Put my name down

[quote="Dylan" post=17596]Put my name down[/quote]

ha ha..

YaY someone to carry me on the walk back down the fell!

[quote="Mad-Dan" post=17607][quote="Dylan" post=17596]Put my name down[/quote]

ha ha..

YaY someone to carry me on the walk back down the fell![/quote

 :lol:  :lol:

First post undated with meeting location..

ANDY dont forget to bring that climbing gear, i might take most of it off your hands( for a sensible price obv ;) )

Andy's been a BAD BAD boy, he's been selling stuff on ebay without telling me. I'll give you £2 for that tripod, of £5 for both

[quote="Mad-Dan" post=17701]Andy's been a BAD BAD boy, he's been selling stuff on ebay without telling me. I'll give you £2 for that tripod, of £5 for both[/quote]
whats his ebay name. i'll stork him  :ohmy:  :ohmy:  :ohmy:  :ohmy:  :ohmy:

Where are people going for breakfast?

Didn't Vikki tell you? Shes providing bacon butties for everyone in her car.

[quote="timwatts" post=17710]Didn't Vikki tell you? Shes providing bacon butties for everyone in her car.[/quote]

She is good isn't she.   :lol:

[quote="Mad-Dan" post=17701]Andy's been a BAD BAD boy, he's been selling stuff on ebay without telling me. I'll give you £2 for that tripod, of £5 for both[/quote]

Andy better not be selling my tripod... ;-)

nar, it's some super expensive video tripot with an even more expensive head..

are you still interested in comming here Ali? cos it's next weekend, its time to start aranging lifts.

That's the part I'm having trouble with. I'll take my name off, and the missus is banging on about spending time with her anyway... might make life a little easier.

There is a couple of people who would probably be traveling past wrexham, but if the thumb is putting on pressure... lol, no worries.

[quote="Mad-Dan" post=17782]There is a couple of people who would probably be traveling past wrexham, but if the thumb is putting on pressure... lol, no worries.[/quote]

Thumb?

Boot maybe, possible an Ex-army one... with Snow spikes... and she's Scottish, so pissing her off is... best avoided.

[quote="NewStuff" post=17783][quote="Mad-Dan" post=17782]There is a couple of people who would probably be traveling past wrexham, but if the thumb is putting on pressure... lol, no worries.[/quote]

Thumb?

Boot maybe, possible an Ex-army one... with Snow spikes... and she's Scottish, so pissing her off is... best avoided.[/quote] yes its true .oh ali new name for you now ,thumb print  :P

Is everyone OK with everything / all the details, i'm working tomorrow and in chester saturday so wont be online much to answer questions...

meeting point and time in the first post, DONT BE LATE

bring SRT kit (for those SRT'ing), £10 for those who want to use the winch, butties/drink (once we leave clapham, there is no toilets, shops, civilization) Green cards if you can find them.

caving gear (it is mostly dry) knee pads which may be usfull, not a huge amount on hands on knees though, pack small, it's a long walk up and a huge cave system, big bags become a PITA quite quickly.

if you can be arsed, cameras recomended, the main chamber will (should be) lit up, but remember, what ever you bring you will be carrying it all day.

anything else, post/text/email me, if i'm sobar enough i'll answer, if not i wont and you'll have to guess the answer

Very tempted to take the camera but don't know if I can be arsed lugging about the waterproof case, as it's not small. Grrr. Or would a normal camera bag suffice if 'it is mostly dry'?

I would be inclined to borrow a drybag, and chuck some padding into it.

I've taken my DSLR on my last 3 trips in a padded camera case, i just drop the soft case in a plastic bag inside my rucksack to help against drips.

things to think about though...

I've only ever used the winch or entered / exited via bar pot, i dont know which route we will be doing, i also dont know how wet the others are.

[quote="WelshSossy" post=17859]Very tempted to take the camera but don't know if I can be arsed lugging about the waterproof case, as it's not small. Grrr. Or would a normal camera bag suffice if 'it is mostly dry'?[/quote]i'll bring a dry bag for you, but to be honest take loads of gear cos you could do with the exercise  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[quote="mike leahy" post=17872][quote="WelshSossy" post=17859]Very tempted to take the camera but don't know if I can be arsed lugging about the waterproof case, as it's not small. Grrr. Or would a normal camera bag suffice if 'it is mostly dry'?[/quote]i'll bring a dry bag for you, but to be honest take loads of gear cos you could do with the exercise  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:[/quote]

Oi!!!!

[quote="mike leahy" post=17872]i'll bring a dry bag for you, but to be honest take loads of gear cos you could do with the exercise  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:[/quote]

That caused a proper belly rumbling LOL..

ha ha ha

 :P  :cheer:  :woohoo:  :evil:  :ohmy:  :cheer:  B)

This is gonna be a belting trip :-)

[quote="WelshSossy" post=17875]This is gonna be a belting trip :-)[/quote]

I'm actually dreading it, i'm out all day tomorrow, i'm going to be rough as arseholes sunday, that walk up is going to kill me.

