<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META HTTP-EQUIV="CONTENT-TYPE" CONTENT="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <TITLE></TITLE> <META NAME="GENERATOR" CONTENT="OpenOffice.org 3.2 (Linux)"> <META NAME="AUTHOR" CONTENT="expo "> <META NAME="CREATED" CONTENT="20110723;18090400"> <META NAME="CHANGEDBY" CONTENT="expo "> <META NAME="CHANGED" CONTENT="20110806;11335400"> <STYLE TYPE="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } P.western { so-language: en-GB } --> </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY LANG="en-GB" DIR="LTR"> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><B>18/07/11 Chris Rescues a sheep</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><I>Chris Smith</I></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>On our first carry up we heard distressed sounding bleating from a sheep that had fallen down a grike next to the path on the col. Heroically, Chris clambered down into the grike to effect a dramatic rescue. Noone quite knows what happened down there, but some time later Chris, looking a little sheepish, emerged clutching a grateful-looking and apparently unharmed sheep. TU=2 mins</FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><B>19/07/11 204 rigging</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><I><U>Djuke Veldhuis</U>, Kathryn Hopkins</I></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>Our intrepid explorers carry another load up the hill – and get the easy ride really, because as Jess, Nial and Edvin went back down to get load 2 (after a quick noodle, mash and chilli sauce stop) we went into 204e to rig the entrance pitch and gaffered. It was surprisingly warm and there was no snow plug at all. All went well erm... well Djuke rigged the entrance pitch, sort of, and ended up 4m above the bottom at the stopper knot. Caught high and dry, I wandered onto the ledge, hunkered down and waited for Kathryn to re-rig the rebelay on one bolt rather than 2. That worked and with stretch the rope now reaches the floor :) (or hangs at waist height, unloaded). Kathryn then rigged to the y-hang of gaffered. We came out to find Nial, Edvin and Jess returning to the bivi with their second load. We played/fought with the tarps for a while, sorted rope, got bored and walked down. YAY CAVING = GREAT. TU = 3.5 hrs </FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><B>21/07/11 Rigging down 204e</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><I>Nial Peters, <U>Edvin Deadman</U></I></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>Up at 5.45am after a drippy night in the bivy. Underground at 7.10 am – some kind of CUCC record perhaps?! With 2 bags of rope each, we made slow progress to Gaffered, which Nial finished rigging. The 200m of 11mm saw us all the way to the bottom of Cerberus in the Underworld, with 10-15m spare which we used on sirens traverse. Couple of rigging points:</FONT></FONT></P> <OL> <LI><P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>The 1<SUP>st</SUP> traverse bolt below eyehole pitch and above trihang is shagged – might need an extra one.</FONT></FONT></P> <LI><P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>The deviation on Cerberus is better as a rebelay.</FONT></FONT></P> </OL> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>Then continued through the Underworld to Gardener's world and Universally challenged – heres a rough rigging guide:</FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>[rigging guide]</FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>Finally down chalk and cheese and our campsite. Mission accomplished. Prussiking out was tiring with tacklesacks full of tacklesacks in tow! TU = 11 hrs</FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><B>21/07/11 Campsite kit carting trip</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><I><U>Djuke Veldhuis</U>, Kathryn Hopkins,Jess Stirrups</I></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>We stirred in our damp sleeping bags as Nial and Edvin got up and set off for their rigging trip (see previous trip report). By this time (7ish) Kathryn was awake and shortly we all got up (slowly). Wetness was reduced as we hussled packing loads of camp kit. With 2 tacklesacks each we entered Steinbrucken at 10.15am. The entrance crawl with tackle was most awkward. As we descended gaffered, the pitch series Cerberus and so forth we were reminded how far it would be to prussik out and how AWESOME it would be to camp and not have to do gaffered everyday. On the plus side also we stayed completely warm through the whole trip and as long as I didn't sit on my right buttock or knee (which were a bit worse for wear after a spectacular fall on the plateau). Before long we could hear Nial at the bottom of tri-hang. Upon hearing us the boys – not wanting us to catch up – put in a difficult deviation on purpose and we subsequently didn't catch up with them until the campsite. Going down chalk and cheese was like driving up your driveway – you knew you were going home sweet home, or as it is now known, BUTLINS HOLIDAY CAMP :) :) :)</FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-weight: normal"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><B>22/07/2011 - Tunnockschact Entrance Series</B></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><I><U>Chris Smith</U></I><I>, Robert Adams, Jon Hauser, Andy Chapman, Noel Snape</I></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2> Rob and I headed off to Tunnockschact ahead of the main party to continue with the previous day's rigging (entrance pitch pre-rigged to the first deviation). I continued with the rigging, whilst rob sheltered on the surface. </FONT></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2> Beneath