This is the trip where Pete injured himself, and did not cave that much after this point. Rob wrote:
There was more discussion than I care to remember about where to go due to adverse weather so we decided to do a recce in Chapel le Dale. Alex and I took SRT kits but Pete couldn’t be arsed, nor did he fancy going down Great Douk pot again. We bottomed that (interesting little place) then headed up via Great Douk, popping out at Middle Washfold caves where Pete revealed a need for the toilet. I suggested a visit behind a nearby wall whilst Alex and I go and start Hardrawkin.
Wading through snow drifts, we found said pot and climbed down the waterfall. This was treacherous and I fell down it, not too badly though. I was already kitted so headed to the first pitch to have a look at the water levels which weren’t too bad. I then waited for Alex who had the sack and we debated how deep the pitch was; last time I was here it was rigged so I couldn’t remember. Bugger, first rope was too short, so up I came, quick re-rig and down again (it was fairly wet).
Again a very swift rigging of the second (as Alex was chilly), descent, glance at the sump and up again, with me de-rigging. In the process of removing water from the tackle sack, Alex’s camera slipped out into the stream and quickly disappeared down the pitch. Bugger again! Down again to retrieve the camera and case (now broken) and out to meet Alex at the top of the first pitch. He was wondering what had happened to me, so I had to deliver the sad news. Anyway, a few laughs and we headed out – to be greeted by none other than Pete looking shocked and bloodied.
Here’s what happened: Pete followed us after his business and proceeded down the same very slippery waterfall where I slipped earlier. He fell somewhat further though (5 feet?) twisting as he fell straight onto his left ribcage. Rock and bone don’t mix and he was quite badly hurt and he also gashed his left little finger in the action. As a result of pain, he coudn’t climb out so had to wait for us. Thankfully, Alex and I had only spent about 1hour 15 in the pot, so he hadn’t had to wait too long. In order to assist the injured man, we put a rope around his upper body and he climbed while we pulled and got him out.
Turned out it was bruising and swelling so not as bad as it could have been!
