Topic

Tagged onto a MUSC permit for this trip as we missed it when Damian and Rich did it two weeks earlier. Was only going to be 2 of us doing it but we managed to recruit a 3rd member to join us
Set off for a fairly early start, which after a very cold walk across a snowy covered fell saw us going underground for about 10 o'clock . Unlike Damian and Rich's trip we did ours as a pull thru which then meant carrying the rope with us all the way even though we knew we wouldn't need it again as all the other gear was in situ.
Fairly easy going through Top Sink and pretty soon we were at Easter Grotto and on our way down to the streamway, from there it didn't take us long to reach Stop Pot and the climb up into the high level route of Lancaster. From here it was a nice steady stroll along to Stake Pot for a well earned chockie break from here we then started to make our way through the much cooler Stake Pot Series, did loose a bit of time time here due to navigational errors but soon sorted it and pretty soon we were at the top of the '88' pitch.
Once we had dropped this we made our way along the Wormway to the bottom of Echo Aven, from the top of Echo Aven we then started on our final leg of the trip making our way towards The Pippikin Streamway and our exit. This did involve some very squalid sections, like the wet wallows and a few other unpleasant bits, but it wasn't long before we found the first rope for our ascent out of Pippikin, due to its nature it did mean that SRT kit was on and off more times than a prostitutes knickers but after several thrutchy sections we finally arrived at the bottom of the entrance pitch .
We weren't looking forward to reaching the surface though as we were all wet through and the thought of a 40min walk back in freezing temperatures wasn't high on our list, but surprise surprise it wasn't that cold when we got out. The next problem was lack of vis and finding the right way to walk off, but thanks to modern technology......the compass on Alex's camera and a north arrow on the survey we were soon on the right track and once we found the beck the rest was plain sailing
Trip time 9hrs15
Alex Ritchie, Brian Cullen, Keith Mason

Well done.

Sounds like a good;long trip in a fast time!

You'll know these caves like the back of your hands soon/now?

Definitely one for your tick list Gordon