Andy Sparrow, David Cooke, Keith Milward, Lawrence Wilson, Peter Sanders, Seán Tidey, Will Puddy, Yvette Mayo

A delayed follow up to our SRT tower training evening (due to the passing of Jackie Dors)

This cave has been a bete noire of mine for quite some time so with a certain amount of fear and trepidation I got changed and positioned myself at the back of the group in case I bottled it and needed to leave in a hurry.

It was lovely and warm inside the cave and, despite being drippy, a lot drier than outside. Andy, Sean and Cookie rigged swiftly and the whole party disappeared efficiently before me.

All too soon it was my turn, the first pitch had been rigged excellently with the Y-hang as high as possible, this calmed my nerves as I didn’t have to drop off of the ledge into the abyss as I had done previously, at the rebelay Andy was on hand to encourage and reassure as he was for the second and third, before I knew it I was at the bottom with everyone else.

I wasn’t in tears and my knees weren’t knocking, what’s going on? Whilst it lasted I barged to the front of the queue and started to make my way up the ropes, by the time I got to the third rebelay I knew what I was doing and actually enjoying myself. All too soon I was at the Y-hang and then up and out to the surface where the rain had stopped

Whilst others derigged I got changed then all went into the Hunters for a debrief.

Hopefully my SRTing is on the way up, partly helped by new cows-tails that I actually trust. Thanks to all for your patience, guidance and encouragement

— Lawrence Wilson 12/01/2024