Homecoming - Rig faff

Mon 10 Jul 2023
Wassil Janssen



This was a long day that started at Base Camp with the intent of rigging the entrance series of Homecoming cave. We set off only slightly later than the planned 8:00 [illegible] some faff. Quite surprising since Will was not part of the team.

The walk up to Top Camp took almost 2 hours, just as expected. We were also carrying drills, string, food, and other Top Camp equipment. We followed the reflectors to Fishface. They were white on both sides, which could make it frustrating if you are someone who is lost on their way to Top Camp. Instead, it should be red that leads to Top Camp, while white leads to caves and the car park.

From Fishface, it was only a short walk to Homecoming. Wassil rigged the first few ropes of the cave. . The first rope is a 14m on which we descend the entrance pitch. Then Wassil used a ~70m rope which was used to rig the next few pitches. After the entrance pitch, [illegible] come 2-3 small pitches rigged without rebelays. This makes it easier to climb on the way out. Wassil rigged everything up to Radagast.

Harry rigged 'Definitely not the Dachstein', while Chi di Wallace and Grommit, including an awkward traverse.

In the meantime, Merryn, Alice and Wassil were waiting in the group shelter practicing the fiddle.

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Survex files on this date:
    caves-1626/359/swiss_cheese_to_german_engineering
Wallets on this date:
    2023#09 Salamander Queen ['notes', 'sc-to-ge', 'sc-to-ge', 'pitch_diagrams']
Logbook trips on this date:
    Fishface - Carrying rope to Fishface and failing to rig entrance
    Homecoming - Rig faff
    basecamp - Becka arriving
    festering - Canyoning Strubklamm
    UK Caving Blog post: Cardiff Canon Ball Run