Big Bang Pitch was first rigged (in a hurry) for ladder and line for it's original descent. Later a couple of bolts were placed (very high up) for a rescue practice. Bolts have never been placed for SRT as it's not a trade route. It's not a place to play SRTing.
Alkapton said:
Can I guarantee its safety? Once I take my eyes off it no. Just decent rope on mallon, if I am happy to use it then its safe.
I don't think you've understood what Graham and Nig are getting at.
I don't like being negative but :
Alkapton said:
Why do it? i) I love pitches but I hate dragging ropes. ii) I know a great many ropes going to waste and unused. iii) Having read a description of this pitch I'm not certain I can/dare rig it, de-rigging more scary than rigging so brown pants are inevitable. iv) I have a feeling without having looked at Darling rifts I'll prefer coming out that way than the bypass.
You don't seem to have a clue.
Alkapton said:
ummmm,
What I don't understand (I have not yet seen Big Bang so going on description - but this is true of other pitches) is why people who install hangers do not put a hanger in a nice safe unscarey place so one can secure oneself to a rope before one is forced into leaning too far out over a chasm of certain death. I'm not scared of heights as such but I'm petrifiied of edges It is possible for me to freeze and backing off such a place takes a long time which is very unpleasant.
See my response above.
Alkapton said:
ummmm,
I addmitt I've probably got strange ideas in my head (even for a caver) but thats mostly because I have to figure this stuff out on me own, I'm lazy and probably I'll be in the cave a lot so it makes sense to me.
The phrase that keeps popping into my head when I read your postings is "Accident waiting to happen"
Alkapton said:
ii) I know a great many ropes going to waste and unused..
I hope this doesn't mean there'll soon be dodgy fixed ropes all over South East Wales.
Please join a club and go caving with more experienced people. If you already belong to a club then please talk to the other members and get them to take you under their wing. This is meant as genuine advice.