Juniper Gulf

Juniper Gulf is a celebrated pothole on the southern flank of Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, England. It is a serious vertical caving trip for experienced cavers, not a visitor attraction.

What is Juniper Gulf?

The cave drops about 128 m and runs roughly 244 m in total. It is a chain of shafts linked by long traverses, finishing with a free-hanging pitch of around 45-50 m that gives the cave its reputation. Guidebooks have gone from calling it "very arduous and dangerous" to a "superb trip". The Gritstone Club first reached the bottom in 1924, and Leeds University cavers devised the modern bypass of the old 40 m pitch around 1968.

What is inside?

The route begins with an entrance shaft of about 18 m, followed by a 12 m drop in a narrow rift, a 15 m pitch, a 25 m pitch and finally the big pitch. A short climb down beyond it reaches a sump. Between the drops, polished shale-coated traverses, including a spot called The Bad Step, demand care. Most parties need three to four hours for a round trip.

What skills and kit do you need?

Single rope technique (SRT) is essential, and this is no place to learn it. Bring a harness, descender and ascenders, rope, helmet with a reliable light, suitable caving suit and a rope bag. Belays are fixed, so rigging is straightforward for those who know the route. Go with someone who has done it before, or with a local caving club.

How do you get there?

Most people approach from Crummackdale. Leave the car at Crummack Farm (small fee), then walk about 30 minutes north across the old grouse moor known as The Allotment. The entrance is easy to miss in mist, so carry a map or GPS. Do not block the lane; the farm's occupiers dislike that. The area lies inside Yorkshire Dales National Park, close to other well-known Ingleborough sites such as Gaping Gill and Ingleborough Cave near Clapham.

When should you go?

Choose settled, dry weather. After rain the entrance cascades can become impassable and the last pitches may flood. The original 40 m pitch should only be tackled in dry conditions. Check the forecast, leave a call-out time with someone and allow a generous margin.

Frequently asked questions

Can beginners visit Juniper Gulf? No. It is an SRT trip for competent cavers. Newcomers are better served by guided trips or the show cave at Ingleborough Cave.

How long does the trip take? Typically three to four hours for a capable team.

How deep is it? About 128 m, with the longest drop of roughly 45-50 m.

Where do I park? At Crummack Farm in Crummackdale for a small fee, then walk around 30 minutes.