Moorland Caver (2003)

NGR:SE 511833
Altitude:300 m
Length: 3.6 m
Depth:3 m
Access: No known restrictions
Grade: I
Entertainment Value: I

From the public footpath at the at the top of the escarpment take the nature trail heading diagonally down slope. The entrance lies directly beside the path.
A very narrow fissure leads to an even narrower cross rift. What is interesting is the impressive draught that this hole produces – digging might pay dividends.

History
Discovered by A.C.V.S.U. in 1972.

Northern Caves Volume 5 (1974)

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

Moorland Caver (2003)

Until recently the Gowerdale Windypits had been used for the dumping of “farm waste”, rendering descents particularly unpleasant. However thanks to the good offices of Pete Roe and funding from English Nature the holes have now been cleaned up; let’s hope they stay that way! Nice one Pete.
GOWERDALE I
(A.k.a Windypit V, South Gowerdale Windypit)
NGR:SE 517889
Length: 12m
Depth: 33m
Alt: 302m
Access: Permission to descend is not granted
Grade: II+
Entertainment value: I

The fissure, usually covered with timbers (replace), lies in a patch of uncultivated ground to the east of the field. Gowerdale I consists of a simple, albeit deep, single fissure. An absence of suitable belays makes a descent a problem; one solution is to lay a stout pole across the entrance. A descent of about 22m (with ladder resting on various chock stones) leads to a landing on rubble, followed by a second 6m pitch (ladder belayed to first) down to the bottom of the fissure.
Those who have bothered to come this far will be disappointed to find the fissure is blind.

Tackle
30m ladder, possibly belayed to a sturdy pole across the entrance, alternatively stake & sling.

History
Gowerdale 1 was discovered and descended in March 1936 by the Y.R.C. who named the hole Windypit V.

GOWERDALE II
(A.k.a Windypit IV)
NGR:SE 518889
Length: Circa 95m
Depth: 27m
Alt:302m
Access: Permission to descend is not granted
Grade : II
Entertainment value: ?

Gowerdale II lies in the next field east of Gowerdale I. The hole will be found at the north western corner of the field, surrounded by a wire fence. Belay ladder to tree on northern side of the fence. A descent of 6m lands on a rather unpleasant “rubble” floor. (3m down the pitch is a small eye-hole giving access to an 8m long fissure with a false floor). The way on is through a constriction in the floor. When visited by the authors in 1999 the constriction was blocked by a very offensive choke of bagged animal remains. At the time no one had the inclination (or strong enough stomach) to dig their way through, so the following description, in lieu of a more contemporary one, has been taken from Cooper et al (1976):

“The open entrance hole descends to an earth and rubbish slope ending at a small hole about 20′ down. The ladder must be fed through this hole.

The pitch then continues down one end of a chamber 8′ wide, 30′ high and 30′ long, with light coloured walls decorated by small calcite flows. A landing is reached after 53′.
To the right of the ladder a descending fissure floored with mud can be followed to a zigzagging lower passage with three sharp bends roughly equidistant from one another. The passage ends in a choke. Back at the bottom of the pitch, holes in the floor lead into a lower chamber beneath, showing that the main chamber floor is formed of wedged blocks. The lower passage ends in blank walls. At the western end of the main chamber a traverse past a hole leads round a bend and through a short crawl to a fissure passage which passes over a 3 1/2′ step down, to a 6′ upwards slope, and then chokes.”

Tackle
Northern Caves (Brook et al, 1988) recommends:
“25m ladder, stake and sling belay, 30m lifeline”; however a more suitable solution would be to belay to a tree circa 6m away.

History
Gowerdale II was discovered and explored in April 1936 by the Y.R.C. who named the hole Windypit IV.
The 8m fissure 3m down the pitch was dug into by Rick Stewart in 1999.

Yorkshire Ramblers Club – Journal 7 (1938)

North Riding, Hawnby, Windypits IV and V. (alt. 970 ft., S. edge of Gowerdale. Leave car E. of Silver Hills Farm, I mile from Boltby Bank, and go N. Leave must be obtained to remove the substantial coverings).—No. IV, April, 1936, H. L. and F. W. Stembridge and E. E. Roberts. 85 feet of ladder with a landing on the roof of the lower storey at 60 feet. Zigzag rift with three right angle corners, body width. Total depth 95 ft.

Pennine Underground (1965)

Moldywarps Speleological Group – Journal 6 (1973)

Northern Caves Volume 5 (1974)

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

Moorland Caver (2003)

NGR: SE 520900
Altitude: 330m
Access: No known restrictions
Grade: I
Entertainment value: I-
View: V

Two small and uninspiring holes in the middle of nowhere, the only thing, which justifies the walk, are the wonderful views. Both holes lie on the break of slope on the spur between Spring Wood and North Wood.

EPPY HEAD I
Length: 4.5m
Depth: 6m
2.5m deep entrance “shaft” is easily negotiated without tackle.
A narrow fissure leads to a blind chamber.
The entrance is currently (2000) blocked.
History Explored by B.S.A. 1949.

EPPY HEAD II
Length: 6m
50m to the north west of I. Small hole covered by timbers (replace). Short single fissure which chokes to the east and becomes too tight to the west.
History
Discovered by M.S.G. in circa 1975.

Yorkshire Ramblers Club – Journal 7 (1952)
Eppy Head, a large and dangerous opening at 1,000 ft. contour, S. of Arden Hall, Hawnby. The last is more solid than it seems, not deep, and can be climbed. Scovell, Simons, Parker and Roberts have done it

Pennine Underground (1965)

Moldywarps Speleological Group – Journal 6 (1973)

Northern Caves Volume 5 (1974)

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

Moorland Caver (2003)

NGR: SE 512816
Altitude: 250m
Length: 9m
Access: No known restrictions.
Grade: I
Entertainment Value: I

The rift is located in Roulston Scar. From the footpath locate two wooden gateposts, just beyond is a steep gully between cliffs. From the bottom of the gully climb up a “staircase” of boulders leading to the entrance. The rift ascends steeply for about 9 m before becoming too tight.

History

Known since the 1850s, noted by the M.S.G. circ. 1974

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

Moorland Caver (2003)

NGR:SE 450934
Altitude: 180m
Length: 4.5 m
Access: No known restrictions
Grade: I
Entertainment value: I

This “rock shelter” lies to the North West of Over Silton and is found about 3 m up a slipped section of cliff. The entrance is 1.5 m high x 1.2 m wide. The hole is about 2 m wide with two small avens at the far end. Also at the far end is a too tight tube estimated to be about 3 m long.

History
Cooper noted in MSG 7 that “Mrs Craik’s account of North Riding Folklore talks of a cavern (windypit?) N.W of Over Silton”. Hobthrush Hole was discovered by the M.S.G. in circa 1975; possibly the cavern referred to by Mrs Craik (?).

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

Moorland Caver (2003)

NGR: SE 587828
Altitude: 130m
Length: 375m
Depth: 38m
Access: Permission to descend is not ordinarily granted.  If you have a particular interest or reason for visiting, please contact us and we will see if we can help.

