Goyden System Diving (1945-2009)

Goyden Sump 1 – Oxygen Set (1945)

Following the few successes of exploring submerged cave passages (sumps) by use water
proof suits, metal helmets and base fed hoses for air it was clear that to make further
breakthroughs self contained kit was necessary. Balcombe in 1945 had his first success with
self contained kit in Goyden sump one. Using oxygen sets, waterproof suit, little head
protection, poor goggles and lead boots as it was still deemed best to ‘bottom walk’ he
managed to get through sump one to the open passage beyond. As for ‘bottom walking’ in
Goyden sump one he would have been crawling. The dive took 40 minutes and on the way
back he pulled on the line that caused it to go the wrong side of a tree trunk. Fortunately he
was coming back upstream so it soon cleared and he realised his mistake. This dive was in
fact Balcombe’s first successful use of the self contained kit having had problems diving Keld
Head and Alum pot.

Goyden sump 2 – Aqualung (late 1950’s- early 1970’s)

N Brindle in the early part of 1957 managed to discover a dry entrance further down the
valley from the wet Dry Wath entrance. At the base of a small scar he found a bedding cave
with a loud roar from the river below. A few hours work opened up a new and more
comfortable entrance. This is now the main entrance to New Goyden and the old Dry Wath
entrance was filled in once again by flood debris. Later that year on August 18th N Brindle
an independent diver experimented in using a back mounted aqualung of compressed air at
New Goyden pot. He was supported by D Brindle and J Bradley in his attempt to find a way
through the upstream sump.

The downstream sump 1 was passed by Alf Latham in August of 1970 after attempts by Phil
Davies (April 1961) and Mike Boon (May 1967. Alf Latham also dived sump 2 to an airbell
after 70m.

Alf latham dived through the upstream sump 1 on 24th November 1973 after attempts by
Phil Davies (1961) and Mike Boon & Pete Livesey (1965). Alf Latham later found an airbell
(Alf's Airbell) marking the end of sump 2. He also dived the sump at the end of Hardy Pools
passage with Howard Crabtree in 1974 and found a complex fault chamber the other side.

NOTE: It is interesting that Alf Latham came so close to a few big breakthroughs and laid the
foundation for others to achieve these. The ‘Alf’s Airbell’ at the end of upstream sump 2 in
New Goyden has a squalid low dry passage and duck that actually bypasses Goyden’s sump
7. In the dry passage at the start of sump 7 is the 5m climb into the impressive Aquamole
Series of passages.
The airbell found after 70m in downstream sump 2 of New Goyden was unfortunately a
‘wrong turn’ just before the end of sump 2. Once again a climb in the dry passage beyond
sump 2 leads to the impressive Caravan Trail series of passages.
Goyden – New Goyden link (late 1970’s to early 1980’s)

Julian Griffiths and Rob Shackleton were involved in much exploration of the Goyden system
both as cavers and cave divers. Amongst their finds were Beet Route passage; pushing the
choke beyond Telegraph Aven; and finding a big series of dry passages beyond Goyden
sump 6, The Aquamole Series. Perhaps their biggest accomplishment though was the linking
of Goyden Pot and New Goyden Pot through the nine sumps and impressive stream passage
between like Bridge Hall. The story is best told from their own reports below, by kind
permission of Julian Griffiths and Rob Shackleton.

Cambridge Underground 1978 pp 12-16

GOYDEN POT

Downstream Sump

As far as we could determine, nobody had had a look at the downstream sumps since Alf
Latham (ULSA) had dived the third sump in 1972 (1). This he followed for 30m to a point
where the size of the bedding decreased. Although he found a couple of cross rifts with
airspace in them, he did not succeed in passing the sump.

So it was one Sunday afternoon in April 1977 that Rob Shackleton and Julian Griffiths
entered Goyden weighed down with various diving impedimenta, ladders and bolting gear.
As sump 1 had previously been reported as being choked, it was decided to use the route
over Gaskell's and down the Turf. This was accomplished with a minimum of difficulty and
sump 2 was quickly reached. The first section was found to be slightly less than 1m to a
large airbell. Bolts were placed in either end to make it an easy free dive. The second section
was just over 1.5m. We had intended to place a bolt in the next airbell, but on getting there
it was found to be well out of our depth, so the line was laid through the final 3m length of
sump and a bolt placed at the far end. As it stands the last two sections are a bit long for a
safe free dive without coming up in the airbell.

The pair were suitably impressed by the size of the passage between sumps 2 and 3, but
shortly before sump 3, the roof lowered and at sump 3 the water disappeared into the
bedding plane reported by Alf. It was not our intention to dive it on this trip, so a retreat
was made. On the way back RJS had a look at sump 1, and much to his surprise found it to
be an easy 20m dive - easy that is once he had managed to force his way into it against the
full flow of the stream. He returned that way, while JTG went back over the Turf to derig it.

The next trip was on a Wednesday evening. After a pleasant, if somewhat overweighted,
stroll down the streamway via sumps 1 and 2, RJS was fed into sump 3 with strict
instructions to find some passage. Keeping to the left hand wall in a 1m high bedding plane
he met an area of cross rifts after 20m - two with airspace in them - and a further 6m on he
emerged into a large chamber. JTG followed through and 30m of sizeable passage was
explored to the next sump. This turned out to be about 3m long, 25m of large passage at the
far side leading to yet another sump. Well satisfied with the night's work, the pair exited.

