Pothole Formation

As with many areas on Inglebrough, however, first impressions can be deceiving.  Behind the Allotment is a massive catchment, down which water funnels onto the drift covered limestone and exploits a series of faults criss-crossed along the moor like the gossamers of a spider’s web.   These faults run in a north-west-south east direction, effectively guiding any sinking water towards the resurgence at Austwick Beck Head.

Beginning at the eastern end, Marble Pot (SD759730) competes as one of the biggest dolines on the mountain. A smoothly polished bridge of limestone at the foot of the crater leads into a series of passages and underground falls, dropping to a depth of over 100 metres (300 feet), but the passages have become impassable due to slumping of the glacial till into the doline; something that occurred with dramatic effect in 1980, and from which the sides of the hole appear to be only just recovering. Slightly south-east is Marble Sink, whose tight entrance crawl belies a series of harrowing shafts including the thoughtfully named ‘Bastard Hole’, ‘Goliath Rift’ and ‘Devil’s Kitchen.’ Unlike the rest of the potholes on the Allotment, these two characters connect to the Gaping Gill system under Clapham Bottoms, emerging at Clapham Beck Head.

Moving east across the shale boundary another doline (SD760729) admits to Jockey Hole, lying directly on a fault, which has wrenched a large block of limestone so that it appears to be wedging the shaft.  It is possible to step with great care across onto this block and peer down a straight fall of 67 metres (210 feet) in a shaft only a couple of metres across.  This is not a place to hang around for long – described by Wainwright as ‘a fit subject for nightmares.’

Due south, on the same fault, is Rift Pot (SD761729), a simple opening along the fault line, containing masses of loose fault breccia and described in Northern Caves as having ‘an air of austere grandeur.’ A favourite of experienced potholers, it drops to a total depth of 111 metres.  Albert Mitchell (1949) one of the founders of the Craven Pothole Club, recalls being lowered down this shaft on a length of ‘canal rope’ (which was designed to ‘give’), with ‘more enthusiasm than sense’ – and having the sensation of being suspended as if from a piece of elastic!

Close by Rift Pot are both dry and wet entrances into the vadose stream-way of Long Kin East Cave – one of the few horizontal passages on the Allotment, which can be explored a certain length even with a powerful torch. This cave passes under a walled pothole shaft, a long-lost former sink, before suddenly combining with Long Kin East Pot and falling down a massive 68 metre underground pitch towards the sump; eventually emerging at Austwick Beck Head.

Juniper Gulf (SD765733) is the most famous of the Allotment potholes and is discussed in detail elsewhere, but it is worth seeking out the attractive and ancient fossil shaft of Little Juniper (SD766733) – marked with its customary juniper tree.  It is a welcome little oasis in this otherwise forbidding garden of desolation.  The Allotment is owned by the Ingleborough estate and there is no access from March to October.  It makes a challenging adventure on a fine day in the winter months, and leaves a lasting impression.