Grade: III
Entertainment value: IV

Located beside forestry track on edge of mature conifer plantation. Entrance is a large fissure, however a fallen tree disguises the fact and creates two entrances: North Entrance and South Shaft (a.k.a Holly Bush Pitch). North Entrance is a descending traverse (Lifeline / handline useful). Drop down through small entrance hole onto a ledge with an 8 bolt traverse and a chain in-situ (the chain was installed during the 1950’s and its use is not recommended. The bolts were installed in 2003). Traversing obliquely along ledges and boulders brings one to the foot of South Shaft. South shaft is a 9 m ladder pitch. South from the foot of the ladder is a short crawl which leads to the head of an 18 m pitch landing in Fissure S.
Loose rock abounds on the pitch and it is best avoided, given that it is easily by-passable.
The main way on lies at the North end of the entrance chamber. Negotiate a 2 m overhang to land on a ledge followed by a climb down the left hand side of the climb dropping into the Main Fissure (stony corridor). The foot of the climb is a junction.

Chamber / Fissure R: Looking down the Main Fissure a branch fissure leads off to the left into a small chamber known as Chamber R. At the far side of Chamber R is a small fissure (Fissure R) at floor level. An oblique descent of Fissure R back under Chamber R brings one to a small chamber.

Fissures S, T, U: Back at the Junction; to the left of Chamber R is a short crawl leading to a rubble slope at the head of Fissure S. Two cross rifts lead off from Fissure S: Fissure U to the right and Fissure T to the left.
This series of fissures was very productive in terms of archaeological material; any bones etc found in the vicinity should be left undisturbed.

Fissure J: Descend the Main Fissure (Stony Corridor) to a large boulder chamber. At the foot of the climb down into the chamber a hole will be noticed on the right, which descends down to a choke. It is possible to traverse up and over the choke to a point where the fissure becomes too tight. The M.S.G. established a vocal connection between this point and Fissure T.

Oxtail Chamber & the F series: Back at the chamber; a climb up behind a large boulder gives access to a large chamber known as Oxtail Chamber. Oxtail Chamber is an important junction leading to the F series fissures. Fissure F1 (Dead Man’s Gulch) lies at the far side of the chamber and is reached by various routes up, under, over and round boulders. Traverse out over 10 m drop on ledges to chock stone, from here a series of traverses and descents bring one to the deepest point. Fissure F2 is a narrow (and rather pointless) descent of about 6 m (ladder useful); becomes too tight. Fissure F3 is located to the left of F1 and ends after 10 m in a rather unstable boulder choke. To the right of F3 lies Fissure F4, the key to the extensive “New Series”. The obvious way into F4 is to chimney down into the fissure and negotiate a rather awkward squeeze, beyond the squeeze the fissure chokes after about 7 m. However if one traverses over the drop a route can be followed over the choke into Hayes Hall

The New Series: Hayes Hall is a large chamber at the junction of several fissures, which comprise The New Series. various small, choked fissures lead off from the South end of the chamber. The main “New Series Fissure” is an impressive piece of passage running North East from Hayes Hall. This fissure is somewhere in the region of 40 m long and terminates in a large choke known as the Great Stone Slide which is believed to come quite close to the surface. Two branch fissures lead of from the Main Fissure. The most obvious lies on the left (looking up from Hayes Hall) and is entered via a 4 m climb down. The fissure terminates in the inevitable boulder choke after 10 m. Back at the junction a second branch fissure leads of on the right.
Tackle
North Entrance: 5m handline
8 bolt Traverse: 20m handline
South Shaft: 9m ladder, nearest belay point circa 5 m away (tree)
Fissure S Pitch: 20m ladder, possible to belay to boulder in crawl.
Fissure F2: 6m ladder.
N.B. it is possible to make a full descent without any tackle.

History
First, partial, descent by Dean Wm. Buckland in July 1822. Buckland produced the first written description of the descent of a Windypit. Visited and bottomed by W.V. Brown and E.E.Roberts of the Y.R.C. in May 1935 who named the hole Windypit I. During WW2 various servicemen stationed locally descended including one Chadwick (A Y.R.C. member named Chadwick discovered Windypit VI / Motts Hole (q.v) in 1947). This period also saw a visit by Raymond Hayes and Peter Precious. Paul Fitton & Doreen Mitchell of the B.S.A. examined the hole in 1949 as part of their work on the Ryedale Windypits, during which they produced the first known survey of Bucklands Deer Park Windypit (as they called it). In 1954 a group of local archaeologists under the leadership of Raymond Hayes began work in Bucklands. 1954 saw the discovery of Fissures S, T and U by one of Hayes’ team; David Lamplough. The same year also saw Hayes, J.F.A Smailes and C. Brewer discovering the extensive New Series. The M.S.G. looked at Bucklands in 1981 and produced the “definitive” survey. Recent extensions were made in January 1998 by R. Stewart and A. Bolton who managed to descend Fissure R and later in the same year S.C.C. extended the unnamed fissure on the left of the great stone slide.

Buckland – Reliquiae Diluvianae (1823)

Yorkshire Ramblers Club – Journal 6 (1935)

Helmsley (Yorkshire), Duncombe Park, Windy pits (in the deer park, 430 yards from the footbridge, bearing 195° or 15″ west of south, marked by a great sawn-off tree trunk). — May, 1935. W. V. Brown and E. E. Roberts. The opening is. well known to local people, and several descents have been made to about 90 ft. A straight and narrow fissure, evidently unexplored, was found above two big boulders, and descended from chockstone to chockstone for 80 ft., aided once by the wire ladder. Total depth, about 150 ft. Other minor fissures were explored. Leave should not be difficult to obtain but the shooting months should be ascertained.

BCRA Cave Science – Vol.2 No.12 – The Ryedale Windypits (1950)

Pennine Underground (1965)

Northern Caves Volume 5 – (1974)

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

BCRA Cave Science – Vol.9 No.1 – The Windypits in Duncombe Park (1982)

Discovering Prehistoric England (2001)

Life and Death in the Ryedale Windypits Near Helmsley, North Yorkshire
Stephany Leach, University of Winchester,
Bucklands Windypit is the most southerly of this group and although it consists of quite an extensive series of fissures and chambers, archaeological material was only recovered from fissure S, a U-shaped fissure with two small adjoining chambers. Prehistoric Beaker pottery sherds, evidence of hearths, a flint tool and animal bones including auroch were recovered from the base of fissure S. The presence of this material leads to the belief that the human remains discovered in this fissure were ‘Beaker burials’. Several human skulls together with bones from other parts of the body were excavated from the base of a steep muddy slope. These skulls were interesting for two reasons, firstly they exhibited evidence of blunt force injury, some with multiple injuries (Figs 2a and 2b) and secondly, the radiocarbon dates show these individuals were deposited in this cave during the 2nd Century AD


Figs 2a, 2b: Skull from Bucklands exhibiting evidence of two blunt force injuries with radiating fractures

Evidence of an attack with a blunt weapon is quite rare in the skeletal record during the Romano-British period; trauma from bladed weapons is far more common. The attack on these people from Bucklands was brutal, lethal and contained a definite element of overkill. Who were they and why were they treated so violently? The skeletal report compiled in the 1950s stated that no trauma was present in the bones excavated from Bucklands, Slip Gill and Antofts. However, advances in forensic science have proved invaluable for the interpretation of fractures and cuts present on human remains from archaeological contexts.