A few weeks later, sump 5 was dived by Rob. The sump dipped fairly sharply down an
amazing slope of branches and other debris to a depth of 10m. After 30m, a series of cross
rifts was encountered. The main water flow seemed to go up the last of these, but
unfortunately it was solidly choked with boulders. We are convinced that this must be very
near the final point Alf reached in New Goyden. An accurate survey of downstream Goyden
has now been completed, but Alf's finds in New Goyden really need surveying before this
can be confirmed.

A couple of other observations have been made on these diving trips. The first was the
discovery of yet another airbell in sump 2; lying between the first and second airbells, it
splits the sump even further (it has since been learned that this airbell was located by N
Brindle (CPC) when he originally passed the sump in August 1959 (2) though strangely it
seems to have been omitted in more recent accounts). Secondly, there is an impassable
inlet just past sump 3. Martin Davies (YURT) suggests that this could well come from a sink
in the stream bed just downstream from Goyden's entrance close to Limley Farm. Lastly, a
couple of holes were noted in the roof of the passage between sumps 2 and 3. One evening,
Nick Reckert, RJS and JTG had a look at these with the help of the EXCS maypoles. Despite
some alarming flexing of the poles (we had forgotten a spanner) the holes were reached.
Unfortunately, although there is a very distinctive roof tube, no new passage was found to
lead off.
New Stream Sump

To the east of the main streamway of Goyden Pot lie extensive abandoned passages. These
are most easily reached from the main streamway by the large former downstream route of
Labyrinth Passage. To the right of this passage a low bedding plane gives access to the top of
New Stream passage which captures the small inlet stream from the complicated Labyrinth
area some 30m further on. The stream drops steeply down the dip from this point to the
deep pool of New Stream sump. This is the focal point of several deserted routes and is
located below the former dig at High Rift. Prior to our explorations, the sump was undived.

After an initial trip on which sinus trouble prevented the diver going down more than 3m, it
was on Wednesday 9th March 1977 that Rob Shackleton equipped with "Slimline kit" dived
down a narrow rift below the amply proportioned sump pool to a depth of 11m. At this
point, to his surprise the diver found a large tube some 2m in diameter leading off down
dip. This was followed for 50m, the safety limit of the "Slimline kit", despite the fact that the
continuation was seen to be large and invitingly easy.

Eager to push on further, Rob and Julian assisted by Nick Reckert and Andy Nichols took
twin 40's to the sump on 16th March. Rob was duly fed in and despite the poor visibility
(less than 1m) a further 90m of line was laid by "feel" in the continuation of the tube, to an
area of rifts in which the way on was lost. The depth at this point was noted to be 17m.

On 30th March 1977, in much better visibility exploration was continued at the previous
limit where several rifts were examined but became too tight, the best being too narrow for
ascent at 12m depth. For at least 30m before the previous limit, a distinct stratification of
water in the tube was noticed, the top few feet being peaty brown, whilst the bottom
section was found to be crystal clear. This indicates the entry of an inlet, most probably
down the rifts mentioned above. Back at -17m, to the right of the last rift, a small tube was
found and explored for 3m. The water here was peaty and the diver noted that the passage
was still heading down dip and a forward current was detected. Unable to turn round Rob
reversed back to the rifts sensing that the correct way had been lost. To the left from the
end of the first rift, a larger tube was located in the murk by "feel" and within a few feet the
diver emerged from the muddy fog into beautiful crystal clear water. The tube was followed
for some 10m beneath two further rifts both of which were found to become too narrow
upon ascending. At this point the explorer found himself at the foot of a slope of boulders
and coarse shingle with an inviting looking black space leading up at about 60 degrees.
Pausing only to tie off at a convenient rock to facilitate safe return, Rob began the ascent of
the slope with hopes high for an airspace above. The ascent to glory had hardly begun,
however, when the hapless diver became aware that his whole world was on the move.
Rounded boulders piled up at 60 degrees by flood waters are highly mobile and the slope
had begun to move with a spine chilling rumble. At this point the terrified diver dropped his
line reel and retreated at great speed to the safety of the tube below. Thankfully the rumble
subsided quickly. After a pause for collection of wits, the explorer went back to the slope for
a look. Little seemed to have changed, the line reel still resting exactly where it had been
dropped. Still a bit shaken, Rob decided to try a more controlled experiment to see how
moveable the boulders actually were. A few prods and pushes soon convinced the diver that
the problem would need better considered tactics to surmount as no part of the slope was
stable. Understandably, not wishing to be entombed in boulders at -18m, the diver
reluctantly decided upon a retreat.

