Topic

I know this was a Mendip weekend but Bean had organised a couple of trips into OFD, so after a early start and a brekkie at McDonalds we met up with Susan and Alex at the South Wales hut. Split into two groups and we set of to do top entrance to Smiths Armoury leaving the others to there trip (I'm sure they will put a report on)
Was a cracking trip with lots of variety and some brilliant streamway along the way. The traverses were very good, but at one point I don't think Ales thought so, also good job we did'nt need the key to get back out as this dropped out of a hole in Bean's pocket and went down the rift. Was a long day but well worth it and we got back out in daylight.
Trip time 6hrs45
Bean, Ruth Smith, Susan Blackburn, Ales Hrabec, Keith Mason

I think that it was the most scary trip of my poor caving career. Bloody long traverse... Thanks to all rigid people on this trip!!!

McDonalds Keith - it the future.

jfinch wrote:

McDonalds Keith - it the future.[/quote

Not convinced yet Mr Finch, but it was very nice

Ales wrote:

Thanks to all rigid people on this trip!!!

Rigid People you just had to be there

Not sure about being rigid but Ruth got her finger in a small hole! :

Bean wrote:

Not sure about being rigid but Ruth got her finger in a small hole! :

R!

Depends which hole

Well done going over that traverse we all turned back when I did it. Was planning to bring a rope and a drill next time we went in there.

alexr wrote:

Well done going over that traverse we all turned back when I did it. Was planning to bring a rope and a drill next time we went in there.

Fecking hell Alex that's sacrilege, if your not man enough to do it you shouldn't be in there

Ha! Thanks a lot Alex!!! That's exactly what I told to Keith. Next time I go there, it's going to be with a drill. These guys are obsessed by the danger. I thought that I'm not a caver any more since I was frightened to death...at least on the way to Smith's Armoury, it was a bit better on the way back.

Bean, don't worry, I can give you a certificate about your rigidity ))

alexr wrote:

Well done going over that traverse we all turned back when I did it. Was planning to bring a rope and a drill next time we went in there.

I thought the traverses were fine it was some of the free climbs that i found hard and a bit scary. Brilliant trip and well worth the drive down

smithr wrote
I thought the traverses were fine it was some of the free climbs that i found hard and a bit scary. Brilliant trip and well worth the drive down

Does that mean its put your Meregill trip into second place then

keithm wrote:

smithr wrote
I thought the traverses were fine it was some of the free climbs that i found hard and a bit scary. Brilliant trip and well worth the drive down

Does that mean its put your Meregill trip into second place then

No meregil is still my favorite, but this is close second :0)

This weekend was one fantastic experience l will remember for a long time, the whole package was fun exciting and never a dull moment, just loved it. For those who couldn’t come, you have no idea what you missed. A very big thank you to Bean for being much more than just our guide, Keith who organized and looked after us all as always, and my team members who made it great fun, thank you all.

I thought the traverses were fine it was some of the free climbs that i found hard and a bit scary. Brilliant trip and well worth the drive down

Oh yes egg timer climb, not nice that one. Especially as you are told the rock you use to lower yourself down with is loose.

Yeah those traverses often sort the string happy Dales foreigners from the locals There just aren't enough scaffold tube traverses in the Dales!

What scaffold, I dont recall ant scaffold, just a very narrow ledge and a 20m drop!

Just don't look down Alex

Once you've done all the airy stuff, there's a single scaffold tube traverse shortly before you join the water.

richardrae wrote:

Just don't look down Alex

Once you've done all the airy stuff, there's a single scaffold tube traverse shortly before you join the water.

Yep, was still in place when we did it maybe Alex was at another Smiths Armoury

No just never got that far as I say we all turned back.