The noted elevated prevalence of trauma in material from cave sites may suggest that their use was associated with times of social upheaval, a link between people being placed in caves and ruptures in the fabric of society. Did they consider the caves and fissures as special places, part of the sacred natural landscape, a place perhaps to commune with ‘otherworldly’ beings? Alternatively, they may have been seen as dark, dangerous but perhaps convenient locations for what might be considered deviant burials. There must have been some degree of difficulty involved in transporting a corpse into the lower chambers of these fissures, unless the bodies were simply tossed over the edge, as would appear likely in the case of Slip Gill Windypit. These fissures were not simply the easiest option for mortuary disposal; furthermore the entrances to the Windypits are not obvious or prominent features in the landscape.

The Ryedale Windypits were not simply repositories for Beaker burials. It would appear that certain caves were repeatedly used during a considerable period of time, approximately 2000 years, while other fissures were ignored. We can also see evidence for a continuation of prehistoric mortuary activities at these sites well into the Romano-British period, the archaeological evidence indicating differential yet contemporary use of the subterranean realms during the 2nd Century AD. In conclusion, by liberating the skeletal evidence from our preconceptions and allowing the bones to tell their own story, we have gained unique insight into the life and ultimate demise of the people of the Ryedale Windypits.

Memoirs of a Moldywarp (2008)

Moorland Caver (2003)
NGR: SE 507863
Altitude: 300m
Access: No known restrictions.
Grade: II
Entertainment Value: II

Four small slip rifts in a disused quarry on the edge of the Hambleton escarpment.
These rifts lie in an abandoned quarry, and are best approached from the public footpath at the head of the escarpment.

BOLTBY I
Length: 50m
Depth: 8m
Obvious tube entrance just above quarry floor.
A short crawl to junction with high rift, right for 10m leads to boulder chokes, left for 2m and up 4m leads to visual connection with Boltby 2. Straight on leads to a series of parallel rifts all ending in chokes or becoming to tight.

BOLTBY II
Length: 11m
A few metres north of 1, and 3m up, a very tight passage turns right into a roomer crawl ending in a choke with a visual connection with 1.

BOLTBY III
Length: 21m
Depth: 8.5m
Further north along the face, just beyond a step in the quarry floor.
A very tight squeeze down pitch (handline useful for return) into a rift ending in boulder ruckles.
Ruckle at Southern end has a number of inviting black spaces and a dig here would be rewarding.

STONE LEVER POT (BOLTBY IV)
Length: 10m
Depth: 10m

On the same tier as 3 but 10m West.
Entrance covered with wood (replace). Squeeze under slab and over pit, continuing rift ends in boulder choke after 10m but chinks of blackness can be seen beyond, a dig here might gain a continuation. Down the pit and heading South (back under entrance), a small phreatic tube can be entered with vocal link to the surface.

History
Discovered by S.C.C. in 1997. Explored by S.C.C./M.S.G. later in the same year.
Stone Lever Pot gains it’s name from finding a 2m long crow bar lodged in a crack at the bottom.

Yorkshire Geological Society Volume 41 (1976)

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

Moorland Caver (2003)
NGR: SE 565799
Altitude: 200m
Length: Circa 90m (this is very approximate)
Depth: 16m
Access: Ask for permission from farm at head of valley.
Grade: III
Entertainment Value: IV

Warning:
Blood is basically a continuous boulder ruckle, extreme care must be exercised throughout as there is a constant danger from loose rock and boulders – trust nothing.

Originally this hole had three entrances, Blood Pit East, Blood Pit West and Blood Pit III; currently only Blood Pit West appears to be open, the other two having either collapsed or been filled.
Entry via Blood Pit West involves a cautious descent through slabs and boulders. Once in the explorer is confronted by a three dimensional maze over under and between boulders with no solid walls to be seen. Numerous routes, including several round trips, are possible depending on the tenacity and sanity of the explorer. Currently (1999) a line runs from Blood Pit West to a “letterbox” which leads to the deepest point, offering some guidance to the would be explorer. Continuing past the letterbox, up a rift should lead to the rest of the cave. Beyond this Blood defies adequate description; even with the survey route finding is a hit or miss affair. The current authors advice is “suck it and see” and above all go carefully!
For those who require a traditional guidebook description of Blood, two earlier descriptions are included below, make of them what you will:

Extract from M.S.G. 6:
“The west entrance to Blood Windypit (i.e the first entrance discovered) lies amongst boulders in a hollow at the top of the Western side of Shallowdale (NGR SE 566799). (From the farm follow the line of telegraph poles up the hill and then turn right for about 50 yds.). The East entrance (the second one discovered) lies 32′ away, in a grassy patch, to the Northeast. The third entrance (the last one discovered) lies, in turn 20′ East of the East entrance, in the side of the hill. The latter two entrances are covered by branches and rocks so that the cattle that roam the hillside do not fall in.

For the West entrance a 60′ rope, belayed to the large oak tree 25′ away, is advisable. A 20′ climb down leads to the main chamber. From here, a climb and traverse up to the right leads into the main passage, at the other end of which is the East entrance. To the left, however a squeeze leads to a rock bridge over the main chamber, 13′ below. Care should be taken, on the climb down, not to use the bridge as a hold.

From the Main Chamber, a crawl leads to a junction, with a letterbox going down to the left, and a fissure off to the right. A climb down the letterbox, which is often difficult on the way out for large people, leads eventually to the Bottom Fissure, 60′ below ground (we’ve done a great deal of digging here, but only with the result of breaking the prongs of two crowbars and bringing much of the roof down).

The right hand fissure leads into the extension series and Dave Criddle Chamber, into which the third entrance drops (this area has not been thoroughly “pushed”).
Back in the Main Passage, a crawl off to the right leads, via Bone Chamber, back to the West entrance, and two descents off to the left lead down to the Main Chamber.
From the East entrance, a crawl down over a rock bridge leads into a chamber, with the Main Passage coming in up a sloping crawl. No rope is necessary.
The third entrance is not recommended for large or clumsy people, as it is tight and unstable. A 40′ belay and 20′ ladder are needed, and a lifeline is advised in view of the number of unstable rocks.”

Extract from Northern Caves, Vol I:
“WARNING – Danger everywhere from loose rocks.
Three entrances on W side of Shallowdale; W entrance among boulders in a hollow 65m NNW of farm at head of valley; 10 m E is E entrance, round hole covered with boulders. No. 3 entrance is 9m E again, in side of bank and is tight and unstable. Latter two entrances should be covered securely. A complex and unstable windypit-type cave with many passages lying close to the surface.

From W entrance an 8m climb among boulders (handline advisable) leads to small chamber. To right, short climb and traverse lead via crawl into main passage. Ahead through crawl and up climb is E entrance. To left various ways lead to Main Chamber. From here a squeeze leads to a T-junction. To left and down a letterbox is the bottom fissure, the deepest point. To right a climb leads to 9m high chamber. Various crawls, only partially explored, lead off. Entrance 3 drops into this chamber.