the first deviation it was necessary to rig a Fig-8 rather than a Y-hang due to the thread on the right hand spit being damaged (needs re-bolting). Two further rebelay's to the first scree slope were rigged without incident. No snow was present on the <I><B>scree slope</B></I> making it <I><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: none"><B>extremely unstable</B></SPAN></I><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: none"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight: normal">. I </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: none"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight: normal">undertook a spot of gardening, but my efforts were ineffectual as kicking down the loose choss seemed to further destabilise the remaining scree. At this point Rob descended the first main pitch and waited at the top of the scree slope</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: none"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight: normal"> A “traverse line” was rigged from the bottom of the first pitch to the small pitch above the second scree slope. The entire traverse needs re-bolting as the anchor points are at ankle height, meaning that any falls taken on the rope will result in considerable shock loading. Rigging round the traverse and short pitch gave access to the second scree slope, where again no snow was present (in stark contrast with the previous year). Again, this </SPAN></SPAN><I><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: none"><B>slope is extremely unstable</B></SPAN></I><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: none"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight: normal">. Had difficulty finding bolts for the traverse to the second Y-hang, however I suspect this because there are no bolts besides the one back-up point to the Y-hang. Needs re-bolting to make safe in low/no snow conditions.</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2> Rigging the second Y-hang was a complete arse as the two bolts in the far wall were nearly unreachable. Rigging this section took much faffing, by which point Andy had joined me at the top of the pitch. Descending the pitch to the next floor and set of rebelay's took place without incident, although I did miss out the bolt for the deviation (oops!). By now Rob, Jon, and Noel were waiting around the top of the first scree slope and traverse line.</FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2> Descending the rebelay's below the second Y-hang and (missed) deviation gave access to the top of the old snow slope; however instead of being greeted by several tonnes of snow there was a gaping crevasse where top of the old snow slope used to be. Evidentially the cave has warmed up considerably since last year. Descending the snow slope beyond this point was impossible. Andy came down for a second opinion and concluded much the same as myself. At the point I turned around and started to ascend, so that Noel could come down for a third opinion. Rob, Jon and I headed out whilst Noel and Andy made one last inspection of the snow slope before heading out in tat order.</FONT></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2><U><B>Summary</B></U></FONT></FONT></P> <UL> <LI><P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>Scree slopes extremely unstable due to major snow melt</FONT></FONT></P> <LI><P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>Entrance Y-hang needs re-bolting for right hand spit</FONT></FONT></P> <LI><P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>First traverse needs re-bolting to raise the height of the traverse line</FONT></FONT></P> <LI><P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>Traverse to second Y-hang needs additional spits, to improve safety under loose scree conditions</FONT></FONT></P> <LI><P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif"><FONT SIZE=2>Bottom pitch above snow slope needs completely re-bolting to enable safe crossing of the crevasse in low snow conditions</FONT></FONT></P> </UL> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-before: always"> <FONT SIZE=2><B>Sunday 24 July </B>to <B>Tuesday 26 July 29</B></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2><U>Djuke Veldhuis</U>, Jess Stirrups, Nial Peters -- 204</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>In preparation for the day-shift of the Butlins camping team (the night-shift consisting of <B>Edvin, Kathryn</B> and <B>Holly</B>), we walked up (again, in the rain) on Saturday night. By Sunday morning rain had turned to snow :-s hence giving us all the more reason to get underground pronto.</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>Despite having already carted down all the camping gear in a previous trip (see <B>Djuke, Jess</B>, <B>Kathryn</B> trip on 21 July), we still had two tackle bags full of food, rope and other fun heavy stuff each. Going down <I>Gaffa’d</I> and the rest of the pitch series, Gardener’s World, Chalk & Cheese reminded me of just how much prussiking up there would be in a few days time and how pleased I was not to be doing it on a daily basis. We lugged the gear into <I>Dead Good Bat Chamber</I> and while <B>Jess</B> and <B>Nial</B> proceeded to calibrate survey gear and set up camp, I went along to our prospective hole, now known as “<I>That Stupid Hole</I>” (courtesy of Kathryn who originally referred to it as “That silly hole”).