It is probable that the small tube on the right is the active continuation of the sump. This is
presumed to carry the water to the main inlet sump of New Goyden Pot which was dived by
Alf Latham (ULSA). He found the sump to be too awkward for comfortable progress where a
small phreatic tube leads off at -9m from the bottom of a narrow rift (3). The absence of
stratification in the large tube to the left from the rift area indicates that this must be the
deserted continuation of the main tube. This provides a route for flood waters which have
banked up boulders at the foot of a shaft leading upwards. It is quite likely that this reaches
airspace as it is located on a fault (so we are informed by Martin Davies (YURT)). This could
provide the key to a large blank area between New Stream Sump of Goyden Pot and Hardy
Pools sump of New Goyden Pot where there is the possibility of extensive abandoned
passages.

The Well

This was dived to see if there was any other way off apart from the expected connection
through to the sump in Cap Tunnel. The connection was located but became very low just
before the Cap Tunnel sump, so it was not forced through. Nothing else was found.

October Passage

October passage is described as ending in diminishing airspace. It was decided to have a

look at this to see if it was a proper sump. JTG dived using a 15 cubic foot bottle. The roof
dipped rapidly to water level and 8m of painful progress was made by shuffling sideways
along the rift before a drop in the floor allowed the diver to turn round and beat a hasty
retreat. Not a very promising site.

Rob Shackleton

References:
(1) CDG Newsletter 24 page 19 (New Series)
(2) CPC Journal Vol 2 No 5 page 297
(3) CDG Newsletter 29 page 19 (New Series)

Also CDG Newsletter 45 page 12 (New Series)

NOTE: Black Sheep additions [additional text]

Cambridge Underground 1981 pp 25-27

NIDDERDALE

Julian Griffiths

In the autumn a prolonged dry spell allowed Rob Shackleton and Julian Griffiths to continue
their exploration of the fascinating caves associated with the Nidd Heads drainage system.
At the time of writing half a mile of passage has been explored and there is considerable
potential for further extensions, particularly in downstream New Goyden. It will however
require a period of far more settled weather before these can be entered. The winter has
been a wet one and on a recent visit to Nidderdale water was not only flowing straight past
Goyden, it was also resurging from New Goyden - food for thought!

GOYDEN POT

Over the August bank holiday Rob dived the inlet sump off Old Year Passage. It quickly
closed down to a body sized tube half full of glutinous mud. Exploration of the downstream
series didn't resume until the end of September. Laying new line, the lake airbell that marks
the start of Sump 6 was quickly reached. This had been dived in 1978, when Rob found it to
be too low after 12m (1), narrow rifts running in the direction of the sump becoming
choked. This time though he followed the right hand wall and much to his surprise found
himself in a large low airbell after only 13m. The inevitable sump 7 led off from the far side
of the airbell. Not believing that there was scope for any more passage between Goyden
and New Goyden Rob pushed on into sump 7. In this the main stream swept over into a low
bedding to the right which was forced for 15m before it became ridiculous. To the left a
squeeze led through to a rock floored bedding plane with a couple of inches of airspace. This
was explored to a point 15m from base where the diver became worried about his return
through the squeeze. Back in the comfort of the pub it was calculated that we had
overlapped New Goyden by at least 20m (the surveys must be slightly out). The main find of
the day was still to come though. To one side of the airbell the explorers had noticed what
appeared to be an aven. A 5m climb emerged in a beautiful phreatic tube 2m high and 1m
wide. 50m forward this broke into the roof of a large chamber, Toad Hall. The passage
continued on the far side past a climb to a junction. Left, a comfortably sized phreatic
passage ended at a choke after 50m [North choke dug and passed by Ralf Guscott and Chris
Fox to streamway and another choke heading towards Guscott Pot]. A small stream
emerged from the choke and sank immediately. This choke may be associated with a fault.
Back at the junction the other passages leading off were investigated. The two at roof level
joined up after about 15m and dropped down a cross rift to an area of pools. The passage at
floor level also led to the area of pools after a short climb and a duck. Well satisfied with the
day's work the pair started out, pausing only to explore a series of crawls off Toad Hall.
These became too low after only 20m.

Two weeks later Rob and Julian returned to investigate the area of pools with diving
equipment. It was Julian's turn for glory so he kitted up and waded off. At the south side of
the pools was a canal which ended in a sump after 15m. This started as a joint above a low
bedding plane. The roof joint soon petered out and the diver was forced down into a low
bedding plane covered in copious quantities of fine silt. After 30m he surfaced in what
appeared initially to be an airbell. Closer inspection though revealed a large streamway. The
diver had blundered into the stream that runs from the New Stream sump in Goyden to
Main Inlet in New Goyden. Upstream through a duck led to a large low chamber with a lake
as its floor, while downstream, 50m of walking passage ended in a deep rift sump. On a
subsequent trip the lake upstream was dived. The continuation was a rift in the floor at the
far end. This quickly descended to -6m. Following the line of the rift the way on appeared to
be choked after 15m [This was passed by Cristian Cristea and 120m of submerged passage
explored ending less than 25m away from his breathrough in Beet Route sump, Goyden Pot].
Other passages leading off from this section of streamway included two avens. The first, on
the right going downstream, was climbed for 6m to an extremely muddy section that would
require aid to negotiate; above this the passage continued upwards. Just before the
downstream sump was another aven. An 8m climb broke into a crawl going both ways. One
way choked almost immediately, but the passage was very reminiscent of the high level
chambers past the sump in Hardy Pools in New Goyden. The other way was a low bedding
plane for 9m becoming too low, though the passage could be seen to continue [This was
dug out by the Black Sheep Diggers and passed first by Ralf Guscott to make the link with Dry
Wath Series in New Goyden Pot]. The only other passage leading off was a small inlet at the
far side of the downstream sump. Rob forced this for 15m to where he got bored [Following
the success of Frog Pot dig providing surface access to the Aquamole Series the passage far
side of the sump pool was pushed by Russ Brooks and Chris Fox to a T-junction. Left was too
narrow but right went through a pool and on to the base of a choke; Shackleton Passage to
Shackleton choke. Later trip by a big team of Black Sheep Diggers ferried scaffold poles and
clips to the choke allowing Nigel Gatenby and Chris Fox to squeeze through into Lister Hall
and make the link with passages pushed by *1Jim Abbott from Toad hall, Aquamole Series,
see later].

