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Last set of trip writeups for 2016 (by Ash)

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@ -8,32 +8,10 @@
<body id="logbk">
<h1>CUCC Logbook 2016</h1>
<!--fragment for each trip --
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-">2016-07-</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u></u></div>
<div class="triptitle"></div>
<p>logbook entry in here</p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: </div>
--end of fragment-->
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-23a">2016-06-23</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Becka</u>, Andrew, Sioned</div>
<div class="triptitle">Walk over Grimming from Niederstuttern via Grimminghutte, Multerek + Grimmingsgipfel+ending at Kulm</div>
<p> Left my bike at Kulm then drove to Neiderstuttern (this is definitely the better route for
the bike->car shuttle as all downhill!). Set off 8:45 but already hot + near heat stroke on the
initial ascent. I had 3l water which wouldn't have been enough except there's an excellent
spring some way above the Grimminghutte where we refilled. Q a few wires + metal foot poles so
like an unprotected via ferrata on ascent + decsent + may be problems with snow earlier in year
or in a high-snow year. Descent down deep ridges + narrow stony gullies in a fairly improbable
manner - impressive there's a route over at all. A very fine day out though sadly Julian didn't
get to hang-glide over us though we collected him from his field in Bad Mittendorf. </p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 0hrs, 7&frac12;hrs walking</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-22a">2016-06-22a</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-22a">2016-06-22</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Nat</u>, Ash &amp; Elliott</div>
<div class="triptitle"></div>
<p>After day of topcamp fettling we set off to Balcony to rig the entrance shaft, after
initially intending to do only a carry. We reflected en-route, so as to be able to find out way
back, arriving ~ 8pm. I rigged the first few rebelays, not really understanding what the bolts
@ -55,7 +33,7 @@ acrobatics &amp; we went home despite the end of the entrance being in sight.</p
<div class="timeug">T/U: 4?? hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-22a">2016-06-23b</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-22b">2016-06-22</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Jenny</u>, Olly</div>
<div class="triptitle">2007-71 Ngauruhoe</div>
@ -72,6 +50,29 @@ cord and a few other things).</p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 3.5 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-23a">2016-06-23</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Becka</u>, Andrew, Sioned</div>
<div class="triptitle">Walk over Grimming from Niederstuttern via Grimminghutte, Multerek + Grimmingsgipfel+ending at Kulm</div>
<p> Left my bike at Kulm then drove to Neiderstuttern (this is definitely the better route for
the bike->car shuttle as all downhill!). Set off 8:45 but already hot + near heat stroke on the
initial ascent. I had 3l water which wouldn't have been enough except there's an excellent
spring some way above the Grimminghutte where we refilled. Q a few wires + metal foot poles so
like an unprotected via ferrata on ascent + decsent + may be problems with snow earlier in year
or in a high-snow year. Descent down deep ridges + narrow stony gullies in a fairly improbable
manner - impressive there's a route over at all. A very fine day out though sadly Julian didn't
get to hang-glide over us though we collected him from his field in Bad Mittendorf. </p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 0hrs, 7&frac12;hrs walking</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-23b">2016-06-23</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Nat</u>, Ash</div>
<div class="triptitle"></div>
<p>Feeling Keen we set off to rig Tunnocks entrance shaft, optimistically we took ropes /hangers
to get to the bottom of ducks on ice. Burdened by 2 bags &amp; equipped with me skyhook I set off;
several exciting swings &amp; wall destruction (by skyhook) complete saw Ash &amp; I in sight of the
bottom ice/snow plug; after a final swing &amp; lunge to gain a skyhook placement I put a bolt in &amp;
looked up to see the other hilti for a u-hang out of reach. At this point I got fed up of silly
acrobatics &amp; we went home despite the end of the entrance being in sight.</p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 4?? hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-24a">2016-06-24</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Nat</u> &amp; Elliot</div>
@ -89,16 +90,24 @@ for a little bimble &amp; found the natural highs had been derigged. See below f
<p>~17 hanger required</p>
<p><img src="logbk1.img" alt="tunnocks rigging guide"></p>
<p><img src="logbkimg1.jpeg" alt="Balcony rigging guide"></p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 6 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-25a">2016-06-25</div>
<div class="trippeople">Becka, Anthony, Sion</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Rigging string theory</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Rigging to start of String Theory</div>
<p>I found the end of Nat's rigging on the swing over above the final snow slope and rigged down with 3m less rope than
