A small cave located on the limestone bench on the east side of
Ease Gill Beck. The entrance is in a prominent shakehole, where a
small stream sinks, about 150m. across Leck Fell from the entrance
toA small cave located on the limestone bench on the east side of
Ease Gill Beck. The entrance is in a prominent shakehole, where a
small stream sinks, about 150m. across Leck Fell from the entrance to
Slit Sinks and due south of the Borehole (SD 678806). ontinuation.
This was dug by Pete Muckalt and Wendy Tidder to a flat out squeeze
over sandstone cobbles about 25m from the entrance. Thin men were
needed!
Andy Hall and Chaz Frankland turned up the following weekend and Andy
dug out the cobbles to pass the constriction to gain a 2m. high rift
passage. This developed into a winding stream canyon averaging 3-4m.
high and 1m. wide with some formations including a fine 2m. long
curtain.
The pair followed the walking passage for about 100m. In their rush
to explore the new cave they only carried one light, helmet and belt
between them. Several minor inlets and cross joints entered from
either side. One of these was followed through deep mud for about
10m.
The main passage eventually lowered to a crawl for about 15m. to an
awkward corner. The easiest way on was a squeeze at roof level. Andy
attempted the squeeze but rock flakes prevented progress. In the
process he managed to drop his helmet on the far side. As Andy
thrashed and swore above, Chaz sat in the stream and watched it rise
3-4 inches.
Andy: "Nearly Got it"
Chaz: "The water's rising quite fast".
Andy: "Can't quite reach the b*****d!".
Chaz: "The bloody cave's flooding, let's get out before it overflows
into the bedding".
The pair made a rapid exit. gargling their way back through the
bedding.
The final squeeze was passed on a later trip. Unfortunately the
continuing passage became too tight after only 2m. Here the matter
rested for some years and the entrance became blocked through lack of
use. Back in 1990 we re-dug the entrance to open it up again so that
we could survey the cave for the Journal.
The resurgence was located using the survey and a dye test. It is a
short cave on the limestone bench above Slit Sinks and it becomes too
low and wet only a few metres before the end of Bank Holiday
Hole.
Chaz Frankland