Topic

With the president organising an opposing trip to Sunset Hole and taking ten people (Nigel, Ros, Lynn, Lukas, Keith, Damian, Sophie, Frances, Alan & James) with him, made a simple exchange between Rat Hole & Wades possible.
The six of us split into two teams: Matt, Andy & Lukasz who were to rig Rat Hole. Paul, Klaudia & Dave who were to rig Wades.
Following the walk up the hill to the Bar Pot area, Paul was feeling the effects of the alcohol consumed the night before and was dubious about caving.
Dave & Klaudia set off with three bags between them. This was improved at the end of the first rope by packing the second rope into the second bag with the third & fourth ropes.
The rest of the Wades descent went without incident and we were soon heading towards main chamber hoping to meet the other team on the way.
We got to the main chamber having not seen them, but a short while after arriving we could see lights moving around near one of the waterfalls.
After a while the lights disappeared to reappear a while later. From where we were standing the Rat Hole route looked very wet. There was also the occasional sound of falling rock but I did not see any fall to the floor.
Sometime later, we decided that we were beginning to get a bit chilly and that the Rat Hole team did not seem to be making progress, so we would leave via Wades leaving the ropes in place incase they made it down the pitch.
Having left the cave, we walked round to the Rat Hole entrance where we found Paul lying with his head down the hole.
He said he had not heard anything from them. A while later Klaudia & Dave entered Rat Hole to see if they were okay. We soon encountered Lukasz who was on his way out. He said that they had given up and were derigging and heading out.
We turned round where the stream enters and headed out followed by Lukasz. A long time later Andy appeared followed by Matt.
Hopefully there will be a more complete report from the Rat Hole team soon.

Time in Wades: About 4 hours.