These latest discoveries have completed another part of the Goyden jigsaw. No attempt has
been made to dive the downstream sump but it appears to be very silted and is probably
less than 100m away from Main Inlet sump in New Goyden [Probably less than 25m away].
One interesting feature of this part of the cave is that in flood the main stream must back up
against the constricted sump 7 to flow up the climb along the phreatic passages and into the
parallel streamway later to reappear at Main Inlet. The debris in Main Inlet probably
originates from the main stream in Goyden rather than New Stream, as the sump leading up
towards the latter is remarkably free of vegetable matter.

NEW GOYDEN POT

Interspersed with trips down Goyden were weekends spent doing New Goyden. The first
target was the downstream sump which had last been looked at by Alf Latham in 1973 (2).
Continuing on from the airbells at 37m he had emerged in a large airbell after a further 70m.
Past this he lost the main way on in a rift to the left. Julian relined the first 37m into the
airbells and then following the left hand wall pushed on into the next section of the sump.
After 24m he became lost in some narrow rifts and had to return. The next attempt was
made by Rob, this time following the right hand wall from the airbells. Two small cross rifts
were ignored but a third larger one was seen to have a large tree trunk jammed across it
and so it was followed. This proved to be the key to the sump, as a familiar Goyden boulder
slope was reached after a further 30m of easy sump passage, and wriggling up over this
revealed airspace. This section of sump is 64m long and Alf's airbell was not noted en-route.
It seems likely that he lost his way on in the crossrifts much as had happened on Julian's
initial attempt. Rob was quickly joined by Julian on the far side of the sump. The sight that
presented itself took aback even these seasoned explorers. The stream disappeared off
down a passage of typical New Goyden proportions, 12m high and 5m wide. 76m of
magnificent stream passage ended at sump 3. This was dived for 24m in a comfortably sized
bedding plane to a large airbell crossed by a fallen block before an exit was made. Not
surprisingly it was not too long before the pair returned to push on further. Julian started off
into sump 4 running out of line after 52m. Rob took over and emerged into airspace after
3m. To the right was a dry side passage but this was ignored in favour of the continuing
sump which took the form of a magnificent cobble-floored passage at -3m with clean
washed rock and crystal clear water. This emerged after only 24m in a further stretch of
large river passage. Past a swimming section sump 6 was reached 46m from sump 5. An
easy 9m dive between cross rifts again led to walking passage. To say that Rob swaggered
rather than staggered along the next section of passage is an exaggeration as in truth he
was scarcely able to believe his luck. Gradually however the roof lowered till 30m from
sump 6 the passage dipped into sump 7. This he laid his last length of line into. At 30m from
base the sump was continuing large at a depth of 4.6m.

This last visit to the downstream extensions was in October 1980 and work has now started
at Nidd Head NW Rising, the most open of the twin risings. Progress has so far been slow
and is not helped by the frequency by which lines get washed out, but it is hoped that
substantial progress can be made at this site in the near future. Whatever happens the
exploration of the underground course of the River Nidd provides a fascinating pastime.

References:
(1) CDG NL 49: 15
(2) CDG NL 29:18-19

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Cambridge Underground 1983 pp 46-50

NIDDERDALE

The Story So Far

Julian Griffiths

Articles on explorations in the cave systems of Upper Nidderdale seem to be forming part of
a long running serial as far as Cambridge Underground is concerned. The last article [1]
described the Aquamole extensions in Goyden Pot and progress in downstream New
Goyden ending 30m into sump 7. This one goes on to describe the connection between
Goyden and New Goyden, further exploration in downstream New Goyden and further
developments in Nidd Heads.

