Just so you know.....
A midweek trip into Aygill revealed the absence of the fixed rope on the first pitch, often known as the Traverse Pitch. The fixed rope allowed you to 'traverse' the pitch with just cowstails to protect a step across onto a ledge and boulder, from where there was an easy climb down to the floor. Don't know who took this out or why..?
Further in, below the main pitch, the stream is met and tumbles down the scenic Cascades - very easy in this weather, but absolutely awesome and impassable in flood. A high level traverse and drop back to the stream was engineered and rigged a few years ago - the bottom section of rope got a bit frayed from flood waters, but you'd still have got out, the sections above the first bolt being well out of the water. All the rope on this lifesaver has also been removed, again don't know why or by whom..?
We will re-rig both the traverse pitch and Cascades flood route as soon as possible. The fixed aids were regularly used by people working on survey and digging projects in the cave.
A midweek trip into Aygill revealed the absence of the fixed rope on the first pitch, often known as the Traverse Pitch. The fixed rope allowed you to 'traverse' the pitch with just cowstails to protect a step across onto a ledge and boulder, from where there was an easy climb down to the floor. Don't know who took this out or why..?
Further in, below the main pitch, the stream is met and tumbles down the scenic Cascades - very easy in this weather, but absolutely awesome and impassable in flood. A high level traverse and drop back to the stream was engineered and rigged a few years ago - the bottom section of rope got a bit frayed from flood waters, but you'd still have got out, the sections above the first bolt being well out of the water. All the rope on this lifesaver has also been removed, again don't know why or by whom..?
We will re-rig both the traverse pitch and Cascades flood route as soon as possible. The fixed aids were regularly used by people working on survey and digging projects in the cave.