Topic

The numbers wanting to go caving on Sunday were dropping all the time until only 6 of Saturdays 14 remained. I decided the weather was not suitable for walking or cycling so joined the team.
There was considerable discussion about which cave to do, eliminating anything which could flood as the forecast was for heavy rain most of the day, anything too far away from Helwith Bridge and anything with a long walk to it. We finally agreed on Lost John’s Cave with an exchange between Dome Route and Centipede.
Dave collected the two bags for Dome and was joined by myself, Ellie and Lukasz P. Although there was a lot of water on the hill there was no issue with it in the cave so long as Monastery route is avoided.
The Centipede team with a single bag comprised Ade, Dave W and Robin.
David rigged and we pushed on as our route was expected to take longer as there was a lot more rope and rigging involved. We arrived at the end of Dome Route (the last rope was a bit short) David having seen the other team on their route shortly before.
We set off towards Centipede and soon found them waiting for us in large passage before our first up rope. I was sent up first (maybe to avoid me getting cold) and I just continued on from rope to rope until I completed the circle in the traverse on the way out.
The only incident was that I dropped a sling at the top of Mud pitch, but Ellie was just below me so I asked her to look for it (and she found it). Ellie was not far behind me, then David, who had left Lukasz derigging as there was just one bag of rope.
We exited the cave to find, much to our surprise, that it was not raining. The other team appeared not long after and met us at the cars where we were chatting with Long Bob, who had been digging somewhere.
The trip was enjoyed by all and considered a good Sunday outing and I didn’t get cold at all (which is most unusual).

Dome team : David, Ros, Ellie and Lukasz.
Centipede team: Ade, Robin and Dave W.
Time : 2.5/ 3 hours.