Wet Weather Trips
Summary of trips which are suitable for wet weather conditions:
Ease Gill Caverns (some parts):
Lancaster Hole is an all-weather entrance to the system. Wretched Rabbit is also passable in most wet conditions, despite its proximity to Ease Gill Beck. Eureka Junction floods, but a dry alternative route to Stop Pot is available. The entire system from Stop Pot to Lancaster Hole is passable via the high level route in almost all weather conditions.
Sell Gill Holes dry route:
This is passable in almost all conditions, although the final pitch may develop some spray from the water entering from the nearby wet route.
Gaping Gill system:
Bar Pot provides an all-weather route to the Main Chamber. Flood Entrance (despite the name) is also fairly tolerant to water, although the big pitch (South East Pot) may become unpleasantly wet.
Rift Pot:
This is an excellent trip which is passable in very wet weather, although some spray on the final pitch may make this a very cold place under flood conditions. Neighbouring Long Kin East, which drops into the same place as Rift Pot will not be passable in flood.
Heron Pot (high traverse route):
Assuming the stream passage about 50m inside the entrance is passable (this can flood in very wet conditions), this is an excellent trip. The wet pitches can be bypassed by the high traverse. This may be a very cold and draughty place in wet conditions. Exit from the lower entrance is not guaranteed in wet conditions as it sumps.
Valley Entrance:
This is always passable, although it may not always be possible to descend to the Master Cave. If the water is deep (more than knee-height at the bottom of the rope) and fast flowing, the Master Cave should not be entered. There is a sump only metres from the bottom of the rope so take care!
Rowten Pot:
Despite being a very active pothole, the route descends out of the waterfalls allowing this to be passable in most weather. The bottom of the big pitch becomes a very windy place so dress warmly!
Lost Johns’ Cave:
The entrance passages may become a little wet, so careful judgement should be used here, but both SRT routes are passable in reasonably wet conditions. The final pitches may become unpleasant. The Master Cave may not be safe under wet conditions.
Death’s Head Hole:
This huge pitch should be passable in most conditions, but may develop lots of spray. The route onwards into the Master Cave will not be passable in wet conditions.
Notts Pot:
The two main routes down Notts are passable in fairly wet conditions, although the final pitches are likely to become impassable after the water has been joined.
Boxhead Pot to Lyle Cavern via Tate Galleries:
The big pitch of Boxhead may become quite unpleasant, but should be passable in most conditions, and the route to Lyle Cavern via the Tate Galleries remains passable. Do not attempt the direct route to Lyle Cavern via the Tube under wet conditions.
Alum Pot (NW route):
Under wet conditions Alum Pot can be descended by this route a reasonable distance. The very bottom however may be too wet to complete the descent all the way.
Jingling Pot:
This simple pothole remains passable in most conditions, but is best avoided in exceptionally wet weather or if severe rain is expected, as the stream can overflow into the pothole.
