Topic

Titan --> Speedwell 10-3-2013 12 Mar 2013 20:59 #10109

Topic Author
Ales Hrabec
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My big comeback to Titan where I failed against the vertigo. The morning is very cold. The surrounding hills around Castleton are freshly covered by snow. Three of us are ready for Titan - Speedwell Canal trip. Brian, James Blake and me. Brian is the lucky one, he brought his wet suit for the final part. We have to be synchronized with Keith's group which goes down via JH. James's powerful Mercedes struggles to climb the hill to the Titan entrance. A few minutes after, smiling Alex appears on the horizont, together with Stuart. His car is a bit more adapted to this conditions. The blizard behind the window is not very encouraging. We are getting very quickly changed and start walking towards Titan. James goes first and I ask Brian to go as a second since I'm not very selfconfident. (Actually, I was cold...:o) ). Alex and Stuart take the rope out so I know that there is no way back. Somehow helps.

Quick descend first 50 meters and I go to have a look out from the window. It's not such a big shock as last time. James shouts rope free and it's my turn! I'm decided to switch off my brain and to do all the things which I've done hundred times. Not thinking of the vastness of this pitch. Still I'm scared while unlocking my descender. Then everything goes automatically. I land on the ledge...which seems to be smaller than last time

Quick change of the rope and abseil on the re-belaying hook. Surprisingly, no stress any more. I even enjoy the last 70 meters length. Happy Ales! After all of us are gathered on the bottom, we can set off for the connection to JH. Everything goes quite well, even the duck is not too bad. In 40 minutes we are on the bottom of the last pitch in JH.

But no evidence of 'Keith's group'. We have to wait for them as we need keys for the Speedwell canal. We take the opportunity and we explore the streemway and some sumps. After endless minutes of waiting the JH group pops out one by one on the rope. Keith, Michele, Paul G, DJ PJ, Nigel and Paul H. We all together wade through bloody cold water in Speedwell. It's very impressive for me what the miners managed to do. I'm looking forward to read all the history of the mining in Peak Cavern. Outside is still cold, so there is no better option than to run back to the TSG hut. Tourists in the village probably thought that we are mad

Fantastic trip. Thanks a lot Keith for BRILLIANT organization!!! I really enjoyed the weekend.

Trip time: 3:30 (?)