Following our successful glory grabbing in Albania last week, the team were now raring to get some new Derbyshire cave under our belts. We need to beat those pesky Badgers in Rowter before New Year. LWS is for now certainly only a two person dig, so we split into two teams.
Day 1 – Jon n Joe
These two were the last in here so knew the drill. Rather than hitting the end they spent the night capping and chiselling the last few metres to make it more accessible (for the larger gentlemen) and easier to work for everyone. This involved removing some of the “Dick tickler” right at the start of the rift and then capping the tight section just before the flakes, allowing working the end without too much risk of getting stuck.
In the process Joe managed to miss a rock with the hammer but, showing excellent commitment to the cause, followed through with his fist. This presumably left the rock intact but left his glove filling with blood.
Joe's little mischief
Day 2 – Chris n Rob
After a last minute German retreat I was well excited when Chris stepped up to join me this evening. Even more so when Hal turned up to offer us some fireworks to play with. After testing one we scrabbled about to formulate a SoP, fuelled of course by pre-beers.
Before doing any digging I had a quick look at the very end. There had been two trips since I was here last and indeed the place is now a lot more spacious. The view at the end is great (because you can see 3-4m along this tall rift to a slight left hand bend at the end which obscures the tantalising taste of what’s next) but also shit (because the whole rift needs enlarging!).
Not wanting to contemplate this feat I headed back to the start of the dig where me n Chris drilled our first firework hole, hoping to get rid of the Dick Tickler. We then retreated and went to light her up but nothing happened, again and again. Argh, so frustrating when this happens. I was about to head back in when Chris tried one more time and BOOOM! The incredible pressure wave and vibration took both of us completely by surprise, good stuff Hal! Unfortunately we were too greedy so we drilled a second hole a bit shallower and this was much more successful.
Chris tackling the Dick Tickler
For our finale we installed a bigger diameter firework. This time rather than just retreating around the corner we totally packed up and started to leave. With Chris at the top of the pitch and me ready to ascend I let it go and was physically pushed by the pressure wave, an incredible amount of energy. As anticipated a white ghost then started drifting towards me and I initiated prussiking immediately. Halfway up it caught up with me (did I mention the dig draughts well?!) and by the time I was at the top I couldn’t even see my feet! Now very glad we had retreated as much as we did!
Straight to the Mechanics to enjoy an après-cave tapas, we’re both now fired up for next week…
Mechanics' Tapas