JH Over-Engine Mine / Peak Cavern

Saturday April 19th 2008

Members present: Adam Wilkinson,  Andrew Vick,  Imogen Shepherd,  Kevin Francis,  Natasha Durham,  Nicola Gover,  Richard Gover

Another fantastic trip! Got up nice and early :( as we thought we had to be in the cave by 10, to be told we were going down and kent up, so we didnt :) not sure how we managed to get the good way (down hill all the way) but quite pleased about that! Only a 5 min wait for my toastie then off of TSG for some tea :) we changed to undersuits there, then drove up to JH for the rest.

Down JH with no major issues, although i tried to bury myself under loose rocks by climbing down too early before Bitch Pitch. Alternative route was rigged as we ran out of rope, but it was nice to do a different route, and it had some interesting mining stuff (and was drier). Off down the crazy fixed ladders (theyre everywhere in peak!) to the speedwell streamway, where we met the others (Kent and TSG).

Very wet streamway led to the Bung which is mega fun and wet, and more cool streamway til we reached colostomy crawl. This lives up to its name! Apparently its nowhere near as bad as it used to be but you can imagine what it was like! Squelchy squelchy for quite a long time, til we reached the trenches and fawlty tower (another ladder climb). Then on through the treasury (i think) til we reached buxton water sump, where we had a lovely bath with much communal back washing and a group scrub of Imogen! Off out the show cave past the tourists and back to the TSG for enormous amounts of tea, hot showers and cake. Then off to the nag's head for all you can eat carvery (with veggie option) :) and then to stomp.

Really enjoyed this trip and want to do lots more peak cavern!