Tackle
Entrance Main (W) : 15m handline
Entrance 3 : 3m Ladder, 12m Belay, 11m Lifeline

History
Discovered and explored by A.C.V.S.U. in 1972.

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

Blood Windypit  SE566799 Altitude 650 ft. Length 300 ft. Depth 52 ft.

References: Coghlan, 1973c; Brook et al 1974.

This windypit lies on the west side of Shallowdale, and has three entrances. The west entrance is among boulders in a hollow 200 ft. NNW of High Woods Farm at the head of the valley. The other two entrances are normally covered over and not used. The windypit is complex and unstable, with many passages lying close to the surface. It has an upper series very close to the surface (hence the three entrances), which is everywhere very unstable, sharp, and awkward. Then, below the letter-box, the fissure is deeper, and runs subparallel to the main valley side. The alignment of the upper levels, roughly at right-angles to the valley side, is subparallel to Pond Slack, a tributary valley which enters Shallowdale immediately to the north of the windypit.

Northern Caves Volume 5 – (1974)

BLOOD WINDYPIT NGR SE.566799 Grade II

Alt. 650 ft. (198 m.) Length 300 ft. (91.5 m.) Depth 52 ft. (16 m.) E

xplored 1972, A. C.V.S.U. WARNING — Danger everywhere from loose rocks. Three entrances on W side of Shallowdale; W entrance is among boulders in a hollow 70 yds. (64 m.) NNW of the farm at the head of the valley. 32 ft. (10 m.) E is E entrance, a round hole covered with boulders and No. 3 entrance is 30 ft. (9.1 m.) E again, in side of bank and is tight and unstable. Latter two entrances should be covered securely. The various holes give access to a complex and unstable windypit-type system with many passages lying close to the surface. From main (W) entrance a 25 ft. (7.6 m.) climb amongst boulders (handline advisable) leads to a small chamber. To right, short climb and traverse lead via a crawl into main passage. Ahead through a crawl and up a climb is E entrance. To left various ways lead to Main Chamber. From here a squeeze leads to a ‘T’ junction. To left and down a letterbox is the bottom fissure, the deepest point. To right a climb leads to Dave Criddle Chamber, 30 ft. (9.1 m.) high and the largest in the system. Various crawls, only partially explored, lead off. Entrance 3 drops into this chamber.

Permission—farm at head of valley.

Moldywarps Speleological Group – Journal 6 (1973)

Moorland Caver (2003)
NGR: SE 570850
Altitude: 150m
Access: Permission to descend is not granted.
Warning: Beware of loose rock, esp. in Ashberry II.

ASHBERRY I

Length: 110m
Depth: 28m
Grade: II
Entertainment Value: III

The entrance is a large, open sloping hole, below a tree; best descended using a handline (for the return). The way on lies to the East end of the entrance chamber. A short climb down leads to a choice of routes. That to the right drops into Chamber C with no way on. (This chamber yielded a variety of archaeological material during the 1950s). The main way on lies down a narrow descending rift on the left hand side. Climb down at the foot of the rift into a roomy boulder chamber known as chamber D. Exiting the chamber at its bottom (lowest) end brings one to the top of a 9m pitch into the main rift.

The pitch can be by-passed by using Dowsons Route: Take the left before the head of the pitch and insert oneself through a letterbox into a small boulder chamber. Just below the letterbox is a hole; this is the head of a 4.5m climb down into the main rift (best tackled on a short ladder or handline belayed to a boulder in the chamber). The climb lands in the main rift, back from the foot of the 9 m ladder pitch. A boulder slope at the North End of the main rift can be climbed giving access to a further, short section of the Main Rift. The route to the deepest point starts near the foot of the climb on Dowsons Route. A crawl in a small passage (a less than obvious continuation of the main rift) leads to a hole in the floor – the lowest point in the system. The passage ends in a choke, which is believed to lie very close to Ammonite Rift in Ashberry II.

Tackle:
Entrance: 6m handline, belay to tree (optional).
Main rift: 9m ladder, belay to boulders (long belay).
Dowsons Route: Handline or 5m ladder, spreader, sling (optional).

ASHBERRY II

Length: 210m
Depth: 27m
Grade: III
Entertainment Value: IV

N.B: Care is needed to prevent (further) damage to fine moonmilk formations.

The entrance lies 9m south of Ashberry I and is easily found by following a well worn path. Although the 4.5m entrance is free climbable either a ladder or a handline is useful. The way on lies at the South end of the entrance chamber; an excavated pit drops down to a short, 40 cm high section best tackled feet first. Once in, follow the right hand wall to a 1.2 m climb down into a boulder chamber. This chamber is a main junction and, as such is the key to the system with various routes radiating from this point:

Letterbox Route: Follow the chamber up to the left where a rift in solid rock will be encountered. Drop down into the rift and climb down to the left (right leads to the deepest point), which brings one to “Fourways Junction”. From the junction traverse down the right hand rift which soon opens out into a spacious chamber. At the far end of the chamber is a “letterbox” connecting to a parallel fissure; carefully note the letterbox for the return journey as it is very easy to loose the way out (voice of experience)! Emerging from the letterbox turn left into a boulder chamber; two different routes are possible from here: Firstly there is a climb up to the right which can be followed up through a series of rather unstable (care) boulder chambers to a point quite near the surface – all in all, rather uninspiring stuff. Alternatively one can follow the more normal route from the boulder chamber, i.e straight ahead which leads to a 2 m climb down. From the foot of the climb follow the passage for a few metres to a small and unstable chamber with a hole in the floor. The hole is a narrow 4.5 m chimney down to Upper Windlet Chamber.

Intermediate circuit: From the 1.2m climb into the Junction Chamber follow the right hand wall until a corner is reached. Drop through the hole in the floor to emerge into a low roomy chamber (note the hole should you need to return this way). The bottom end of the chamber opens up into a roomier chamber with a slope on the right and a narrow fissure on the left. The fissure on the left quickly opens up into a blind chamber. The way on lies up the slope on the right.
At the top of the slope there are two practicable routes: A climb up to the left that leads into a short blind passage. The alternative (and the way on) is a thrutch up through boulders on the right which brings one back to Fourways Junction on the “Letterbox Route”.

Main Route to deepest point: From the top of Junction Chamber climb down into the rift and follow it to the right (best tackled as low down the rift as possible). The Rift opens out into quite a large boulder chamber with various holes in the floor. A climb down through a hole lands in a smaller chamber at the head of a 3.5m climb. From this chamber a rather devious route to the left leads to Upper Windlet Chamber and the foot of the 4.5m chimney from the Letterbox Route. The 3.5m climb is rather an awkward proposition as a free climb and is best laddered. The climb lands in Ammonite Rift. The boulder choke at the Northern end of the rift is very close to the end of the Main Rift in Ashberry I and draughts strongly. Digging here might produce a through route into I (CARE REQUIRED !!!). The southern end of the rift continues into Lower Windlet Chamber (and the deepest point). A climb up through boulders at the far end of Lower Windlet brings one into Upper Windlet Chamber.

