F'ing Hopeless Pot Trip Log: Pitch Previews, Route Descriptions & Video. [ Cave Info ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk) [Cave Directory](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves) [Interactive Cave Map](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/cave-map) [About](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/about) Yorkshire Dales - Three Counties / Leck FellF'ing Hopeless Pot ================== A great SRT improvers cave with a bit of everything. Fantastic Formations. Very muddy! Routes Completed 1 Visits 1 SRT Cave? Yes Access [Book Online](https://booking.cncc.org.uk/system/booking/cave.php?id=569) Access Land (CRoW) refers to land where you have a right to roam on foot. In caving, this often means the entrance is located on such land. [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - Entrance shaft](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/116/conversions/01KZM6EVE10DKACYVZ7W43VS65-optimised.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/116/conversions/01KZM6EVE10DKACYVZ7W43VS65-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - F'ing Hopeless Pot - Second Pitch](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/122/conversions/01M17R7505XV8C18K841ECS9T1-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/122/conversions/01M17R7505XV8C18K841ECS9T1-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - F'ing Hopeless Pot](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/123/conversions/01M1A3Z3G3R2F6J0KX5Y9JW2G0-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/123/conversions/01M1A3Z3G3R2F6J0KX5Y9JW2G0-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - F'ing Hopeless Pot](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/124/conversions/01M1A42MMBD4PAQ6EM44ZVW7TQ-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/124/conversions/01M1A42MMBD4PAQ6EM44ZVW7TQ-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - F'ing Hopeless Pot](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/125/conversions/01M1A47T9A72SQB4A5MGZYFFMZ-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/125/conversions/01M1A47T9A72SQB4A5MGZYFFMZ-optimised.webp) - Directions / Parking - Routes - Visits - SRT Preview - Videos - Weather Directions and Parking ---------------------- About 20 mins walk Around 0.51 miles / 0.82 KM Satnav: 54.19907, -2.5141 or drive from Cowan Bridge Carpark, Carnforth, LA6 2HS ### Parking There's space for about 6 - 8 cars at a push (size dependant) on right hand side of Leck Fell Lane, just before the metal gate and cattle grid on the road. It's a gravel lay-by and you can also park on the grass verge just before it. The usual meeting point is at Cowan Bridge Car Park back down the road. If there's a big party, car sharing might be a good idea! ### Walking Directions Luckily its a nice and easy walk to F'ing Hopeless Pot. Just back from the cattle grid there is a small gate set in the stone wall, pop through here and take note of the stone wall to your right hand side. This is your landmark, just keep it to your right side and walk uphill about 800m. It's always uphill isn't it, but on the flip side at least its an easy downhill walk back! You might actually find a nearby cave - Pinocchio Pot which is over to the right of the stone wall. If so you're really close, turn around and the entrance to Hopeless pot is about 30m in the opposite direction. The entrance isn't a typical hole in the ground, its in a shallow pit with an excavated shaft and a metal / mesh cover. ### Interactive Map The map shows the walking route and parking spots. You can also download the data in GPX and KML, which you can then import into OS Maps. [ Download GPX ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/fing-hopeless-pot/directions/gpx) [ Download KML ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/fing-hopeless-pot/directions/kml) Route Descriptions ------------------ #### Entrance to Eggshell Chamber [ Print ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/fing-hopeless-pot/routes/entrance-to-eggshell-chamber/print) The cave starts with an excavated shaft, that is mainly scaffolding and wooden boards. It can be free climbed, however it might be a good idea to have this rigged as climbing down it could be intimidating for some people. It's about 20 - 30m and has several stopping points along the way. After getting down, you've got the option of a left and right passage. To the right leads to a narrow rift and eventually a sump. I don't recommend exploring to the right, it gets very tight and you might get stuck if you're not careful. Instead, take the left, under a small crawl and you'll be met with the first pitch (Tim's Pitch). It's a straight forward descent, however it requires having to shuffle yourself off the edge, which can be a bit daunting. After the pitch, the cave opens up into quite a spacious hall. There are routes up to the left hand side, but I never bothered to explore that far. Instead