Present: Anthony, Al, Adam, Andrew, Peter, Julia
Bird-watching? You must be joking…
A rather efficient start from Durham was soon put into perspective as we faffed about failing to find Al’s house (but did you see the map?!) It was located eventually, so with the Lada packed to maximum capacity, mud-guards scraping along the ground, we headed for Yorkshire, passing a fascinating tractor or two on the way…
Met Adam in Bernies and persuaded him to come caving with us. He then left Bernies and returned with Katrina’s knives (left in his car from the previous weekend) which I took possession of, after promising not to use them, should certain people make a reappearance in the kebab shop…
A short steep walk led us to the entrance of Heron Pot, which began with a long, winding passage. The traverse to the first pitch was scarier than some remembered, especially without the piece of permanent tackle for the rigger, but was completed without incident. At the second pitch it was discovered that, despite having sufficient number of ladders (as opposed to ‘some’) ropes, krabs, slings, and even spreaders, one of the ladders was in fact the wrong type, and couldn’t easily be fastened to the other. This caused a great deal of annoyance for some, and consequently the ladder from the first pitch had to be used, but despite this, and my first attempts at belaying, the two on ladders made it down easily.
Things got prettier as we went further in, and I once again despaired over my lack of geological knowledge, having to resort to “pretty” yet again. As soon as the cave showed any signs of becoming wet, Anthony promptly asked for volunteers to help de-rig, and after dissuading Al from going right out through the duck and coming back in, the pair of them set off back. Crawling along one passage, we heard voices coming in the opposite direction, so we turned our lights off and watched theirs appearing out of the darkness. Relieved to discover that the exit was passable we continued on, although the foam on the roof showed that we probably wouldn’t have got out that way had we been there a few days earlier.
Realised that Al and Anthony would be a while derigging, so we decided to do Yordas. My suggestion of taking SRT kits off first was duly squashed, as Adam explained that SRT kit is essential in Yordas for posing purposes! So we posed for the kids in there and threw mud at Peter’s brand new oversuit. However, he didn’t quite get the idea and promptly washed it off under a waterfall. Returned to the cars and occupied ourselves by continuing to camouflage the Lada.
Drove to the Marton Arms and had a pint or two, some of those who had two becoming rather a trial on the way back, especially for the driver… Al’s house was much easier to find with Al directing. The Lada at this point decided it liked Al’s house and needed pushing down the street before it could be persuaded to leave. Never mind, doubtless we’ll be back there soon…
Julia Bradshaw