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Several members of the party had attempted this trip before but had been defeated by the Long Kin waterfall. With no prospect of rain this wasn’t going to be at problem – instead, the warm spring sunshine made for a rather leisurely change (there’s a lot to be said for the efficiency of a cold winter change!).

Despite the \"assistance\" of Gordon’s new GPS, we walked straight to the LKE entrance. I rigged down, making a hash of the big pitch with the combination of ropes I’d chosen (I wish I’d taken a 90!). Meeting Chris at the bottom of this fine shaft, we had a quick bob down to the sump crawl before heading out: Chris and Roy derigged LKE whilst Emma and I took care of Rift, meeting Alex and Susan (who’d stopped at the top of the big pitch) on the way out. The most hazardous element of the derigg was reserved for the entrance where a large patch of hard snow sloping down towards the pitch head left my wellies flailing for grip.

Party:
LKE - Rift: Richard, Emma,
LKE: Roy
Rift - LKE: Chris
Rift: Gordon, Alex, Susan

A fine trip it was too - RIFT could do with some P bolts certianly some of the spits could do with changing in a few places.

60+ m of free hang was fun too !

Chris

christ8 wrote:

RIFT could do with some P bolts certianly some of the spits could do with changing in a few places.

I've not been to Rift but I understand the decision has been taken that the rock is too dodgy to eco-anchor Rift. The route to the bottom from now on is via LKE apparently.

It was an excellent trip, I decided that the last long pitch would be unwise given my level of fitness. The view across the chamber to the LKE party on their big pitch was fantastic and I would like to do that route when I am fitter. Susan spent a while going up and down a smaller pitch that included an interesting rebelay, she tired me out and all I was doing was watching. By the time I got to the top of the entrance/exit pitch I was shattered and very glad that I had not done the big pitch underground. A great trip, thanks to all.
I'm off to the gym now.!

I agree with Alex - it was great to see the other party across the shaft. Sadly the photo does not do it justice...
picasaweb.google.co.uk/emmabeecroft/DalesMarch?authkey=Gv1sRgCOvyqJGK_abhDA#

I was impressed by how different each side of the trip was - much more rope on the way out of Rift. After two pitches with the tackle sack of the bottom rope I was pleased to pass that on to Alex, which he lugged out of the entrance pitch. That alone must equal a good hour in the gym!

It wasn't so much the snow patch that bothered me upon exiting Rift, more the sapling Chris had rigged off!

Good trip!
- Nice day all in all.
Fair 2? mile walk {only 2nd time out with a sat nav!]. - Good job Chris/Rich knew the way; as it took them only 10 mins to locate the entrance holes.

Trickiest bit was to get onto first pitch across the ice in the hole.

Pleasant descent.

Decided (discretion better part of cowardice) to not do the last pitch - in case we slowed everyone else up doing it.

Found final pitch tiring so perhaps wise decision not to do long bottom pitch. -Much more practise/fitness required to keep up!!

Thank you to Richard and Chris for rigging/leading! Alex for driving.