Present: SMCC: Neil, Buddy and Ed, DUSA/DOSA: Ralph Leech, Chris Molyneaux, Al Cook, Stacey Adlard and Ian Walker
Well, we were warned it would be cold and horrible. They laughed at our keenness. Quite rightly really, but this digging trip proved just the ticket for the first cave of the Spectacular in order to break in those who were out of practice.
The extent to which the SMCC chaps have dug the cave was humbling to us dig virgins. By the size of the mountain of clay they had extracted, the length of tunnel revealed and the time invested in the endeavour. Truly, they are moles among men. Down to work, Neil took the dig face with the rest of DUSA/DOSA spread through the tunnel to haul out the sled containing bags of clay. Imagine The Great Escape without the subterfuge: the sled being hauled back and forth on a length of line, taking empty bags to the face to be loaded with improvised tools and full bags to the surface to be hauled up the entrance pitch by Buddy and Ed. It took a couple of loads to get the hang of the procedure, but I think we proved equal to the task. Many thanks for letting us help.
Ralph Leech