2nd August 2008
People present - Mike Skyrme, Abigail Skyrme, Mike White, Claudia Bordogna, Alex Ritchie, Roz Pilling, Jason Reed

Weather: Heavy showers, sunnier on exit.

After months of work at home resulting in limited opportunities to get underground, I finally completed all tasks required (for now anyway LOL) thus achieving a well earned caving permit.

With the inclusion of novices, newbie’s and old timers such as Mike W and I, it was agreed that we would go for a relatively easy day and a wander around Ribblehead seemed like a good choice due to the uncertainty of the weather. A trip to the final chamber in Scar Top would also afford some of our newer members the opportunity to get up close to some excellent formations.

Meeting everyone in Inglesport, we quickly ate and drank our way through various introductions before heading along Chapel le dale and its ridiculously captioned array of parish councilesque safety signs. “Whiskey is risky”, something about overtaking and undertakers and the best one being, “Stop gossiping and let him drive” had the contents of my car in stitches as Alex was following with Claudia and Roz in his hehehe!!!!

Arriving at Ribblehead, Mike W was dispatched into the Station Inn and returned triumphantly with permission to use the car park on the premise that we would return later and spend some of our hard earned on various refreshments.

As usual, the heavens opened as we began to get changed but luckily they were only showers, albeit a little on the heavy side. Once sorted, we set off to look for the entrance to Runscar 1. We headed for the beck and followed it upstream to a small resurgence and immediately located a likely looking hole to the side. Alex “The Sewer Rat” Ritchie was soon slithering into the hole, quickly followed by Roz, Jase and a more hesitant Claudia with Mike W acting as rear guard. As we knew what to expect in Scar Top, Abigail and I opted to conserve our crawling energy and ambled over the top to be greeted by Alex who was quickly sent back under to locate the others before leading them on through Runscar 2 and 3.

With everyone through the full Runscar system (except Abi and I of course LOL) we slithered into Scar Top, pausing to take the odd photo here and there. At the slot, I offered advice as to the best way to tackle it before heading down and grovelling through the flat out bit. There was a lot more water flowing compared to the last time I was there but the constriction was passed with only a wet ear (if you discount the rest of your body hehehe).

Positioning myself with camera and flash at the ready I called for the others to make their way through. Abigail somehow hurt her leg dropping down the slot and was a little dejected as she made her way through. Claudia followed howling like a banshee as the water seeped into her suit. Roz was next through and then nothing……. and nothing……… some shuffling, muted talking, nothing……… more shuffling and scraping followed by an “aaaargh f*****g hell” and a bit of laughing before Jase appeared with a nice scrape down his cheek.. Mike W quickly followed before Alex appeared and was made to lie in the water while the flash recharged itself LOL.

At fourways chamber, Abigail and Claudia were discussing mutiny on the return leg and opting to head out of the top entrance but more of that later.
After a few more obstacles we all made it to the final chamber where some great photos were achieved whilst waiting for Alex to return from his solo ferreting before heading back.

A small scale mud fight was had at one point with some of the more immature members of the group (we know who we are LOL) slapping muddy hands into clean faces.

Back at fourways, the offer of an early exit was offered for those who had muted their discontent at the slot and squeeze. This was discussed by the mutinous two before Claudia relented and then encouraged Abigail to go back the way we came.

Once on the surface, a group shot was taken by a passing member of BPC before Alex headed off for his solo trip through Thistle Cave. The call of liquid refreshment at the Station Inn was just far too strong for the rest of us to resist.

A quick change in the car park to gawps from onlookers earned one of our band a new name, (Mike “The Family Flasher” White – take a bow LOL) before we all stampeded into the pub to wash faces and purchase various drinks and snacks.

All in all, a pleasant day and a good opportunity to meet new people in a great environment. Lets hope the club continues to grow like this.

Mike Skyrme