GOYDEN POT
August Bank Holiday 1981 saw Rob Shackleton, Jim Abbott, Geoff Crossley and Julian
Griffiths descending Goyden with the express intention of trying to force through the
connection with New Goyden. Well that was the intention of three of the divers, Geoff
Crossley had too much of a hangover to have any intentions. At the airbell between sumps 6
and 7 Jim and Julian disappeared off to have a look around the Aquamole Series while Rob
had a go at sump 7 and Geoff hovered round like a grey cloud. Rob dived into sump 7
following the left hand wall as he had done in 1980. After some digging 6m in he managed
to force his way into a low bedding with just enough airspace to breath from. This became
too low for twin 45's so he turned back. By this time Julian had returned to the diving base
so he kitted up with a single 45 and disappeared into the sump. At the far side of the low
bedding he had to back into the next section of the sump. This was extremely constricted,
but luckily only 3m long, and emerged in another low bedding. Turning to the right the
passage enlarged sufficiently to enable the diver to dekit lying flat out. Taking the larger of
the two possible routes from here, he forced his way through a low duck to emerge in the
right hand branch of Alf's airbell in New Goyden. The two systems were connected, but the
diver's main concern was getting himself back through the link. The divers at the base were
getting slightly worried by this time (except Geoff who had his own problems) as they had
heard a lot of crashing and banging and thought Julian was stuck. However it only took a
couple of minutes before the party was reunited.

There was a double celebration in the airbell. After leaving Julian in the Aquamole Series,
*1Jim had had a look at one of the low crawls off Toad Hall. A couple of minutes digging and
he was able to force himself through into new passage heading South. This he followed for
60m to where it ended in a further choke which is probably on the line of the fault that runs
through the upstream end of the first upstream sump in New Goyden.

NEW GOYDEN

Relining New Goyden started in July 1981. It took several trips before the task was
completed and during one of these Alf's airbell in the second sump was located. As seems to
have become the rule in these systems he was not very far away from success; he took a
wrong turning only 15m from the end.

At the beginning of August, Paul Atkinson and Julian Griffiths dived sump 7. Paul laid 45m of
line in a large passage heading South before Julian took over. After a further 15m the
passage turned South East and then past a squeeze up a boulder slope at 75m from base it
veered East. The next 45m in a large bedding cave led to an underwater pot, beyond which
the passage appeared to end in an alcove.

There followed a couple of very confusing trips looking for the way on in sump 7. One thing
of note found during these dives was a large airbell above the pot. This provided a natural
break and sump 7 was declared closed. Diving in what was now sump 8 at the end of
August, a very fine piece of route finding by Mick Smith located the way on. The passage
doubled back underneath itself at the pot. It meandered around for a while, generally fairly
low, before emerging in a much larger tunnel. This descended a typical Nidderdale silt and
vegetation slope, till at 110m from base and at -14m depth the way on was lost in a muddy
backwater on the right of the passage. Subsequent dives investigated the left hand wall of
the tunnel including some low bedding planes. These trips established beyond reasonable
doubt that the sump ended where a clean washed boulder slope met the roof. Some time
was spent digging at this and it was possible to wriggle through to see a black space beyond,
but wore clearing would be required to make the way on safe. Digging at this point does
present problems, being at -15m depth and involving over 400m of sump to reach it, but it
should prove possible to make further progress.

New Goyden is now well past Thrope Farm on its way to Nidd Heads, though the latter is
still 1.3 km distant. Further pushing trips will require something more than the standard
twin 1557 L rig.

NIDD HEAD N.W. RISING

This site was first investigated by Waddon and Davies in the early 1960's [2], [3]. They dived
the Main Rising, reporting that it quickly became too tight, and followed the Tributary
Passage up to a narrow fissure from which a stream emerged. Their main achievement
though was the passing of sump 1 after 13m and the exploration of sump 2 for 23m.
Although it was clear that the water in the latter did not represent the main stream there
were abundant signs that the passage was an active resurgence in times of flood. The cave
was also surveyed during these trips.

It was over a decade later that exploration was resumed, this time by Dave Yeandle and
Oliver Statham [4]. After 115m, sump 2 emerged in a low wide airbell. At the far side the
way on was restricted by a fallen slab.

There followed another long gap before the site was revisited. In late 1980 Rob Shackleton
and Julian Griffiths re-laid the lines in sumps 1 and 2. The way on past the constricted slab at
the far end of the airbell was also investigated, but one thing that became clear very early
on was that this did not represent the way on upstream. At the airbell the passage turned
round to head S.W. and the route at the far end was the downstream continuation, possibly
towards the Main Rising. So the search was on for a way on in sump 2. By keeping to the
right when emerging from the long tube in which the latter part of the sump was formed, a
confusing area of cross rifts was encountered after 20m. This was certainly an alternative
route to that which led to the airbell, but it took another three dives to find any sensible
route through these. Branching left just before the area of cross joints about 122m in Julian
Griffiths passed through an oxbow formed on cross joints (the main passage appeared
blocked by collapse at this point) to emerge in a reasonably sized passage unfortunately
much obstructed by collapse. These passages are very close to the top of the limestone and
chert blocks which have fallen from the roof are a prominent feature. Winding a way round
these blocks 30m of progress was made. The next dive was made in very poor visibility and
ended somewhat ingloriously after 23m in a tight rift. The error was all too apparent when
the diver returned in better visibility. The rift was a reasonable choice if you happened to be
following the left hand wall, but absolutely absurd if you were trying to follow the way on.
From the 152m point, 8m of line was laid in the continuation of the main passage before the
diver was again forced into cross joints to get past another obstruction in the passage.
Emerging on the far side line was laid on to 198m. At this point the depth was still only -2m
and the passage was still much obstructed by collapse.

