Hagg Gill Pot

Yesterday, myself and friends descended Hagg Gill a pothole in Langstrothdale in the Yorkshire Dales. We had abandoned our original plans to descend another pot on the grounds of the current wet weather and further forecast of rain.

The pot is on the fellside called Hagg on the south side of the valley west of Hubberholme and contains some beautiful straw stalactites as well as flowstone and helictite formations and interesting stream passage and rifts. An entrance pitch needs to be descended and ascended by single rope technique. We had all entered the pot by midday and split into two groups to explore the system.

Straw stalactites in Hagg Gill by Julia Bradshaw

After visiting the straws, we returned to the chamber below the entrance pitch and made our way into the main stream passage, first by scrambling down a 15 metre cascade. We then made our way upstream in search of further formations. This way took us climbing up some small waterfalls and ducking under some short, low and narrow sections where it was necessary to lie in the water.

After some time, we met the other part of our group who were making their way out of the cave. I joined this group while another group of four continued upstream. On our way to the entrance, we remarked at how the water had risen and its strength was pushing us downstream. Back at the cascade, the climb back to the entrance pitch chamber was "sporting", requiring a little determination to make progress. We remarked that there appeared to be a risk of the group of four becoming trapped if the water continued to rise and unless they made their way out soon. Ultimately all but four of us had exited the cave by 3.30pm.

Back at the cars, the river Wharfe had risen higher than any of us had seen before and it was raining heavily.

See more images here.

In the event, however, the rain abated and the group managed to exit the cave at about 7.30pm, having "sat it out" for two hours.

My thanks however go to Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association for turning out ready to assist if needed on a damp night when surely the pub must've been a more attractive option. Please support them next time you come to the Dales. There are collecting tins in many local shops and pubs.