walk carefully down the slope (there's a lot of loose rocks and boulders here) to another excavated style hole with recognisable scaffolding and wooden beams. Slip down here and walk a little further and you'll be met with a lower right hand crawl and a tight looking passage to the left. Stay left and follow the route onwards. There's a rock / small boulder wedged at about head height, so if you see this you're going the right way. After a short while, you'll come across an alcove on the left with a rope hanging from above. I don't know where this goes and our group didn't rig it. Ignore this and instead continue straight for a few meters where you'll be met with a left or right choice. Take the left up a small muddy bank. (Someone had actually drawn an arrow in the mud to indicate that it was right way to go, but don't count on that being there) Not long after that you'll reach the 2nd pitch (Frank's Pitch) which is best described as a "two-parter". You go down the first part of the pitch and then you've got a short walk until the next one. Both pitches are short and easy to navigate. Once down, the path gets a bit tight. I found something like a hybrid bum shuffle / moving forward on my hands and feet - got me through the gap, although I did have to back track just a little as my helmet wouldn't fit through the gap. (My head's not that big, honest!) It's not for long and you're soon out into something more spacious, but to say it lasted for long would be a lie, so expect more crawling and tight squeezes as you follow the stream bed along. You'll start to pass some nice formations on the right hand side before coming to a crawl through the stream bed (hands are gonna get wet here) with some lovely straws. There's also a badge nailed to the stone with the number "74" on it. So if you see this, you've gone the right way! Not long after and you're at the 3rd pitch (Geoff's Pitch). Another easy pitch, and really short too, It's a little bit tight at the top, but nothing too taxing. Once you've landed, follow the stream passage to the right, into a flat out crawl. It's a good 15 - 20m I would say and I loved it. It exits via a somewhat awkward slide upwards. Now you're into formation territory! The passage here is really muddy. Thick, deep, sloppy, welly grabbing mud. You need to take care around the formations as it's easy to lose your footing here. Follow the path around and you'll come to a T-junction. On your left is a big ol' collection of stalagmites. Again care is needed here, there's also plenty of straws to your right. At the T-junction, take a left and follow the passage along until you get to the 4th pitch (Squealing Pig). On my trip there was already a rope there, which wasn't rigged by our group. If there is a rope when you visit, it's up to you if you decide to ascend it. It's an easy climb, but there is a pinch point just before the top. I had to do a bit of shuffling to get myself past it. Once you're at the top there is another short rope with footholds that you can free climb into the crawl above. It goes on for a short while before you come to a right turn where you can stand up. Formation and straw city awaits! My Visits --------- Caving journal### 22 February 2026 Personal rating ★★★★★ 5/5 Party 10 people Time Underground 3h 12m Walk To Entrance 0h 15m Total outing 3h 27m Route completed Entrance to Eggshell Chamber Conditions Wet - pouring down days previously Rigged by Glenn Would do again? Yes #### Trip profile SRT 2/5 Navigation 3/5 Tightness 3/5 Exposure 2/5 Water 1/5 Physical 3/5 Longest pitch 30 meters #### Notes I loved this cave, it's one of those where if you didn't come out absolutely caked in mud, you didn't have enough fun! We initially weren't meant to do F'ing Hopeless Pot, it was a 3rd choice cave, due to the others in the vicinity being flooded! It had poured down the night before and was a bit minging on the day, wet and windy, but dry enough. Despite all of that, it's a cracking cave. Good for SRT improvers and had a bit of everything. Due to the nature of the entrance shaft taking a good couple of minutes to get down and then me taking the wrong turn after and then getting myself wedged stuck, I spent about 3/4 of this cave just on my own trying to figure out where to go. I honestly thought this made it even better, i knew people were in front of me and behind, but the gap between them both was large enough that i was basically figuring the cave out on my own for the first time - a little bit scary, but it's in these moments where you push yourself and get the most out of life. Although I can't claim all the glory. Arthur left these little reflectors that were shaped as arrows, which point in the right direction. If it wasn't for him, I probably would have gotten lost! As I mentioned, it's a good SRT improvers cave. The pitches are straight forward, but there's 5 in total (including the entrance shaft), so 10 in total if you count going back up them as well. So that's always good