A familiar pattern reasserted itself on the next trip. Setting off from the last belay point with
high hopes the diver was soon lost. This time after only 15m he was forced first West and
then seemingly South. As New Goyden is off to the North West this was not a lot of use to
him and so he reeled back. A fruitless search was made of the area where the passage
turned West before the diver exited. Having failed to find anything by following the right
hand wall attention was focussed on the left hand wall. This, predictably, ended up at
exactly the same point and another fruitless search, including a look at some holes in the
floor ensued. Perplexed and fed up the diver reeled back. Alighting on a shingle slope some
15 metres from the end to get his breath back and sort out the line reel he noticed silt being
whisked away, presumably by a strong current. Following the slope downwards he popped
through a 'dogs front door' at -3m into a large passage. Perhaps instinctively the diver knew
that he was into the 'big stuff', but his immediate thoughts were that at least he had found a
way on. Descending a steep slope of silt and vegetation, a familiar sight to Goydenophiles,
the passage levelled out at -17m. Its dimensions were now a comfortable 5m x 10m and the
line ran out at 250m from base.

The next couple of trips saw the line extended to 340m with the passage gradually rising to -
5m. With the passage being so large it was a question of which wall to follow. The left hand
wall was chosen as the right may have contained a continuation towards the S.E. Rising
which we wanted to avoid, and after this the right hand wall was hardly seen. At this point
wet winter weather interposed and when the divers returned in February several trips were
spent repairing the lines. By April the lines were continuous to 340m, with all the loose line
removed, so the divers could press on.

Another 135m of line was laid, the passage undulating gently but generally being at about -
15m depth. With the furthest point now 475m from base the limit of twin 1555 litre bottles,
and indeed wetsuits, had been reached. Some time was spent practising with dry suits and
twin 2548 litre bottles for the next push. The problem with this rig was that it required
someone to sherpa the bottles to the start of the second sump while the drysuited diver
went through the first sump with a mini. This was to avoid damage to the dry suit and heat
exhaustion on the part of the diver. As it was the first section of sump up to the 'dogs front
door' was incredibly sweaty in a dry suit. With this the 550m mark was reached, the passage
continuing in a northerly direction. Past this the way on was lost again, surprising in a
passage so large. A good search around indicated that it was an alcove on the right hand
side of the passage. Here the depth was -15m and the roof comprised a large chert band. It
is thought that the way on is on the left shortly before the 550m mark, possibly where the
passage rises to -9m.

This is where things stand at the moment. Further exploration will require a change in
tactics. We are nearly at the third margin on twin 2458 litre bottles. Nidd Heads are not
suitable for back packs and so side mounted sets will have to be switched. A second diver
will need to dump a bottle in the large tunnel, possibly at the 350m mark.
CONCLUSION

Goyden and New Goyden are now connected and considerable progress has been made in
the New Goyden - Nidd Heads link. The straight line distance between the latter two is
1.3km. Whether it will be possible to fill in the gap remains to be seen.

The other mystery to be solved is the relationship between the two Nidd Head risings. It is
assumed that the large passage entered at 200m contains the full Goyden/New Goyden
stream, but its exit to the S.E. Rising has not been located. Furthermore dye released at
240m reappeared at N.W. Rising entrance some 2.5 to 3.5 hours later (together with a lot of
muddy water washed down by the rain), but no trace of the dye or muddy water was seen
at the S.E. Rising even after 5 hours. If any future dye testing is to be done it would be as
well to set aside a whole day for them.

REFERENCES:

[1] Cambridge Underground 1981, pp 25-27

[2] Diving Review 1961 p 12.
[3] Diving Review 1962 pp 22-24 (with survey).
[4] C.D.G. News Letter 29 pp 19-20, 1973
First Goyden to New Goyden Through-Trip
Report in Descent (103) Dec/Jan 1991/92

Goyden – New Goyden through-trip

The Goyden pot-New Goyden pot systems form an ever popular novice trip and make up an
important part of the Manchester Hole to Nidd Heads drainage system. The two caves were
origianllay connected in 1980 by Julian Griffith and Rob Shackleton after a series of dives in
the Goyden downstream sumps. However the through trip between the two caves was
never completed. Last year a number of ULSA members began diving downstream in
Goyden, largely as a convenient Wednesday evening site for line laying practice. Progress
was often hampered by submerged forests, but as the line gradually progressed towards
New Goyden it became clear that the possibility of the first through trip was in the offering.
As a result, sumps 1 and 2 in upstream New Goyden were relined. By July 1991, only
Goyden’s downstream sump 7 remained as a final barrier. This was originally passed by an
awkward and devious route through two submerged sections; however this proved to be an
unnecessary horror when an alternative dry route was found to bypass the sump via a duck
and squalid crawl leading straight to Alf’s Airbell in upstream New Goyden. (the original
connection point).
With the lines reconnected, the opportunity for the first through-trip was open. Julian
Griffiths, who connected the two systems 11 years ago, was keen that he should not miss
out on the fun and on Saturday 5 October Julian, Malcolm Bass, Julian Clamp, Jon Watt, and
Paul Monico were whisked down Goyden by hordes of ULSA Sherpas. The trip, a pleasing
mixture of 9 easy sumps separated by some pleasant (and unpleasant!) sections of stream
passage, was completed with ruthless efficiency: instead of emerging into champagne
reception and press conferences, the party surfaced in a desolate New Goyden where a long
wait ensued before the tackle arrived to get the divers out of the cave!

