All day Caving Sessions in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Friday 28th August 2015.

Last Friday saw returning client Steven Finkill return again with his nephew Nathan to do another caving day with  us.

The pair had been out the previous day with one of our associate instructors Rock Climbing at both Lower & Upper Scout Crags in Langdale where they had enjoyed a quality day out!

Steven first joined us in 2012 for a Caving Day with girlfriend Sally and again in 2013 when he returned bringing Nathan with him for the first time; and also a friend of Nathan's to try out one of our Church Beck Ghyll Scrambling & Canyoning half days.

Today, for Nathan's first experience of caving; and so that Steven got to go somewhere different in part - to last time, Iain took the pair to Great Douk Cave (photo one)

Great Douk is an excellent introductory caving trip at the level one grade. Photo one sees Steven & Nathan at the entrance to the cave after we had climbed down into the tree filled "pot" where in the past, the cavern had gotten so big that the roof collapsed leaving a gaping hole.

After climbing up the entrance waterfall, the cave winds it's way onwards. We pass daylight again at Little Douk Pot and then continue upwards through a number of cascades to a point where the way on lowers to a crawl with the water. We had made it to this point the previous week with Nick & Freya Sutcliffe but there was too much water to continue onwards then. However, today, the water was low so we did the 75 metre "flat out crawl" to the hole in the roof - beyond which the now "dry" passage quickly gets higher until one emerges amongst the limestone pavement at Middle Washfold. (Photo two)

Returning to the vehicles saw the time at around mid-day already, so, we had our lunch and then set off for Long Churns again (Iain had been there with the Hickey family only two days before).

Steven had been here with Sally in 2012, but didn't mind going back; and it is a great system for introductory caving and ideal really, for Nathan.

Photo three sees the pair enjoying some exploration in a low fossil passageway just downstream of Middle Entrance in Long Churns.

We did the usual introductory Caving circuit in Long Churns. In via Middle Entrance, downstream to Double Shuffle & Plank Pools and The Slot, before both Nathan & Steven succeeded in The Cheese Press.

We returned to the surface at Diccan Pot and then went back down Middle Entrance again to visit Cross Passage before emerging in Upper Long Churns, returning to Middle Entrance to climb the entrance waterfall. We then headed all the way upstream to Doctor Bannister's Washbasin where both crawled behind the waterfall (photo four), however, today there was more water coming down the fall and Iain considered it risky to attempt it with Nathan, who, by now, was getting a bit chilly anyway!

So, we went back to Middle Entrance a fourth time - this time to head out back to the vehicles to get dry and changed. Photo five sees Nathan & Steven satisfied after yet another great day out with us and the best was yet to come!

Hot Chocolate & Cake in Inglesport!

What better way to finish a fantastic Caving Day in the Yorkshire Dales National Park!

Currently, that's us up to date with the Kendal Mountaineering Services Blog; although, by tomorrow afternoon, it will need updating again! Its been a really busy August - busy because we are good at what we do; and people see this.

We provide value for money bespoke Outdoor Activity Sessions and Skills Training Courses in The Lake District, Wales and Scotland throughout the year and we hope that the Autumn & Winter will continue to be busy - so do get in touch to enquire about the great courses & fun, adventure days we can run for you in the coming months - we look forward to working with you!