Jingling Pot in England

Jingling Pot is one of the most popular vertical cave systems in the West Kingsdale area of Yorkshire. The cave, or as is known locally, pothole (pit cave in American English), is on the flanks of one of Yorkshires finest mountains, Wherneside. It is about 145 feet deep and explorers have the option of a direct abseil (rappel) descent down the main shaft or, a traverse, a few feet from the top into the Lateral Cleft. When I did this cave it was via an exciting swing across the gap into the cleft with the rope anchored to a rowan tree on the lip of the pothole but I understand that this is, unfortunately, no longer encouraged because of the condition of the tree and loose rocks. The Lateral Cleft which leads to a series of shorter vertical drops to join up with the route at the bottom of the main shaft. The direct descent and the climb back up using single rope technique offers an exciting degree of exposure and some spectacular and atmospheric views but the lateral cleft route offers great practice for less experienced cavers (spelunkers) in the art of rigging pitches. Doing either route using an electron ladder is physically demanding but a great tribute to tradition. A feature o…