A Round Trip: From the entrance head to Junction Chamber, follow the intermediate circuit to Fourways Junction. From Fourways take the Letterbox Route, via the chimney down to upper Windlet Chamber. Cross Upper Windlet to the Chamber at the head of the 3.5m climb. Down the climb into Ammonite rift, into Lower Windlet and then climb back into Upper Windlet. Retrace your steps back to the head of the 3.5m climb and then climb up, through one of the holes, into the boulder chamber. Follow the rift out of the chamber back to the Junction Chamber and out.

Tackle
Entrance: 5m ladder, spreader and sling, belay to tree near open hole.
3.5m climb: 5m handline or 5m ladder, spreader and sling, belay to rock bridge at head of climb.

History
Although Ashberry must have been known locally for a significant period the first recorded descent took place in November 1935 when Roberts, Brown, Gowing and P.O.Armstrong of the Y.R.C. examined Windypit III at Ashberry. In 1943 Hayes and a party of five boys descended the main fissure, Edgar Dowson (of Dowson Pot (q.v) “fame”) discovered a short climb up out of the western end of the rift.
After clearing a considerable amount of rubble a climbable pitch bypass was opened up.

During their series of explorations in 1949 Ashberry was visited by the B.S.A. who produced a survey, however they did not manage to enter new territory. They were aware of the pitch bypass which they named “Dowson’s Passage” after its finder.

The 1955 archaeological finds in Antofts (q.v) stimulated a new interest in Ashberry, resulting in a considerable amount of digging on the part of Hayes and his associates, finds being made at four locations within the windypit. Having concluded their archaeological work in Ashberry I the diggers turned their attention to Ashberry II, first recorded by the B.S.A. in 1949. Work in Ashberry II appears to have commenced in 1959 when Bill Lamplough started clearing rubble at the foot of the small entrance shaft, however work appears to have been half hearted, attention having shifted to the excavation of fissures S, T, and U in Bucklands (q.v).

In 1971/72 a local archaeological society, digging in the entrance chamber dug their way into a new series of passages and chambers, opening up the maze like ramifications of Ashberry II. Who first explored the extension is open to question, however it is certain that the M.S.G. undertook the first complete exploration, during which they produced the definitive survey.

Memoirs of a Moldywarp (2008)

The first windypit we had a good look at, in 1972 was Ashberry, on a hill overlooking the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. Here was a hole quite different to most Dales potholes. In the middle of a wood, it was just a yawning black hole under a tree, for all the world like a huge fox earth, all dead leaves and dank breath. Another smaller hole alongside was Ashberry II, where we had heard a local archaeological group had dug into an extensive series of ‘new’ passages and chambers. We found both holes to consist of a bewildering maze of rifts and chambers; in places three parallel rifts had opened up, with lots of precariously poised boulders; at the lowest point in Ashberry II a strong draught blew in from an impassable fissure, the Windlet. Surveying the complex was not easy, and drawing out the survey so that it made sense to the beholder even more difficult, as there were several superimposed levels of passages. Some years later there. was a Cave Rescue Organisation callout to Ashberry ; they apparently went in clutching our survey, which I don’t think really helped them. Fortunately the missing cavers were (quite predictably) simply lost, and were easily retrieved.

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)

Ashberry Windypit 1.  SE570850 Altitude 500 ft. Length 360 ft. Depth 92 ft.

References: Anon., 1936b; Fitton Et Mitchell, 1950; Mitchell, 1956; Jackson, 1962; Hayes, 1963a, 1963b, 1963c, Brittain, 1965; Ryder, 1973; Brook et al., 1974.

The Ashberry windypits are situated in woodland on the east side of Ashberry Hill, on gently sloping ground about 10 ft. below the crest of the hillside overlooking Rievaulx Abbey. They consist of two more or less separate series of rifts and fissures, with separate entrances, but connected about 20 ft. below ground level by a very narrow rift. At Ashberry Windypit 1 an easy free climb down into a chamber leads to a descending rift below a small stone wall built by archaelogical excavators. In the roof of the main descending rift is the tight connection with Ashberry Windypit 2. The main route spirals down, with various short branches, through a maze of huge jumbled boulders, to the head of a 30 ft. pitch into the main rift . Dowson’s Route is an alternative, involving a 15 ft. climb with a fixed handline, leading into the south end of the main fissure. A short crawl and an 18 ft. climb down lead to a further short section of the main rift, closing down to the north and choked to the south. At the south end of the main rift, a low passage at floor level continues south for about 40 ft, ending in a choke a few feet short of Ammonite Rift in Ashberry Windypit 2. A narrow rift in the floor of this passage drops a further 10 ft. to the deepest point in the system.

The slot drops into a low bedding plane crawl, which, becoming roomier, opens to a 4 ft. drop down into a low boulder-strewn chamber with three ways on. The ensuing complexity is clear from the survey (Fig.12). A full description was given by Ryder 119731. The slipping that has taken place in the formation of the Ashberry system appears to have been not quite at right angles to tiie joints or pre-existing fissures in the rock, and thus a zig-zag plan has resulted (Davies and Ryder, 19731. The same pattern of slipping is also seen in the more complex higher levels, with individual blocks of hillside moving in various directions, not necessarily parallel to those above and below, between different bedding planes. In parts of Ashberry Windypit 2 there appear to be two more or less parallel rifts running alongside each other.  

Ashberry Windypit 2. SE570850 Altitude 500 ft. Length 690 ft. Depth 88 ft.

References: Ryder, 1973; Brook et al., 1974. This has a smaller entrance 30 ft. south of the gaping crater of Ashberry Windypit 1. It was long thought to consist of a single chamber only, with its narrow connection with Ashberry Windypit 1. However, in 1971 a local archaeological society, digging in this chamber, broke through into a considerable series of further passages and chambers. At present the way into these chambers has once more become blocked. The small entrance drops 12 ft. into a roomy chamber; a handline or short ladder is convenient. To the north is the narrow fissure connecting with Ashberry Windypit 1, and to the south is a strongly draughting slot at the foot of the chamber wall, which leads into the new series’.

Northern Caves Volume 5 – (1974)

ASHBERRY WINDYPIT NGR SE.570850 Grade II Alt. 500ft. (153 m.) Length 1,050 ft. (320.3 m.) Depth 90 ft. (27.5 m.) On Ashberry Hill, just below crest of wooded slope facing Rievaulx Abbey. Follow track branching left from Old Byland to Rievaulx road, and c. 100 yds. (91.5 m.) before gate into open field, turn left into wood and search for hole. An intricate and extensive windypit, some danger from loose rock. Ashberry I Entrance is an obvious crater beneath a tree. A series of roomy rifts and chambers spiral down to head of 30 ft. (9.1 m.) pitch into the Main Rift. This can be avoided by using Dowson’s Route—take first left before head of pitch, and series of small descents and final 15 ft. (4.5 m.) drop, where a handline is useful, provide an easier route into the Main Rift. To N is a climb up a boulder slope, short crawl, and 18 ft. (5.4 m.) climb down into short further section of Main Rift. To S., below foot of climb on Dowson’s Route, is a smaller passage, a hole in the floor of which is the deepest point in the system, ending in a choke a few feet from Ammonite Rift in Ashberry II Series. Ashberry II. Small entrance 30 ft. (9.1 m.) S of Ashberry I entrance. 15 ft. (4.5 m.) descent (rope useful) into chamber. To N is very tight rift connecting with Ashberry I, to S a low crawl leads into a very complex series of chambers and rifts. Route to deepest point is found by taking first possible branch on left (not hole in roof), and right at first junction along a narrow rift, dropping into a chamber, with a false floor. Climb down into chamber beneath, then down slope onto rock bridge in Ammonite Rift—this area is very unstable. 12 ft. (3.6 m.) climb to floor of Rift, to N boulder choke, to S crawl into Lower Windlet Chamber, with on left in floor narrow rift draughting strongly—the Windlet. There are a variety of other passages and chambers, too complex to be easily described.

