98 - pitch
Sun 30 Jul 1978
Nicky Davies
We all walked up to the plateau in the heat again, taking the rest of the tackle, and Simon, who was working off his hangover. Once on the plateau, we took the remaining ladders and another rope up to 98. After rigging the pitch as yesterday, Mike was the first to descend 70' of ladder and reach the bottom of the fine entrance shaft. After a brief exploration, I followed, lifelined down by Ben. Mike and myself first explored the most obvious of the two passages, a small rift section sloping downwards about 30 feet, but becoming too narrow and uncomfortable to pursue (sharp rock).
After failing to find a way on, we returned to the bottom of the pitch to take a look at the short section of passage on the opposite side of the shaft. This opens out into another large shaft, and after chucking several rocks down, we called to John to come down to take a look at the new shaft, which we estimate to be another superb shaft of about 70'.
We returned to the surface to fetch more equipment and bolts for rigging the next pitch. Owing to the ominous presence of thunder, lightning and hailstones, we sheltered with the present Team Bluewater members before giving up for the day and strolling back from the plateau in the rain.
Nicky.
Nicky Davies
id1978-98-2 30th July
We all walked up to the plateau in the heat again, taking the rest of the tackle, and Simon, who was working off his hangover. Once on the plateau, we took the remaining ladders and another rope up to 98. After rigging the pitch as yesterday, Mike was the first to descend 70' of ladder and reach the bottom of the fine entrance shaft. After a brief exploration, I followed, lifelined down by Ben. Mike and myself first explored the most obvious of the two passages, a small rift section sloping downwards about 30 feet, but becoming too narrow and uncomfortable to pursue (sharp rock).
After failing to find a way on, we returned to the bottom of the pitch to take a look at the short section of passage on the opposite side of the shaft. This opens out into another large shaft, and after chucking several rocks down, we called to John to come down to take a look at the new shaft, which we estimate to be another superb shaft of about 70'.
We returned to the surface to fetch more equipment and bolts for rigging the next pitch. Owing to the ominous presence of thunder, lightning and hailstones, we sheltered with the present Team Bluewater members before giving up for the day and strolling back from the plateau in the rain.
Nicky.