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Saturday 27 September 2008

Gaping Gill


I found this reference in October’s issue of The Dalesman (we have a subscription thanks to the wife’s aunt and uncle who subscibe for us every Christmas)

Apparently, Specialist Measurement Devices Ltd have surveyed Gaping Gill main chamber and produced a 3D animated model. I for two think its rather fab. Have a look at http://www.mdl.co.uk/

It may seem unlikely to those who know me as a wizened old Harold Shipman lookalike, but I’ve been in Gaping Gill main chamber a few times in the 1980’s with what was then Airedale Hospital Fell Club. (I don’t believe this exists any longer although several staff members are TGO Challenge stalwarts**) We used to go through to the main chamber after entering via Bar Pot when the winch meet was operating. Thus we’d be winched out for a small fee. Quite a scary and, always memorable trip. I still like dark holes and I can still discharge the need to visit such cold, damp and scary places by going into some of the pubs in Crook midweek….

** I’m talking Waggy and The Marshalls here – there may well be others…

I hate the word “Stalwart” by the way – it usually means some old windypop who made a lot of biscuits for church fetes but who has now passed on. I’m being very unfair, obviously.


Dammit... I mentioned the TGO Challenge again - I've been trying to avoid that till I know whether or not I've got a place...

4 comments:

Phreerunner said...

Great, Mike
I don't recall any other caving postings from the outdoor bloggers. There should be more. I've never been into Gaping Gill, but my caving mentor, Jackie Ross, helped explore some of its narrow passages back in the 50s and 60s. We were kids then, and had great fun in the Intestines of Crackpot and other similar places. Happy days! Must go down there again!

Mike Knipe said...

Martin (Have I got that right?!...Oooer...)

The picture is of my pal Brian in the lead mines at Nenthead - I don't seem to have any pics taken in proper caves...
Most of my underground stuff nowadays seems to be leadmines or very short North Pennine caves - so there'll be more of that now that you've encouraged me!

Phreerunner said...

Correct, Mike - I'm the other half of Nallo Lady, purveyor of CCS.
The problem with caving blogs could be 1. limited interest, 2. limited images (ie not much litter down there!). It's a challenge to dig something out. Or are fresh visits needed?
I try to make the blog an enjoyable indulgence rather than a chore. That works for me, and I hope the readers enjoy some of the postings, but no doubt they will skip others.
Have fun with yours.
Martin

Mike Knipe said...

Now there's a challenge, Martin.... I might have the odd photo underground, though (I do mean odd, by the way).....
But I won't be overdoing the underground stuff - most of my activities will be upstairs...