Back in June 2021, we announced a major collapse in Big Bertha boulder choke, just beyond the show-cave in White Scar Cave (click here for original story). Access to cavers beyond the show-cave was suspended pending remedial work.
The needs of this work turned out to be quite substantial, and was hampered on occasions by poor weather through winter 2021-2022.
Finally, after being closed for just over 12 months, White Scar Cave is now open to cavers again for trips beyond the show cave. A large unstable boulder in the choke behind Big Bertha has been removed by members of the Craven Pothole Club, and a new route installed utilising a 600mm plastic drainpipe to protect cavers from any further rockfall.
It is imperative for safety that cavers follow the route through the plastic pipe. There is a pull-rope through the pipe to assist in negotiating its traverse. Alternatively, if water levels allow, there is an alternative route via a duck just to the left of the pipe, as shown in the attached image.
Other parts of the choke still require great care in passing through as with all boulder chokes, especially in the rift just behind Big Bertha itself, where jammed boulders remain wedged just above head height.
DO NOT DISTURB THESE JAMMED BOULDERS OR CLIMB THE RIFT ABOVE THEM.
Requests for access beyond the show cave should be made in advance to the Cave Management at White Scar and cavers must comply with the following rules:
- Minimum 3 persons per group.
- All visitors must have public liability insurance (e.g. BCA insurance, green card may be required).
- All trips are weather dependent on the day and access may be cancelled by the Cave Management.
- Wetsuits or neo-fleeces are advisable.
- Access fee may be payable.