[quote="Mad-Dan" post=17876][quote="WelshSossy" post=17875]This is gonna be a belting trip :-)[/quote]

I'm actually dreading it, i'm out all day tomorrow, i'm going to be rough as arseholes sunday, that walk up is going to kill me.[/quote]
the walk up will sweat all the booze out of you . just drink plenty of water so you dont de-hydrate ;)  ;)

i'll just let Dylan carry me up.

We could run up

dylan - you gonna be driving past my place-ish? fancy picking me up on route to mikes?

What are the travel arrangement?

[quote="timwatts" post=17882]dylan - you gonna be driving past my place-ish? fancy picking me up on route to mikes?[/quote]

Yeah will do Tim

Is Richard s traveling with you dylan?

[quote="Mad-Dan" post=17886]Is Richard s traveling with you dylan?[/quote]

I've just dropped him a txt so waiting for the reply

whats the general plan - we all meeting at mikes at xx oclock and then going on from there in whoevers cars or what??

I spoke to vikki earlier, she's meeting alison at alisons house at 7.30, as far as i can tell, everyoneelse is meeting there too.

I doubt vikki will drive to mikes to drive all the way back, it'll be like 20 miles in the wrong direction for her.

she's offered to pick me and Jay up, which would be awesome as i'm out all day tomorrow and i'm a little concerned about driving at 6am after a day and night out, but if she can't, i'll make my own way there..

yer thats what i was thinking, did speak briefly to mike on wednesday and we spoke of similar.

Have been under the landy today, fuel tank removed, old fuel lines removed, new fuel lines fitted, tank back in with all new gaskets. Was short of a fitting which i'll get tomorrow morning and hopefully (fingers crossed) it might be up and running properly tomorrow. In which case a 'could' take upto nine bodies from mikes house directly - leaving vikki to take ali, dan and jay....

will post up here asap if i get it fixed - otherwise i'll be taking up dylans offer of a lift from my place.....

Ive only got me and Amy in my car so room for more

i'll just drop vikki a couple of texts tomorrow and see whats happening, as i say, i dont want to drive if i dont have to but will do if i do.

i may not even get that messy tomorrow, then again i probably will, free beer with 15 blokes from work, this will only end badly.

right i can confirm four things....

1) Landranger Deeside didn't have the part in stock for my landy so thats a no-go.

2) Please can I definitely get a pick up from Dylan on the way 'past'. Let me know what time in the morning fella.

3) I still have manflu although not as bad as it was - but now the kids have got it too. I may have to bail at the 11th hour but dylan - i'll let you know prior.

4) I assume it'll be a good idea for everyone to meet at Mikes and then work things out from there. Exception being Auntie V who it would seem obvious to pick Alison, Dan and Jay direct??

What time should we meet at mike's?

When did I become Auntie V ?!?!

A few other things - I won't have bacon butties in my car and I don't have a clue what's going on with lifts.

Tim's idea sounds sensible though, I thought there were only 6 coming from mikes originally so offered Dan and Jaden a lift too - I clearly can't count (or read the first post with all the names on), sorry.

I have arranged to pick Ali up at 7.30am.

If the others are now all meeting at Mikes I will aim to pick Dan up at 8am and meet you all there.

[quote="Dylan" post=17903]What time should we meet at mike's?[/quote]

Just text mike and he said to aim for 7ish

What time then tim? 6.30?

Righto.

Plan.

Dylan:- yer - 6:30 at my place then on to mikes for 7.

Auntie:- if you've not got any bacon butties there no chance i'm coming with you! :-P Go ahead and do the Ali, Dan, Jay thing and we'll meet you there.

Everyone else:- get to Mikes for 7 and we'll jump in whatever cars.

Sorted.

Ok Tim see you in the morning unless I hear from you otherwise.

If vikki's not supplying the bacon sandwiches then hopefully mike will have some ready for when we get to his  :silly:

gears more or less packed. will be standing by at my place from 6:30. Been to mikes this evening on way back from seeing marty. looks like we're all good to go.

good call about the bacon butties - i hope mikes got plenty of bacon in the fridge ;-)

[quote="timwatts" post=17912]gears more or less packed. will be standing by at my place from 6:30. Been to mikes this evening on way back from seeing marty. looks like we're all good to go.

good call about the bacon butties - i hope mikes got plenty of bacon in the fridge ;-)[/quote]

 no im a veggie

I'll quite happily eat the veggie alternative then mike

Apart from my own little giggle at the "when did I become auntie V comment" I hope you all fully enjoyed this trip, gosh I so missed out n was thinking loads today how I should of been with you all ! I will look out for pics on this trip. Debz xx

[quote="Debz" post=17917]Apart from my own little giggle at the "when did I become auntie V comment" I hope you all fully enjoyed this trip, gosh I so missed out n was thinking loads today how I should of been with you all ! I will look out for pics on this trip. Debz xx[/quote]

If caving is something you want to do Debz, get out with UCET and do it!

In the words of Eminem, JLS & suicide silence (all well respected philosophers of our time) "you only get one shot"

Get underground Debz  :silly:  :cheer:  :silly:

As said, you're a paid up member, get your self out.

[quote="Mad-Dan" post=17924]As said, you're a paid up member, get your self out.[/quote]

If You don't, you will have the unenviable title of "less trips than Newstuff"  :P  :evil:

That'll never happen.