would have been ideal. Some fine ice columns at the bottom of the pitch. I then rigged Caramel Catharsis on 70m of the unloved
11mm, cursing all the way - I had to brace to force my way down and the knots were like dinner plates - no more 11mm please,
ever! We then decided to rig the traverse over the top of Usual Suspects to avoid the long route round which, oddly, everyone
has chosen to do the past few years. However, this left only four bolts left for String Theory so Andrew rigged down to the
corner above the main pitch with the new 200m of 10mm and we headed out the long way round to show Sion the way. Traverses
all left rigged on nasty red 9mm. Sion got v.v. overheated coming out of the entrance so I think my double furry advice won't
be taken up. Walked down the hill just missing the storm.</p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 7 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-26a">2016-06-26</div>
<div class="trippeople">Elliott, Ash</div>
@ -109,12 +118,10 @@ for a little bimble &amp; found the natural highs had been derigged. See below f
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-26b">2016-06-26</div>
<div class="trippeople">Anthony, <u>Nat</u></div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Procrastination</div>
<p>Rigging trip down Tunnocks, Anthony continued rigging down string Theory whilst I sat &amp;
refrigerated. String Theory rigged we consolidated rigging Kit and Anthony continued rigging
down procrastination. I continued to refrigerate. Rigging complete we headed out. 9 Krbas, 9
maillons, 9 hangers (N of Beast, magic glue (dev))</p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
@ -247,7 +254,7 @@ passage &amp; instead Becka went down the main 75m pitch to investigate and surv
nothing at the bottom &amp; surveying turned out to be impossible as the disto we had that day was
only up to 50m (the one we used the day before was 100m) so we de-rigged and came out.</p>
<p><img src="logbk2.img" alt="rigging topo"></p>
<p><img src="logbkimg2.jpeg" alt="rigging topo"></p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 6 hours</div>
@ -271,11 +278,55 @@ only up to 50m (the one we used the day before was 100m) so we de-rigged and cam
<div class="triptitle">Balkonhöhle - Bipedal</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-29a">2016-06-29</div>
<div class="trippeople">Nathan, ChrisD, Anthony</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Set up Camp (Wed, Push Thur)</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-29a">2016-06-29 to 30</div>
<div class="trippeople">Nathan, <u>Chris D</u>, Anthony</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Set up Camp and Living the Dream</div>
<p><u>Weds 29th</u></p>
<p>I had spent a year dreaming of where the 5m diameter phreatic tunnel "Octopussy" led,
from the bottom of Kraken chamber. Sitting on a knot at the end of a long length of 6mm cord,
the tunnel ramped down at 30 degrees but we really had run out of gear and time on 2015 expo.</p>
<p>So it was wonderful for Anthony and me to return together with Nathan, laden with a fat
tacklesack each and picking up two more and drill left by Wookey and Nat on the way down.</p>
<p>Kraken was roughly as we remembered it and Anthony and Nathan set about leveling the dry
mud floor in the large alcove we had identified as our bivi location. I collected water, installed
the antenna for the OUCC System Nicola (the original) that I had borrowed, and installed the lavatory:</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg3.jpeg" alt="crapper"></p>
<p>WARNING: Approach the crapper in a way that a male porcupine may approach a female, ie. very carefully.</p>
<p>Andrew's specially made bivvi tent was eventually suspended from the roof, with one corner requiring
a large boulder to be rolled uphill by the three of us to act as a footstool to place a bolt in
the roof. At 9pm we plugged in our radio for our pre-arranged call to Steinbrucken, only 650m distant
according to the survey. We heard the same noise as we heard on the surface when testing it, but no
voice. Nothing. We enjoyed boil-in-the-bag curries with couscous and slept soundly.</p>
<p><u>Thurs 30th June</u></p>
<p>We rose to make our 9am call and this time couldn't even hear any noise - total silence. We had
produced too much humidity for the bivvi tent for it to breathe, so we had an enforced 3hr fester to
dry out the sleeping bags and set off for the bottom at 12:30pm.</p>
<p>Anthony placed a second bolt at the top of Octopussy, and replaced the short length of SRT and long
length of 6mm cord left in situ from 2015 with a 100m length of new 9mm. He descended the ramp and a while
later called up to say if we wanted to reach the bottom we should bring more rope. Nathan took what we had,
and soon all three of us were looking around at a 10m diameter phreatic tunnel that we had dropped into. It
was a beautiful passage in pale limestone with many delicately fluted formations in the floor.</p>
<blockquote><p>"Octopussy" is a 5m diameter 100m long phreatic tunnel that ramps down -due to the West at an angle of
around 30 degrees. It drops into "Living the Dream", a series of phreatic tunnels. To the North is ongoing
unexplored, with a phreatic ramp heading up East parallel to Octopussy (QMA) and a possible choke to the
Northwest (QMC). The south, Living the Dream is initially 10m diameter and reaches a crossroads after c. 30m.
