NGR:
Depth:58m
Rigging topo
Party members: Dave, Mark, Andy & Jerry
We had planned a short easy trip for a Friday night, after work trip. The plan was to head into Hunters Hole and rig both the main pitch and Sago’s pot. We also were giving Jerry a crash course in SRT (single rope techniques)!
We arrived early at the Hunters Lodge in car park on a cool, dark damp night. Mark was already there and waiting for us, Andy was still to arrive. We wasted no time in getting the kit on as I would need to talk Jerry through the set up. Whilst he was very familiar with climbing techniques SRT is quite different.
I had per packed and knotted all the ropes so as to cut down the time faffing around in the dark. Andy soon arrived and got kitted up and we headed for the cave entrance. The cave itself is located in the field adjacent to the pub on only a two minute walk from the car park. The entrance shaft is lined with concrete pipes and has a permanent steel ladder in place. The lid is a large piece of board to prevent animals getting in.
I was first in and was soon at the bottom of the ladder. A short hand line was used down the first climb making use of the two “P” hangers at the foot of the ladder. The climb was soon descended and I found myself rigging the traverse out over the first section of the pitch. Bats were in residence roosting so care was required. I soon had the traverse rigged and abseiled down to the ledge. And came next, then Jerry and then finally Mark who stayed on the rope and swung out over the main pitch to rig the second traverse and “Y” hang.
I headed down to the left a short way and rigged Sago’s Pot. The pitch was soon rigged and we chatted as we worked. Luckily I had the benefit of a brand new rope which was supple and easy to use. It also gave a speedy smooth descent to the floor once on the rope and abseiling. I quickly overtook Mark who was busy rigging the deviation at the top of the main pitch. Jerry got on the rope behind me and was soon beside me at the bottom of the pitch. I filmed his descent from 50ft or so above me!
I spent some time filming Mark’s eventual descent to the floor and Andy soon followed. The lads spent some time rooting around in the main chamber whilst I continued to play with the camera from various angles and in various modes.
For the Prusik (ascent) back up the rope we swapped over with Mar and Andy taking Sego’s Pot and Jerry and I going up the main pitch taking in the deviation on the way. Jerry went first and had soon honed his prusiking technique. Safely past the deviation he was soon at the top with Mark and Andy. I made use of my Pantin (foot jammer, not heavy breathing!) to help with the ascent. Excellent pieces of kit! I soon found myself at the deviation and spent a few minutes trying to undo the sling that had pulled very tight and was a real pain to get undone! Progress was soon underway again and the various pitches ascended and de-rigged.
We hurried back to the pub car park to get changed in the rain. Kit was stuffed into bags and boxes in a frenzy as only Chilli and Butcombe Bitter was now on the mind!
A nice short evening trip and a great taster for Jerry on SRT techniques. We’ll soon have him in Rhino!
Mark in the entrance climb
Rigging the pitches
Jerry descending Sego's Pot
