David Cooke, Peter Sanders, Will Puddy

Euan Goodland

Met at WCC on wet and foggy night and eventually set out to Eastwater around 8pm. Peter warned everyone of the slippery approach and promptly slid down the bank on his backside. Lovely waterfall down the entrance and through the approach to the Boulder Ruckle, so soon washed off the muck. Wet through, we progressed through the Woggle Press to the Boulder Chamber and then down to the Crossroads. Turning left we arrived at Dolphin Pot and descended with the aid of the 13m rope (and Italian Hitch for some). Next came the 35ft (Dolphin) Pitch which was rigged with the two ladders and 21m safety line, last man down using a doubled safety line held at the bottom. Getting a bit cold now, we descended the pitch (finding that one ladder actually reached to within a metre of the bottom, but two gave more flexibility at the top). Then on to the Bold Step, which was a bit testing. Down the rift we branched left and down the Muddy Oxbow (?) right at the bottom and back up the Thirteen Pots, returning to the Bold Step (actually climbable in the upward direction when at least two point contact could be maintained) and up through the Woggle Press for a refreshing shower on the way out (more so for Peter who struggled up the first access hole to the base of the entrance shaft which was in full flood instead if diving across to negotiate the second access in slightly more comfortable conditions. Slithering back up the slope we arrived cold wet and tired at the WCC, to find the time was nearly midnight, so straight to bed with no beer. What fun!

— Peter Sanders 2/03/2024