The main passage heads East up a ramp to a horizontal dry cracked mud floored passage. This ends with a
junction with a climb down a ramp East to the head of a 20-30m pitch (QMA) or a climb up a steep gully to
the West which leads to a potential 25m traverse over a pitch/rift (QMB) and a hole down (QMC).</p>
<p>Back at the crossroads, 30m South of the junction between Octopussy and Living the Dream, a dry mud
floored passage meanders South for 50m, past several passages to the East (the first connects in a loop, the
second is a QMC and the third appears too tight). At the southern end the passage ends in a 32m pitch (QMA),
Psychospeleogenesis (?) in a rift heading approximately East-West.</p>
<p>The third passage from the crossroads heads initially West, into a passage heading off SW downhill (QMB) and
the main passage meandering in a generally Northerly direction. The passage is generally horizontal with two
dry U-bends according to the angle of dip. Two passages head off to the East, probably connecting (QMC). After
a short crawl the passage continues Northwards (QMA).</p></blockquote>
<p>With c. 300m in the book we headed out, me adding two bolts to Tentacle Traverse and all stopping for
soup at camp Kraken. We left camp over 7-8pm, staggered for safety, exiting over 12am-2am not necessarily in
the same order.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg4.jpeg" alt="Living the Dream"></p>
<div class="callout">09:00 +2days</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 36 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-29b">2016-06-29</div>
<div class="trippeople">Luke, George, Frank</div>
@ -284,27 +335,41 @@ only up to 50m (the one we used the day before was 100m) so we de-rigged and cam
<div class="callout">21:00</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-06-30a">2016-06-30</div>
<div class="trippeople">Becka, Nat, Andrew, Sioned</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Champagne on Ice (rigging)</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="callout">23:00</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Becka</u>, Nat, Andrew, Sioned</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks (258)- Champagne on Ice (rigging)</div>
<p> Nat and I had good memories of the leads down Champagne on Ice so we packed four
tacklesacks and ~260 rope and started rigging. Missed the 1st two pitches by (something) Tom
Claytons sneaky route through boulders below the short climb on the main route. Took turns
rigging + cursing the rigging guide which gave no indication of scale + insufficient detail
(Nat got particularly) grumpy but after a couple of false drops + some hunting for spits (not
helped by thorough greasing of the spits making them near-invisible) we rigged to the bottom +
the short traverse beyond.
the short traverse beyond.</p>
<p>Redone Rigging guide 2016 - Champagne On Ice</p>
<p>Starting from climb down at ??? junction (to avoid first two pitches from Hed??? Highway route)
<p><img src="logbkimg12.jpeg alt="Champagne on Ice topo"></p>
<p><img src="logbkimg13.jpeg alt="Champagne on Ice topo"></p>
<p><img src="logbkimg14.jpeg alt="Champagne on Ice topo"></p>
<p><img src="logbkimg15.jpeg alt="Champagne on Ice topo"></p>
<div class="callout">23:00</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 9.5 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-01a">2016-07-01</div>
<div class="trippeople">Becka, Julian, Andrew</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balkonhöhle 264</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Becka</u>, Julian, Andrew</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balkonhöhle 264 - Frozen North</div>
<p>Had a good orientation session trying to spot good QMs in 264. Went up Turtlehead and
looked for QM92A and concluded it probably didn't exist (it was just the p6). Then looked
??? to N, looked at S side of QMAp60 but v. wet this side so we picked our way around to
passage on its S side and Andrew rigged down to a large ledge and then floor, no way on - a
fine 40m pitch but a dissapointing end. Then checked the snow slope on far NW of Frozen North
and Andrew kicked steps up snow for c. 15m then I came up and he put in a bolt and I belayed him up
another 20m. Good draft and lots of moss, leaves etc but no sign of light so our hopes of escaping
out of a new entrance were dashed so we headed back via Cock Aven.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg6.jpeg" alt="93b pitch topo"></p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 8 hours?</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-01b">2016-07-01</div>
<div class="trippeople">Nat, George</div>
<div class="trippeople">Nat, <u>George</u></div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Champagne on Ice</div>
<p>Nat promised me an “adventure” and so led me down Tunnocks after excessive faff to push a
@ -324,14 +389,12 @@ think’ traverse was rigged around the corner too a floor at the base of the cl
lead. At this point we turned back due to tiredness, cold and Nat being a big baby. This far
the traverse consists of 4 bolts ascending to a further 5th bolt up to a ledge around the
corner (backed up with by a spike).</p>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg8.jpeg" alt="traverse topo"></p>
<div class="callout">08:00 +1</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-01c">2016-07-01</div>
<div class="trippeople">Olly, <u>Jenny</u></div>
<div class="triptitle">76 - Rigging</div>
<div class="triptitle">76 - Rigging Plugged Shaft</div>
<p>Back into 76 to continue rigging. Olly continued where I left off starting the 65m rope at
The Ledge. This year we rigged along the ledge side, with a deviation on the Test Tubes
side. This was a good success - it uses fewer hangers, is easier and quicker to pass and hangs
@ -349,10 +412,44 @@ in a trade route rig. So we headed out to rethink.
