TWO cavers had to be rescued from Gaping Gill, near Clapham, after technical difficulties meant they couldn't climb back out.

On Wednesday, June 23, North Yorkshire Police asked the Cave Rescue Organisation to investigate when two males were reported overdue from a trip into the cave system.

A spokesman for the CRO said: "(The men's) vehicle was found in Clapham. They were not found to be on the walk down, but Gaping Gill was found to be rigged.

"Voice contact was established and the full team was called out. The two climbers had descended Gaping Gill main shaft with the intention of climbing the rock climb route back out.

"Experiencing technical difficulties, they were unable to climb the route and waited on a small ledge about 40m down until assistance arrived.

"A CRO team member abseiled down to them, then a hauling system was set up and other members worked hard to bring the pair back up the main shaft.

"Fortunately a ‘call out time’ arrangement had been made with someone at home. This ensured that the team was notified and able to respond promptly."

Total volunteer hours, 180.

The incident was the 38th of this year.

Gaping Gill is the largest underground cave chamber in Britain. The vertical main shaft from the surface to the floor of the chamber is about 98m deep and normally contains a substantial waterfall, the route by which the surface stream, Fell Beck, finds its way to the chamber floor.