The 'official' meets list trip to Alum/Long Churn was starting to fill up, so several of us opted instead to piggy back onto Rich's permit for Lost John's. The plan had been a Monastery - Dome Exchange, but water levels were well above average, so we opted for a plan that would be more likely to avoid a near-drowning. So it was that we were packing 6 tackle sacks for a Dome - Centipede exchange with several of the team also carrying on down to the Master Cave.
At the entrance a quick team plan saw Lynne and I charged with rigging down Dome, at the bottom of which Martin and Chris would hopefully be waiting to exchange, while Rich, Emma and Finchy were to carry on down to the Master Cave. After all the faff first thing coming up with the plan and then packing the rope, it was starting to look we could well be late for the AGM at 5pm. However, Rich set off eagerly into the stream and, almost as soon as he was out of sight, someone who shall remain nameless took the executive decision to 'forget' to bring the bottom two bags underground. Thus, Team 'Rich' would be forced into the gentle and much more sociable exchange, and we would also be certain of getting to the AGM on time. The only problem with this plan was that someone would have to break the news to Rich. I think most of us were hoping it would be someone else !
With a new plan underway - but Rich still none the wiser - Emma now joined with Lynne and I for a pleasant trip down the Dome route. (Now, some may say it was all part of her cunning plan to keep away from Rich, but I couldn't possibly comment on this.) On reaching the junction with the the Centipede route, we heard them ahead of us ... it looked like the had beaten us and had gone on to rig Candle & Shistol. We headed on down and were rather relieved to find that someone seemed to have told Rich already. After a quick chat, we headed back out with Emma, Lynne and I derigging Centipede and the others completing the exchange via Dome.
Back at the surface, we were pleased to see that Chris T8 had managed to head up the inlet in the entrance series (I think called Quicksand Passage) and had moved from 2nd to last in the party - always good for a snigger! Leck Fell was still surprisingly pleasant as we changed and we made it back to base in plenty of time for rope-washing and tea (plus a pint or two for some) before the AGM. Thanks everyone - a pleasant return to a great cave.
Team: Rich, Emma, Lynne, Chris T8, Finchy, Martin and Damian
Time: 3 hrs ?
P.S. On the way down Dome, I spotted a couple of shiny new IC anchors about level with the swing into the window that connects through to Centipede. I didn't know where it led but it turns out it is the end of a two-pitch alternative route between the bottom of Centipede and the bottom of Dome. It seems to need 2 x 20m ropes and is accessed by going up from the base of Centipede - must have a look some time.