<div class="timeug">3.5 hrs</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-02a">2016-07-02</div>
<div class="trippeople">David, Roshni</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balcony</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="trippeople">David, <u>Roshni</u>, Mark (rescuer)</div>
<div class="triptitle">264 Balcony - Cathedral Chasm</div>
<p>First 7 hours of the trip went relatively smoothly, despite David forgetting to bring a pencil
for surveying. We made our way to Cathedral Chasm, which included getting past a particularly awkward
climb, requiring removal of SRT gear and much swearing on my part. Traversed around a rather large
pitch and put in an extra bolt at the end of the traverse before continuing onwards to the possible
lead. David put in some bolts to rig the traverse, but was unfortunately cut short after he dropped
the setter down the pitch. I did some exploring and found an alternative route to the chasm which
opened around 3m into the traverse David was rigging. Since the loss of the setter aborted the trip, we
decided to head back, although David remains optomistic that his lead will be fruitful. We made it to
the series of entrance pitches, and then it all went wrong. The pitches were wet, but we foolishly
decided to attempt going up regardless. I went first, got up to the first rebelay point, started up
the second but only got a couple of metres up before deciding that continuing upwards would be a terrible
idea - the pitch was around 30m and at this point the water was falling hard, heavy and cold. Oh so very
very cold. Down prussicked until I hit the ground, but then managed to get my hand jammer stuck, essentially
tethering myself to the rope under a waterfall of freezing doom. Alternated between tring to free myself,
which required going directly under the water, and standing to the side to avoid the water. After about
10 minutes David came up and unstuck me. We went back down the pitch and back into the cave. At this point
I was fairly slow to respond and lost some motor function. I recall having some very weird thoughts. At this
point it was about 8pm, and the start of a very long, cold night. Tried to warm up as much as possible
without much success, while waiting for cave rescue. Mostly it was boring - time seems to drag so 10
minutes feels like an hour. Conversation between David and I was forced - included pineapple trivia. The
survival bag did work though, we were alive when Mark arrived at 11pm.</p>
<p>There was some miscommunication between David and Mark which delayed rescue by 15 minutes or so; neither
could hear the other over the water, whch was incredibly forceful at this point. After that faff, Mark finally
got down and from that point things moved pretty efficiently. Got into a bivvy, consumed some soup and then we
waited for about 5/6 hours. It wasn't the most comfortable night. That said, going from incoherent to somewhat
functional was a definite improvement in condition, so I won't complain too much. Misery levels were high, but not
so high as they would have been had we died of hypothermia. I suppose dead people can't feel miserable, but it
would have been a hassle for everyone else. Around 5am, the condition of the pitch had dramatically improved, and
Mark made the excecutive decision to get out then. Again, it was a very efficient operation. Mark and I tandem
prussicked out, and David followed behind. By 6am we were officially out of Balkonhöhle.</p>
<p>There are several lessons to be learned here. The first is to avoid wet pitches - don't be swayed by ???.
Secondly, appreciate cushions, try sitting still on unforgiving limestone for several straight hours if you don't.
