Post date: Aug 6, 2009 8:32:59 PM

Aileen Connor, Steve Bus, Rónán O'Ceallacháin, Penguin

Combined digging and diving trip - however not so much diving was done.

Aileen rigged the first two pitches, and was followed by Steve who then rigged the 3rd pitch down to the streamway while i bimbled down the first pitch, followed by Rónán. While Aileen and Steve set off to do some digging Rónán and i dropped down to the streamway and followed mostly comfortable walking passage down to the sump, where it all went a bit pear-shaped. To even get to the sump required squeezing between the roof and solid mud banks, and i think i managed to get my feet near-ish to it. With hands and a stone we started to do some excavation of the mud and after a bit i was able to squeeze in head-first. The sump looked very unappealling given the amount of excavation needed and the high possibility that the mud banks continued under the water. We took a bit of a look round (has anyone tried to dig the choke to the right of the sump, which looks to be the original route of the streamway before it hit the low bedding?) then left to join in the sandy dig.

The digging progress was, i think, 2 or 3 feet in all and we hit a patch of boulders mixed in with the sand in the roof towards the end.

The exit was fairly eventful, for me at any rate...!

Thanks for the help carrying dive kit in and out.

Al