Have some pictures – not very good, but give an idea.
Can upload them here or mail a link (31 pics, 47Mb) if anyone’s interested.
I don’t suppose anyone picked up a kneepad?
Think I probably dropped one in the lay-by.
I had a lot of trouble in the Thrutch – did a lot of standing on Don.
Don then made it look very easy.
Not sure what time we exited – probably about 7-7.30 – had no phone signal until some time after leaving the pub, making us a bit tighter on the call-out than I like. Even though there was still no wind, it was a very cold walk back.
Go on Alex – post your version.
Impossible to say – Toby recognised the crawl as Sylvester, but how long a blockage needs clearing is anyone’s guess.
The only way to tell would be to come up Sylvester from Easegill & radio locate the other end of the blockage.
Hopefully it’s not so big a blockage as to make that worthwhile.
Yes, I’ve detackled it solo – went down with a bunch of people (not BRCC), and not only did they leave me to it, they even left me 60m of rope bagged up at the bottom!
Hauling 3 bags up was bloody hard work: did it by hauling to event horizon first, then hauling the rope through my jammers with a prusiking action.
My left elbow evidently felt neglected, because it swelled up quite a bit.
Better now …
I’m with you Alex – I don’t know why he wanted to do it.
The swelling’s gone down on my elbow now. You can bring your own elbow pads next time Don.
Good trip.
Hopefully someone’s got my crab from the top deviation?
I guess it’s worth mentioning that the fixed ropes we found were in good condition, having apparently been replaced since Alex was last down there.
Well done Don.
As you say, an excellent trip (me, Don, Alex)
Arrived at cave 6pm, bottomed at 7, out at 11 – was ferrying one bag at a time near the top.
Back to car, changed, phone signal 11.50, home about 00.30.
Good trip.
It looked easy enough to get onto the next pitch from the bottom of the blind pit, but the P hangers were above a couple of awkward slots – would have been lots of rope rub, and probably wouldn’t have pulled through easily.
Don’t see why people would wait for rescue though.
Yes, vid looks good – although I haven’t had a chance to play the soundtrack yet, if there’s anything of interest.
The end nearest the entrance – same place you got stuck, I guess.
Poorly hungover Scaife had to go back in twice to retrieve tackle bags – what a hero.
Good write-up.
A couple of corrections:
I got stuck at the upper end of Reluctance, too – tackle bag jammed, and I didn’t have enough leverage to push it over.