</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>A few slings on naturals got us down the first 15 meters or so of a steeply sloping pitch onto a big axe like boulder. A short climb below all the boulders choke. On the left however, a thin, steep, muddy climb up opens up into an eyehole which overlooks another steeply sloping shaft (an aven onto the left and continuing down to the right). As <B>Nial</B> and <B>Jess</B> surveyed down I started bolting the pitch head and remembered how enjoyable this was–keeping you warm and filling your nose with lime. As we continued a further 20 meters down, landing on a small ledge, a dark cavernous rift continued below and we realised we had found yet another pitch series. Having only hand-bolting kits we didn’t get much further before we were due to turn in for the night (it was approx. 7 pm)</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>Our first night at <I>Butlins</I> <I>Holiday Camp </I>(aka “<I>Dead Good Bat Chamber”) </I>was warm, surprisingly so, it was also much drier than top camp (there was no snow, no rain – also no sunshine, but hey that’s life). I rolled around for a bit in a thermals, a (clean) furry, a fleece liner and Tony’s buffalo bag, but drifted in and out of sleep fairly well. We were rudely awoken at 5 am by the nightshift who made themselves dinner and us breakfast and a hot drink. They looked <I>very</I> ready for bed (note: for those doing underground camping, the nightshift probably has a rougher deal, though the first night they said they fell asleep very quickly, their body clocks are obviously rather messed up).</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>I winged too much getting into wet wetsocks, but actually, getting into caving gear was fine. A warm drink and some mediocre porridge later we were talking to the nightshift about where they had gotten with our pitch series. Having had a drill, they had dropped it another series of pitches, but had to eventually turn around being too cold surveying (they re-rigged <I>Chalk & Cheese Pitch</I> to get warm). As they crawled into the tent, warm sleeping bags awaiting them and taunting us, Kathryn we ‘kill’ that silly hole and so we set-off once again. They had been right. It did get increasingly wet and a few more handbolts down we decided that the rest of the pitch should be named <I>Goretex is a lie</I> – because it is— Eventually the stream disappeared into a thin rift (QM-d at best, probably nothing) while a mud choked hole on the left told us it was time to go back up having indeed ‘killed’ this lead. I offered to de-rig. It seemed like a good idea, until I realised the other group had taken one of the tackle sacks, which left one tackle-sack to put 200 meters of 9mm in to prussic out with. Splendid. I was knackered towards the end and <B>Jess </B>really appreciated it when I gave the bag to her for the top section J I can’t remember where we went then. I think it was the <I>Wares</I>. We only had time to rig into it a little bit before magically it was once again bed time.</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>After arriving late (around 8pm) and hence giving the others a lie in, making us dinner and them breakfast, we snuggled back into the sleeping bags. <B>Nial </B>and <B>I </B>apparently curled up next to <B>Jess</B> who was left immobile until kicking Nial in the head (at which point he moved). I think she was dreaming it all up really… Our last cycle started, wet wetsocks, damp caving gear and a distinct itchy feeling, especially on my chin which felt like I’d just been kissing a guy with stubble for the last 3 days (in reality it was a helmet strap rubbing against my chin with added lime dust/dirt/mud and moist air). Anyway, as you can probably tell, I was dreaming of a warm shower at this point and something to untangle the rat’s nest that was my hair. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>As the nightshift had killed off the <I>Wares</I> QMc’s bar two vertical leads, <B>Nial </B>decided to introduce Jess and I to the wonderful world that is the <I>Convenience</I> <I>Series</I>. He seems to love it; I think it’s a bit gnarly and squeezy, I preferred the <I>Wares.</I> But I digress…In Nial’s defence, he didn’t make us follow him down the wet / tedious pit to check out the even wetter QMc in a 6 inch deep puddle (--- <FONT COLOR="#808080">fill in name I’ve forgotten of this area</FONT>---). While it sounded like Nial was swimming/drowning in a Yorkshire stream way, Jess and I sat at the top trying not to freeze discussing what we’d do with Nial should we drown. It was innocent Black Adderesque humour really. Needless to say, that lead crapped out too L Thus, on we went to <I>Channel Five</I> where <B>Nial</B> and <B>I</B> (re-)bolted an incredibly dodgy, loose pitch; one of those where you can’t tread without sending rocks hurtling down. Depressingly, we didn’t even get time to survey as it was about time to head out if we wanted to walk down the hill that same night. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>Maybe it was because I’d been underground for several days, maybe it was the 200 m of 9mm I dragged up the previous day, or maybe it was because I managed to get the donkey’s dick of the drill bag caught in my foot jammer on the very first pitch back up to the surface (<I>Chalk & Cheese)</I> –hence, left swinging around trying to tug it loose, like one of those annoying zips on a cheap sleeping bag—but in any case I have never been that slow prussiking out. Nial kindly offered / pleaded to take the drill bag, but NO way was I going to give in, never. Selfish? Foolish? Stubborn? All of the above, yes probably, but my fight with the drill bag had become a personal battle of strength and will. I won. But didn’t get out until 8 pm or so. But at least it was SUNNY J J J on the surface. We had a relaxing dinner on the rocks. Went to bed. Heard the nightshift coming back around 3 or 4 am and walked back down the next day. All round, a superb first camping trip. (Climbing Trisselwand with Jess the next day didn’t happen – we drank instead. It didn’t happen the next day either, it rained, but more on that later).