Sylvester
Pot
Party:- Emma Key, Bill Nix, Alex
Anderson & John Worden
At the
start of December, inspired by the forthcoming 30th anniversary of
its discovery, Bill suggested a trip into Sylvester Pot to find Newton’s
Wonder. Unfortunately poor weather meant
that the trip was postponed a couple of times but eventually on 12th
January, although it had been a little damp, the weather didn’t look too
terrible!
After the
obligatory faffing and a lot of tea we finally left the farm, wandered across
the fell and quickly found the entrance
which
Toby and others had re-excavated a couple of years ago. Bill disappeared down it and the sounds of
grunts, curses and shifting rocks drifted out as he made the passage more Bill
shaped. We all followed him in and after
a short while we reached the top of the first pitch which had a reasonable
amount of water going down it.
In
keeping with the celebration of the discovery, ladder and line were rigged and
we all descended the pitch with varying amounts of spluttering, swearing and
gasping as the icy water made its way into caving suits. We regrouped at the bottom of the pitch,
checked the description for the way on and crawled off down a small hole at the
bottom of the pitch. Me and Bill headed
straight on, made a mildly perilous traverse over the top of the second pitch
and had a poke around in the passages at the end which just got smaller and
smaller. We returned and the four of us
dropped down into a reasonably large chamber filled with slightly dodgy looking
boulders. After a poke around we decided
it didn’t fit the description and decided to head back to the bottom of the
pitch and start again.
John was
in front and spotted a passage that, in our enthusiasm on the way in, we had
missed so we followed him into the bedding and all shot off in different
directions trying to find the way into Newton’s Wonder. I followed a small passage which came out
into a large chamber. After climbing
over a boulder I spotted conservation tape and some rather beautiful gour
pools. I quickly retraced my steps to
let the lads know.
Bill
seemed to have got himself temporarily stuck in a hole he had climbed into so
there was a slight delay while he extricated himself as we shouted
encouragement. Eventually we all
continued onwards to gaze in.....well......wonder at Newton’s Wonder. Jim Davis and Andy Hall must have been amazed
when they found it! Well done to
them! John and I put on our best smiles
and the photographers worked their magic taking some fantastic snaps.
After a
bite to eat and some hot squash we make our way out of the cave with further
huffing, puffing and exclamations as the chilly water made its way down necks
and up sleeves as we climbed the ladder.
Before the trip Bill had mentioned wanting to take some snaps on the
pitch but I think a violent mutiny may have occurred if this had been suggested!! We exited the cave and hurried across the
fell in the gathering darkness eager for a hot cup of tea and the excitement of
the photo competition.
Emma Key
