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Excalibur Pot

(North York Moors)

Last updated: 28 Oct 2021

Hazards and Warnings

Entrance is impassable when Hutton Beck is in flood (i.e. it overflows the top sinks). This happens frequently particularly November to April. Only descend if completely confident river is not going to flood. Inspect the entrance shaft and pitch carefully for loose blocks or scaffolding and report any issues.

Noticed a hazard in this cave? Click here to report it here.

Access

Permit required

Advanced permission is required.

Excalibur Pot and the approach to it are on a private shooting estate and therefore access is at the discretion of the landowner. The landowner has consented to managed access for recreational cavers via a CNCC permit system, available to BCA members. One permit per week can be issued to descend Excalibur Pot. Due to shooting, from 1st October to 1st February, permits are only available on Sundays, to avoid interruption to the shoots and for safety reasons. The permit must be printed and displayed in your car to notify the gamekeepers and landowner that the unattended cars belong to cavers (and not poachers). Be aware that Excalibur Pot is a challenging pothole involving some narrow squeezes, strenuous sections, ladder pitches, flood risks and loose boulders. The landowner has verbally requested that visiting cavers have sufficient experience to deal with such obstacles. Excalibur Pot is therefore not recommended for novices.

This cave is NOT on access land. Click here for more information.

Getting a Permit

Permits are issued by Matt Ewles. Here's how you can get a permit...

For information or problems please phone: 07983 559566

By Email

excalibur@cncc.org.uk

Permits can be issued to named individual cavers or to a specified club, providing they are BCA members (please specify club name or BCA membership numbers). Please specify the date you would like. With the exception of the shooting season, permits can be issued for an entire weekend if desired to allow you to keep your options open.

By Post

Permits are not available by post for Excalibur Pot.

Rigging Topos and Descriptions

Route Description

A description of the classic Excalibur Pot trip to the Main Streamway, as well as the through-trip from Jenga Pot to Excalibur Pot for anyone wanting to extend their adventure. The only substantial active cave system known in the North York Moors.

Download

Report a topo or description error

Fixed Aids

Non-CNCC Anchors
Excalibur Pot is equipped with anchors however they are not CNCC approved and should be treated with extreme caution.

Further info:

No resin anchors. Scaffold belay for ladder on first pitch (ensure separate safe belay). All other pitches free-climbable with care.

Report a defective anchor

More information about CNCC resin anchors

Location

SE 7105 8781

54.2810004642404, -0.910237555244977

inefficient.code.mercy

Please note that locations 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.

Entrance Photos

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