</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Note to self: </I>you write way too much when you type…</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Thursday 28 July </B><B>2011</B></FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2><U>Djuke Veldhuis</U> -- VIA FERRATA – <B>Grober Donnerogel</B>, 2054 m, Grade D (Intersport Klettersteig, Tour 28, p 120 Klettersteig book).</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>It was raining at 4.45am, which meant that Trisselwand was going to be wet and Jess and I wouldn’t be going up. Rubbish. Having already sat still on Wednesday, I decided I wanted to go and do something active. Weather was very overcast and looked like rain, but hey, what’s a girl to do?!</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>I settled on a Klettersteig on a side of the Dachstein Expo doesn’t often visit and I can thoroughly recommend it. Coming in at the same grade as the Loser Via Ferrata (not yet in guide book as it’s too new – but I’ve checked the Loser grade in the new version in the bookshop), it is about a 40 minute drive (towards Bad Goisern and then Gosau) if you don’t get stuck behind a string of caravans. It has the advantage that apart from the via ferrata, all the height gain is via a cable car (<I>Gosaukammbahn</I>) where a return costs €12 – the last car goes down at 17.20 in the summer. It also has a lot of bang for your buck. The initial walk up from the cable car (listed as ½ hr in the book), took more like 10 minutes. The via ferrata itself takes about 3 hours and the walk down one to two hours depending on how much you value your knees.</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>The Route finding is simple; follow the path numbered 611, up a little hillock. Just before a turny gate thingy the via ferrata (signed) goes off to the left. The route is superb and actually quite suitable for beginners as it is interspersed by sections which are effectively just walking (though the cable is present throughout for protection) which is at times less steep than the muddy / slippery path of doom on the way upto Top Camp. Note however, that this is a fairly prolonged via ferrata which would take longer in the wet. It was incredibly cloudy / overcast when I did it, but I was still in shorts and a T-shirt for most of the way. Bring plenty of water if it’s sunny. As with all via ferrata’s, avoid if risk of thunder (or be walking down by then).</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>Anyway, there was I, starting out just above the cable station at the designated Hutte from which the path to the klettersteig goes and a random Polish bloke comes up to me and says, “You must be an experienced mountaineer, you walk fast”. Well, no actually, it looks like it’ll be pissing it down any minute and the cloud is coming in and I’m sorta hoping there’s not going to be a thunderstorm. His backpack and helmet shiny, with an axe to boot, I eyed the Polish man somewhat warily. People on the hills with shiny gear are either very good and well off that they can get new stuff, or they’ve just started doing it. On the other hand I was also by myself (not something I generally do) and he seemed to have done some routes in the Dolomites. Anyway, a climb up to the start of the Via Ferrata with my newfound friend put my harness on --- shit --- helmet left down by the Hutte. Run back down and up again and my Polish friend awaits me patiently.</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>Despite the clag, I immediately loved the route. Divided into 4 main stages (Etappes) “Enzianwandl”, “Ziehkogelgrat”, “Kleiner Donner Kogel” and “Grober Donner Kogel” varying in grades from B to D. There are plenty of wider, path-like sections en-route to sit and have lunch and admire the superb view (which I got only occasionally). As we moved up and my well-geared up friend fed me energy drinks and chocolate (I think my one piece of flapjack and slice of bread with Nutella didn’t look like ‘proper’ mountain food). There is a nice balance of exposure with sections which are more scrambly and places where you can have a choc bar and take in the view. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Route finding</B> is easy BUT – about ¾ of the way along a big green arrow points left (it says “Links”) FOLLOW it – don’t be tempted by the shoddy wire that appears to go straight up on your right – the latter is an old section of Via Ferrata that has been dismantled after the locals apparently complained about it ruining their view from the valley. The main route contours round over some awkward tree roots—which have become exposed and now hang above the limestone where the soil has become completely eroded—and ultimately comes to a col. Moving left the final and steepest stage of the via ferrata, the “Grober Donnerkogel”, now awaits. It looks very imposing, but is in no way technically challenging.</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>To my sheer amazement, as I climbed the last steep section high on the Chai tea that my Polish friend insisted I drink. By this point I’d decided this chap was fully competent, if over-geared for the trip in question and while he chattered away happily in broken English about how his brother should have been on his expedition with him, but he’d not communicated this with his wife etc etc, I noted to my surprise that the sky was clearing. As I reached the top, two old codgers who had laughed at me on the way down when I’d gone back for my helmet, were sitting at the massive cross. They waved and my Polish friend took out the biggest camera lens I’d ever seen and started snapping as we were “blessed by God” as all three of the put it at different times, to have sun at the top. I don’t believe in God, but the sun was fantastic and the atmosphere up there with the four of us great. