Cavers - Stuart, Roger, Robin, Andy and Gemma at the entrance
After breakfast at How Stean Gorge we had a quick drive up to check the reservoir level which was fine before heading back to the parking. Kitted up we walked to the entrance and were underground before 11am. I volunteered for the rigging and after not using the first deviation the rope wasn’t clear of the rocks so I prussiked back up and put a sling around the scaffolding pole to give a clean hang.
This was Gemma’s first SRT trip so she was next down being watched by the others. Once Gemma was down the others followed. The second pitch followed without issue and we were all down in the main stream way.
We headed upstream first to see how far we could get, sadly there was only a couple of inches airspace to pass the first duck to get to the upstream sump dive line so we gave that a miss and headed downstream.
After checking out the downstream sump we found the climb up into the Planetarium chamber.
We then started exploring the passages leading off the chamber. We found several sumps and a resurgence along with a few digs.
Andy headed off down one muddy crawl without anyone following so he eventually turned back and returned out with his newish suit slightly dirty !
Once we had explored as much as we found, we returned to the main stream way. Stuart had a quick look up a knotted rope before turning back.
Andy and Roger headed out of Thrope pot while the rest of us ascended the ropes with Stuart derigging.
Andy and Roger appeared in the entrance chamber after I got to the top commenting they seemed too have only climbed a few metres to get out that way while the two pitches are around 15m each. Once we had all arrived in the entrance chamber we headed out into the bitter cold.
Once changed we headed to the Bridge Inn for refreshments.
A great trip exploring more of New Goyden than we have seen before.
