Details

Written by: Rob Eavis

Published: 12 April 2013

Hits: 3733

Report by Jules Barrett
Cavers: Jules Barrett (EPC) and Chris Schofield (EPC)

We fancied a decent vertical trip and I'd only been to Rowter Hole once years ago so suggested going back there to have a proper look round. Was Chris' first time in the cave so we went for that. I could vaguely remember where the entrance was so after paying the £2 trespass fee we walked towards the entrance. Not straight towards the entrance though as we were in the wrong field. Realised that I'd got it wrong and then walked more directly towards the entrance. Rigged the shaft and descended. At the bottom we dropped down the second pitch to where the water sinks in gravel and came back out then went up the ~10m handline climb into the upper levels. Nice bit of cave right on the mineral vein and had a good poke about up there. Some nice ginging, antique rope and found a wierd bit where there's seemingly a draught but no hole where it could come from. Back down the handline and then out the shaft to the surface. All very enjoyable and the prussik up the shaft was a good bit of exercise.

Details

Written by: Rob Eavis

Published: 12 April 2013

Hits: 3425

Report by Jules Barrett
Cavers: Jules Barrett (EPC) and Jim Lister (EPC& TSG)

The original plan was to transport some wire mesh and a mattock into Buxton Water Aven and to do some bolting that would allow us to safely get dive kit out of the way of any boulders that might fall from above. The original plan soon became the 'ex-plan' when I realised that I hadn't brought a hand driver that a 8mm Spit could be screwed directly onto. After several cups of tea in the chapel we entered the cave around 1:00 p.m. and made our way to the downstream end of Buxton Water Sump. I dived the mattock through whilst Jim wrestled with several square metres of industrial-strength chicken wire. Eventually we met in Buxton Water Aven and started digging some footholds up the slope to a ledge out of the way of any falling rocks. A detailed plan was hatched regarding how the industrial-strength chicken wire was going to be used to keep the sump exit open and we dived out in very poor visibility. Back to the chapel for lots more tea.  

Details

Written by: Rob Eavis

Published: 12 April 2013

Hits: 3502

Report by Jules Barrett
Cavers: Jules Barrett (EPC) and Jim Lister (EPC& TSG)

An arrangement had been made for the two of us to meet up at Ink Sump dive base at 2:45 pm. Jim went into Peak in the morning diving through Ink Sump and into Doom's Retreat to do work on the upper ladder. I entered the showcave somewhat later than hoped at 2:05 pm and made my way quickly to the downstream end of Buxton Water Sump. Here I sat around for 10 minutes as my mask wouldn't de-fog due to the fact that I was sweating horrendously having motored from the TSG to here in 10mm of neoprene on a hot day. When mask eventually de-fogged I dived through Buxton Water Sump, de-kitted on the far side and started running up the Peak Streamway arriving at Ink Sump dive base a couple of minutes late and very knackered. Both of us yomped back down the streamway to the upstream end of Buxton Water Sump, kitted up and dived through to Buxton Water Aven. A quantity of old digging gear, wire and krabs was removed and stuffed in a tackle sack to be transported out. The tackle sack proved to be rather more buoyant than expected (could have been due to the large pieces of karrimat in it!) and something of a handful. Both exited without incident and spent a pleasant evening in good weather painting the roof of the Chapel garage and drinking tea.