Aygill Caverns (Barbondale)

Access

Major remedial work was performed at Aygill Caverns in Spring-Summer 2021 following some hydrological changes the previous year resulting in the complete blocking of the cave. The cave is now open for access but we recommend reading the following.

The following information has been supplied by the team who have performed the work:

On the 8th August a team of five Red Rose members completed work on the choke beneath the 1st pitch (Traverse Pitch). Further walling of the hole in the floor stabilsed loose material and now allows a simple descent of 2m into a solid rift and the continuing crawl to the 2nd pitch.

Descend this hole with care as it is still overhung by some very large boulders. We believe these are pinned in an arch and should be secure, but make your own evaluation and descend with the normal caution you would take with descents through chokes.

With the main gill outside the cave in flood after heavy rain, the new dam was thoroughly tested. On the whole this has proved very successful, and only a very small stream was finding its way into the cave and down the crawl to the 2nd pitch. Under the conditions this made the pitch a little splashy but nothing to write home about. However, the main stream at the bottom of the pitch was impassable and the whole cave was reverberating to the thunderous roar of water bombing down The Cascades. So while entry to the cave is achieveable, a trip under these conditions is not at all sensible.

Location

NGR: SD 66345 81870

Lat/long: 54.2314241573862,-2.51778264435734

Locate on Cave Map

Please note that grid references are correct to the best of our knowledge however are often taken from old books so they may not be absolutely accurate and are shown simply as a guide.

What 3 words: tracking.condition.professed

Anchors

Aygill Caverns is equipped with Eco 'P' resin anchors within the BCA Anchor Scheme.

• More information about CNCC resin anchors
• Report a defective anchor or other hazard
  Please note that the CNCC only maintains resin anchors installed by an approved installer as shown on the rigging guides and does not maintain any other fixed aids at present. Read our fixed aids information for more details.

Last updated: 9 Aug 2021