The aim of this summary document is to pass on current knowledge, including between one year and the next year’s expedition, about pitches that have significant flood hazards. The same info should also appear in each cave description, but sometimes they are out of date.
+
+
Last updated July 2016
+
+
The information is arranged by cave and area
+
+
Balcony Cave
+
+
+
ENTRANCE PITCH
+
The lower two pitches of the entrance series become very wet or fully impassable. This includes the longest (~30m) hang – especially its lower part and ledge, and the final 10m pitch. A short period of rain can cause these pitches to become very drippy and unpleasant, but passable. However, heavy and/or sustained rainfall produces water spouts both on the main hang, and on the bottom pitch; thereby making the entrance series impassable. The response of these pitches to surface rain is quick. It can also take several (or more) hours for the water levels on the pitches to drop. Suitable kit for sitting out a flood (bothy bag, stove, food etc) should therefore be installed from start of expedition at the base of the entrance pitch.
+
+
DARK ARTS – FINAL LEFT-HAND PITCH
+
The left-hand and deeper (wet) pitch develops a water spout after only moderate rainfall, and responds quickly to surface rainfall.
+
+
+
Tunnocks
+
+
PROCRASTINATION
+
The lower part of Procrastination pitch can become impassable and dangerous after heavy rainfall. In flood, water comes in immediately next to final rebelay bolt, which is drippy in normal conditions. Once above that final rebelay, you are out of the water hazard.
+
+
From Procrastination to Kraken Camp
+
This is not very strongly affected during heavy rain, and is passable. But there is some spray across the ropes in a few places.
+
+
Ususal Suspects
+
The original rigging down Usual Suspects (no longer used) can also get very wet. The traverse rig across the top (2016 onwards) gets damp when wet but remains passable. Usual Suspects pitch is now bypassed by String Theory pitch.
+
+
CHAMPAGNE ON ICE SERIES
+
The pitch series can become impassable after particularly heavy rainfall, and is usually drippy in a few places.
+
+
CLAYTON’S COCK-UP SERIES
+
The bottom part of the big (70m) Flash Hard pitch gets very drippy, and may become impassable in heavier rain. Best avoided during moderate to heavy rainfall.
Once the cave starts to get significant (ie. anything which requires getting changed or rigging), it needs good documentation. This is mostly a matter of doing a cave survey, a guidebook description and usually a surface survey. The first time you go to explore a poorly documented question mark, you will realise how important this is, and it also makes for having a pretty survey on your wall to support your bullshit. For 1998, the surveying guide has been split into easily digestible chunks, including pages specifically intended for people who haven't surveyed before.
You fall and break your leg – probably need a little help to get out of the cave ? How would you feel if everyone at this stage took the rescue guide into Hilde's bar and started reading about what to do ? Not a happy prospect, is it – so in the hope that it is not you who gets hurt, we suggest you read this now so you know what to do. It may well help you if it is you who gets injured, and may even help prevent that from happening. So don't skip it !
+
Including callout procedure. You fall and break your leg – probably need a little help to get out of the cave ? How would you feel if everyone at this stage took the rescue guide into Hilde's bar and started reading about what to do ? Not a happy prospect, is it – so in the hope that it is not you who gets hurt, we suggest you read this now so you know what to do. It may well help you if it is you who gets injured, and may even help prevent that from happening. So don't skip it !