Eislufthöhle - pushing
Nick Thorne
Didn't rain, therefore:
Julian, Andy W (taking photos), Ben, Simon F, Nick (pushing team) with all five of us derigging. Yes,
derigging, initially because we thought we were running out of time, and
could only afford one more push and, as it turned out, because the pot ended
of its own accord.
An early start saw the pushing trio soon reaching the 15th pitch, whilst
the other two plodded on down taking piccies at various places. The short
rope on the 15th was changed for one that reached, and Nick descended.
Trooped off down a very high and wide rift, well supplied with boulders,
including some 'deads' in the roof, if you see what I mean.
The floor sloped down gently, with the stream flowing just under the
boulder floor. Ominous black mud started to cover the rock. The head of a
short pitch was soon reached and the drop tests confirmed with a loud
booming splash that a sump was in the offing. Bolted and descended the pitch
(5m) to ankle deep mud covering boulders, and a large, long, deep lake of a
sump pool - an interesting moment for all concerned. Andy W and Julian arrived
and photographed the place to pieces (I hope).
All five of us then started to derig. Then as the cold water pounded down
the pitches, tackle hauls got tangled, tempers got frayed and the weight of
equipment increased, we all began to realise what a shag the derig was going
to be.
With each of us earning hero points of doubtful validity, we eventually
got all the gear above the Hall of the Greene King, spat over our shoulders
and left the place. Trip times varied between 14 and 16 hours.
Thank god its over. The exhaustion at the time outdid the sense of
achievement, but we'll grow to appreciate it.
Nick.