[Don]

I didn’t see one, however I’ll check when I’m in Kingsdale on Saturday.

[Don]

The small hole Mike and I explored is called Broken Spring Pot.

[Don]

I still don’t understand how it took us 5+ hours to get to the bottom of Tatham Wife and back out. It didn’t seem like we were in there that long.

[Don]

There’s nothing really to add to Alex’s very detailed description of the cave. The only comments I would make are:

1) I was a bit worried about doing Gingling in only a furry considering the zero degree temperature outside and the wet nature of the cave in spots (particularly the canal between the bottom of the first and the second pitch, and the deep canal section just before the seventh pitch), but this concern was unfounded. There’s no need to wear a neo-fleece to stay warm as long as you keep moving (I know you only did so because of your injured knee, Alex).

2) I wouldn’t recommend that anyone go down the final, very muddy rift section just before the sump. It’s pointless and all the mud, which is impossible to avoid as it covers the entire floor and the walls, makes it much harder to climb up the rifts on the way out, especially the rift/climb just above the final rift to the sump, which is difficult enough to begin with.

3) The Thrutch really isn’t difficult as long as you climb at a 45 degree angle and then go completely horizontal through the tightest bit. The reason I made it through so easily is because I observed what Alex and Sharman did and then did the exact opposite. The hardest section of the cave in my opinion was the narrow slot below Stalactite Chamber on the way out. This was probably because I was facing the wrong way.

[Don]

I definitely think that you should post your version. I’d like to read it, even though I already lived it.

[Don]

You’re right, I forgot to mention Dan’s injury. Probably because I was half asleep when I wrote the trip report. His thumb injury was the most exciting part of the day. Can’t believe he chipped it climbing up the 20′ rift. Yet he still managed to get up the next three rift climbs without complaining. He’s a real hero.

[Don]

I don’t know. This was the first visit for me to Craftsmans’, the second for Dan and Alex. Both of the them said that they thought it had slumped in since they were last there. It looked pretty bad. We couldn’t see a way down through the hole that didn’t involve putting weight on loose rock that was holding back even looser rock. At some point it’s obviously going to collapse. Good for you for making it through. You’re a braver man than me.

[Don]

I would like to point out that the most gallant hero, Sharman, only gave me one elbow pad, for my left elbow, which is the one that tends to bother me. Sharman, on the other hand, kept the right elbow for himself, as this is the elbow that flairs up, not his left one. I, of course, am incredibly grateful for his generosity in sharing his elbow pad with me, but I would like to highlight that he is not quite as noble as you may be led to believe.

[Don]

I think we should keep our mouths shut about it being rigged. There’s no reason to tell anyone. I doubt very many people go in there. Besides, it’s much more fun when you don’t have to rig/de-rig it!

[Don]

Are you going to put the filmed footage up on YouTube?

[Don]

I had such a good time on the trip that I obviously forgot that there were other people on it apart from myself.

[Don]

That’s a very factual response.

[Don]

Quick update – Today Sharman and I derigged the final two ropes in Meregill. I’m very impressed that he managed to take out all the ropes, slings, krabs, maillons all by himself, particularly through the Aven entrance. That’s not something that I would want to do on my own.

[Don]

Come to think of it, who’s planning on derigging Meregill?

[Don]

So do you think John will start caving regularly? Or is he more likely to be an occasional caver? Actually, the latter question applies to you as well!

What did he think of the trip?

[Author]

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