Team: Sam and Rob
After Monday’s frustration we were keen to score for a draw against Black Draught tonight. I sub’d Joe for Sam and upgraded caps to snaps, so hopes were high. Pre-beer in the glorious sun before descending into the cool darkness. This was the first time me n Sam have caved together for maybe 10 years, so we were each keen to impress the other.
Once at Inglorious we dekitted, turned on the digging tunes, and I headed in first with the firing cable, planning to utilise one of the failed capping holes from the last trip. However I couldn’t get the snapper in all the way, not helped by the small Rowan twig I was using as a stemming rod (I realised last minute that my proper one was too big for 8mm holes). Needless to say when fired from back in Inglorious I’ve been more impressed with some of my kids farts.
Sam went in next, this time with the drill. Working at the face is not the easiest, it being awkward, very muddy, and you’re also in a puddle to ensure the howling draught really cuts through you.
The whole process of return, drill, stem, wire, return, fire took 20-30 mins, so it’s not quick. Thankfully this one went off properly and when I returned the rock was gone. A good sight now through the next rocks into a reasonably spacious rift which is encouraging, however more was needed off the large slab in the floor to get passed comfortably. Optimistically I just drilled right into the centre of it.
The big noise from Inglorious was encouraging and whilst Sam went in to fettle out the spoil I kept warm by starting digging another tube off Inglorious. He was back 20 mins later saying he could now get through to the next bit but there’s more rocks and calcite in the way. Also he’s lost the beloved Rowan twig so no more bangs tonight. I went in, cleared from rocks from ahead, and predrilled two holes ready for next trip. So it's been good progress tonight, but more hard work to come. By the time I emerged back in Inglorious I was shattered, even though we’d only been underground 2.5 hours. I was also freezing so keen to head out, and Sam was good enough to take the bag which made me very happy.