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><FONT SIZE=2>At some point I started talking about Gosser, which led the two old codgers (each just off the phone to their respective wives – mentioning something about a Dutch lady they’d met) to ask whether I drank schnapps. “Yes,” I replied, “but I try not to drink too much before a long climb”. Would I like some they asked I wasn’t going to say ‘no’ J And thus it was that I found myself on the top of the Grober Donnerkogel drinking schnapps and chai tea in the sunshine. By now it was about 15.15 hr or so. We’d taken it pretty easy and the guidebook time are about right, though you could do the route notable faster if you’re rushing.</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm"><BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.07cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>An hour’s walk down or so found my Polish friend and I at the Hutte drinking a coffee (which he kindly bought for me for my services as a guide, lol) and at 16.15 we picked the cable car back down. A great day, despite the clag and a trip I would recommend to those interested in ferrata.</FONT></P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Tue 26/07/2011 - <B>Tunnockschact Entrance Series up to the Balcony </B></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Neil Pacey, Aiora Zabala and <U>Fernando</U> Abarquero (8hr) </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Neil showed Fer and Aio the secrets of Tunnocks labyrinth. The newcomers were even able to find the way out. Short trip up to the Balcony. We took away many of the dangerous rocks we saw on the entrance, so it looks safer now. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Wed 27/07/2011 - T<B>unnockschact Entrance Series up to the Balcony </B></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Aiora Zabala and <U>Fernando</U> Abarquero (6hr) </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Aio and Fer reviewed the secrets of Tunnocks, going down to the top of String Theory and back. We brought 60m rope to help others to keep going down </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Fri 29/07/2011 - <B>204 Sandpit </B></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Kathryn Hopkins, Aiora Zabala and <U>Fernando</U> Abarquero </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Kathryn showed us the secrets of taking survey notes. Short trip to Sandpit practising some tight surveying. Found Jess and Alex on the way out and after some problems with the carbide we came out </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Sat 30/07/2011 -<B>Tunnockschact up to Crossword passage </B></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Holly, Aiora and <U>Fer</U> </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>A nice caving trip finding our way to this Crossword. We practised hand bolting for a hand line before throwing the pitch. Holly tested how warm a storm shelter is with a candle inside. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Sun 31/07/2011 -<B>Tunnockschact up to Crossword passage </B></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Neil Pacey, Aiora Zabala, <U>Fernando</U> Abarquero and Rob Adams </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Trip to finish bolting the pitch. It turns out that once we descended the little pitch, Rob appeared from within a small and tight passage he had gone through to get warm. Thus 08-38C and Crossword are connected. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Mon 01/08/2011 -<B>204 Pingu pitch - bottom left </B></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Becka Lawson, Aiora Zabala and <U>Fernando</U> Abarquero. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Hand bolting and abseiling the left pitch, finding very nice shell fossils and ammonites, but with an unfortunate end covered by mud and sand. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Tue 02/08/2011 -<B>204 Pingu pitch - bottom right </B></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Olaf Kaehler, Aiora Zabala and <U>Fernando</U> Abarquero. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Hand bolting and abseiling the pitch on the right hand side (small). We abseiled a little bit down the parallel little hole below the horn, which could be continued. But it was drippy and cold, and there was too much friction on the rope, so we didn't continue that way. We were amazed at the potential deepness of the main pitch but decided that we didn't have enough experience (neither a drill to keep bolting) to throw that pitch down. Turned back. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Wed 03/08/2011 -<B>204 Pingu pitch - bottom right </B></FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Olaf Kaehler, Gareth, Aiora Zabala and <U>Fernando</U> Abarquero. </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <FONT SIZE=2>Back in Pingu Pitch with the drill and lots of rope ready to do the bolting and abseiling of the central pitch. Gareth bolted an impressive free hanging belay. Unfortunately it ended in a little sump and going nowhere else. We did all the surveying and the de rigging until Pingu's rope decided that it wanted to stay there for a little bit longer :( </FONT> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> <BR> </P> <P CLASS="western" ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="margin-bottom: 0cm; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0.04cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> </P> </BODY> </HTML>