Hidden Earth 2026

Valley to Valley in the North York Moors

30 minute Lecture|Matt Ewles

Abstract

Everyone loves a valley-to-valley through trip. Well, maybe except Rostam.

When we first put crowbar to the ground in the North York Moors 19 years ago our hopes weren’t high. A few choked rifts would have scratched our digging itch.

What we found was a 1.6 km system with a magnificent and decorated streamway, later to become a 2.8 km system with the incorporation of Jenga Pot, a 3.8 km system with our 2020 extensions and finally a 4 km system with more extensions in 2025, plus we gained a lifelong digging partnership which meets every Wednesday all year round.

As the icing on the cake, what soon became the dream of connecting the Hutton Beck system to the River Dove valley, was finally achieved in April this year.

In this talk, I’ll provide a whistlestop background to the system but focus mainly on the newer discoveries, the connection and the five hour valley-to-valley through trip and grand tour that you’ll all be queuing up not to do.

I’ll also round up various other intriguing projects and prospects across the Jurassic Limestone of the North York Moors which should happily keep us busy for the next 19 years.