As Swinsto would have literally been a washout a change of plan was required when we saw the raging beck.
So we popped down Lanc hole, taking a novice (Ben) down with us. He had no SRT experience, but this was where I did my first SRT trip and lets face it I was bloody useless, but I pulled it off over three years ago, so I was sure Ben would too.
I was not wrong and with a few words of instruction or should that be confusion from us we got him down safely. We then had a rather long wait for one other who was having troubles of his own, but at least this gave Mike the enjoyment prussiking back up the pitch.
I spent this time showing Ben the wonders of the Colonnades and Fall Pot. I love how new cavers are so amazed by things we just take for granted nowadays and I wish I could be that amazed again. I searched for the rope climb down to Fall Pot to show him the stream but I failed to find it. On return everyone was finally down and enjoying the Colonnades. Mike then showed me the illusive rope that I failed to find earlier.
I took Ben down below the boulders to the water to view the churning mayhem of the stream below. “Wow” was all I heard from him.
As the others were heading out, I led the way back up and after giving the Alex’s 101 in how not to do prussicking. We were out. Only to find that the group had left one of Mike’s bags down there and so he set off again, alone.