Moldywarps Speleological Group – Journal 6 (1973)

Ashberry Windypit consists of two more or less separate series of rifts and fissure with separate entrances, but connected, about 20′ below ground level, by a very narrow rift. Ashberry I, the deeper series, has been known for many years, and is described in the ‘Cave Science’  article. Ashberry II, with a smaller entrance 30′ south of the gaping crater of Ashberry I, was long thought to consist of a single chamber only, with its narrow connection with Ashberry I. However, in 1971, a local archaeological society, digging in this chamber, broke through into a further series of passages and chambers of considerable extent. Location.  Ashberry Windypit is situated in woodland on the east side of Ashberry Hill, on gently sloping ground about 10′ below the crest of the hillside overlooking Rievaulx Abbey. Due to their complexity, written descriptions of windypit tend to be inordinately long, and not very illuminating, surveys of them provide their unravellers with absorbing mental puzzles. The survey of Ashberry here reproduced shows the plan divided into three, the passages and chambers being conveniently divided into three different levels (although there are no such distinct separate levels in actuality – the division is quite arbitrary, merely for the purposes of the clarity of the survey). A fairly brief written description of the main routes in the system, to be used in conjunction with the survey, is given here. Ashberry 1: Length 360′, Depth 92′, The entrance crater of Ashberry I is easily scrambled down, no tackle being required, into a chamber, from which a descending rift, below a small stone wall built by archaeologists, leads downward,. To the r. is a second chamber, also showing evidence of attention from archaeologists. In the roof of the main descending rift (point ‘A’ a survey) is the tight connection with Ashberry II. The main route spirals down, with various short branches, to the head of a 30′ pitch into the Main Rift. Turning I. before the head of the pitch, and I. again through a small hole into a little chamber (‘B’ on survey) leads to a 15′ climb with (in 1972) a fixed handline. Dowson’s Route  into the south end of the Main Rift, The Main Rift is 4′ wide and 30′ high, running north past the foot of the 30′ pitch, to a climb up muddy boulders into a high chamber with some moonmilk on the walls, A short crawl and an 18′ climb down leads to a further short section of the Main Rift, closing down to the north and choked to the south. At the south end of the Main Rift, a low passage at floor level continues south for c.40′, ending in a choke a few feet short of Ammonite Rift in Ashberry II. A narrow rift in the floor of this passage drops a further 13′, the deepest point in the system.

Ashberry II, Length 690′, Depth 88′.

The small entrance drops 12′ into a roomy chamber – tackle is not essential, but a handline or short ladder can be used. To the north is the narrow fissure connecting with Ashberry I, to the south a slot at the foot of the chamber wall, draughting strongly, leading into the ‘new series’. This slot drops Into a low bedding, which opens into a roomier crawl, to a 4′ drop down into a low bouldery chamber with three ways on. Straight ahead is a hole in the floor (‘a’ on survey), and to the I. a descending passage (‘b’) divided into two horizontally by a rock bridge, with above its entrance an opening in the roof leading up into a rather larger chamber, with one other route out, a descending rift (‘d’). Descending hole ‘a’, one enters a low chamber directly below that which one has just left, with a route on through boulder ruckle into a larger chamber with an obvious ‘aven’ in the roof (‘e’). At the top of this, an easy 15′ climb, are some short muddy passages which soon end. The chamber at ‘e’ can also be reached by following the passage ‘b’ from the point at which the routes divide, and turning l. at the first junction. Straight ahead. at this junction opens into a roomy chamber running to the r. (entered at ‘c’ on survey). To the l. a hole down through boulders (‘f’) leads back to chamber ‘e’ through, boulder ruckle. turning r. through the chamber, and passing a hole (‘g’) on the l. dropping into a blind chamber below the floor of that which one is in, one comes to a distinctive ‘letter-box’ opening on the l., Into a parallel rift. Turning l. here – very tight – drops into the low level chamber again, turning r. leads to a fork, with a low level route to the I, and a high level passage to the r. The high level route runs for 30′ or so to an ascending choke, the low level route leads, via a 6′ deep hole in the floor, to a small low chamber, somewhat unstable, with a very narrow 15′ deep chimney dropping into Upper Windlet Chamber. Returning to the 4-way junction between ‘b’ and ‘c’ on the survey (drawing of Middle Levels), turning r. leads into a rift passage, with the passage ‘d’ from the first high level chamber entering in the roof. After 20′ the rift passage opens into a roomy chamber, the way on being down one of the various holes in the floor, and then on down a mud slope to arrive on a boulder bridge wedged across a section of large rift, c.15′ above the floor. A rather tricky climb (‘j’), with some danger from loose rocks, gains the floor of the rift chamber, Ammonite Rift, named from a prominent fossil in the west wall, c.5′ above floor level. Northwards, Ammonite Rift ends in a boulder choke very near the end of the low passage which forms a southward continuation of the Main Rift in Ashberry I, with on the r., just before the choke, an opening into a parallel rift running back southwards for 18′ to a choke. The main way on is southwards from the foot of the climb, a route through boulders leading into Lower Windlet Chamber, with on its east side a narrow rift descending for a few feet to become too tight and choked, from which issues a very strong draught – a sort of wind inlet, or windlet, from which the chamber is named, Two routes from Lower Windlet Chamber – ‘i’ and ‘k’ – lead up into the more roomy Upper Windlet Chamber, sloping up southwards to the foot of the narrow 15′ chimney connecting with the low level passage beyond the ‘letter box’ in the series above.
The total surveyed length of Ashberry Windypit is now 1,050′ – a figure which will come as a surprise to those who think of windypits as mere simple slip fissures. As yet, none of the other well known windypits have been surveyed accurately, but it does seem that there is much more “horizontal” passage in Ashberry than in most. The length quoted above does include some “sloping” legs, since most of the passages are inclined to some extent, which would make the quoting of a length corrected to the horizontal, somewhat misleading. Ashberry Windypit appears to consist of one main slip fissure, in plan describing two gentle zig-zags. This is best seen in looking at the plan of the Lower Levels – the north part of the Main Rift in Ashberry I runs pretty well north-south. The central part of the Rift, and its low southern extension, run north-west to south-east, and then comes Ammonite Rift, the “Main Rift” of Ashberry II, again running north to south, to be followed by lower Windlet Chamber returning to the north-rest to south-east alignment. The slipping that has taken place in the formation of the system appears to have been not quite at right angles to the joints or pre-existing fissures in the rock, and thus a zig-zag plan has resulted (see notes by G.M.D., and his description. of Gowerdale II). This same pattern of slipping is also seen in the more complex higher levels, with individual blocks of hillside moving in various directions, not necessarily parallel to those above and below, between different bedding planes. In parts of Ashberry II (see cross-section) there appear to be two more or less parallel rifts running alongside each other. In parts of the system the passage and chamber walls are covered by deposits of moonmilk, up to 2″ in thickness. It has been suggested, by Graham Stevens, that the development of this deposit, requiring the action of organic agencies, might contribute to the general rotting of the limestone, and cause enlargement of the cavities, to some degree.
P.F.Ryder.

