Old Ing / Dismal Hill

Location
Old Ing Cave Grid Reference: |Dismal%20Hill;54.186700;-2.299432|Dismal%20Hill%20(new);54.186475;-2.29985|Birkwith;54.187841;-2.302192&centre=54.187346;-2.299057&scale=17 SD 8074 7684

Altitude: 369 m

Dismal Hill Cave (original entrance) Grid Reference: |Old%20Ing;54.186987;-2.29673|Dismal%20Hill%20(new);54.186475;-2.29985|Birkwith;54.187841;-2.302192&centre=54.187346;-2.299057&scale=17 SD 8057 7681

Altitude: 363 m

Dismal Hill Cave (new entrance) Grid Reference: |Dismal%20Hill;54.186700;-2.299432|Old%20Ing;54.186987;-2.29673|Birkwith;54.187841;-2.302192&centre=54.187346;-2.299057&scale=17 SD 8055 7679

Altitude: 360 m

Description
Dismal Hill to Old Ing provides an excellent through trip.

The original entrance to Dismal Hill is a short, flat-out bedding, which leads to a couple of climbs down, then another tight bedding, before emerging dramatically at roof level in the main streamway.

Downstream is a large passage which ends after 150m at a deep canal leading to the sump.

Upstream is easy going for 50m, before the passage narrows and the water deepens. This used to be the end of the trip for non-divers, but it is now possible to traverse above the water using the in-situ ropes, foot pegs and other assorted fixed aids, before climbing into the roof where a short body sized tube leads into the lower reaches of Old Ing cave.

To exit via Old Ing, continue upstream, climb the waterfall (rope may be in-situ, but check its condition), then continue up the streamway before a climb into the roof on the left leads to Mick's End. This is the dry bypass to sumps 1 and 2 of Old Ing. It is a simple wriggle through a body sized tube that emerges at roof level in the cascading streamway which leads to the entrance.

There is a new entrance to Dismal Hill which drops straight down to the main streamway, bypassing the tight entrance series and thus missing most of the fun.