Sump One & Back. Herding Cats In Swildons Hole

Jess and I had a balloon flight booked for the Sunday on the weekend in Bristol, so we thought it would be nice to see if anyone fancied joining us on the Saturday for a day trip in to Swildons Hole.

We hadn't anticipated quite such a response and wound up with 9 people signing up!

We started the day with the now traditional breakfast at the Priddy good cafe, before heading to the green to park up and change. There were several other groups kitting up so we knew it was going to be a busy route.

It was decided due to the number of us that Kermit would take Tony, Liz & Jess in the long dry way and I would head in the wet way with Keith, David, Mike & Kay.
We arrived at the 20ft pitch ahead of all the other parties and so began to rig. As everyone headed down the ladder Kermit and the rest of the party arrived.
As we were the first down we decided to head to sump 1 ahead of the hoards. Here we split in to two groups, one popping through the sump to take a look at sump 2 and the more sensible staying dry to video.
After this we headed up Tratmans Temple and on to take a look at part of the route on. Keith and Kermit decided to have a bimble out at this point whilst the rest of us headed to the greasy chimney.
As we made our way through the mud sump a few of us begun to wonder if there was bad air as we were all struggling just a little more than usual. By the time we made our way up the chimney we were puffing and out of breath and so it was decided we had enough fun for one day and begun to head out taking photo's as we went.
Arriving at the base of the ladder two groups were entering and exiting ahead of us and an hours wait ensued!
As the group were getting rather cold a few of the cavers asked if they could head straight out so I said that was fine.
Jess and Kay helped me de-rig and off we went. They were travelling a little quicker than me and as we headed around a corner I caught what I thought were their lights ahead of me and sped up only to find it was actually David and Liz who had lost Tony and Mike and were wandering around the fossil series. We headed out together from here to find Jess and Kay waiting with Keith but still no Mike and Tony!
Jess headed back in via the dry way and I via the wet way, but it was only after deciding to head back to the ladder and begin the search from there that we found them!
Back at the green Keith and David headed off whilst the rest of us went to the Queen Vic for Butcombe pie and pint :)

David at the greasy chimney

Tony and Liz at Tratmans Temple

David and Mike from the other side. Tratmans Temple

Present: Keith, Kay, David, Liz, Tony, Mike, Mark, Jess & Kermit