Diccan Pot
Party...... Pete Llewellyn, Frank Croll,
Keith, Alex Fletcher, Diane, Fred and Richard.
Due to the exceptionally dry weather we decided to enjoy the fine sporting qualities of this pot without getting too wet. The 150’ pitch was quickly laddered and after negotiating this and the following two short pitches Richard and myself soon found ourselves laddering the wet 120’ pitch into Alum Pot final chamber. Frank Croll then joined us and said that Alex was suffering from exposure with symptoms of violent shivering and incoherent speech. I shall have to watch my elocution next time I am cold!
Getting back to the bottom of the 150’ pitch I found Dianne and Fred cuddling Alex, --- funny, I thought, what has Alex got that I haven't. Perhaps I ought to give him a quick squeeze as well! Frank, Keith, Richard and myself then ascended the pitch and by using the two separate ends of the double line soon had Alex at the top, quickly helped him outside, back to the cars and into a sleeping bag, where he apparently recovered rapidly.
Richard and myself then went back to where we were an hour or so before, while the rest went out with the promise to come back and give us a line up the big pitch. The pot was then bottomed and the usual stone thrown into the sump (there being no probationary member handy), and the tackle taken back to the bottom of the 150’. The tackle was then sent up, but only arrived with difficulty judging by the stones rattling down and the up and down movement of the ladder. I then ascended the pitch, finding it wetter than previously, with the ladder adopting a continual pendulum motion under the waterfall. Reaching the ledge I found the reason for this not unpleasant but rather exciting action. We had supported the ladder part way down the pitch to keep it out of the water, and the belay support had come off when the tackle was being hauled up. The ladder therefore went down under the waterfall and the lifeline several feet away in a different place. The ladder was, of course, left as it was to enable Richard to enjoy the same sensations.
We then made our way out after what had been a great trip, apart from the little diversion on the way. Diccan Pot must provide one of the most sporting trips in the Dales. The free hanging wet first pitch is really exhilarating, and the final pitch, with its little cascades, where the caver is enveloped in an exciting environment of water, wind and noise, is where reassurance is felt from the grip on the familiar, even friendly, electron ladder.
ADDENDUM: I’m sure Alex only wanted a cuddle from Dianne, or was it Fred, and was only too lazy to climb the ladder!
Pete Llewellyn.