Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club - Newsletter Vol 3 No 1 - Spring 1965

ALUM POT

The last weekend in December saw a party of Red Rose members gather at Alum Pot to try a direct descent of the main shaft and also to establish a right of way to the hole. Upon being told that we were not going to pay his demands the farmer stormed off, later sending his wife round to collect car numbers.

That obstacle out of the way we gathered at the entrance and lowered 250 feet of ladder over the edge .Using the harness kindly loaned to us by the Chelsea Speleological Club, Jim (Eyre) was lowered down, gently brushing the rungs with his hands. Next down was Bill who didn't even bother to touch rungs (brave lad). Then it came to my turn, I have to admit I held on, but gaining confidence as I descended eventually floated gently down, sans ladder, at the end. The harness is great improvement on a waist length as it takes the whole weight of the body and makes for easier climbing back up the ladder. We haven't heard anything yet from the authorities about the path to Alum Pot being private and we advise members not to arty until the farmer proves otherwise.

 

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