New Goyden and Nidd Heads – 2km Link Potential

As can be seen from Julian Griffiths and Rob Shackleton’s reports they had explored the gap
between New Goyden Pot to Nidd Heads from both ends. At New Goyden Pot reaching the
end of sump 7 and at Nidd Head pushing to the 550m in mark.

Brian Judd pushed the limit from 550m to 700m and then Tony Seddon pushed it beyond
900m. These are outstanding accomplishments given the context of this diving. Every winter
the large scale flooding that occurs in the system trashes the lines and even moves
boulders. So at the start of every season the divers have to re-route find and deal with the
heavily trashed lines. By the time they have negotiated these problems and pushed beyond
half a kilometre the season ends, the floods occur again, and the whole process has to be
repeated. Tony’s limit of beyond 900m leaves just less than 1km separation between New
Goyden sump 8 and Nidd Heads. Other divers have spent a lot of time pushing Nidd Heads
including individuals such as Dave Morris and Ian Plant all reaching amazing lengths before
the floods trash their well laid lines.
Pushing From New Goyden to make the link
Malcolm Bass and Paul Monico finally found a way on beyond sump 7 in a complex area.
They pushed sump 8 in New Goyden to a shingle bank that involved digging to continue. A
very brave attempt because it involved digging to get out as well!

Rick Stanton and John Volathon came to inspect the New Goyden site and did a
reconnaissance dive to the end of sump 7 and back taking out their temporary line in one
evening trip! They planned to return a few weeks later for a major push but snow appeared
and the trip postponed. Other projects drew their attention and they did not return. It
needs individuals of their calibre to push on towards Nidd Heads. Since their trip the cave
has been noted it is taking a lot more water then previously and it is hoped that the shingle
bank might have moved. Julian and Rob in their diving experience at Goyden noted how
over the seasons the banks of rocks and shingle moved through the system.

Diving New Steam – Frog Pot/AquamoleSeries Link (2009)

Diver Cristian Cristea has made significant progress in both Beet Route sump and Frog Pot
upstream sump. Here are his reports of the significant dives made from either end.

Beet Root sump write up

29 Sept 2018
The sump starts at the end of a 30m long canal with water depth varying from knee depth to
chest depth. There is still an old short broken rope, hanging from the ceiling. New line was
tied off and the diver submerged in clear water, following a S-E direction. After a short
length, the diver surfaced in a 10m long rift type airbell, with water at chest level. From here
the water started to be stratified, clearer at surface, but murkier with depth. The sump
continues at the end of the airbell, descending into a phreatic tube, with visibility decreasing
to half metre or less in places. Orientation became hard at this point, with visibility
decreasing to zero when diver stopped to tie the line. After 15m of a spacious submerged
passage, a big flake was met which is splitting the passage in two. Diver decided to follow
the left passage, on East direction, continuing at a shallow depth of 4-5m. The passage
turned left twice, heading on a North direction now, confusing the diver even more
(expecting to go south towards Frog Pot/Aquamole Series), as he was not confused enough
by the very poor visibility. 60 metres from the dive base, diver started ascending slowly and
suddenly broken old dive line appeared in his sight. Few more metres and the diver found
himself in another 10m airbell, with more broken line hanging on natural projections on the
walls. Although there was not a detectable flow, the direction of the broken line indicated
the diver was swimming upstream. The floor disappeared quickly under the diver feet, at
the end of the airbell, and a quick descent was made in very bad visibility, to a pebble floor.
Soon the diver found himself in a restriction, at the top of a pebble slope. Few boulders
where pushed down, and after a short squeeze under an arch, the diver found himself in a
spacious passage. From here the passage continued into a rift type. After a steep descent,
the diver bumped into the rift floor, at 18.5m depth. Following the floor in the rift direction,
the diver found himself entering a small fine phreatic tube. Just as the tube was opening up
into big passage, the diver got to the end of the 140m of line on the reel, forcing the diver to
back up the tube, and tie off the line at the bottom of the rift. The diver planned to survey
the line back, but near zero visibility, depth and cold water forced a quick retreat. Distances
and compass directions of few reference points where memorised and wrote down once
out of the cave.
A very cold diver surfaced after 40 minutes. As he was too cold to walk the long canal, he
decided it was quicker swimming it. Half way up the canal, he spotted a low pebble floor
disappearing under the eastern wall, with a possible open passage beyond the squeeze. This
is opposite the little tube on the western wall, in which diver had a quick look, but the tube
was found too small, heading up in a small air pocket.
A good time seeing everyone meet at the end of the canal.

