Quick trip, i wanted to check the state of the sump in the NCC extensions after the vast amounts of rain we have had this summer. Joined by Lionel and Ruthie after their epic down Black Shiver the night before. Alex rigged the entrance shaft and descended 1st, at the foot of the shaft we moved into Lords chamber had a look at the 'devils ring*****' formation in NE passage No2 and moved to end of cavern 84. On way back to entrance chamber went to check the 'Sistine chapel' formations in Cave Pearl Passage. Time to check the sump, the boulder choke in NE Passage No1 is hairy, the boulders being held up by soft wooden props Circa 1844, it is uncomfortably small and unpleasant, into HWPC chamber and the pleasantly grotty sump surrounded by thick mud banks, squeezing passed these enabled us to have a good look at the sump and yes, you have guessed... no change.. this year! Back through the butt tensing choke and towards Cavern 44. Alec climbed up into NE Passage No 2 from the shaft on the left (giong out of Passage No1). Through 44 a look at the blue crystals in side chamber on left and into Cavern 104 along into The Great Shake looking at impressive roof formations, checking various leads and then out for a trip to Inglesport and a chip buttie for Nige.
Time taken 4 hours
Players
Nige
Lionel
Ruthie
NB we noted grafitti dated 1844, is this the earliest noted grafitti in the cave?