Thirdly, you don't need to take drugs to experience altered states of consciousness. Just get really cold. But at
the end of the day, it was an experience, albeit not a fun one. We live to cave again.</p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
<div class="timeug">18 hrs</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-02b">2016-07-02</div>
<div class="trippeople">Mark, George, Nat, Haydon</div>
@ -399,7 +496,6 @@ of the twin rebelays (31m would be better). Then the 65m reached Yesterday's Ter
few m more would have been better). Then the 48m comfortably reached the bottom of Saved
Shaft. I tweaked some of the lengths on my way out. Today the weather Gods smiled on me, and I
got my gear dry before the heavy rain started.</p>
<div class="timeug">T/U:4.5 hrs</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-02d">2016-07-02</div>
@ -420,16 +516,26 @@ began his dodgy bolting down the pitch. In between, Mark, Sion and I froze at th
we decided to do some survey practicing down a side passage of loose rock. After giving up, as using a PDA is a right pain in
the arse, we continued to freeze our tits off at the top of the pitch. Eventually the c**nt (Haydon) returned from bolting and
we were able to leave this stupid pitch that will be the end of me.</p>
<div class="timeug">T/U:8 hrs</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-03a">2016-07-03</div>
<div class="trippeople">Andrew, Becka, Luke</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Champagne on Ice</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="callout">08:00 +1</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-02e">2016-07-02</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Becka</u>, Andrew, Luke</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Champagne on Ice - Rigging Daft Choice beyond Straight Choice Exposed</div>
<p>A slick trip with the drill back to the Straight Choice Exposed bold bolted climb that Andrew had climbed whilst I belayed
back in 2010. The ankle-high traverse wasn't too bad once you realised where the holds were but definetely non-standard SRT. Luke
and I then settled down to flapjack whilst Andrew bolted a traverse across the continuation - the left wall of a p15 or so. This,
again, was a fairly strenuous number to cross but he eventually gained a small tube on the left which bypassed the last few metres
of the traverse. This was sufficiently tight that we dumped srt kit and squirmed through to find a QMC and a QMB - hum, rather a
let down after all that effort. However, the B lead on the left came up trumps and after some initial low crawling gradually widened
to 2-3m of easy crawling with various minor side passages until we came to a wet aven. Climbing to the side of this, the passage
improved to walking but sadly soon closed down. However, climbing c3 up out of the passage on the left led to passages both sides. We
surveyed left (passage on R, N side was done by Frank and me on 5/7/16 - it soon closed down to a drafting dig). This led to a fairly
complex breakdown rift. We finished after ~40 survey legs looking onto a fairly promising continuation. When we plotted the data the
bottom of Champagne on Ice pitches was only ~18m from the far end of the Daft Choice traverse which would make it ??? much faster and
easier to gain the Daft Choice leads, but on 5/7/16 Frank and I didn't spot a continuation from in Daft choice, and on 6/7/16 Andrew,
George and Luke didn't connect when they rigged a parallel shaft in Champagne on Ice. </p>
<p><img src="logbkimg5.jpeg" alt="rigging topo"></p>
<div class="timeug">T/U:12 hrs</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-03b">2016-07-03</div>
<div class="trippeople">Ash, Sioned</div>
@ -438,10 +544,15 @@ we were able to leave this stupid pitch that will be the end of me.</p>
<div class="callout">17:00</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-03c">2016-07-03</div>
<div class="trippeople">Luke, Andrew, Becka, George</div>
<div class="triptitle">Looking for 2010-04 and dropping it</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="trippeople">Luke, Andrew, <u>Becka</u>, George</div>
<div class="triptitle">Looking for 2nd Balkonhöhle entrance (dropping 2010-04)</div>
<p>Dropped 2010-04 using naturals to get to snow slope. Andrew and I used the shovel to dig at the base and the side in 3 spots.
Soft snow initially and some gaps but no draft. Gave up after less than an hour. Survey in folder #8 (2016-08).</p>
<p>Dropped 2010-03 using naturals. Becka down - no way on. Turned out Noel had also checked this in 2012 and surveyed it.</p>
<p>Scouted the area but nothing new found.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg7.jpeg" alt="2010#4 survey"></p>
<div class="callout">20:00</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U:~1 hrs (Becka and Andrew), Others 0 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-03d">2016-07-03</div>
<div class="trippeople">Nat, Haydon</div>
@ -514,21 +625,42 @@ this tip, kicking walls hurts with no foot protection] <p/>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-05a">2016-07-05</div>
<div class="trippeople">Andrew, Sioned</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balcony - Frozen North</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<p>After finding a promising looking snow slope on a previous trip with Becka and Julian, and an unsuccessful prospecting trip
to identify the entrance from the surface, Andrew convinced me to accompany him on a trip to dig our way out from the inside.
