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Juniper Gulf - Saturday 8th Nov, 2025 (by Aaron): 11 Nov 2025 11:59 #21942
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- dchadwick
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The 1st team in Juniper, the rigging team. Aaron Smith YSS and Pegasus, Lucus (the younger), Andy (from Morley), Nathan Bartlett, CPC and Pegasus, Rhuarhri Cordon, Peak CC.
After a team of 11 keen JG cavers changed to 5, lots of ropes were packed into 4 gear backs. Off we went to JG and parked up at 1030am, after squeezing into 2 cars.
Lucas had his GPS, and perfect navigation took us directly to the little Juniper tree sitting by the entrance Scar of JG.
Nathan, NB, and Aaron, AS, shared the rigging. NB first, but the true (better) 'Y' hang was missed, so AS re-rigged. The rope was now, unfortunately, 5m (or so) short for the little optional traverse below, so we went straight down to the lowest point instead.
Rhuarhri, RC, followed and then Lucas and Andy.
NB rigged the next traverse, and AS rigged the pitch. All good again.
Some, occasionally challenging with tackle sacks, traversing continued, and NB rigged the next 2 sections before the last pitch and AS rigged the final drop.
The 'bad step' went well after the riggers discussed options for the obstacle.
AS landed at the base of the big pitch, a bit wetter now, and a big 'rope free shout' was needed because of the water noise. AS scrambled down to the very bottom and found a dryer and less 'chilly' spot to shelter.
NB, RC, and Lucas soon followed on, but Andy waited above. AS set off back up to be greeted again by Andy, wasn't as chilly as the rest of us.
I remember my sweets in my 'tube' and 'cola cubes and strawberry bonbons' were consumed and offered around.
All good to this point as NB was close behind. 20 mins later and no sign of RC, Aaron' neighew. Another 10 mins, and NB said he could see him coming up slowly.
We all moved on, and after another 20 min stop, Andy went to see how RC was doing. RC was feeling tired and had slowed up a bit.
Off, we continued out with AS, followed closely by NB with Andy, RC, and Lucas sticking together.
At the surface, 30 more minutes passed slowly. NB then descended the entrance pitch again to check in the others' progress. 15 more minutes, and all was revealed. It was just a bit of slow progress and tiredness on the part of RC.
All was well. A 4h30m trip was probably closer to 6h30m, but that was fine, and all was good.
We walked back to our cars together and we didn't need to de-rig because the 'team beta' were coming on Sunday. Super day out.
After a team of 11 keen JG cavers changed to 5, lots of ropes were packed into 4 gear backs. Off we went to JG and parked up at 1030am, after squeezing into 2 cars.
Lucas had his GPS, and perfect navigation took us directly to the little Juniper tree sitting by the entrance Scar of JG.
Nathan, NB, and Aaron, AS, shared the rigging. NB first, but the true (better) 'Y' hang was missed, so AS re-rigged. The rope was now, unfortunately, 5m (or so) short for the little optional traverse below, so we went straight down to the lowest point instead.
Rhuarhri, RC, followed and then Lucas and Andy.
NB rigged the next traverse, and AS rigged the pitch. All good again.
Some, occasionally challenging with tackle sacks, traversing continued, and NB rigged the next 2 sections before the last pitch and AS rigged the final drop.
The 'bad step' went well after the riggers discussed options for the obstacle.
AS landed at the base of the big pitch, a bit wetter now, and a big 'rope free shout' was needed because of the water noise. AS scrambled down to the very bottom and found a dryer and less 'chilly' spot to shelter.
NB, RC, and Lucas soon followed on, but Andy waited above. AS set off back up to be greeted again by Andy, wasn't as chilly as the rest of us.
I remember my sweets in my 'tube' and 'cola cubes and strawberry bonbons' were consumed and offered around.
All good to this point as NB was close behind. 20 mins later and no sign of RC, Aaron' neighew. Another 10 mins, and NB said he could see him coming up slowly.
We all moved on, and after another 20 min stop, Andy went to see how RC was doing. RC was feeling tired and had slowed up a bit.
Off, we continued out with AS, followed closely by NB with Andy, RC, and Lucas sticking together.
At the surface, 30 more minutes passed slowly. NB then descended the entrance pitch again to check in the others' progress. 15 more minutes, and all was revealed. It was just a bit of slow progress and tiredness on the part of RC.
All was well. A 4h30m trip was probably closer to 6h30m, but that was fine, and all was good.
We walked back to our cars together and we didn't need to de-rig because the 'team beta' were coming on Sunday. Super day out.
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