Lost John's Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lost Johns' Cave |
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Stream leading into the main entrance
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| Location | Leck Fell, Lancashire, UK |
| OS grid | SD670786 |
| Depth | 211 metres (692 ft) |
| Length | 4.8 kilometres (3.0 mi) |
| Discovery | bottomed 1928 |
| Geology | Carboniferous limestone |
| Entrances | 8 |
| Access | Unrestricted |
| Cave survey | cavemaps.org |
Lost Johns' Cave is a large cave system found on Leck Fell in Lancashire, England. It is a very popular place for cavers to explore. The cave is known for its three main vertical paths: Dome Route, Centipede Route, and Monastery Route.
Cavers often visit Lost Johns' Cave to practice a skill called single-rope technique (SRT). This is a way of moving up and down ropes safely in caves. A great thing about this cave is that many of its deep sections, called pitches, can be set up away from flowing water. This makes it a safer place to visit even on rainy days when water levels might be higher. Lost Johns' Cave is also an important part of a bigger network of caves known as the Three Counties System.
Exploring Lost Johns' Cave
Inside Lost Johns' Cave, many different paths eventually meet at a main underground river called Battleaxe Streamway. From this point, cavers usually follow a path called Battleaxe Traverse. This path is high up and protected by ropes, allowing cavers to stay safe and away from the main water flow.
After the traverse, a short passage leads to another drop, which then opens into Groundsheet Junction. This is where cavers enter the Leck Fell Master Cave.
Upstream Passages
If you follow the main streamway upstream, you will find higher passages like Lyle Cavern. This area also connects to another well-known cave system called Notts Pot. Further along the main streamway, you reach the NPC Avens. Here, other cave sections like Boxhead Pot and It's a Cracker join the main system.
Downstream Journeys
Going downstream from Battleaxe Streamway, cavers pass through several pools where the water can be very deep. Along this route, other water passages flow into the main streamway. One of these connects to Rumbling Hole, and another links to Death's Head Hole. Eventually, the streamway reaches a sump. A sump is a part of a cave passage that is completely filled with water, so cavers must dive through it. After about 800 metres (2,600 ft) through this sump, the cave connects with Pippikin Pot.
