Oxlow Cavern

Someone called Gaz (real name Gareth) had contacted Chris Jackson (current OCC Secretary) asking for a caving trip. So, it was arranged to meet up with Karen, Keith and myself at 10:00 at the OCC hut. After meeting up as arranged, we checked his experience (an SRT training course for a week sorted by the Army which was for Cave Leaders and SRT Rescue which was above his experience but he tagged along underground anyway. This was some time ago and he was eager to take it up again).

He also managed to buy two complete sets of SRT kit second hand so was well equipped.

After a quick breakfast at Monyash, we headed for Oxlow Farm and parked in the small area in the front of the farmyard and paid our £2 each fee and £1 for each of the two cars to the farmer.

There was a car already parked at the stile leading to Oxlow Cavern and Nettle Pot. We walked up to the Oxlow Cavern entrance shaft and found it was already rigged – presumably by those whose car was parked at the stile. Keith attached our rope and headed downwards followed by Karen who planned to wait at the rebelay near the bottom to assist Gaz if required.

Soon we heard a shout from below saying one of the other party was heading up and I shouted down “OK!”. It turned out to be a solo caver from Wales so we had no need to wait for others. I sent Gaz on his way once the Welsh caver had retrieved his rope. As I was waiting I heard the puffing of others coming towards the small dip where the shaft is and Martyn Grayson arrived with another caver. Oxlow was turning out to be popular today!

As we were unsure of how Gaz would cope with the ropework, we planned to visit East Chamber first and then decide on whether then to continue down to the West Chamber as well, depending on how the time was going.

I had been in East Chamber once before on an OCC trip some years ago when it was rigged using a couple of spits. Karen and Keith had neither been in East Chamber before. Recently it had been bolted by the DCA using nice dependable Eco hangers. Following Keith, who rigged the pitch, we dropped down to the chamber floor and had a look at the dig at the far end which seemed to be progressing well with a short electron ladder leading down to a short solid iron ladder.

We had decided that we had a reasonable trip and not to bother with the West Chamber this time. As we were wandering about East Chamber, we could see Martyn and his group arriving above at the third pitch. Luckily they were willing to wait while we re-ascended.

Soon we were back in the heat and sunshine on the surface after an enjoyable trip. Of course this called for a return visit to the café!