After a long wet walk up to the entrance, the intrepid trio finally went underground. The pitch in Phil's extension was quickly gained and Julian kitted up and went off down the 1st pitch of 7m to a pile of jammed boulders. From this platform another pitch of 20m to a rebelay and another 10m to a floor lead on. From this a pitch of 5m reached another floor with a stream leading on down, which was not pushed to a conclusion.
Julian exploring at bottom of pitch
While Julian was exploring the pitches, Phil and Naomi worked back towards the main route climbing up assorted 45° ramps towards the roof. One particular one was followed up some steep climbs to a pot with water falling down it. down the pot, a 20' (approx) climb lead to a boulder floor - the ascent of the pot would need tackle and so was left. Phil and Naomi arrived back at Phil's pitch just as Julian was grovelling up to the top.
All the tackle from Phil's pitches was moved back to the main route junction and the trio then left to find the Main Route Big Pitch Route into the large chamber.
connection 142/41
Various ramps and tubes were investigated and the ramp/chamber leading to the big pitch was pretty well investigated - a route being pushed down to the bottom where it chokes. Near the top, on the right, a route was pioneered down a tube and across a ramp and then up a freeclimb at the end of the ramp. At the top of the ramp turn right and this comes into a very large sloping chamber. Descend to the bottom of the chamber and next to a very large block is the old landing of the 18m pitch in Stellerweg. Julian and Naomi and Phil then climbed up from the block and down into the Stellerweg double traverse passage where Julian positively identified the bolt hole - so the connection was confirmed. The trio then made their way back to the entrance, taking several photos on the way out.
