Caving News

Progress In Keld Head
By Pennine Divers

An ongoing survey project has been taking place in Keld Head using a new, more accurate method. So far about a mile and a half has been covered. 400m of large new passage has also been found in May this year (not all of it underwater!) with some nice formations and a possible new entrance further up the valley. Most of this work has been done by John and Russell but a lot of NPC members have helped by transporting line weights towards the Dead Man's Handshake area. That was in May - and it doesn't seem to have stopped raining since.

Special note for Jim Eyre: no Jim, we haven't forgotten you promised to come cave diving with us that night in the New Inn. It's no good arguing - we've got plenty of witnesses . . .

J.N.C

There are moves afoot to set up some sort of archive in Settle for ageing potholers to deposit items of historical interest. Bob Leakey organised a meeting on 29th August and I attended to see what it was all about. There was some confusion as to the exact nature of what is being proposed. It appears that the main motivation is a large amount of Eli Simpson's original material which has recently come to light. Apparently this is in the possession of Wes Oakes (of "Oakes Cavern" in Easegill) who is looking for a safe home for it. No concrete decisions were made at the meeting but a representative of the North Craven Heritage Trust, who have premises on Chapel Street in Settle, said that they have room in their archive for Cymmie's stuff.

It was suggested that the main caving clubs should have regular contact with such a museum. In the absence of any other 'Pennine member I agreed to represent the N.P.C. if it gets off the ground. However, if anyone else would like to do this I'll gladly abdicate! Give me a ring if you'd like the full story about the meeting.

John Cordingley

Several Pennine members have been involved in digging in various parts of Earl Pot over a number of years. By some stroke of luck or fate, a CPC dig in another nearby cave has intercepted the current Pennine dig right at it's furthest point! The idea of a joint dig was proposed; efforts have been made to ask NPC members previously involved and the general feeling is that working together is the best way forward. This is likely to start during the first weekend in September; for further details (or if you want to join in) contact any of the Greenclose regulars.

In a concerted effort to smarten up the library, a new set of shelves has been made for the library. These were custom made for us by Steve Finch (ex Settle Water Sports).

In March, Andy Waddington planted ten new trees in the Greenclose garden/ carpark, courtesy of the Waddington Arboretum. These were to replace trees damaged by unknown vandals.

Perhaps Andy's comment in the logbook:

If it is dry this summer - give them all a drink!!

has had something to do with this summer's weather.

New probationary members since May are:

• Laura Gresswell
• Jon Haynes
• Helen Jepps
• Andy Mackie

Over the Winter, Malcolm Bass (MB), Simon Yearsley (SY) and Julian Clamp (JC) did a considerable amount of driving with some incidental Scottish winter climbing at the end. Two weekend trips to Seana Bhràigh, just North of Beinn Dearg, added two new routes to the impressive Luchd Coire. MB and SY climbed the mixed "A Girl's Best Friend" (IV,5 240m) in thin conditions in January and were joined by JC to climb the thin icy corner of "Saxifrage" (IV,5 210m) in the April freeze. These routes were the first new additions to the Coire, which has a reputation for being remote, in twenty years. The 'walk-in' in reality turned out to be only about 3½ hours to the foot of the routes. Luchd Coire is a beautiful and quiet place. On both trips we had the hill to ourselves, in marked contrast to the crowds pouring into Coire Ardair on Meagaidh.

MB, JC and SY are returning to the Garwhal in September and October to make an attempt on the unclimbed west Face of Swachand (6721m) The peak was first climbed (from the South) in 1939 by the incredibly prolific Austrian expedition to the area. We are hoping to find some technical mixed climbing on an objectively safe face. I'm sure the reality will be different!

Malcolm Bass