14th August 2010 - Ogof Llyn Parc
Full trip report.
We had a team of a six and the NWCC brought along more, including the all important winch! 300ft winch up and down, nice and interesting passaes, formations and a dose of fun thrown in, definitely recommended!

12th August 2010 - What Have You Got Pot (Dachstien)
Full trip report. A couple of BRCC members joined the 2010 Dachstien Expedition, here Alex writes about his experience in one of the pots..

7th August 2010 - Voldemort Hole / Notts II
Full trip report.
We had obtained a permit for Notts II and the decidsion was made to make use of the quite recently opened Voldemort entrance. An exchange trip of sorts took place and the usual places were visited.

1st August 2010 - Cherry Tree Hole
A three man team descended to the bottom, including the moist second pitch. A visit to the upstream section was also had, as far as Branch inlet.

31st July 2010 - Small Mammal Pot
With just two of us in attendance (Mike S, Chris K) a descent of this fine little alternative into the Bar Pot system. Dropping down the big pitch rather than the south east aven alternative we then made the stomp through to GG main chamber for Chris's first ever view of it. We then had a nosey in North Passage but decided to turn back after it degenerated into a "flat out" crawl. A visit to Mud Hall was had before returning to South Passage via Booth Parsons crawl. A straight forward exit was made with Chris derigging. All in all a great little trip.
Mike S

25th July 2010 - Bar Pot
4 of us ambled up to Bar Pot, me and Alex went down (the tackle free) Stile Pot whilst John and Dan went down Bar, once inside we were soon on the short traverse round the edge of the big pitch, through a short thrutch and on to the traverse to SE Aven (looks like a nice pitch) - we carried on over that into a muddy crawl (our aim was Wild Cat Rift). I stopped at a corner due to getting stuck, mud was like glue, arms outstretched was possibly not a good move, for me anyway! Alex went through followed by Dan, John had given up a little further back. Alex & Dan got shit up some more reaching a pitch before retreating. John and Dan went out Stile (slightly harder exiting) whilst me and Alex exited Bar. An alternative day out in this interesting pothole.
Dunc

24th July 2010 - Swinsto Hole
Two plus a novice enjoyed a pleasant, sporting pull-through in slightly wetter conditions than last time, retrieved bag for CRO.

17th July 2010 - Swan Dike Pot
Full trip report.
Alex and I made a renewed attempt at Swan Dike after a recent failure by some of the lads. We made good progress to the trick (about 25 mins) and then beyond. The cave is relatively unspoilt after the trick (I presume not many go down there) and there are some nice formations. The very bottom section involves some nasty flat out crawling in the stream to the sump. We completed the trip in about 4 hours in wettish conditions, so we were quite pleased with the effort.
Rob

10th July 2010 - Link Pot
With the weather a little more suspect we drew up a list of three possibles, over a brew we plumped for Link Pot and the Serendipity Pitches. With all the gear packed we trudged over in the warmth to be greeted by a cool breeze rising out of the spacious entrance (at least that's what I thought Mike said about it!) Steady progress was made to Tigers Inlet, with me being horrified by the vast amount of rope that had appeared sometime in the last 10 years since my previous visit, on the traverse leading to it. At the junction we chose right, to Handpump Hall, following Daves advice we found the other way out which rejoined the usual route (a pleasant detour). Pitches all rigged quickly with no issues, first pitch was climbed by Alex on the way down and me on the way up. East Street was followed to its conclusion before a retreat was made.
Dunc

7th July 2010 - Short Drop Cave / Gavel Pot
Short and pleasant midweeker with 6 people (that's more than the weekend trips!!) Some of the pitches completed, a frog was also rescued.

