We have finally made it!
From Hurricane it is mostly walking and scrambling that leads past the -1000m inlet. Shortly afterwards, the stream appears to drop down a short pitch, a climb up on the left leads to a dry oxbow rejoining the stream at the 'Pseudo Syphon'. At -1177m, this is the accepted bottom of the cave, as trying to pass the syphon in dry gear is NOT an option!!
So after posing for a few photos (including one with the 'Pants of Power'!?) we started the long slog out...
Just climbing Hurricane and Little Monkey zapped my energy. I then collected the bag of wet rope from these pitches to haul to Camp II, whilst the others de-rigged the remaining pitches.
This return journey from the bowels of the Earth was slowly becoming a grim struggle, and it's trials were increased by the loads we had to carry, made heavier at each steep drop by the recovery of the rope and our gear, as well as by growing sleepiness and exhaustion.
From Hurricane it is mostly walking and scrambling that leads past the -1000m inlet. Shortly afterwards, the stream appears to drop down a short pitch, a climb up on the left leads to a dry oxbow rejoining the stream at the 'Pseudo Syphon'. At -1177m, this is the accepted bottom of the cave, as trying to pass the syphon in dry gear is NOT an option!!
So after posing for a few photos (including one with the 'Pants of Power'!?) we started the long slog out...
Just climbing Hurricane and Little Monkey zapped my energy. I then collected the bag of wet rope from these pitches to haul to Camp II, whilst the others de-rigged the remaining pitches.
This return journey from the bowels of the Earth was slowly becoming a grim struggle, and it's trials were increased by the loads we had to carry, made heavier at each steep drop by the recovery of the rope and our gear, as well as by growing sleepiness and exhaustion.
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