Team: Luke, Joe, Rob
This trip was an urgent pop to the bottom sump in Winnats to remove a depth logger for Prof John Gunn. It took priority over our Slack Hole dig as the logger had to be removed and put into East Canal before Tuesday (that’s Monday’s trip sorted!). Although I think the main driver was it was a bit wet n windy and someone didn’t fancy a surface dig….
Pre-beers whilst sheltered inside the cars followed by a quick scratch of heads about how much rope was probably needed, and we were off. Two bags between 3 we were pretty efficient and were soon enjoying how big Fox Chamber is. Joe picked a random route of the many into the choke below and it seemed to work ok. We arrived at the infamous bent wood (ooo err) just as Joe asks us to be quiet as it seems to be cracking. TBH it is pretty bent and could do with replacing, although I can’t understand why after being flagged up 15 months ago it still hasn’t been done. Seems like it’d be an easy fix, maybe needs an Awesome team on it?
Anyways, straight on down to enjoy how clear the big sump pool is, even with Jack stirring it up last week. The sewer seemed a little tighter than normal, especially for Luke who needed a little emotional support. Once through I enjoy the pitches up, feels like some good, solid, Peak Cavern caving.
Through to the pitches down I quickly deliberate with Joe about who’s going to rig. I figure mine would be shitter and slower than his so I get on with it, placing a pre-emptive “I don’t care” to the others about how bad my rigging is. They seemed to take my pre-emption correctly and didn’t moan much, apart from on the last pitch when I used Joe’s tackle bag as a deviation.
Down the last pitch I shuffle out over the sump to find it 10m lower than last time i was there! I derig the depth logger and take some disto measurements whilst desperately trying not to fall down, then head back. Luke had already left us for dead so I follow him up leaving Joe to try to derig my crap rigging. All actually went uneventfully and we caught up with Luke once back through the sewer. Our route up into Fox Chamber was marginally improved and we dragged our sweaty arses to the surface after just over 2 hours underground.
Tea and medals in the Anchor to celebrate a very enjoyable evening.