Hi,
It's been a while since I've done the Simpsons/Valley Entrance(VE) through trip. There was a fixed rope down the 20Ft pitch in VE, just asking if its still in place to save pre-rigging/free climb.
It is possible to chuck a rope over that rock bridge and haul up a ladder from below, if necessary. It's slightly balancy getting off the ladder but easier than doing the free climb.
Just saying, as that's another option if things aren't as you're expecting.
There are two ropes hanging down. I put my Traxion on the second rope and then rerig the pitch for the others.
Since I don?t take a ladder, you could always use the traverse line in the roof from about 20-30m upstream, there is a crack climb up which is much easier than the one at the pitch. Or start way further upstream for laughs. There is a wire I have yet to have a go at.
I was there a few weeks ago and there were a couple of ropes on it. I?d still go in beforehand and put my own on though. It would be an embarrassing place to get stuck. :-[
Thanks for all the input. Unfortunately my caving partner suspiciously developed a bad back so decided to frazzle ourselves bumbling up penyghent whilst being attacked by horse flies. Had a good session at the helwith bridge and good to catch up with badlad.
Couple of rope in a few weeks ago, free climbed out as you do, just to prove how easy it was, felt a lot harder than i remember, nearly made a tit of myself!