It was very cold and unsuccessful. Andrew finished off the 55m rope that had been left from the previous trip getting to the
top of the slope where a further few metres of digging in the snow didn't get anywhere. Another 17m rope was used to traverse
from a rock ledge into a passage in the ceiling but that closed down and the rope was left in situ.</p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-05b">2016-07-05</div>
<div class="trippeople">Becka, Katey, Frank, Peachy</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Champagne on Ice</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Becka</u>, Katey, Frank, Peachy</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Champagne on Ice - Daft Choice 2</div>
<p>Only I had been to Champagne on Ice before and Peachey hadn't been to Tunnocks so we touristed to the head of String Theory
on the way in and Peachey took a few photos on the way down. We all went up the Straight Choice Exposed climb but decided to
split up at the Daft Choice traverse. Katey and Peachey continued taking photos whilst Frank and I surveyed the passage on the
right after the C3 described in my 2 July logbook entry and then the QM on the R near the end of the 2 July survey, + some draft.
All met up on the pitches on the way out and I turned one of the nuiscance pitches on Champagne on Ice into a traverse to
simplify the route (which needs a rigging guide, Nat!).</p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: ~10 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-05a">2016-07-05/06?</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-05c">2016-07-05/06?</div>
<div class="trippeople">Olly, Jenny</div>
<div class="triptitle">76</div>
<p>Callout book entry</p>
<div class="callout">07:00 +1</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-05d">2016-07-05</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>Rob</u>, Elliott, Nathan</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balcony - Batteries! finishing off and bag retrieval</div>
<p>A day of tidying up loose ends and transporting equipment. Went and rigged Batteries! and surveyed it to a conclusion.
About 50m in the book. Ended in a too tight tube heading down. In common with other passages taking water in Balcony there
was very little development. We then went and retrieved my tackle bag which required a 15m pitch to be rigged. Y-hang off
two naturals (thread and big column) with spike deviation. Another immature clean washed aven. Drippy. Then left the derigged
Batteries! rope at Hilti-a-Plenty for rigging that. Bipedal traverse still rigged! Out quickly with drill and bolting kit.</p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 6 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-06a">2016-07-06 to 07</div>
<div class="trippeople"><u>David</u>, Becka, Julian</div>
<div class="triptitle">Tunnocks - Kracken</div>
@ -612,6 +744,25 @@ bottom of the Hilti-a-Plenty pitch and turning right to the large bouldery chamb
pushing for another day, we then headed out.</p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 6 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-06d">2016-07-06</div>
<div class="trippeople">Rob, <u>Alice</u>, Katey</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balkonhöhle - Hilti-a-Plenty, surveying Northen Straight</div>
<p>My (Alice) first surveying trip. We started at where myself, Katey and Rob had had a nose around the day
before. George and I started surveying while Rob went ahead to rig a traverse further ahead. across a pitch ~6m.
The larger passage continues to the right into a tight popcorny squeeze which brings you out onto a wedged
boulder which prevents you from falling down the pitch.</p>
<p>After a lot of contorting, Alan Partridge references blossoming from Rob and George, which ended up becoming
some of the names for bits of passage. The passage continued to the north, with a c lead looking fairly small, muddy
and miserable to the East, and the main passage continuing to the West before reaching a massive pillar and a short
climb down into an aven, which eventually becomes enormous (40m up on a disto shot onto a ledge, actual roof probably
higher) with a muddy floor which climbs up to a small passage which leads up to a small chamber with a choked floor.
When surveying this section, a leg was shot straight across, followed by one which came through another entrance to
the chamber. An extra survey station had to be added in between the two (2m apart) to connect them, which made book
nice and confusing. From there, a hading rift went up to the right, and a passage continued up a 45 degree slope to
the right, finishing in an aven (Rob said this has now crapped out).</p>
<p>All in all a good trip ~200m surveyed.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg11.jpeg" alt="survey"></p>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-07a">2016-07-07</div>
<div class="trippeople">Andrew, Sioned, Becka</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balcony</div>
@ -709,6 +860,7 @@ beyond.Then we went uphill to a pot which could be dropped (pretty draughty) or
to the right for another horizontal continuation. We did a bit of an exposed traverse to a straight
on lead, heading up a 5m climb to an uphill ramp to a big draughty pot. Around 150-200m in the book
then out.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg18.jpeg" alt="survey"></p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 9 hours</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-09a">2016-07-09</div>
