underground - wet
Andy Waddington
Meanwhile underground ...
After a wet sleepless night (the thunderstorm, I mean) three of us got
underground about 8 am. Rerigged Follow-through Shaft. Tony went out when
he'd got to the top of the 15/35m. Ben and Andy Continued down. Rigged
Balcony with a piece of Marlow. Ladder on Overhanging Boulder Pitch. After
this we followed a small stream to the left, traversing above it on very dry
muddy ledges. Reached a 15m pitch. Andy W put a bolt in which resulted in a
superb free hang, just clearing the wall all the way down. At the bottom the
place enlarged to a flat floor with a stream cut into it. Upstream it soon
became too thrutchy. Downstream we traversed above the stream to reach
another pitch. This was Mars Bar paper tested, and thought to be directly
above the Gents. Went back and tried to rig the 20m pitch. However, the rope
only reached the second bolt so we came back out. Andrew lost his carbide
and all his lights went out so I left him. Time 10½ hrs.
Ben.