We did the Smallcleugh-Rampgill through trip via Prouds Sump earlier (first time for a while). Whoever has done all the work in there has done a fantastic job!

I'm not sure whether this has already been posted on but the abseil rope (red) on the 2nd pitch is very badly worn on one arm of the Y-hang. Hopefully the link below will go through to a photo

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/Photo/Prouds-Sump-2Nd-Abseil_110089/ 

We left the rope in situ.
However, will plan to put a replacement in there but it won't be immediately.

We did it a few months ago, but used our own rope - did not check in-situ rope. That is bad considering its (assuming) at the top of the pitch - should not be in a position to rub.

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It almost looks like a pull-through burn, but it's in a bit of an odd place if it is...

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Thats my thought as to what has happened.
The rub is on the "top" side of the rope as opposed to next to the maillon.

Yeh - we took our own ropes also so it wasn't an issue to us.
But the rub is right at the maillon at the pitch head.
See below as to the theory for how it has occurred.

oh. well if that part normally sits atop the maillon then I would say it's amost certainly a pull-through burn. It does look like that kind of injury.

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Did not think of that and did not clock that is was on the front.

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So thank you very much whoever knackered the rope, the pull through because you don't trust the in-situ made damn sure that it wasn't safe.

It was fine a few weeks ago when I went past so recent damage.
I'll re-rig it with the existing as there is plenty of spare below, you won't be able to go straight to Hangingshaw any more though.

The Proud's pitches are normally rigged and a few of the Nenthead regulars keep an eye on them. The current ones were put in reasonably recently so should be in good condition.
You shouldn't have to use your own ropes unless there's damage like this.

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So thank you very much whoever knackered the rope, the pull through because you don't trust the in-situ made damn sure that it wasn't safe.

It was fine a few weeks ago when I went past so recent damage.
I'll re-rig it with the existing as there is plenty of spare below, you won't be able to go straight to Hangingshaw any more though.

The Proud's pitches are normally rigged and a few of the Nenthead regulars keep an eye on them. The current ones were put in reasonably recently so should be in good condition.
You shouldn't have to use your own ropes unless there's damage like this.

There is currently a freebie rope giveaway on UKC for deserving causes - this sounds like a good candidate, certainly worth a punt.

The pitch has been re-rigged, the traverse is not separate but all sound.

When rigging I realised that I hadn't been down that pitch recently, we'd gone the other way. This means that it may have been in this state for some time.

For a regularly used pre-rigged pitch, using the existing rigging for a pull through is obviously not appropriate, the damage that some selfish person did probably wouldn't have killed someone but would have scared the **** out of them. I hope that they aren't someone I like.

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I suppose they would never know they had damaged it. A schoolboy error through want of experience I expect. Perhaps an alpine butterfly with a maillon at the top of the live rope would give a safe pull-through ring if anyone did want to use their own rope?

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What's the fixed rope for out of interest? That's probably the easiest pitch at Nent to rig.

No idea other than it has always been rigged when I've been coming to the Nent. Whatever the reason it is rigged, that's no reason to risk damaging someone else's gear.

There's a good argument that should there be a run in at the entrance (which is looking less healthy than it should as it happens) then the quickest way out is via Proud's. It would still require a rescue team but would be far quicker than the other routes from surface. I'm obviously more thinking about the led parties, I know that I can get out via Caplecleugh as do many of you, I'm not sure that I would want to take a bunch of kids that way!

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I don’t think it’s a matter of someone being selfish Nick. Some prefer to use their own gear and if it is a pull through burn then obviously an accident - not deliberate – we are very carefull in our rigging, but for all I know it might have been us that did it. Anyone been since end of Oct 16?

The rigged rope has been there for the last 3 years or so and was once nicked as well, but no idea who put it in. I can understand in situ ropes in deeper parts of the mines especially if they are being actively explored and it’s a ball ache to keep carrying in the same dead weight, but for easy and close to the entrance places like Proud’s they should be left for the explorer to provide.

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It is either selfishness or, more likely, not thinking that caused the damage, either way somebody damaged the rope.
I replaced the ropes a year or so ago as the ones that were in were starting to look iffy.
I happen to find it useful to have the ropes in place, my prerogative, I'm up the Nent a lot after all and it is very annoying to have to fix something that shouldn't need fixing.

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remove the ropes altogether and you remove the problem surely? if you want to play on ropes, cart your own in and rig your own? people will be a damn sight more safety conscious that way as well

It amuses me hugely when threads pop up now and again because someone is contemplating buying some second hand SRT kit off ebay... and the condemnation starts in earnest about not trusting yourself to second hand gear, then the naysayers all troupe off with their shiney new petzls and clip into any old bit of **** that is hanging already without giving it a second thought! modern alloys and a grit encrusted rope? no thanks

I do also wonder in these sadly litigious and HSE scrutinised times, how long it will be before theres an accident on a pre rigged rope and the ambulance chasing compo claim vultures circle overhead... where there's a blame there's a claim, and if they can blame the owner/operator/rigger then sure as eggs is ovoid they will

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If someone uses rope in situ then it is at their own risk, no guarantees given that it is good condition as recent events have shown.
The hangars aren't ideal for a pull through so if someone would put some appropriate hangars in then that would stop this happening again...

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Hi Nick,
I am a long way from Nenthead at the minute, but I am intrigued by your inference that the entrance to Smallcleugh was becoming a little suspect!
In my opinion the horse level from the entrance to the Dickenson or Hard Level cross cut has remained pretty stable over the 50 years I have known it.
So where is problem?
I can understand that Proud's sump, does provide an alternative way out and as such the hangers, and bolts should be looked after, but surely even this is only a second way out if you have the necessary abseiling gear?

If someone uses rope in situ
then it is at their own risk,
no guarantees given that it is good condition as recent events have shown.
The hangars aren't ideal for a pull through so if someone would put some appropriate hangars in then that would stop this happening again...

Sadly what seems to becoming more frequent are claims started by relatives, spouse, surviving dependant.
It is frequently stated that club members would not claim against their mates as they all know the risks but once some ambulance chaser has told relatives that they can get compensation all bets are off. :curse:

To be honest, if you don't want the rope damaged. Do not leave it in situ. Not everyone is as experienced at pull through etc. So it's the risk that is ran by leaving kit in olace.

Personally I wouldn't use in situ ropes.