Topic

Having not done St Cuthbert's for a couple of years and remembering the entrance was a little snug and dam wet on exit, I was a little worried about the trip.
We met Peter, the leader at the Wessex at about 9:00 and headed over to the BEC to get changed.
We set up the dams and were in the cave by about 10:00.
The entrance rift was as tight as I remembered, but easy enough on the way in, being gravity assisted.
We made our way down the caving passing a number of formations including the octopus, the curtain and Everest. All was going well until we descended a short pitch, where Nigel slipped and fell about 8' giving himself a back injury and nearly crushing our leader.
Having assessed the situation, we decided that it would be best to leave the cave while Nigel was still moving, so we made our way back to the entrance by the easiest route possible.
Peter then climbed the pitch and put a short ladder and a shorter tape down the pitch. He then came back down with the intention of helping Nigel. I went up before Nigel, trying to use a pantin to get me through the tightest bit on very stretchy rope. Fortunately Mendip was very dry and the dams had not overflowed! Much pushing, puffing & panting later, I got through the tight bit and made my way to the head of the pitch. I used the rope and the tape to setup an assisted handline to help Nigel up.
After some more puffing, panting and thrashing Nigel made it to the top of the pitch, closely followed by Peter, who had been trying to guide his feet to the foot holds.
Ros made lighter work of the pitch and we all made our way out of the cave.

Thanks to Peter, our leader, for putting up with us.

Team: Peter, Nigel, Ros & Dave.
Time: About 4 hours.