for getting your reps in. There's a lovely flat out crawl in a stream bed, just after the 3rd pitch and then that's when all the formations start to appear. If you go up the "Squealing Pig Climb" then you're in for an even bigger surprise - some of the nicest formations I’ve seen. On par with Gavel Pot. No spoilers here, you have to experience them for yourself! I'd 100% do this place again, just for the formations. ### **What I'd i wish i known** After the entrance pitch down. I turned right and went down some very tight looking passages. I eventually got myself wedged stuck and I was on my own. I freaked out a bit because I couldn't turn my head. Managed to wriggle free though. So, turn left, not right after you get down the entrance pitch! SRT Previews ------------ SRT Previews let you see what a pitch looks like before you enter the cave. **They are not rigging guides, and they are not a how-to. Never rely on them for rigging.** Always go with a competent person who knows how to rig a cave. If you need a rigging topo, use the [CNCC guide.](https://cncc.org.uk/cave/fing-hopeless-pot) #### Entrance Pitch Approx Pitch Length: 30m The CNCC doesn't have this one down as a pitch, I'd imagine it's because it can be free climbed. When I went, our group had already rigged it, so if there's a rope. I'm attaching my descender to it! I'd say its at least 30m down, maybe more. It is however easy to descend. It's mainly scaffolding and wooden board to begin with, then its mainly cave and scaffold the further you go down. You've got a nice wooden board to sit on and attach your descender. It's not a straight down pitch, there's ledges you need to navigate too. Again nothing to worry about, dead simple. **Don't forget to look at the sign just after you start your descent!** [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - Pitch entrance with wooden board to sit on](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/126/conversions/01M1CR28J515JVGC84295JZZV7-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/126/conversions/01M1CR28J515JVGC84295JZZV7-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - 1st ledge](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/127/conversions/01M1CRC3J6MK5Y872F9SYM5W51-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/127/conversions/01M1CRC3J6MK5Y872F9SYM5W51-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - 2nd ledge](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/128/conversions/01M1CRPV8W7G7PTC1MXCDDNK28-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/128/conversions/01M1CRPV8W7G7PTC1MXCDDNK28-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - final ledge before the cave starts](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/129/conversions/01M1CRYG2SXGK5HTV9YD6610HG-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/129/conversions/01M1CRYG2SXGK5HTV9YD6610HG-optimised.webp) #### First Pitch (Tim's Pitch) Approx Pitch Length: 12m The CNCC has this down as the first pitch, so i'll treat it as the same as to not confuse anyone. After you've got down the entrance pitch, take a left under a short crawl and you'll come out at the first pitch. It's got a nice ledge overlooking the drop where you can attach to the rope. This one was quite exposed. You have to kinda shuffle yourself off the edge, a bit scary but nothing too taxing. It's just a straight descent down, nothing challenging. [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - 2nd pitch approach](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/130/conversions/01M1CTDM56ATRC84JG9K2XDTKB-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/130/conversions/01M1CTDM56ATRC84JG9K2XDTKB-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/131/conversions/01M1CVF9CKVB0EM3W81EP3H8N2-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/131/conversions/01M1CVF9CKVB0EM3W81EP3H8N2-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/132/conversions/01M1CVWH13DWKMN4C0M4BVDVXP-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/132/conversions/01M1CVWH13DWKMN4C0M4BVDVXP-optimised.webp) #### Second Pitch (Frank's Pitch) Approx Pitch Length: 10m The second pitch is done in two parts. They are quite short, probably no more than 10m between them both. After you've got down the first part, there's a nice section you can unclip and re-attach before the second part. It's not exposed and it quite comfortable. Should be straight forward! [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - Second pitch approach](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/133/conversions/01M1FBXEEK74AN6AXYYTEPRQFB-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/133/conversions/01M1FBXEEK74AN6AXYYTEPRQFB-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - Second pitch middle section](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/134/conversions/01M1FCFSM6FP37MCPPYPGF7SD5-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/134/conversions/01M1FCFSM6FP37MCPPYPGF7SD5-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - Second