"survey" + "Pushing" trip down France
Hugh Salter
Entered cave at 2.34 (Pauls timing). At 2.40 someone turned the taps on, whilst Penny + Hugh were still at 4th + 2nd rebelays respectively. Little dangerous at first as loadsa loose choss brought down. Everyone down OK except by now cold + wet + windy.
As water showed no tendancy to drop, thus making the object of the trip unattainable, a retreat was proposed, seconded and carried unanimously. But first we took photos of the dice, of Belgium and of the phreatic tube (nice bit o'cave that). Also found a miserable bit of sideways crawling in mud and Mark went up the slope at the back.
[grade 1 plan labelled BCRA: -5]
Thence out, pitch OK in terms of safety by now but very cold hands all round. Marks footloops broke on the way up, which elicited absolutely zero sympathy.