Topic

Quite a large turn out for this one with 9 of us in total and with one of the party dressed in a Santa Suit, but as we were doing it as a pull thru we knew there would be some standing around at times, but thats caving.....
After getting changed and the walk up, the entrance did'nt take any finding, but we did have to break through a snow cap to gain access.
As we started crawling along the streamway, we realised that this was going to be a cold trip as the water was bloody freezing .The first pitch was passed and then came the long crawl, very wet and very cold pretty soon we came upon the second pitch, where Gordon preceeded to use up one of his lives but thankfully he survived and was able to carry on. The rest of the pitches quickly followed and apart from every one feeling the cold a little bit, we finally made the last pitch, all that was left then was the stomp down the Master Cave and the climb up to make our way out of Valley Entrance
Trip time 4hrs15
Alex Wallman, Susan Blackburn, Alex Richie, Gordon Aitken, Pete James, Paul Geddes, Nigel Steel, Rob Rimmer, Keith Mason

eek!

did you rig the bottom beforehand or climb it?

I find that from the top with a rope the climb looks about half as big as from the bottom.

Ian B.

Although it is free climable there was a rope and ladders in there from another group, so alls well that ends well

Great trip, i for one enjoyed it immensely, despite the moment i had on the big pitch
Thanks for being 'on point' once again keith, and Alex for doing the 'tail end charlie' role and thanks to ye all for great help, interest and having a laff on the trip. The pitch in V. enterance has a rope fixed in which saves the team having to pop down a cold V. Entrance at the begining of a trip.
Gordon hope you are OK and not suffering too much today.
Gonna take the Santa suit back too home bargains tommorrow for the refund

good but blood cold trip ,
hope gordon gets his parachute for christmas coz base jumping without it is dangerous

paulgeddes wrote:

base jumping without it is dangerous

One way to speed the trip up Anyone got any photos/videos of the caving santas?

Was too cold for picture taking! So I did not get my camera out.

Regarding the Vally entrnace Pitch, I did attempt to free climb it getting half up way on to a ledge, I could even get high enough to poke my head over the pitch head. I did not complete it however, partly because I could not decide upon a route (no good holds), partly because my limbs were numb and partly because I was not brave enough as the only possible move looked very exposed and as I said no real holds.

Oh that inlet I popped down while waiting for everyone to come down the big pitch was Turbury Inlet. Not the nicest of inlets I must say.