Swildon's - Troubles

[Stupot]

Spent a good 4 hours down Swildons last nite, took the kit bag through Sump 1 came out the other side, "NO BAG" back through get the bag and carry on (really cold now), upto the ladding and into the troubles, the water was down so could just duck through, only swallowed about 2 pints of filthy muddy gunk (sure it's good for me), Birthday squeeze always seems to get me no matter how many times i go through
Think small, Think small, Think Small....Sod it give us push mate i'am wedged.
Then spent the next few hours milling around different routes, ran back out to warm up, then in the Hunters to down a few.

 

[duggadig]

So did you manage to do 'the troubles' in reverse then? Thereby joining the main streamway back at Tratmans Temple? Were you able to do this because mud sump & the ducks in Trouble Series had been bailed earlier?

 

[Stupot]

duggadig

I always approach the Troubles in reverse, as i have no patience bailing the mud :x , and i never bail the Troubles either the first one i approach which would normally be the second is never a problem (more of a duct),
and the second (normally the first) i dive which is quite easy as long you stay low and stay to the left, i then normally nip down Blue Pencil to Sump 4, then all the way back, dive the Troubles again / Birthday Squeeze / Landing / Sump 1 then out via the 20 pitch.

Much more fun

Stu.

 

[duggadig]

Well done, sounds like a good trip.
Ill give it a go myself soon then, but like you say the birthday squeeze especially going in an uphill direction will be quite an obstacle.
PS where's swildons?

 

[Stupot]

The Birthday is certainly more tricky uphill, but as long as you stay high you should be Okay.

I can certainly recommend removing your helmet and belt though :shock:

 

[duggadig]

Thanks for your replies Stupot. I'll do my best, but when you say 'stay high' how many spliffs do you think I should have?
But seriously, it sounds like a fresh way to approach Swildons 4. I look forward to it.
Just out of interest, have you done other U.K caves/routes arse-backwards???
(I enjoy novelty value!).

 

[Stupot]

Being high would probably be a really bad thing, as when you got stuck you would laugh so much i think every one of your ribs would crack.

I have not done other caves backwards as i am still fairly new to caving although i see no reason why i shall not in the near future.

My next challenge may to come back up Blue pencil feet first...Now that would be difficult.


Stu

 

[duggadig]

I'll let you know if I do it first!
(or look out for exciting cave rescue on the local news).
Try G.B cavern Devils Elbow Route in reverse. Obviously I don't mean literally feet first! Makes for a better exit, the 3m upward climb is a little tricky & hard to spot. Look for an inlet passage high on the right BEFORE you reach a mass of unstable boulders.
I could probably think of more but not right now as I have a short memory & this is a quick reply!!

 

[Stupot]

Funny you should mention Devils Elbow in GB, as a friend of mine keeps promising to take me down there one day....... Maybe i should take him up on the offer as it sounds pretty good

Stu.