Details

Written by: Rob Eavis

Published: 12 April 2013

Hits: 3902

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: 3983

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.

Details

Written by: Rob Eavis

Published: 12 April 2013

Hits: 4200

Report by Jules Barrett
Cavers: Jules Barrett (EPC), Jim Lister (EPC), Ann Soulsby (TSG), Chris Schofield (EPC)

After the SRT Rescues training yesterday we fancied something with some decent SRT and that would give a full day. Ann suggested J.H. and as Chris hadn't been in there before that seemed like an excellent idea. During the evening Jim established that J.H. was being left rigged overnight by Kent University Caving Club which made J.H. seem like an even better idea. We met at the TSG and after the usual tea and chat the party moved in the general direction of the entrance. We arrived just before the Kent University team who were de-rigging. The first pitch, Cartgate and Bitch Pitch all passed without incident and we arrived at the Workshop. I'd only ever gone straight across at the Workshop but this time we followed the alternative route down the slot in the floor to arrive at the top of a short pitch which leads to Leviathan. Down Leviathan to the big ledge and then on down the superb final pitch to the floor. Here we left SRT kits and headed down through the Boulder Piles to emerge in the Speedwell Streamway. A quick stomp upstream (much squealing from the girls at the back who were missing their neoprene!) to Main Rising and then back. On the way back we stopped to have a look at the Miner's Toast ("Health to All Miners and Maintainers of Mines") and the Yorkshire Raider's equally significant but later inscription (Main Rising -66m) before heading back through the Boulder Piles to the bottom of Leviathan. It turned out that the de-riggers were still off finding the bottom of Titan so we set off up the ropes. The trip out was uneventful and very easy with no bags whatsoever. Last time I was in here was ferrying diving gear and Ann has also done more than her fair share of that. Much as I'd like to say I'm obviously much fitter now than last time I was in here I suspect that the lack of bags was significant. By the time I arrived at the bottom of the first pitch I'd finally got the hang of the foot jammer that I've recently started using and soon I was on the surface. There are some lovely wild flowers around the top of J.H. at this time of year and it was great laying in the sun waiting for the others to make their way out.

Click on the images above to enlarge.
Miner's artifacts and conservation tape in the Workshop (J.H.).