Euan Goodland, James Howarth, Peter Sanders, Will Puddy

Josh Baker

Peter, Will, Euan, James and Josh sweated in full kit across the fields and through the woods in a glorious evening to the cave entrance and unlocked the gate to be welcomed by huge spiders. With no rain for a fortnight, the stream was very low and we expected a dry start, but could hear water immediately. Euan and Josh set off straight away whilst the others consulted the survey to plan a route before following. Beyond the inner gate remains we entered a shower bath - it seemed that the stream was running straight into the entrance chimney. Drenched and cold in minutes (warm sunny evening a distant memory), we pressed on to the Letterbox squeeze which was brim full of water with the Letterbox itself looking very intimidating to negotiate whilst lying in cold water. Euan and Josh were long gone but the others got colder and colder faffing about getting round the bend and eventually, considering the prospect of the climb out after a tiring trip, decided to turn back. While Euan and Josh dismantled the ladder and rope they'd rigged, the others staggered blindly back up the entrance chimney in the heavy shower. Goggles would have been useful. What fun! Felt like we'd done a full evening's trip with the benefit of an early drink at the Woodborough. So, why the water? The stream was sinking just by the entrance and the traditional sink further down the valley was bone dry. Is this the new Longwood experience? Perhaps the new sink needs diverting away.

— Peter Sanders 6/05/2025