@ -815,6 +967,7 @@ contain our excitement, we told them of our findings. They then headed off up a
what could be found (apparantly a lot of passage) while chris went to fetch the 100m of Anthony's 9mm so we could rig
this thing properly and safely - we were conceivably 800m deep if not more! I was ??? with bolting it, and soon we we
were down, albeit with a few annoying rub points en route!</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg19.jpeg" alt="rigging topo"></p>
<p>After dropping this ramp, we headed down through the slippery boulder slope below the master cave only to find the
most amazing development at the bottom: an upward ramping phreatic borehole 4x4m and certainly getting bigger! By now
it was long after 10pm and only getting later, so we resolved to survey the scooped passage tomorrow and headed back to
@ -826,15 +979,27 @@ at this depth really needed bolting. Leaving it for the next trip we headed back
the cave. I unfortunately got to Procrastination at 7pm just as a flood pulse hit the pitch. I was at the first rebelay when
the pulse hit and luckily was prepared to change over quickly and descend back to Bring on the Clowns to wait it out for 12
hours until we made a break for it at 8am the next day after a rather restless night.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg20.jpeg" alt="Procrastination"></p>
<p>After making a break for it after a long 12 hour wait, I was swiftly out for 10am to meet with Luke and out the entrance
series. Overall a truly memorable and excellent trip, one of my best ever and one to remember my whole life!</p>
<div class="callout">09:00 +2</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 48 hours.</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-11d">2016-07-11</div>
<div class="trippeople">Fleur, Pete, Nathan</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balcony - Hilti-a-Plenty</div>
<p>Callout book entry.</p>
<div class="trippeople">Fleur, <u>Pete</u>, Nathan, (+ Andy A)</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balcony - Hilti-a-Plenty "Roundabout.svx"</div>
<p>Pete and Fleur's first caving trip of 2016 expo - to a lead in Hilti-a-Plenty following a tip from Rob Watson et al. We
rather enjoyed the Hilti pitches, where we met Andy Atkinson. Nicely sculpt firatic shaft action, top notch. Then we went
to Boulder Chamber down some sandy tubes, and arrived at a pitch that Rob had free climbed across. We put a rope across, and
found two possible ways on. Pete bolted the more obvious way on down a 5m pitch, whilst Fleur and Nathan survey up a 3m climb
to a higher level that also stopped at a pitch - which was left undescended. It is a reasonable lead, probably only 5-7m pitch,
with a traverse (3 bolts -easy) to a continuing small phreatic passage.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the team assembled at base of Pete's pitch, which carried on as a small rift that descended and carried on for
~50m to a larger rift chamber. Then a very nice 3m wide descending phreatic tube was spied and looked very exciting. Nathan
just free climbed down it, whilst the others put in a handline. Unfortunately, Nathan found a survey station - so this must
connect back. Back in the chamber above, another clean washed phreatic tube headed upwards. Nathan climbed that to the base of
a choke, with the others following to survey. Then back to the ranch for tea and medals, or at least a curry.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg9.jpeg" alt="survey"></p>
<div class="callout">23:00</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-11e">2016-07-11</div>
@ -881,11 +1046,13 @@ at major junctions and involves a traverse around a large ~30m hole. We discover
the top of the climb some 6/7m above the traverse previously rigged on another trip. The new rigging differed in that it comprised
completely of extremely sketchy naturals with not a bolt or reliable belay in sight by virtue of my forgetting to bring drill
batteries. We tentatively followed Nat to the top of the traverse/deathtrap - see below for updated rigging diagram.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg16.jpeg" alt="topo"></p>
<p>From the top of the climb, following the draft/draught? leads to a 2/3m climb down, continuing emerges into large hading rift
and good "A" lead requiring rope to continue further. The only other alternative passage atop the climb leads to a large aven
(very drippy at far end) with stream descending 10-15m through hole in the floor (?c).</p>
<p>On the descent, after having surveyed as far as possible, Becka knocked a fairly integral natural belay off the wall with
suprisingly little effort. As a result the rigging was modified to allow me and Nat to get down "safely", see bolow.</p>
suprisingly little effort. As a result the rigging was modified to allow me and Nat to get down "safely", see below.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg17.jpeg" alt="topo"></p>
<p>To avoid monumentous clusterfuck this was left rigged but using the rope to ascend beyond the bolted traverse should be done
so with EXTREME CAUTION or not at all due to the nature of the naturals it is backed up to. Rather cold and glad to be alive we
began the return journey, derigging the traverse and P5 on the way. Upon arriving at the bottom of Champagne on Ice pitches (~19.00)
@ -895,6 +1062,7 @@ out when flow was weaker but still involved swinging under very drippy section.