pitch middle ledge](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/135/conversions/01M1FCFSMTFH2SQDG5HRS89K5Y-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/135/conversions/01M1FCFSMTFH2SQDG5HRS89K5Y-optimised.webp) #### Third Pitch (Geoff's Pitch) Approx Pitch Length: 3m After a short crawl, you'll come out at the third pitch, again its a nice and easy one, with plenty of space to attach your descender. It's a really short pitch - 3m if that. Only thing worth noting is that its a little bit tight once you're on the rope near the top, coming down / up past the stone either side. Nothing you can't handle though. [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - Third pitch approach](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/136/conversions/01M1FDTW2E4MHQEJ8J7516MABA-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/136/conversions/01M1FDTW2E4MHQEJ8J7516MABA-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - Third pitch](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/137/conversions/01M1FE0FH0HZW8ZM2GV0FTWQMX-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/137/conversions/01M1FE0FH0HZW8ZM2GV0FTWQMX-optimised.webp) #### Forth Pitch (Squealing Pig Climb) Approx Pitch Length: 7m The 4th pitch is actually a climb instead of a descent. When I went, there was already a rope in place, which hadn't been rigged by our group. We made the decision to use it. You need to make your own mind up about if you trust any rope that might be there at the time. This pitch has the name "Squealing Pig Climb" and I reckon it might be because at the top of the pitch, it gets tight! I'm a slim man, and it was awkward in places, expect your chest ascender / descender to scrape on the cave walls as you go up / down. I remember having to squeeze and shuffle about a bit to get past it. If you've got some circumference to you, I'd give it some thought first before attempting to go up. [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - 4th pitch - Looking up](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/140/conversions/01M1RR7EF8JGZ6XSZ1Y0XD79FY-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/140/conversions/01M1RR7EF8JGZ6XSZ1Y0XD79FY-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - 4th pitch - Ascent before the tight part](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/138/conversions/01M1RQE452YHPADFVVA4EYEY8Q-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/138/conversions/01M1RQE452YHPADFVVA4EYEY8Q-optimised.webp) [ ![F'ing Hopeless Pot - 4th pitch - Looking down the pitch](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/139/conversions/01M1RQW5ZNVB83WMAYJY8NZ36A-thumb.webp) ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/storage/139/conversions/01M1RQW5ZNVB83WMAYJY8NZ36A-optimised.webp) Videos for F'ing Hopeless Pot ----------------------------- Rainfall report for F'ing Hopeless Pot -------------------------------------- This uses Environment Agency rainfall data from the real-time data API (Beta) and is provided for reference only. Please note the **“Distance from cave”** metric, as measurements are often several miles from the cave. Always check local forecasts and confirm the cave is safe to enter before going. Instrument Type Tipping Bucket Rainguage Distance from cave Approx: 4.48 miles Location of instrument 54.144383 -2.433946 Latest Reading 0mm at 12/10/2026 17:30:00 Met Office forecast### Weather forecast Yesterday through the next 6 days #### Sun 11 Oct 2026 High / low 11°C / 10°C Wind 2 mph Rain chance Day 9% Night 48% Heavy rain Day 0% Night 23% #### Mon 12 Oct 2026 High / low 16°C / 13°C Wind 7 mph Rain chance Day 57% Night 93% Heavy rain Day 32% Night 92% #### Tue 13 Oct 2026 High / low 16°C / 13°C Wind 9 mph Rain chance Day 95% Night 33% Heavy rain Day 94% Night 21% #### Wed 14 Oct 2026 High / low 15°C / 12°C Wind 8 mph Rain chance Day 37% Night 74% Heavy rain Day 20% Night 70% #### Thu 15 Oct 2026 High / low 15°C / 12°C Wind 7 mph Rain chance Day 87% Night 73% Heavy rain Day 84% Night 71% #### Fri 16 Oct 2026 High / low 12°C / 10°C Wind 5 mph Rain chance Day 5% Night 2% Heavy rain Day 3% Night 1% #### Sat 17 Oct 2026 High / low 12°C / 9°C Wind 3 mph Rain chance Day 2% Night 3% Heavy rain Day 0% Night 1% ### More Caves Cave #176#### Sell Gill Holes (Dry) A popular choice for people wanting to get their SRT stripes. A short cave with some nice formations. [ View Cave → ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/sell-gill-holes-dry) Cave #201#### Runscar Cave (4) A short but sweet cave. Can be done in about 6 minutes flat. You might get a bit wet. [ View Cave → ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/runscar-cave-4) Cave #203#### Thistle Cave (2) A very short and easy cave. Great for beginners and younger cavers. [ View Cave → ](https://www.caveinfo.co.uk/caves/thistle-cave-2) Cave Info © 2026 caveinfo.co.uk Website by [ACO Digital](https://acodigital.co.uk/)