Marble Steps

Sophie, Scott, Ami, Maz, Ray

It was far too nice an evening to go underground… but Marble Steps beckoned and we couldn’t resist. Before venturing underground, it was generally agreed that the lip of the MS shakehole would make a great wild camping spot. Great views down into the valley. Just beware if you get up in the middle of the night!

Sophie set off rigging down the Gully Route, the top of which (as usual) was pre-rigged with a manky old bit of rope. Still, beggars can’t be choosers and we all dutifully attached or held onto it as if our lives didn’t depend on it. At the top of the big drop, we split into 2 parties, with Scott rigging Sidewinder, followed by Ami, and Sophie rigging Gully, followed by Maz and Ray.

I always like it when the 2 parties almost converge again in the Upper Main Chamber. It gives a particularly impressive view of those on Sidewinder. Scott and Ami looked suitably impressive. Sophie had some fun rigging the final drop down into the Lower Main Chamber, but squeaking was kept to within acceptable levels. Maz did a particularly good job of passing this most annoying of obstacles – I mean the difficult pitch head, not Sophie. Ami had some fun passing the lower of the deviations on the final drop of Sidewinder. All good learning opportunities.

Before long, we all met up again in the Lower Main Chamber, which was as far as we were going on this occasion. A brief chat and we were all on our way out again. Everyone exchanged, apart from Maz, who preferred to go back out Gully Route.

Sophie derigged Sidewinder, which all went according to plan until a jammed krab on the final traverse back onto the Gully Route near the surface. Banging it with a rock didn’t help. It certainly didn’t from my perspective as it was my krab. Scott hanging on it didn’t help. Use of a maillon screwed up tight against the gate did eventually help. Phew!

Ami deserves a special mention for derigging Gully Route. She is at the very start of her rigging/derigging career, but you wouldn’t have known. I’m guessing she’ll be an expert rigger before long.

Winner of this trip’s “How to make life difficult for yourself” award goes to Scott, who tried to prussick out carrying half of a tree.

As good as the trip was… and it was VERY good… the best bit was actually finding an open pub after. It took a few attempts, but the Snooty Fox in Kirkby Lonsdale came up trumps. The evening was rounded off nicely with an eclectic collection of drinks.

Photos by Sophie.