Fall Pot to E.P.C. Series Junction

Fall Pot

Fall Pot is a major junction in Lancaster Hole.

In extremely wet weather, the streamway backs up from the sump, and floods the whole of this area.

The following are described from near a memorial plaque on the wall, in a clockwise direction.

• Up-slope and to the right, just to the left of the plaque, is the start of the route towards Bill Taylor's Passage, leading to Lancaster Hole exit.

• Down-slope, just to the right of the plaque, a route below huge jammed boulders joins the previous route.

• Down-slope, at the bottom of the chamber, is a route down to the Main Streamway.

• Up-slope and to the left, opposite the plaque, is a climb into Montagu Passage East.

Montagu Passage East, from Fall Pot to Stake Pot

From Fall Pot, ascending the slope opposite the plaque leads to a 4m hand-line climb. At the top of the climb, crawling forward through boulders leads to a climb up through boulders; [alternatively, a more exposed climb above the rope reaches the same point.]

Montagu Passage starts as a fine 5m wide, 5m high passage, with an arched roof; it is mostly mud floored with some boulders. The holes in the floor should be avoided, as they drop into the main streamway: the best route is to the left part way along, then crossing to the right, and then back to the left for the final section.

After about four minutes, a rope on the left is reached, with the streamway audible below. The rope is is the top of an 8m climb down to Stake Pot.

Stake Pot

Stake Pot is a major junction on the high level route between Lancaster Hole and the caves of Easegill, with a connection down to the man streamway. The following are described in clockwise order. Each route has an in situ handline (March 2016).

• Downslope leads to the Streamway.

• Ascending to the right of the stream route leads to the continuing high-level route towards Oxbow Corner and the E.P.C. Series.

• Ascending to the left of the stream route leads to Montagu Passage East, leading to Fall Pot in Lancaster Hole.

Stake Pot to E.P.C. Series Junction

From Stake Pot, ascending the short mud slope to the east leads to a 3m hand-line climb. 30m ahead is an important junction.

• To the right, behind some boulders, is an irregular-shaped hole, marking the start of the E.P.C. Series, leading to Link Pot.

• Continuing ahead leads towards Oxbow Corner.