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Long Drop Cave

Appin, Glen Stockdale, Argyllshire, Invernessshire.

Amongst trees 10m to the south-east of and five metres higher than Glenstockdale Burn, a large stream drops into a five metre square shaft. The earthen drop opposite the waterfall is best tackled with a hand-line tied to a tree. At the foot of the shaft the water sinks into passages under and behind the waterfall. These can be followed only a few metres before becoming too tight. Ahead is a low wide passage with a deep vadose trench on the left, sometimes water filled. A crawl over cobbles to the left and a higher level crawl on the right unite in a higher section before the 12m pitch that gives the cave its name. There are some small helictites on the roof and some calcited twigs on the right near the pitch. Belay the ladder to a roof flake three metres back from the pitch. Once over the edge, the ladder hangs free down the side of a bottle shaped pot.

Several passages radiate from the bottom of the normally dry pot. On the level, a cobble floored passage passes a low crawl on the left (being dug spasmodically by GSG) and two ascending sandy slopes on the right before plunging down the final slope into a deep sump. This has been plumbed lo three metres and opens out under the left wall.

Behind the ladder, a 10m climb from a large ledge arrives near the top of the pitch. From here, a descending passage reaches the tops or two small avens. From the ledge, a passage leads under the first or these avens with two steeply descending slopes to the lower passage on the left. A climb above the second slope leads through a tight section to the foot of the second aven and continues for 18m to a banged hole overlooking a second deep sump pool. Three metres lower than the passage, this has been surveyed to the same level as the first sump.

Alternative Names: Roaring Waters Sink

Notes: Explored by GSG 1977.

Tackle : Entrance 10 m handline

Pitch : 18 m ladder, 2 m belay, 30 m lifeline

Not to be confused with Long Drop Cave on Leck Fell.