17th February 2001
People present - Iain Simpson, Duncan Jones, Pete Dale, Andy Whitney, Sam Carradice

From what turned out to be a nice sunny Saturday, we had arranged to do an easy exploration trip down County. However, on the day Pete and Duncan had decided that they wanted to torture everybody by going down Link and the Serendipity pitches. Luckily for us, Sam and Andy were going that way and the idea was, after a quick phone call by Pete on the way up, that they would rig and we would de-rig. Sam and Andy were just about setting off when we arrived. I was happy once Duncs boneshaker had stopped and the engine turned off, as the noise and vibrations were disrupting my central nervous system. Oh, if you were ever wondering where that petrol smell is coming from, look no further.

Changing was as uneventful as ever, with the only highlight being Pete moaning as he got into a wet neofleece. He was even talking about buying +new, equipment too which just wont do.

On the walk, we had had time to savour the sunshine as we stopped at Lancaster hole as Pete stopped to shout instructions to someone who gave me the impression that they were stuck at the re-belay and didn't know what they were doing.

Having reached Link we had caught up with Sam who was just about setting off down the ladder. Pete and Dunc set off down (moaning) but I opted for rigging the lifeline rope for abseiling, which was just as well because I couldn't find a way of fitting down whilst on the ladder.

As usual, the double rift step-overs slowed things down whilst working out the best method across. I don't know why but I always seem to find the chain traverse a lot easier. The crawling and flat out bits caused much grief, I suppose I should have stuck my kneepads on for what little alleviation they give.

No problems other than lots of sharp corner of rock meets knee, during the long crawl to the 1st of the serendipity pitches. Having descended the pitch last, I could not see what the next pitch was like until Andy clambered around and across to the top. I went along the little ledged, bit as far as the climb onto the rift slope. Three things however put me off going down this pitch, 1. This climb, 2. Going along to the top of the pitch, 3. How the hell do you get off the pitch at the top, let alone getting back along the rift.. So I missed out on all the fun, so opted to faff around going up & down the 1st pitch and doing something a little rare for me, climbing the pitch.

After a little snooze at the top, grunting / cursing and one hell of a lot of swearing woke me up from my slumber, and Pete then Dunc appeared. Looks like I did miss all the fun after all, of watching them trying to get off that pitch. Some time later Sam and Andy appeared and we set off out leaving them to de-rig (well, they were doing that trip anyway).

Back at the entrance pitch, Pete went up 1st, and spent a good bit of time at the top. I guess he found it spaciously challenged. Dunc shot up showing off as usual as he did not seem to have any difficulties whatsoever. My turn, yippee. I set off up the ladder initially, but found out that I still could not fit on the ladder so opted for the rope again. Now don't let this put you off this hole, but going back up on a rope one-handed is fkin hard work, and before you wonder what the other hand was doing, there was no room for it in front!

Iain Simpson