[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

I don’t suppose anyone picked up a kneepad?
Think I probably dropped one in the lay-by.

[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

My left elbow evidently felt neglected, because it swelled up quite a bit.
Better now …

[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

Good trip.
Hopefully someone’s got my crab from the top deviation?

[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

Well done Don.
As you say, an excellent trip (me, Don, Alex)

[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

Yes, vid looks good – although I haven’t had a chance to play the soundtrack yet, if there’s anything of interest.

[Chris Sharman]

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.

[Chris Sharman]

Good write-up.
A couple of corrections:

• I thought Squeezy was rigged off a couple of threads with in-situ tat?
• For the first squeeze above the sixth, I went through headfirst, gear on – don’t know why Alex was feeling so fat

I got stuck at the upper end of Reluctance, too – tackle bag jammed, and I didn’t have enough leverage to push it over.

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