3rd July 2010 - Marble Steps Pot (Intestines / Ninety mini-exchange)
Me, Pete, Mike and Alex "fingers" Ritchie headed to this fine pot, the original plan of looking at Lost Marbles was shelved (saving that delight for another day) in favour of a quick and easy descent of The Gully. At the bottom we went round the bypass, climbed the short pitch and headed along the 240ft Rift to Stink Pot. At the bottom we split up, me and Pete rigging the Ninety (complete with rancid stagnant pool at the top!) and Mike and Alex being dispatched down the Intestines. We swung off the Ninety to rejoin the other two so we all descended the final Intestines pitch together. Once down we headed out t'other way for a mini-exchange. Good trip as ever in this pot!
Dunc

20th June 2010 - Crystal Cave - Dog Hole - Bucket On The Head
Full trip report.
With the weather blessing us with continued dryness a trip to do this more recently created (2008 ish) through trip was planned. An early start saw us underground by 9. With just about everything (apart from pitches) this turned out to be a fine trip, completed in just over 2hours with the aid of a survey.

12th June 2010 - Rift Pot (ToD)
An intended in-out trip for two that enjoyed an amble around the pleasantries of Rift. For the other two a through trip to Ireby was planned; Interesting and mixed route through the Temple of Doom with a couple of dubious chokes, dubious as in a rock or two holds back certain death! The traingular squeeze was the wrong shape for one and a return journey had to made to exit back out of Rift..

30th May 2010 - Gaping Gill; Henslers Pot to; Corkys Pot, Marilyn, Bar Pot
Full trip report.
A gaggle of six gathered above the entrance to Henslers, once in we soon passed the 'non-duck' and were on our way down some pleasant pitches. The final crawls and thrutches weren't too bad, two pitches left, the final one being the very fine and worthy Henslers High Aven! At the bottom we split up;
Dunc & Rob headed through New Henslers to SE/S Passage and on to the exposed Pool Traverse to get to Main Chamber, from here it was up into Old East and out via Corkys Pot (and if you're looking, hello to those WSG members we passed at Prelim Pitch!)
Pete & Dan went downstream in the Master Cave for a short jolly before heading off out of Dis / Marilyn.
Alex & Daz_of also headed through New Henslers and on to the Main Chamber before exiting via South East Aven and then Alex out of Small Mammal and Daz out Bar.

29th May 2010 - Smeltmill Beck Cave
The two Mikes paid a visit to this off track little gem. Dodging the Gyppo hoards on the way we parked up just off the A66 and changed in light drizzle. Unperturbed we entered the cave navigating our way through the ducks and into the stream passage propper. Although NC states 1.9km of walking passage, it is very narrow in places and extremely sharp in others but abounding with beautiful formations many of which appeared dry due to the lack of rain. Once water levels increase the cave should look different again and well worthy of another visit.
We made it to the extremities of the system before returning to take photo's of the prettier parts and finally exiting after almost 3hrs, into heavy rain. A quick change saw us prowling for fish and chips on the way home - but thats another story!

22nd May 2010 - Manchester Hole - Goyden Pot (Church Pot)
The weather was fine and sunny (bloody warm!!) and myself, Pete and Alex met at the picnic spot just above Goyden.
Short stroll to Manchester and into the spacious streamway, nearing the sump it gets lower but nothing bad, passing through Divers Chamber Alex was dispatched to the surface to investigate Bax Pot. From here there's some crawling (slightly wet but not too bad), a nice slot climb down with the water, bit of crawing to a choke climb and more easy stream passage to emerge in the very spacious Goyden streamway. We followed the fine fig-8 route described on the Braemoor website, Alex loved the knotted rope climb down - some nice passages in this part of Goyden.
Pleasant crawling with occasional stooping and walking along New Stream Passage, passed through Mud Hall, climbed up then along a short traverse, overlooked the main stream, had some fun with a short climb up (awkward little bugger), then onwards before (nearly) emerging from Goyden Main Entrance, back in along the main passage to climb up and head out via Church Pot!
Less than three hours and we weren't really rushing. Enjoyable outing (I particularly liked the "Eternal Optimist" connection) and one I'd do again..
Dunc

22nd May 2010 - Heron Pot
The Western-Dales trip....
Three of us paid a visit to the Black Rose Tunnel in KMC rigging the traverse from the roof tunnel. Worthy of more probing possibly but seeing as we had another cave to visit further up the valley - it was best to stay as dry as possible LOL.
Second cave of the day was Heron Pot - a hot slog up the hill and into the welcoming coolness of the pot. A straight forward stomp through the system, pulling through at the 2 pitches. A minor detour was made into the fossil series followed by a nice crawl in the main bedding without the bags until Ron (who refused to listen to logic) abbly assisted by Graham (likely to be our newst member) returned for them LOL.
A pleasant afternoon was had by all and was rounded off by imbibing in the usual refreshments at the Marton Arms.
Mike S