The diver believes that by choosing the left passage at the junction, he ended up swimming
backwards, upstream, in New Stream sump. Even more, after re-reading the New Stream
sump description, he found that by reading it backwards, after dropping down from the
second airbell, he passed same unstable pebble slope, ending up in the same 17-18m deep
rift with a small phreatic tube at one end. This means that the right hand side passage could
be the continuation of both sumps, but there could be other missed passages, as most of
the dive was conducted by hand and foot touch. A return to explore this passage is being
discussed.
Note: A next day dive conducted in Main Inlet sump, New Goyden, encountered same bad
visibility, although the Upstream sumps were clear.
The diver wishes to thank everyone for their help and excellent companionship.
To many more great weekends!

GOYDEN POT, Lofthouse, Nidderdale, North Yorkshire SE099761

BEET ROOT SUMP
13-04-19
DIVER: C CRISTEA
SUPPORT: N Bairstow, A Ward, I Cummins, C Fox

All met at How Stean cafe. CF was looking after a torn tendon so opted for a light dig
in Guscott while the rest did the heavy work of carrying diving kit all the way to the Beet
Root sump. AW and IC planned to dive Goyden downstream sump 1 too, but as the carry
took longer than expected this was postponed for another day.
Previous laid line was found intact and in good condition, although covered in flood
debris. Because the previous trip explored the left side passage from the split junction,
ending swimming upstream North, towards New Stream Sump, this time the right side
passage was followed. Some old broken rope found on the route. The visibility was very
good and easy progress was made following the main passage, in a south direction,
dropping down to 13 metres depth, where it stayed for the last 43 metres of the dive.
Passage continues open ahead at same depth, but due to reaching gas limits, a return was
made. Few side passages observed alongside main passage. Line surveyed all way back to
the start of the sump. Due to the size of the passage and no major flow noticed, it's believed
that this could be the initial underground river route, before water from Manchester Hole
found a newer route, moving to the west, as we know it today.
NB finished surveying the long canal to the start of the sump, to be able to add the
underwater survey to the cave map, which was completed at a later point.
CF reported that the dig went better than expected, although it was slow work digging the
shale, shingle and mud from the base of the dig.
Many thanks to AW, IC and NB for their help carrying the kit and their patience, enduring
the cold while waiting for the diver to return from the sump. Thanks to CF and all Black
Sheep Diggers for their continuous support.
Beet Root Sump downstream total length now 186 m, from which the first 65m were
explored by R. Shackleton and later by M. Holroyd.

FROG POT, Lofthouse, Nidderdale, North Yorkshire SE 10147563

Upstream Sump
21-07-2019
Diver: Cristian Cristea
Support: Chris Fox, Nick Bairstow

Frog Pot dig was started by Mick Gargett of Black Sheep Diggers but by the end all
club members were involved. The breakthrough at the base of the pitch linking it with
Aquamole series was made in December 2005, allowing easier access for further
explorations. Aquamole series was found by J.T. Griffiths and R.J. Shackleton in 28th Sept
1980, after a climb up in the roof, downstream of sump 6 in Goyden Pot. J.T.G. was the first
one to dive the upstream sump on 31st January 1980, but reported that after 15m the way
on was not apparent. R.J.S. also had a look at this and made another 3m of progress at a
different level, but again the way on was not obvious. There are unwritten reports that
other CDG members have dived this sump during the years, without any further progress.
Entrance lid opens to reveal a 9m shaft climb down. At the bottom, a short squeeze
on the right leads through to passage turning right and then left to a small drop. The way
forward is through a crawl on the right. The continuing passage briefly opens out to
standing height before closing down to a continuing crawl through to a 3m drop. Drop down
into the bedding and follow the muddy crawl to the Toad-U-So pitch. At the base of the
pitch going down the slope and through the excavated crawl reaches the New Stream
passage. From here a short duck under an arch leads through to a lake and the Upstream
Sump.
The carry in through Frog Pot went surprisingly smoothly and everyone arrived at the
upstream sump quicker than expected. CC kitted up and tied his line around a boulder on
the side of the sump lake. At the far end of the lake, the bedding plane closed down and a
rift in the floor was followed at higher level till the passage became too narrow. CC
retreated in the more spacious part of it and dropped all way down to the floor level at 6m
depth. This was followed on a north direction. Old broken line was found floating around
and soon the rift was found to be blocked by a big boulder wedged between walls. On a
closer inspection, it was found that this can be bypassed by following a low passage on the
right. Soon the diver found himself in spacious passage descending gradually, which he
carefully followed. At 9m depth, CC spotted a high rift opening overhead, but on this
occasion he decided to continue ahead in the main passage. Soon the passage reached its
maximum depth of 24m, 124m distance from surface. Passage ahead was getting narrower,
but a bigger passage was observed a few metres before this on the left. Due to getting
closer to gas limits, the diver decided to tie off the line here. The line has been surveyed on
the way back, in a usual Nidderdale soup visibility. The diver promised himself to bring fins
and some buoyancy aid on the next trip as the return from depth with the survey slate in
one hand and line in the other proved interesting.
Few days later, N.B. did the survey work back home and it was noted that there is
just 24m linear separation between EOL (end of line)in Beet Route sump Goyden Pot,
previously explored by CC to a length of 186m , and EOL in Upstream Sump Frog Pot of
124m length. A return trip is being planned.