Pennine Underground (1965)
ASHBERRY WINDYPIT, Ryedale D.P.
Alt. 500 feet N.G.R. SE571.850 Depth 90 feet
First explored November, 1935, Y.R.C. 150 feet from N. end of wood on Ashberry Bank, where it flattens. Two entrances, the larger the correct one. First pitch slit and rope descent of 60 feet. Second pitch 30 feet (ladder is best) into rift. N. of rift squeeze into small chamber. Rope needed for 15 feet muddy pitch. Tackle required — 150 feet rope belayed to tree.

BCRA Cave Science – Vol.2 No.12 – The Ryedale Windypits (1950)

Moorland Caver(2003)
NGR: SE 582829
Altitude: 150 m
Length: 250 m
Depth: 43 m
Access: Permission to descend is not granted.
Grade: III
Entertainment Value: IV

Warning: The main rift in Antofts appears to still be geologically active. Explorers should be aware of a very real danger from falling boulders and unstable / unconsolidated chokes – you have been warned!
The large, fenced entrance hole leads down a mud slope (beware broken glass) to the head of a descent down into the Main Fissure. From this point two options are available: A 20 m ladder descent from this point (belayed to two 8mm spits – installed in 2003) or a climb down over a boulder to a traverse along a ledge (whilst lined) and down 3 m to a “trapdoor” above the main fissure. Both routes descend through the trapdoor to the main rift. It is possible to free climb from the trapdoor to the main rift, however a 15 m ladder (belayed to two 8 mm spits- installed 1998) is advisable. Various interconnecting boulder chambers and a dangerous high-level traverse along the top of the Main Fissure (not recommended) can be entered in the vicinity of the main descent. Under a large boulder, on the opposite wall from the base of the ladder is a corkscrew climb down to the fissure floor.
The Main Fissure is one of the most impressive voids under Ryedale, 2.5m wide and up to 22m high. Heading N.W along the Fissure a large and unstable boulder ruckle is reached after about 30m. Just before the ruckle is reached take note of the fresh impact marks on the walls and recently split calcite – evidence that the fissure is worryingly active. Like the fissure the boulder ruckle is also active and it may be necessary to dig ones way through (EXTREME CARE REQUIRED). The usual route through the ruckle is to climb up the face of the ruckle for circa 5m then squeeze through/under/over various loose boulders. Various obscure routes bypass the ruckle including a 10m traverse up the main fissure and over the ruckle (rather exposed) or an 8m long squeeze starting on the right hand side of the main fissure and emerging at the Crossroads on the other side of the ruckle.
Once through/past the ruckle a branch fissure, perpendicular to the Main Fissure is met. The branch fissure is blind, however it does connect with the end of the squeeze which bypasses the ruckle at a cross junction known as The Crossroads. The Main fissure can be followed at various levels for a further 50m or so before it closes down. At the point where the fissure closes down a branch fissure (marked “recent” fissure) can be entered on the right. The deepest point in the windypit lies at the bottom of this fissure.
Crossing over the floorless “recent” fissure, a “T” junction is met.
It is important to maintain the same height through the fissure and take note of the rock shapes at the “T” junction. When returning, is easy to drop too low at the junction and the obvious route is then lower along the “recent” fissure which takes you under a false floor in the main rift leaving you lost!
Turn left at the junction, and chimney across floorless rift to a wall with a passage on the right. Turn and climb up 2m then follow the obvious route into Snail Cavern. A large “hanging death” type place with a boulder ramp at one end and yet another rift at the other. The rift heading back is floorless and continues for 10m to a boulder choke. (To date the floor and the choke haven’t been “pushed”).
Turning right at the “T” junction is floorless undescended rift, which continues as torturous chimneying for 30m to a broad ledge over looking the main rift. It is important to maintain the same height along the rift, which is no wider than 40cm and is tiring when you have to climb back up.

Completing a round trip at this end of the system merits both a good grade 4 and a contemplation in the pub, as to whether it was worth having the skin rubbed off your elbows and shoulder blades!

Tackle
Main Rift (direct): 20m ladder or
Traverse: 10m lifeline (optional) and
Trapdoor: 15m ladder, spreader & crab, 8mm bolt & Hanger (optional)

History
The Y.R.C. paid a visit to Windypit II at Antofts during the late 1930s, although the actual date is not certain. The hole was choked with the offal of slaughtered deer and they concluded that the hole was not likely to be explored. The B.S.A. were luckier when they visited Antofts, managing to descend to the choke in the vicinity of “The Trapdoor” on 4.6.1949.
The real breakthrough came in 1955 when Ampleforth College students dug their way through the choke opening up the windypit that we know today. 1955 also saw the start of archaeological work at Antofts undertaken by Hayes et al. Work was to continue for about two years during which time the remains of at least eight persons were unearthed as were animal bones, beaker remains and various fragments of late Iron Age/Romano – British artefacts
In circa 1997 an M.S.G./S.C.C. team discovered a new series of rifts including Snail Cavern.

Memoirs of a Moldywarp (2008)
The third ‘big’ windypit, Antofts, gave us an alarming indication that windypit formation is not a thing of the distant past. The main rift, with stalactite flows on its walls, seemed fairly ancient, but at the far end was a cross rift with lots of fallen rock that felt quite different; on either side of its entrance was jagged broken calcite, looking as if had been shattered very recently, geologically speaking at least. ‘Geologically recent’ is of course not necessarily ‘recent’ in human terms, but the cross rift did suggest that large-scale rock movements were continuing. A year, ten or a hundred years ago? it was impossible to tell. In the main rift, looking at the calcite walls, you realise that they are rather battered covered by scars and scratches, as if someone had been banging indiscriminately with a hammer. Then it dawned what we were looking at; the damage had been done by falling rocks, lots of them, the rocks that now formed the floor. What seems to happen is that windypits widen in fits and starts, presumably when there are minor earth tremors; the rift has only to open a centimetre or so, and dozens of the rocks which are jammed in it will be released to come crashing down. Whilst England is pretty stable from a seismic point of view, we still have earth tremors, every few years; they may be barely felt on the surface, but heaven help any windypit explorer who happens to be underground at the time.