15th May 2010 - Swan Dike Pot
People Present: Alex (glad I am a T-rex crossed with a mole) Ritchie, Dan (The man who can't) Jackson, Pete (I ain't going to fit through there) Dale. Well what can I say...
It was an enjoyable cave but it proved to be too much or too small for two members who did not have the magic to do the trick!. My magic (a shrink spell) did the trick however the other two could not play their cards right and succumbed to a spell of claustrophobia. I think I will drop that analogy now. Not wanting to venture on alone after a quick look down stream I turned around and forced my way back up the trick (a lot harder up than going down) where I joined the others and headed out. Exiting was made interesting due to my boredom as I decided to an use alternative exit.
Alex

9th May 2010 - Grey Wife Hole
A team of four (Alex, Pete, Dan & a new member Brian) set out to tackle Grey wife Hole. We had a bit of surface route finding problems leading to an accidental half an hour exploration Hurnel Ridge Sink where we free climbed the pitch (9m). After realising we were in the wrong cave, we headed out and went into Grey Wife. A cobbled crawl was entertained followed by some narrow rifts before reaching the first pitch, where someone had left some ladders and rope there on a constricted pitch head for some reason? With that moved out of the way we rigged the pitch and I was volunteered to descend first to see what Paradox Pond was like. Luckly there was a ledge I could land on as I did not feel like descending directly into the sump. Once all down Dan was volunteered to cross the sump where he got half way before running out of ledges. I got bored and traversed at a waist deep level through the sump and under Dan (added duck) to emerge on the otherside of Paradox Pond. The others followed and we made the arduous journey to the 7 metre up pitch. At this point, looking at my watch, I realised I was going to run out of time and made a hasty retreat not wanting to miss my TV appearance. I exited at 2:40pm and the others at an estimated time of 4pm. It was a fine little day out, if only I had more time.
Alex

2nd May 2010 - Penyghent Pot
Very dry down old Penyghent and 3 of us got to the sump and back in 5hrs climbing all the rift pitches apart from Flake, Rob started climbing Niagra but came unstuck and self marooned himself lol! On the way out we climbed all the rift pitches again and Rob even climbed half of the 3rd pitch. Great trip and just as we got changed and set off home the heavens opened!
Pete

25th April 2010 - Swinsto Hole - pull through
A team of six assembled in Kingsdale (to introduce people not yet members), overlooking a very dry valley. A pleasant stroll to the entrance was had and we were soon underground, with Dunc rigging and Mike instructing. No real issues were had and we made steady progress through the cave, utilising an in-situ rope to climb out of the stream and emerge from Valley Entrance.

17th April 2010 - Out Sleets Beck Pot
Pete said he will be writing a full trip report in due course but basically we bottomed it, I rigged the first pitch (which includes a traverse, I still need a lot more practice, however). The cave was very sporting and very clean washed quite a magnificent cave. We passed the canal & squeeze, then the wet crawling to the final choke near the surface (A spider was seen indicating how close we were).
Alex

16th April 2010 - Lancaster Hole
Ron and I went down Lancaster Hole. Had a quick peek up to see the Colonnades before heading to Fall Pot. Put a rope down the hole before reaching FP proper which I assume is the Craptrap? Abseiled down to the main streamway. Followed this upstream till it closed down somewhere past Stake Pot (according to my translation of NC3 afterwards) Minor faff by me with the spaghetti prusiking back up to top of Fall Pot on the way out. Down and out in 4 hours. Glorious sunshine and so much nicer than being sat in work.
Rick

10th April 2010 - Birkwith Area (Dismal-Old Ing, Coppice)
Full trip report. First trip of the day (after Alex was sent to investigate Coppy Gill Exit) was Dismal Hill to Old Ing - via the original entrance of course. Headed downstream first before going back upstream to reach the fixed rope traverse. Some fun rope antics were had before a final climb up some pegs leads to Swift Falls Chamber (very nice), up the cascade to the canal, short back-track to the low connection back to normal Old Ing. Once out we walked over to Coppice Cave for another through trip, a little smaller and a little wetter but still a short but enjoyable cave. We emerged out of Exhumation Hole. The final cave on the list was Sikes Cave, bit of a trudge but the 'imposing' entrance soon loomed into view, crawl past flood debris to more crawling failed to inspire us so we headed out before reaching the end!
Dunc

