drainrat
Member
Who: Myself and Oggy (DCC)
Where: Gautries and P8, Peak district
When: Saturday 25th February 2012
The main aim of the trip was to explore the recently discovered extensions in Gautries. This was our first trip to Gautries, so we weren't sure what to expect. However, upon arrival at the cave we discovered the entrance series to be sumped and no matter which direction we took, there was no way on without diving. Thoroughly drenched and frozen in the bitter water, we retreated to P8, investigating P4, P5 and P6 en route. P5 was the most interesting, obviously a big dig many years ago but now abandoned.
We'd done P8 several times but over 5 years ago, so couldn't remember much about it. I remember once retreating after finding Idiot's leap unrigged, but this time it was no issue at all as although Oggy took to the knotted rope, I traversed over the pitch and kept at the higher level before an easy climb down into the streamway.
Pitch 1 and 2 passed with ease, much fun and games blocking the flow and releasing it on young'un's head. At the foot of the second pitch we followed the stream down through boulders and into the flat out crawl to sump D. We then took the tight crawl to sump C and picked up the streamway down to T'owd Man's rift. Sump 1 looked thoroughly uninviting, but we swam over to the far side anyway to investigate the dive line. Despite the low water levels there was no way through so we retrieved the floating litter and made our way back out.
Ben's dig was investigated including the rather dubious handline up to a blind aven (the single bolt is rather suspect - take care!). Thirst was setting in, so we retreated post haste and made for the Wanted Inn.
Summary:
P8 is a fantastic cave with plenty to entertain - great vadose streamway, fun but easy pitches, many varied routes, sumps, phreatic passages, abandoned digs, stal, general wetness.
Where: Gautries and P8, Peak district
When: Saturday 25th February 2012
The main aim of the trip was to explore the recently discovered extensions in Gautries. This was our first trip to Gautries, so we weren't sure what to expect. However, upon arrival at the cave we discovered the entrance series to be sumped and no matter which direction we took, there was no way on without diving. Thoroughly drenched and frozen in the bitter water, we retreated to P8, investigating P4, P5 and P6 en route. P5 was the most interesting, obviously a big dig many years ago but now abandoned.
We'd done P8 several times but over 5 years ago, so couldn't remember much about it. I remember once retreating after finding Idiot's leap unrigged, but this time it was no issue at all as although Oggy took to the knotted rope, I traversed over the pitch and kept at the higher level before an easy climb down into the streamway.
Pitch 1 and 2 passed with ease, much fun and games blocking the flow and releasing it on young'un's head. At the foot of the second pitch we followed the stream down through boulders and into the flat out crawl to sump D. We then took the tight crawl to sump C and picked up the streamway down to T'owd Man's rift. Sump 1 looked thoroughly uninviting, but we swam over to the far side anyway to investigate the dive line. Despite the low water levels there was no way through so we retrieved the floating litter and made our way back out.
Ben's dig was investigated including the rather dubious handline up to a blind aven (the single bolt is rather suspect - take care!). Thirst was setting in, so we retreated post haste and made for the Wanted Inn.
Summary:
P8 is a fantastic cave with plenty to entertain - great vadose streamway, fun but easy pitches, many varied routes, sumps, phreatic passages, abandoned digs, stal, general wetness.
