Topic

As Ian Ball had gone to the trouble of arranging a permit for said hole , then 5 of us turned up to do it. Although with the weather and high water levels it probably wasn't the best idea but we thought we would give it a go. After negotiating the entrance series and the squeeze we arrived at the Depot, at this point it was time to don SRT kit. As i started to rig the traverse out to the first pitch i was surprised how little water there was in the system, 2 deviations later and i was at the bottom of the 1st pitch and still relatively dry
Made my way down stream, dropped the 2nd pitch and waited, but nobody appeared. So made my way back to the bottom of the 1st pitch to find Alex who informed me that Ruth had got caught up in the traverse and after they had freed her she was going out. Next thing she appeared at the bottom of the 1st pitch to inform us that she was carrying on and the others were following her. As we three headed off down stream again we dropped the 2nd pitch and carried on down all the climbs untill we got to the top of the last climb before the low wet flat out section.
At this stage nobody had caught us up and unfortunately they had got the gear for the last pitches, so not wanting to get wet through and with no means off carrying on we headed back up stream, as we got to the 1st pitch we met up with Kristian who said he was exhausted and they were heading back out. At this point i leapfrogged him and followed Ian up the pitch, Ian then told me they had dropped the pitch but could not find the way on, as the others would be a while getting up the pitch i made my way out leaving them to derigg.
Trip time 3hrs+
Ruth Smith, Ian Ball, Alex Ritchie, Kristian Brook, Keith Mason

I dont remember saying i was going to leave?? You lads underestimate the Jean

Think Lionel may have misunderstood you then, as that was what he told me

I'm glad I stuck at it but god washfold has been my toughest cave yet , not so much going in but coming out. I didn't go high enough into the traverse and then couldn't pull myself up, this then completely zapped all the energy from me. Alex was absolutely briilliant though and used his arm for me to step up when he was balancing himself at the top of the pitch! God knows how he did that?? I just know without him i'd have been in a right pickle, thanks Alex!

Now its over i have memories of great trip but at the time the air was blue with my colourful language and I vowed never to cave again

Washfold the return, 11th November it is then