Calf Holes / Browgill

Location
Calf Holes Grid Reference: |Browgill%20Cave;54.194967;-2.308305|Old%20Ing%20Farm;54.191060;-2.300456&scale=16 SD 8040 7758

Altitude: 357 m

Just over the wall of the Pennine Way track, 170 m north of the Old Ing Farm junction.

Browgill Cave Grid Reference: |Calf%20Holes;54.193639;-2.301911|Old%20Ing%20Farm;54.191060;-2.300456&centre=54.193639;-2.301911&scale=16 SD 8002 7774

Altitude: 329 m

Description
The stream plunges down the open hole, just to the side is a smaller hole which is the usual place for descending the 10m pitch.

Downstream a pleasant and easy stream passage is followed until the water disappears and the passage lowers. On the left is a short connection to Browgill Cave, known as Hainsworth's Crawl. Once through the short constriction the stream (or various oxbows) is followed to where it drops down a waterfall. This can be climbed with care, although most parties head back slightly and to the right in a crawl which arrives at a dry climb (handline usually in-situ).

The rift is followed to a small chamber, following the water the stream heads towards the daylight at the attractive entrance of Browgill Cave.

After completing this trip some parties move on to visit Birkwith Cave, Old Ing / Dismal Hill and Red Moss Pot to make a full days outing.

Access
Call at High Birkwith Farm.

References and Further Reading
Heap, D., 1964, Potholing: Beneath The Northern Pennines, pp 31-39. Routledge and Kegan Paul, London