Mike wrote: The first trip of the year and what a sight that greeted us at Bull Pot Farm. The path to Lancaster
Hole resembled a mini river due to the volume of water dropped from the skies over the last few
weeks. Much of this water veered off the path and from the roar emanating from the open pot, we
began to imagine what the conditions were liable to be like – how wrong we were!
There was a lot of water flowing into the pot before cascading down the boulders into Roberts
Passage which was the route followed – the idea being to head upstream before returning to look at
the downstream end of the system.
Dropping down into Roberts passage we followed the stream down until it disappeared at the
junction with Burnetts Passage. We progressed to the slot down into the hading rift before climbing
back up into Gour Chamber. With all of us finally making it up the rift and into the chamber, some
good photo’s were taken of the usual stuff and a cool little luminous skeleton that someone had
kindly left.
From here we dropped back in to the rift and traversed along before dropping back down to the
stream beyond one of the sumps. Water levels were higher than last time I was here and no airspace
was available in the duck so we decided this was the furthest we were going.
However, Alex kindly offered (press ganged) to enter the duck and lie around whilst I took some
photos. As he was so wet at this point, and we were all relatively dryish, I asked (told) him to go
and stand in the sump as well to make a photo of this more interesting.
After this we decided to head back to Gour Chamber to collect our belongings and head to the
downstream end of the cave.
Once into the hading rift and traversing along, I stretched a little too far with my right leg when I
suddenly felt a twang and excruciating pain. I lay for a moment until the pain subsided but with the
others backing up behind me, I progressed and hauled myself out of the rift and back into Gour
Chamber. I sat awhile and rubbed my knee until another twang sent shooting pains up my leg and
left me (according to the other) ashen faced and feeling sick. Words stronger than “oh dear” were
coursing through my mind as the others, obviously concerned decided that we should make for the
exit.
After a while the pain subsided as we all slid into the rift and down to the bottom. I felt OK as long
as I didn’t lock my knee but slithering up the slot I had no option. So with much oooohing and
jeeezusing and a lot of help from Alex (he makes a good foothold!) and the sudden appearance of
my guardian angel above me (BPC Dan) who hauled me up the slot until I could do for myself, we
made it back to Roberts Passage.
After a breather and a chat with Dan – who had lost his party, we parted company with him and our
survey at the junction with Burnetts Passage and headed back up the boulder slope to the open pot.
Some photo’s were taken here before heading up South Chamber, where we met the rest of the BPC
party and a little later Dan himself, before heading back up the chimney and out into a sunnier but
cold, windy afternoon.
After a quick change we all retired to the open fires of the Whoop Hall and a refreshing drink.
Not the best way to start the new year, but we have all agreed to return soon to continue the trip to
the downstream end and maybe if we’re lucky a visit to the lower stream way which we felt would
be strictly out of bounds at this moment in time.
