Little Water Swallet Trip Report 16/03/25

Dylan Kocher, Joe Buck Little water swallet had been previously pushed by TA to a horrendously tight rift where a stream can be heard running into our beloved master cave a meter below. With this in mind Joe and myself were keen to go back to chip away at the old block. Suiting up we embark back to LWS entering the familiar cave Joe opting to carry/pull his rather heavy bag down to the third reich. Here the infamous death squeeze that had nearly sumped and killed a few of our members had been filled with mud with a few inches of muddy spoil, perhaps from the varying floods of the winter season. This led to a committing, flat-out squeeze to start our session only to continue to become tighter yet. As it is my first time at this particular dig face, Joe crosses over and presents the narrow rift. Agreeing that it was unworkable to cap inside the rift below we would have to start widening the still narrow rift above. Joe laying flat out as I do my best behind. Taking shift Joe lays two caps into the narrow rift before dropping the hammer below. Alas no worries however as I had Rob's trusty hammer right beside my torso, showing Rob even though not present was still helping in spirit. Once handed to Joe, who thus chucked it down the hole for company. Nice! Manoeuvring over then back on himself to descend feet first into the narrow rift, requiring endless grunts and faff, manages to retrieve the tools. By this time, I had managed to cross above him attempting to get on the other side of the dig face above. This was the first time that night I had managed to get completely stuck. Through almost throwing up, I successfully made the traverse landing opposite of Joe. The whole ordeal took quite a long time and should give an idea of how slow the progress is. Whilst joe capped and stuck again he dropped yet another piece of gear requiring him to make the fateful descent below. This is where shit got real for me. Being in an uncomfortable position beyond the dig face I had spotted some places I could potentially cap on the opposite side of the rift. Joe mentioned there was a place further beyond the rift where I could turn my body around. Finding this spot for my entire body was tough and finally finding a crack in the rift I managed to push hard and my hips finally gave way. However, the crack was angled in such a way that it had locked my upper frame in place. To try and give an idea of what this looks like imagine you take an action figure and spin his legs and torso ninety degrees from each other. A complete pretzel. This position meant that I lacked any mobility compounded with the fact that the rock was seemingly moulded around my frame. Joe meanwhile is upside down threatening to “nutty putty” himself. My attempts to turn my shoulders got more and more frantic and I could notice my heart beating slightly faster. This turned into loud shouts with seemingly no answers. Every place I moved and pressed against gave no indication of future success, but rather just a more impounding feeling of being stuck. Joe who was still inverted head first down the rift finally is able to see me and instantly bursts out laughing. Adding some much required levity to the situation I find myself laughing along. With some discussion there was nothing left to do but keep trying. After some serious rib cage squeezing my shoulders finally pop round and we restart our digging. Now situated correctly I drill and load the wall to my left above the dig face. Only able to use my right arm joe uses his left to pass me caps. Once the caps were tapped into place. Joe mentions I should hold on to the capping rod. Seeing as I could not do this and hammer it I replied “yeah I will do”. Proceeding not to and hammered away. With magnificent bang a large chunk of the wall dislodged descending into the rift below, along with the hammer rod. Joe having to yet again descend below to retrieve a piece of equipment. After quite an ordeal we restart, I drill and place another two caps then lay the bag against the rod for a makeshift shield. Both agreeing there's not much to do about holding on to the hammer rod so I continue without. Another bag sends the hammer rod back down the rift still lodged in the detached rock. With this it was pub time we thought and decided to head back out. The journey out was tight and muddy. Exit squeeze filled with spoil, itl looked mean and proved to be so when going head first. Little Water Swallet will lie silent until the cards are in, but the digface is mean and small. However progress can be made albeit slow and cumbersome. Though looking back was a fun trip and would definitely go back for some more when the time comes.