Freeze Squeeze - Nettle Pot

[AlanClark]

Three of us were down Nettle Pot, discovering the muddy delights of the Flats on Friday last week. We came out a new colour of ochre.
Has anyone got through Freeze Squeeze recently? Just wondering what the technique is. Had a go feet first as close to the right wall as possible (facing the squeeze) so it'd be easier to be pulled back out but we both only to our waists before progress ended. I did look at head first on my back to try to use the lumps on the roof to pull against.
Given how far into the cave you are it certainly felt an intimidating place to be pushing through something so small.

 

[AlexR]

I don't fit, but the generally accepted technique is head first on your back for Freeze Squeeze (from Far Flats towards Derbyshire Hall).
Word of warning: When I tried head first I thought I may just about be able to get my chest through as it compresses, but unusually for a man my hips are almost exactly the same size. So checked legs first on my back a well, and absolutely not a chance of me getting through, meaning there would have been a risk of me getting stuck with my chest possibly too compressed for a decent breath.

Also from memory you're going slightly downhill on the way in.

 

[DaveyDubz]

I did it back in January, and did head first on my back in both directions with my furry and oversuit unzipped. I'm on the edge of fitting medium and large t-shirts and just barely managed to breathe my way through. It's harder on the way out as you are squeezing uphill and the nodules on the roof seem to get in the way more.
If there was anything more significant on the other side of it I don't imagine it would have lasted this long. The pretties between the squeeze and Derbyshire Hall are nice, but I found DH itself a little disappointing, it's certainly quite an abrupt end to the cave.

I probably wouldn't go back, I had a painfully bruised sternum for a week afterwards.

 

[Loki]

I wouldn’t attempt it if you describe yourself in any way barrel chested! I don’t remember which way up I was but I remember it being snug. I’m sure I did it head first too with no helmet. Perhaps a tad smaller than the calcite squeeze at the end of the temple of doom series in rift if that’s familiar to you or anyone else. And that’s got 90-odd km on the other side of it .

 

[skippy]

Last time I got through Freeze Squeeze was in the late 80's. I was a scrawny assed teenager and even then I had to strip down to boxers.
I forgot to drag my clothes through so did the trip to Derbyshire hall semi naked.
I was back there the other year, took one look at it and thought 'no'.

 

[caving_fox]

It is certainly intimidating. The first time I was there with a team of whippets and none of us could get through. It very much is a technique thing. I went back a few years ago (certainly no thinner than before!) and helmet off, on your back headfirst is the way to go.

There had been a dig in DH which was commitment! And there must be further passage, but a lot of rubble to move first.

 

[skippy]

Andy Stewart makes it look oh, so easy.
Geoff, who didn't get through has a slight barrel chest.

 

[Rob]

It is certainly intimidating. The first time I was there with a team of whippets and none of us could get through. It very much is a technique thing. I went back a few years ago (certainly no thinner than before!) and helmet off, on your back headfirst is the way to go....

That surprises me that "whippets" couldn't get through. I've only been a few times and both times I went on my front, head first (as per above video) . Each time I don't think I touched the roof with my back.

 

[wellyjen]

For those that have done both, would you say it was harder than, easier than, or similar in squeeziness to the squeeze to get to Heaven in Peak?

 

[A_Northerner]

Head first, on my front, helmet off for the comfort of head movement, and relax into it. I take myself and many Freshers through there a few times per year, and focusing too much on trying to hug the right wall tenses you up too much. Might need to adjust your hips towards the halfway point, but it's not so bad in the middle that relaxing puts you in an inescapable position.

I've got some reasonably large people through there in the past, it helps knowing that it's easier on the way out.

 

[Wardy]

It was quite a while ago now, but on the first trip all three of us went through head first and on the front.
On subsequent trips to climb the avens I never remember any different.
I had a JB lightweight glass fibre helmet at the time, that looked a bit like a German WW2 helmet and I seem to remember I had more trouble getting that through.
Nice to hear that the pretties are still good

 

[Spaniel on crack]

I did it in March and took of my harness. Im quite skinny and fitted through fine with a bit of wriggling. My main sticking point was my arse. I went through head first on my belly and found the way back better

 

[Loki]

Is it actually easier on the way out or is it it the subconscious telling you that failure means a long wait in the cold, rather than having to admit failure for not getting there in the first place?! It’s also a long time ago but I don’t recall struggling on the way out either.

 

[AlanClark]

We might have to go back at some point to give it a try with the correct technique. Good to know it's easier in the way out.

 

[A_Northerner]

Is it actually easier on the way out or is it it the subconscious telling you that failure means a long wait in the cold, rather than having to admit failure for not getting there in the first place?! It’s also a long time ago but I don’t recall struggling on the way out either.

Because it's 'uphill' on the way back, it's easier to arch your back to confirm to the cave shape. Also less blood rushing to your head which makes it less stressful.

Nice to hear that the pretties are still good

Pretties are quite intact, but could do with a spruce up in places - clear evidence of one-or-two pure white ones with muddy fingerprints on them. I've got a spray bottle ready to go in, just need to find the time to take it in (and leave it by the stream inlet halfway through the passage). DCA have offered tape as well.

 

[Tritim230]

I've never had the pleasure of Freeze Squeeze, bit it saddens me that despite the natural challenges caves throw at us, people still manage to muddy what is protected beyond. If I wasn't too busy protecting our latest finds in the Forest I'd help with the taping, being Derbyshire born and bred...

 

[AlanClark]

I really liked the pretties before the squeeze, not seen stals quite so clear before, and the Calcite flows on the clay like sheets of ice. But also one of the muddiest places I've been for a while.

 

[Groundhog]

For those that have done both, would you say it was harder than, easier than, or similar in squeeziness to the squeeze to get to Heaven in Peak?

I've always found the squeeze to Heaven to be easy. It is tight but not scary. It's very short, you can see the other side and where you have to get to. Freeze on the other hand is intimidating. Its double. You push yourself into a little pocket and then have to push yourself out the other side. At least that's how I remember it. It was a long time ago.
The dig in DH is promising. I've always thought that Freeze should be opened out to enable work to be done there.
Never seen that vid before Andy. When did you shoot it?

 

[pwhole]

I've always thought that Freeze should be opened out to enable work to be done there.

Me too. Just cap it. If there's ever a rescue it will take a long time to do it anyway, by which time the casualty could be dead. Would save having a lot of threads like these as well

 

[Paul Dyson]

Andy Stewart makes it look oh, so easy.
Geoff, who didn't get through has a slight barrel chest.

Bloody Hell we where younger then & I was a little smaller than I am now, will have to go back and see if can fit thru again