2nd April 2010 - Ireby Fell Cavern
Full trip report. A two man team making use of some in-situ ropes (thanks Dave) to drop down to Duke Street, then up and along Skylight Passage to emerge in the canal and thus Duke Street II. After a brief scrat about in here we headed out, just a bit before it started to rain..

27th March 2010 - Short Drop Cave
Rick, Alex, Patsy Paul and Myself feasted at Inglesport, Paul Hired some kit Patsy Hired a Lamp (I had broken hers apparently). Off to rig a rope down Gavel, minor faffing off to Short drop, Patsy started with hill plant allergy slept in car. The rest of us went down Short Drop, Alex rigged the traverse we had a look around the big open pit ohhd and aahhd a bit, Paul & Rick realised that beer time was dwindling and made off up Gavel derigging as they went, Alex and I derigged the traverse and Short drop, I got minor lost, we went to pub it was shut.
Ron

14th March 2010 - Ogof Craig a Ffynnon
Full trip report. A short afternoon trip for a group of four to the pretty Hall of the Mountain King and back again.

13th March 2010 - Ogof Draenen (War of the Worlds)
Full trip report. A gaggle of seven somehow assembled opposite the Lamb and Fox after our Asda breakfast, where Damian was eagerly awaiting us.. Once down through the entrance we were soon making "typical Draenen" progress - dry, warm, big passages, bouldery floors, with a dash of crawling thrown in for good measure. On our way to War of the Worlds we admired The Snowball, a fine formation along with a few other bits and bobs of pretties. The Reactor was a nice chamber, WOW was a pretty large passage and worth seeing. We took in a short detour on way back to visit; Players Tunnel and St.Davids Hall (amazing flat roof!)
Me and Pete emerged into a fairly chilly evening just as the sun was going down, soon followed in dribs and drabs by everyone else.
Dunc

13th March 2010 - Notts 2
A group of six (Me, Mike W, Chris Kelly, Ron, Patsy and Charles) met in Ingleton before heading off to a sunny Leck Fell. For three of the party, this was to be their first trip into Notts 2. From Inlet 13 we first headed downstream (missing out Inlet 14) before four of us climbed up into Gour Inlet for a good poke about in there (plenty to go at in there) whilst Patsy and Charles opted for the easier option of the downstream sump. We then headed upstream and took in Estonia (very nice - thank you Duncan for the suggestion) before returning to the trade route to the upstream sump where we had a bit of a scrat about. We then returned to have a look in Curry Inlet before making our way out.
Mike S

5th March 2010 - Low Douk Cave
A two man team arrived at Masongill in the dark and then had a two hour trip in Low Douk cave via the new entrance, Alex was sent down every nook and cranny to investigate while I waited in the more spacious streamway. Alex was also shown the pitch way in which is now larger through the crawl and the bottom of the pitch has 3 ways on instead of two?? The passage to the choke near Kendal Extensions has a 30ft dug passage around the static sump at present! A good trip just a shame nobody else turned up.
Pete

27th February 2010 - Bull Pot of the Witches
Full trip report. Decided to head to the downstream stuff first, free-climbing both "pitches", did both the Wet and Dry Ways and admired the downstream sump. The inlet Alex insisted we look up was Kerplunk Inlet (and it goes further than we got!) Got to see the Monolithic Towers and trudged along the impressive Far Gallery, up a slippy rope climb to where it finally chokes. Headed back, wandered over to Burnetts Great Cavern then onwards to Gour Chambers, also did that awkward climb into the higher chamber. Pete who had been up there before waited whilst me and Alex had a nosey. After nearly 4hours pootling around (hard to believe, but we did!) we exited, Pete went home, me and Alex went to The Three Horsehoes only to find it shut, so went in the Heifer instead.
Dunc