BCRA Cave Science – Vol.9 No.1 – The Windypits in Duncombe Park (1982)

The entrance is surrounded by a high wooden fence, 18 m east of Antofts farmhouse. A steep debris slope in a fissure leads to a 2 m drop under the east wall of the fissure, while ahead the passage is choked after 8 m. A muddy slope continues at the foot of the drop and leads to the head of the main fissure. A 13 m ladder may be rigged from this point, dropping through a  trapdoor-like opening into the lower reaches of the main fissure. Traversing over the head of the pitch, a corner is reached. Ahead there is a high-level traverse in the main fissure, and below there is a climbable route down to the ‘trapdoor’. Using this route the floor of the main fissure may be reached without using tackle, but a lifeline at least is recommended. The high-level traverse is made dangerous by numerous loose boulders, and as the main fissure can easily be followed at floor level there seems little point in following it at roof level.
About 9 m down the pitch the main fissure may be followed south-eastward on a chock-stone floor for 28 m. This is referred to as ‘Chamber 3. by Hayes (1963a, 19636), and is where most of the archaeological finds were made (level 4 in Fig. 3). About 3.7 m from the terminal boulder choke at this level, a hole in the floor descends very steeply through loose boulders for 10 m. The descent was not made and is not recommended. A ‘spiral shaft’ (Hayes, 1963a) descends from Chamber 3 to emerge at the floor of the main fissure. This forms an alternative, easier route to the last few metres of ladder.
The main fissure is up to 22 m high, and with a length of 115 m it is the longest known continuous fissure in all the windypits. To the south-east from the foot of the ladder, or the foot of the spiral shaft, the main fissure chokes after about 11 m. However, after 4 m a branch fissure runs north-east-wards for 15 m. There is a 3 m vertical step down in its floor, for which a ladder is an advantage. Thirty metres along the main fissure to the north-west from the foot of the ladder or the foot of the spiral shaft, a massive boulder fall is encountered. To the right an 8 m long squeeze leads to ‘The Crossroads’, where a large cross-rift joins the narrow rift. The ways ahead and right are choked after a few metres. The way to the left also appears to be choked, but a scramble involving a vertical ascent of 5.3 m leads back to the main fissure, beyond the massive boulder fall. The long squeeze to The Crossroads may be avoided by climbing 5.5 m up the boulder fall in the main fissure and squeezing under some dangerous loose boulders. A third alternative route was found by climbing 10 m vertically up the main fissure and traversing over the fall at high level. Beyond the fall the fissure continues for 52 m before closing down to a narrow slit because the passage is blocked by thick deposits of flowstone on each wall. A few small side fissures enter the main fissure along this stretch but they were not explored due to the presence of unstable hanging boulders in them.
At the point where the main fissure closes down, a cross-rift leads off in a north-easterly direction. This is 7.6 m long, 12 m high and 0.6 m wide. There are several indications that it may have opened up more recently than the other fissures. At the far end of this ‘recent’ fissure, a rift is encountered running parallel to the main fissure. This is choked to the right and continues unsurveyed to the left. It was not fully investigated because of its very loose walls, and the loose boulders wedged in it. Several boulders moved when touched and these will have to be cleared before attempts are made to explore the fissure further. The deepest point of the surveyed windypit lies at the bottom of the ‘recent’ fissure, 43 m below the level of the entrance.
The survey of Antofts Windypit produced by Fitton and Mitchell (1950) includes the entrance fissure only, extending almost as far down as the head of the 13 m pitch. This is because at that time the way on was blocked by rubbish (Cooper, 1978). Hayes (1963a) gave a sketch section through those parts of the windypit vertically below the entrance, after the way on had been forced. This reaches the floor of the main fissure, and includes the 13 m pitch, and the archaeologically important Chamber 3. This diagram, which was used by Longworth (1965) and is credited to R. H. Hayes and A. Pacitto, provides the chamber numbering system used in Fig. 3. A plan of the floor of Chamber 3 was given by Hayes (1963b).

BCRA Transactions – Vol.3 No.2 – The North Yorkshire Windypits (1976)
SE582829 Altitude 475 ft. Length at least 250 ft. Depth c.175 ft. References: Anon., 1936; Anon., 1938; Fitton & Mitchell, 1950; Mitchell, 1956; Jackson, 1962; Hayes, 1963a, 1963c; Brittain, 1965; Coghlan, 1972; Brook et al., 1974.
The description given here is based on notes made by N. Coghlan. The windypit is in Duncombe Park, and the present policy of the landowner is to forbid access. The entrance is surrounded by a stout, high wooden fence, a few yards downhill from Antofts farmhouse. A debris slope leads to the top of the main fissure. To the left a ladder may be rigged to reach the bottom direct but is simpler to traverse straight on and down, preferably with the aid of a rope. The main fissure is high and about 8 ft. wide, and chokes at both ends. Continuing along the fissure a boulder choke must be negotiated to reach a letter-box on the right. A series of short descents follow and lead to the Cross Roads, four tight intersecting fissures which become impenetrable. 100 ft. of ladder, a 10 ft. belay, and 120 ft. of lifeline are required for the descent. The main slipping movement seems to have been towards Ryedale, rather than towards the nearby tributary valley of Sword Gill, and must extend to a considerable depth.

Northern Caves Volume 5 – (1974)
NGR SE.582829 Grade II
Alt. 500 ft. (153 m.) Length 250 ft. (76 m.) Depth 175 ft. (52 m.)
Explored 1949, B.S.A. Extended 1955, A.C.V.S.U.
WARNING—Danger of falling rocks throughout. A variety of archaeological material was found during the further exploration of this windypit, including a skull dating from 1,700-1,500 B.C. Entrance is overgrown, fenced-off depression 20 yds. (18.3 m.) E of Antofts Farm. Permission to use the forestry track from Tom Smith’s Cross must normally be gained as the gate is kept locked. A debris slope leads to the top of the main fissure. To the left a ladder may be rigged to reach the bottom direct but it is simpler to traverse straight on and down, preferably with the aid of a rope. The main fissure is high and about 8 ft. (2.4 m.) wide and chokes at both ends. Continuing past a dead sheep along the fissure a boulder choke must be negotiated to reach a letterbox on the right. A series of short descents follow and lead to the Cross Roads, four tight intersecting fissures which become impenetrable.

Pennine Underground (1965)
ANTOFTS HOLE, Ryedale D.P.
Alt. 475 feet N.G.R. SE583.829 Depth 36 feet
Above Sword Gill, just below Keeper’s old house. Entrance at side of bowl-shaped depression. Steep slope of debris leads to 18 feet pitch, ladder belayed to handline. Fissure 50 feet long is choked at both ends. Care is required; slope contains animal remains, glass and live cartridges.
Tackle required – 50 feet handline, 20 feet ladder.

BCRA Cave Science – Vol.2 No.12 – The Ryedale Windypits (1950)

Yorkshire Ramblers Club – Journal 7 (1952)
North Riding, Hambledon and Helmsley Windy pits. – June, 1949. Mr. E. P. Fitton and Miss D. Mitchell visited Nos. I, III, V, and failed to find IV, so well had the Stembridges done the work of covering, and in the absence of slaughter-house refuse were able to descend II at Antofts, 36 ft.

Yorkshire Ramblers Club – Journal 7 (1936)
Windypit II is at Antofts, the keeper’s house, and is not likely to be explored, being used for the offal of slaughtered deer.