Pippikin Pot to Hall of the Ten

Pippikin Pot Entrance Series

The entrance pitch (P6) is just round the corner.

• 12m rope; back-up to boulder on surface (long sling); Y-hang from P bolt and spit (hanger in situ, August 2016).

The pitch drops into a large chamber. A crawl ahead leads to the top of Cellar Pot, with a scaffold bar across the top. The normal way on is to traverse across the scaffold bar (care) into a small tube. The tube ends at a small slot with a 2m drop beyond, landing just above a continuing drop. The slot can be passed head-first (with care), or it is possible to turn around to pass it feet-first. There is an alcove just before the slot, which is useful for stashing gear.

Another slot followed by a short narrow rift leads to the second pitch (P5).

• 8m rope; thread backup; bolt or in situ stemple for main hang.

A short section of narrow rift leads to the third pitch (P14).

• 16m rope (or 35m rope to include the following climb and pitch); Y-hang from bolt and scaffold bar.

Immediately beyond is a very awkward, narrow rift, Stemple Rift, leading to a climb. The rift is best done feet-first, without SRT kit, pulling tackle behind you. The rift opens out at the top of a short climb: care! There is a scaffold bar across the top of the climb, and a good foothold just below. The climb is best rigged as a pitch.

• 10m rope, or the continuation of the rope from the previous pitch; back up to boulder in chamber at foot of third pitch (long sling); main hang from scaffold bar (short sling).

Immediately below the climb is the fourth pitch (P8)

• 10m rope, or continuation of the rope from the previous pitch and climb; spike backup; spike for main hang (short sling).

Below the pitch, the streamway is met. Immediately, the fifth pitch (P3) is met.

• 6m rope; thread belay in roof.

It is necessary to swing out a bit on the rope to reach a wide-enough slot.

Ahead is narrow walking rift. After about four minutes, a traverse round a corner reaches a 3m climb down into a pool, with a handline in situ (August 2016).

The lowest section of the continuing rift is narrow. It is easiest to traverse a couple of metres above the streamway. After about five minutes, an obvious descent line leads into a small chamber. A route past stal leads to a descent through boulders. A short section of rift then leads to a traverse to the sixth pitch (P6), which descends diagonally.

• 12m rope; belay to large spike.

The pitch drops to the streamway. A clamber over boulders rejoins the stream. Ahead, another clamber over boulders leads to a T-junction, with a large inlet entering from the right.

• The normal route is downstream to the left, towards Hall of the Ten.

• Upstream is Ratbag Inlet.

Pippikin Pot Streamway to Hall of the Ten

The streamway is pleasant walking passage. After about five minutes, the passage passes below a climb, [which leads to the crossover passage to Leck Fell Lane.] 15m beyond, the route follows an oxbow. Just after the stream is regained, a climb up leads to Intercounty Passage, and ahead the stream enters a boulder choke.