Rob Shackleton's

Log Book

Page 2

9. Sunday 12th October 1975 RS

Tied on at the limit of previous exploration and searched the right hand wall for about 50 feet or so coming downstream. Repeated with the left hand wall finding no negotiable way on in either direction. If the way on exists in this bedding I suspect that it must be upwards. A search of the roof is the next task in the exploration.

10. Saturday 18th October 1975 Discovery of Lake II RS

Swam in along the line and started to search the roof immediately beyond the end of the boulder area. A shaft was located almost immediately beyond the end of the boulder area and a knot tied in the line to mark it. Collecting the line reel from the previous limit in the lower passage, about 15 feet of line was reeled out upwards leading to a small airbell and duck to a large lake chamber 30 feet long by 20 feet wide. About 40 feet of (dry) passage leads off to the right ending in low beddings. Diving on from the lake a second boulder area was entered and followed for 20 feet.

11. Sunday 19th October 1975 RS

Lake II area was searched. No way on to the right or left but 40 feet of line was laid straight on into the boulder area. A squeeze over a fallen boulder was reached, but not forced due to bits falling from the roof.

Rob Shackelton at the entrance to Black Keld in 1975

Photo copyright: John Hunt
Click on photo to enlarge

Rob Shackelton in Black Keld
Photo: Julian Griffiths

12. Saturday 24th April 1976 RS

Checked the lines - all OK save the short one from (the) small airbell to Lake II dry land. The (spot) lamp did not show up a great deal of detail although the visibility was very good. Laid 35 feet of line to (the) previous squeeze over boulder which was passed to a second squeeze over another large block. This was not forced but must be the way on as there is no silt at all in this area. Slimmer kit needed.

13. Saturday 12th June 1976 RS

Again tried to force a way through the chaos of boulders beyond Lake II. Passed second squeeze to an area of even greater silliness i.e. a complete choke with only small gaps. Further progress will be very difficult in this area. My line reel had been washed back from where I left it and so this must be the correct way forward.

(Rob was right about this being the correct way forward, although it took us a long time to agree with him! The eventual way through was found in 1997 and was probably slightly to the left of Rob's route. - Brian Judd)

Rob and Julian's survey

Rob Shackleton and Julian Griffith's survey of the dry passages in Black Keld. (The underwater passages to Lake 2 were later surveyed by Rupert Skorupka.)

Rob's Log 1

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