Cavedale Four

Grid Reference: SK 14884 82442
Level: 257m

On a cleft to west of footpath where the dale narrows and steepens. A small fissure extends as a body sized circular passage for 6.1 m to a vertical pitch, a 14 inch wide opening descends downwards in a tight rift for 3 m until it widens, a further 33 m of descent, eventually opening in the roof of the Great Cave above Orchestra Passage near a rocky chimney of chokestones.

Access

Rigging tackle would be essential but note that this entrance has been fitted with a secure grill for ventilation to the showcave. The show cave doesn't allow access via this route. It is extremly tight, it has never been reversed due to its tightness (see exploration notes below).

Exploration

October 1901 - Jim Puttrell on a walk up cavedale noticed vapour rising from opening in rock. He crawled about 6.1 m in, until updraft of air extingusihed is candle.

? - Jim crawling in backwards managed to drop a visitng card in a weighted matchbox down the hole, this was found by a guide at the entrance to orchestra passage. This convinced him to lower a rope down with a plumb bomb, this descended for 36.5 m and established the position of entry into the Great Cave.

Sunday 1st March 1902 - Jim, assisted by 20 members of the Kyndwr Club gathered at the entrance. Jim entered the passage feet first with a lifeline paid out to him, to reach the 14 inch wide shaft opening, this was passed, he found the first 3 m extremly tight but gravity helped, lower down he could use his knees to back and foot, further down it became wider allowing him to span the gulf. 10.5 m down, it widened so he had to be lowered on the rope until he could reach a rocky protuberance on left wall. Here he heard voices from below, some of the team from above had made their way down cavedale into Great Cave. Working back and foot to the left, he reached a side chimney of chockstones, the 3.6 m climb down these brought him into the Great Cave at the start of Orchestra Gallery and top of the slope up from the Great Cave.

? - Jim attempted to reverse the route by ascending rope ladders, the vent at the top was found to be impassable, couldn't force his way through and with gravity working against him. All he could do was shake hands with his friend who had come in from the cavedale end.

August 1902 - G.F.R Freeman made a successful descent from cavedale into the Great cave.

Other names

Puttrell's Entrance, Cavedale Cave No. 4. Puttrell's Aven (as it is known from below)

Bibliography

Craddock, J.P. 2009. Jim Puttrell: Pioneer Climber & Cave Explorer. Page 115 - 120.