Everyone out of the cave by 03.30. Several empty tacklesacks were left below the wet section and one full sack. Drill was brought out
with some hangers.</p>
<p>Nathanael should not be allowed to rig unsupervised in the future.</p>
<div class="callout">09:00 +1</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-12b">2016-07-12</div>
<div class="trippeople">Nathan, Elliott, Alice, Luke</div>
@ -903,9 +1071,22 @@ with some hangers.</p>
<div class="callout">22:00</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-12c">2016-07-12</div>
<div class="trippeople">Pete, Fleur, Andrew</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balkon - Dark Arts</div>
<p>Callout book entry.</p>
<div class="trippeople">Pete, Fleur, Aidan</div>
<div class="triptitle">Balkon - end of Dark Arts via Bipedal</div>
<p>The first aim was to derig Bipedal traverse; which was soon dispatched by Fleur. The 40m rope was then taken to the end of
Dark Arts. There was some climbs and traverses along Dark Arts, including final climb that stopped Fleur and Pete two years ago.
The new end was down a short 5m pitch and looked rather good - with a strong and exciting draft. The dry pitch on the right had
been dropped, so Fleur started bolting the drippy shaft on the left. At 2pm the drips suddenly became a waterfall onto a ledge
-so the team headed out rather nervously wondering about the entrance pitch. Sure enough there was lots of water and rumbling at
the entrance pitch. ???. The forecast was for the amount of rain to increase - so that made just sitting it out tricky. After
watching the water for 5-10 minutes they decided it was not getting worse, and Pete headed up. the pitch was very drippy but fine,
and the team were soon at the top. Aidan had some excitement with his central maillon, and did rather well. Indeed, it was sunny
when they got out and walked back to camp. Very nice. But at 7pm there was a large storm that blew rain into the nether regions of
the bivvy. The other team in Balconyhohle that day were not so lucky and got flooded in by this second rainstorm for a couple of
hours.</p>
<p>Note that the flood pulse we saw at end of Dark Arts was almost immediately after a short period of rain. It is an A* lead with
draft, but needs dry and settled weather!</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg10.jpeg" alt="survey"></p>
<div class="callout">21:00</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-12d">2016-07-12</div>
@ -958,6 +1139,7 @@ so we opted to go out.</p>
move since Nathan was supposedly leading the trip. I came third with Elliott close behind, he being faster than me. In the end, we
were all up on the surface by 7.30pm, where we found the wether a bit grim and claggy. That was the reason the second camping group
hadn't come underground, and indeed lower Procrastination had been a bit drippier than usual.</p>
<div class="callout">09:00 +2</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 33 hrs</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-16b">2016-07-16</div>
@ -973,6 +1155,7 @@ tunnel passage sadly. We each climbed up in different places, my climb from the
slot near the pitch head. Olly's from where the chambers join became an inlet.</p>
<p>Surveyed and derigged out. I carried gear up the climbs, while Olly had a final look in the chossy chamber, and found us
another lead for the next trip.</p>
<div class="callout">20:00</div>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 4 hrs</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-16c">2016-07-16</div>
@ -1163,9 +1346,13 @@ apart, none of us had really done before. A planning session the day meant we ha
do on each pitch, which made for a pretty slick operation. The previous camping team had also done us a massive
favour by tackling the Kraken pitch and the bottom hang of Inferno so we only had to go two thirds of the way down
Inferno.</p>
<p>The paella proceeded as follows: (diagrams)</p>
<p>AT the top of Procrastination, the timely arrival of reinforcements in the shape of Pete, Ash and Aidan allowed us
<p>The paella proceeded as follows:</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg21.jpeg" alt="topo"></p>
<p><img src="logbkimg22.jpeg" alt="topo"></p>
<p><img src="logbkimg23.jpeg" alt="topo"></p>
<p>At the top of Procrastination, the timely arrival of reinforcements in the shape of Pete, Ash and Aidan allowed us
to paella and derig up String Theory by means of brute force.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg24.jpeg" alt="topo"></p>
<p>At the top 9 tacklesacks were waiting, so all the rope (approx 1200m of it) was bagged and ferried out of the cave. A
most satisfying and effective detackling trip and a good, solid effort from all concerned.<p>
<p>Other events of note:</p>
@ -1174,6 +1361,7 @@ glancing blow on his helmet and shoulder, smashing the glass on his Duo. He walk
It could have been a lot worse - care required!</p>
<p>When derigging String Theory, Elliott left his personal bag at the bottom so had to put a couple of bolts back in to
go down and retrieve it. This news was greeted by sympathetic laughter at the top.</p>
<p><img src="logbkimg25.jpeg" alt="topo"></p>
<div class="timeug">T/U: 14 - 15 hrs.</div>
<div class="tripdate" id="t2016-07-21a">2016-07-21</div>