18th February 1990
Leader: Derek G.
Walking report from Derek G: Following a foul Saturday we were blessed with a fine Sunday. The walkers assembled at the club hut at 9.30 am with sunshine and a certain amount of blue sky. They, with four dogs, packed into transport to Milldale on the Dove. A circular walk ensued via Shining Tor, Wolfscote Dale, Narrow Dale, Wetton Hill, Wetton Mill, Ossoms, to lunch at the Cavalier at Grindon. The leader recommends that this pub is not visited again. It was charming both inside and out but the landlord was offensive in the extreme, disliked hikers in general and solicitors in particular. The confrontation was probably the best part of the day for some of the more belligerent members but the party shook the dust from off its feet and set off again after sandwiches and beer via Weag’s Bridge, Beeston Tor, Bincliff Edge, Castern Hall, Damgate, Halldale, Ilam Rock, and thence northwards home up the Dove to Milldale where Parker, having achieved his fortieth year, purchased ice creams all round. Home to the club hut where tea was taken at 6.30 pm and members basked in the cheerful glow of a real fire. The cavers had access to the innermost parts of Peak Cavern at Castleton and Graham B was their leader.
Caving Report by Graham B: The cavers arrived at Castleton main car park at 10.00 am and signed in at the old chapel at 10.30 after paying, very begrudgingly, the 30p caving levy. Much haste was made to the Peak Cavern entrance where caving clothes were changed into.
Graham had booked the cave with the intention of visiting Pickering Passage and Moss Chamber. After passing through the show cave and the waist high, cold water of the Mucky Ducks, the long Upper Gallery was reached. After 300 feet, Graham, Syd Rob G and Nigel turned right along Pickering Passage. The rest of the party, in the capable hands of Geoff P, continued along the main passageway to the Surprise View. Some 300 feet of crawling along Pickering Passage led to a junction.The right branch towards Moss Chamber was taken until it became very tight. Upon retracing their steps, Syd and Rob moved along Cohesion Crawl, a tight passage leading to a sump.
On returning to the Upper Gallery, the party met Geoff and Co returning to Peak Cavern entrance from their trip. He reported that the passage to Galena Chamber had been eventful in negotiating the sticky stay-with-you mud and the water level in the Main Stream Passage was much higher than on Graham’s December meet three years previously. They had taken the narrow passage to the right of the top of the Surprise View, into Galena Chamber, then onto Wigwam Aven, Squaws Junction, Lake passage, Main Stream Passage and Boulder Hall to the Far Sump.
Barnes and Co, after exchanging pleasantries, moved down to Surprise View and descended the 20 feet fixed iron ladder into Main Stream Passage. They then visited the Far Sump. On their return they inspected the dig, in the high level passage, gained by means of a fixed, but rickety ladder. The party finally emerged into the dim light of dusk at 5.30 pm and after getting changed set off for tea at the club hut.
Derbyshire Pennine Club 