AGM – Dolly Tubs

Charlie (UCET guest), Chris H, James, Paddy, Pete, Tom, Yolanda

What a fine day for 16 KCC to swarm Alum Pot. Standard Inglesport breakfast then up to a sunny Selside, where we slogged up to the pot and split into our teams school-style. 3 trips were on offer – the President’s Team were heading into Long Churn, the acrobatically-inclined were doing Diccan, and the rest were heading down the Dolly Tubs/Bridge route to the bottom. 

The window at the bottom of the Dolly Tubs was looking exceptional this morning, with a fine rising mist and the sunlight slicing the gloom in half. A moment to take in the view, and we were onwards and downwards, with the Greasy Slab and ledge roped up as a YUCPC dangler appeared from the Northwest and pendulumed over to join the route.

As we reached the far side of the bridge and began rigging the underside hang, we heard a commotion behind us and spotted Pete dangling above the 40+m drop on his cowstails, swinging and cursing. He was quickly plucked off and we vowed to get the new Bridge Alternative route sent over to CNCC for addition to the topo. Pete decided at this point to turn back so he could have a proper inspection of his undies and we ploughed on.

Our guest Charlie hadn’t really done many pitches as big as the hang under the Bridge before, but faced his fears and tackled it like a pro. Down the bottom, we had a general mingle with the student team and our own Diccan adventurers, before James, Paddy and Connor started their journey up to de-rig Diccan, and everyone else began snaking their way up the main shaft. At the surface it was delightful to pop out to a stove and a cuppa, with cake and biscuits – how could we have expected any less with our lovely Chair running the day.