21st February 2010 - Winnats Head Cave
Early morning snow meant an interesting drive down, including returning to the 'Wanted' so Rob could ditch his van and all proceed in Duncs car along the snowy road to Winnats Head. After much faffing parking we got changed and enjoyed the long walk to the cave. Some crawling brought us to the Main Chamber and the start of the chokes, these brought us to the very impressive Fox Chamber and more clambering down chokes. Including an entertaining drop or two. At the sump we headed through the sewer to the up-pitches. At the top Rob headed upwards some more, faffing before coming back down again to set about rigging the down pitches. Rob, Pete and Dunc rigged with Alex attending to some de-rigging. Due to the cold wet nature of the pitches we didn't hang around and soon emerged into a chilly day, complete with snowball fight. Roads clear meant an easy drive home, via the Wanted Inn of course.

13th February 2010 - Long Churn Caves
As Pete and Ron did not turn (Ron had already made his reservations clear anyway) I was forced to try and find something to do. It was such good weather today well it was not raining, so I should have known noone would turn up. BlackRose only seems to turn out when it’s pissing it down or snowing.
Digging, no, not brought my old oversuit and I did not want to wreck my new one so that was out. I had very little tackle of my own so anything with SRT which is not already rigged was out and I had no mobile charge to leave a call out, so if it was to be solo it would have to be easy.
Anyway I heard Craven were doing Washfold near Alum so I headed over there. I got to the Alum pot lane, however no one was there, so I hung around a bit. They did not turn up, so its not just the Blackrose it seems who are useless when keeping appointments.

As I was already there, there was nothing for it but to do the Churns as I had the place to my self. I first popped into the Black and White house to pay my 50p. My honesty was cosmically rewarded as along the way I found £2, so I actually made a profit paying for access.

I headed up to the Churns and spent the next two hours exploring every nook and cranny I could find taking photos of anything along the way, including some of the crawls and squeezes I explored that were off the beaten track. I would often follow one and I would find it ended up in the main stream further down, I hardly did any of the stream way on my way towards Upper Churns. The last inlet I followed however, which was about 50 metres down stream of the upper entrance known as "Milners" inlet did not re-join the main stream. It went on and on for about 100 metres, most of it was flat out and in c-c-ccold water. I pushed it to the end which ended in a cobbled choke which I then cleared but then the ceiling came too low to the floor. It was very cold to reverse but I was soon out and out like a shot up that waterfall like a I had a poker up my bum in an effort to try and warm up again. I jogged half the way back to the car and got changed in the car as I am a wimp when it comes to cold nowadays, getting old you see nearly 28
Alex

30th January 2010 - Cow Pot (Aardvark Country)
Full trip report. The harder trip of the day, with another four people, although only two made it all the way, the other two gave up just before the tight rift before the second pitch. The remaining two enjoyed an interesting and quiet way down this pothole, with plenty of ant-ics (sorry, couldn't resist!)

30th January 2010 - Bull Pot of the Witches
Four people, including two novices undertook the long walk to this classic little hole and had an enjoyable time. Later joined by two extras very briefly after they abandoned the Cow Pot trip. The day was finished off with refreshments in the Whoop.

23rd January 2010 - Christmas (New Year?) Party
This years venue for our annual dinner (and drinks..) was The Station Inn. A most "interesting" of times was had, we await a full report.

23rd January 2010 - Knacker Trapper Hole
Full trip report. A somewhat damp and loose trip to take in the upstream sections and fine formations.

16th January 2010 - Storrs Cave
A few days before our planned trip to Lost Johns-Boxhead the reasonable amount of snow that had fallen was starting to melt due to rain. To add further to the high water levels it was also raining today. Much discussion took place in the cafe, money was spent, finally somebody made the decision to go to Storrs Cave and undertake in a spot of digging.

2nd January 2010 - Diccan Pot
Full trip report. The planned trip to FOUL Pot was abandoned due to the weather situation, so a short and pleasant trip in this ever wet and draughty pothole was had instead! Emerged into a blizzard and had fun on the drive home..

1st January 2010 - Happy New Year...
Welcome to the Black Rose Log Book for 2010... Check back soon for short entries on all our caving trips this year.
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