Euan Goodland, Paul James, Seán Tidey, Will Puddy

Paul Stockall

After a change of schedule, it was decided to postpone Thrupe Lane and do one of the best trips on Mendip instead. Meeting on Priddy Green at 7.30 we quickly got changed and headed to the cave. This would be Euan's first trip past the twenty! There was not much water in the stream, probably the average for the time of year. Entering into the cave I took the wet way with others I think taking the short dry. Rapidly, without faff we made our way to the 20', set up ladder and life line and all, without drama made it to the bottom. We continued on at a brisk pace, not too fast that Euan couldn’t admire the cave but with the pub always at the back of our minds. Climbing up to see the Bishops Palace, we made it to sump 1 with no dramas. The sump was not a perfect sump but still had plenty of water in. Lying down in the water provided the usual profanities from all. Euan went through with the same confidence and gusto he has shown throughout his fledgling caving career! Once through we continued past the landing down to sump 2. As sump 2 was not a perfect sump either, at least at the start we all got down and had a ganders, even with an air gap it did not look very appealing! The noose tied in the end of the rope was also an ominous omen. There was a lot of small air bottles stacked at the upstream side of the sump, suggesting that there is a regular group going through 2. After a bit of chatting, we turned round and headed back. Entrance to sump 2 and back, 1 hour 50. Hunters to finish.

— Seán Tidey 5/08/2024