This turned out to be a solo trip (probably my first and not approved by Sue).
Got to the cave about 6pm – water levels quite low.
I had 2 bags – my oversize bag, and Don’s.
I left mine above the 55m. Down to the bottom in an hour, went down the main streamway as far as the inlet. The water was probably the lowest of all the recent trips, but there seemed to be a lot of fresh flood debris around.
Started back up detackling into Don’s bag – although actually the correct term is a tube, not a bag. Useless bloody thing needs burning, or something.
Anyway, up I went, stuffing the ropes in (sometimes 3 times, as they re-emerged from the bottom). Found I’d misjudged slightly, so headed up the big pitch with Don’s bag full and a loose rope too. Sorted out the packing at the top, and carried on.
Wasn’t able to finish the job: the 2nd pitch is derigged to the top Y hang (all the rope is on the Y hang), and the 1st I’ve taken out the deviation.
I ran out of bags, essentially, as well as energy and time.
So two ropes left for someone else to detackle (ideally before the weather gets horrible again).
Taken out:
4 long slings (2 black with black+red tape, 1 black with green tape, 1 yellow)
3 krabs
28 maillons (16 black+red, 8 rusty, 4 shiny unmarked)
14m white rope
57m gold (marked 55m, needs chopping at 16m)
31m gold (marked 30m)
22m gold (marked 20m)
41m gold (marked 44m)
24m gold (marked 25m, needs chopping at 0.7m)
The first severe wear was just below the ‘tyrolean’ – not sure where the 2nd was.
Will post pics on facebook.
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