Gentlewomans to Youds through trip.
Planned, prepared and recci’ done. (as posted). I waited for a kindred fool to volunteer. Up popped matthewjc!
tackle gathered and advice on rope length (thanks Dave.webb), took 47m rigged with care and precision. Scaff bar really looked and felt bomb proof. I tied my trusted Italian hitch and called to Matt to place my glove under the rope to protect it! Trundled down to my first amazement of the day. 14.00 hrs ish bottom of gentlewomans. Note to self that would be a pig to prussic with deviators and a few tightish bits. Matt descended with his “mech kit”, reached bottom for a piccy. 5m of rope on the floor. All good!
Route finding x2. Then followed the old welly prints! Classic masson geology. kept within sight or sound of the water. All good! Further on far more calcite to be seen, in pristine condition and perfect form. Classic masson geology.. Stope became higher and a little wider. Welly marks going up. Very up. On a little way and I dropped my camera. Matt ferociously set off like a whippet in pursuit. Good lad. On and up spotted the key hole as reported, unprotected climb. safe though as spanning/chimneying was possible the whole way up and through. Result!
Still fantastic mineralogy and rock formation. the way down seemed obvious and as with the climb support was easy the whole way … reached a section fairly loose down slope in the water. Oh dear, 1st battery now flat. spare I charged this morning now flat in less than a minute (buggered) spare old petzl to the fore only threw it in as an after thought, phew.
Onwards oh dear look!! 1st squeeze wet but 5 inches of air space full and more with calcite/boulders and grit. Kibble to right over flowing. No space to rake debris up. I rough built a few supporting large cobbles to hold back what I could drag up. Matt, bless him kicked and kicked and kicked to push through all he could. Then fairly popped through and scouted to 2nd squeeze. “Are you sure this is the way? Do you recognise the route?” I assured him I did (having recci-ed from youds) “It will need a bit work.” He gleefully replied”, laid waist deep kicking like an irate ‘whizz’ driven donkey. Matt cleared.
I attempted to keep the upper clear in case of retreat. We jointly had doubts (aloud!) he had another go, shivering with cold/wet matt said “ you want a go? “There was one option. I did the kick kick kicky thing debris washing and rolling in as we worked. I ‘bit the bullet’ and turned round with help.
“ Do you think you could pull me back, if needed?”
“ Yeah”
On me back, 3 inches(metric!) of air, hat off… go! Oh bollo**s fairly stuck. I wriggled head through chest mostly through. Crap wedging the rest. Pulled stuff from under me back worked suit through. Pulled bits of me then more suit ‘ad- infinitum’. Cold, damp taking too damn long. Christ I felt stuck, wriggled.. and I managed 3 inches progress. I knew it was just possible more effort and correct breathing. Took fully 5 min to actually clear and pop through,
I could feel Matt restart his breathing and I must have cleared well. He wriggled into position kicked the tackle bags to me and followed.*******
See Matt’s version of this bit the read on, (for continuity.)
Having laid so long in the wet. At least 30 min’s, we set off down at a pace to warm through. Upper close, old jant but a blur on our race towards youlds. Stopped at the dam for a piccy or 2
Then onto the coffin level.
Matt had great expectations, and wasn’t disappointed. Does anyone know o the definitive rate of progress in the driving of Youds?? We repeatedly exchanged wonderment for the achievement.
Deep shaft, blasted leve,l and on. Stooping, crawling, duck waddling ‘chimping’ our way onwards. Haslam shaft inspected.On and on.
Bloody marvellous. Warm not far to go. Not stuck under a rock. Life is good.
Level became a little tighter started to suggest the shower and shaft to lower series as the water was muddying as we went.
Matt enjoyed a nosy in each and every passage off the level. I took a piccy or 2
Just before shower …
“I left my keys in your glove box, didn’t I?”
Matt exclaimed…. at the top of the hill”
“ Yeah?”
. Just keep your eyes open for the shaft on your right!
coffin gave way to natural just after a cold shower.
Soon w could stand properly and enjoy clay and other delights in an upright position.
Lower shaft was clearly visible.
No poo.
Matt led under the road pausing to listen to traffic noise.
“Do I go up this ladder?”
I thought.. I’m not going back to the other way.
Quick self timer and pose to camera.,
Put your shoulder on the lid and push. About 19.20Hrs. exit-ed to the swings!!
what a buzz adrenalin still coursing.
I will let matt describe the route from here(near his car) to me little van and bob the dog on masson
I needed a pint. Sorry if my rambling bores, but you even now typing I feel excited by an epic afternoon/evening.
.Thank you for your interest.
Do try it if you’re not as fat as me!!
Lastly thanks Matt, ‘was close wasn’t it?’