Lost Johns – Centipede training

Amber, Maz, Rhod, Tom

Another rescheduled trip due to the weather, Smeltmill Beck was rightly called off! We hastily organised a replacement leisurely SRT trip into Lost Johns, with Amber having completed indoor SRT training with Ray and raring to try it out underground. 

After a delayed start from a grim Leck Fell we made the short commute to the entrance. The stream was peaty brown and a little up, but nothing to be concerned about so we headed in to where the routes diverge. An entertaining/spooky traverse in the roof led to the New Roof Traverse, with the worst bits over Hole No. 1 roped up. 

We quickly found ourselves at the head of Hammer pitch, and Amber had a quick recap of how to get on the rope and made her way down like a pro, followed by the rest of us. Onwards to Mud pitch, and yet again a flawless descent by everyone. After a quick peer over the edge of Centipede and switching gear over we started to make our way out, with rain forecast to arrive about 10. Once again everyone performed valiantly on the ascents, and Rhod de-rigged. It was pouring rain by the time we reached the surface, and everyone except me enjoyed a luxury change out of the grim weather in the back of their vans 😑