Ill Concieved Plans Poorly executed

Disappointment Pot

For most people their introduction to the Gaping Gill system involves a long absail down into main chamber or entry to the main chamber via Bar pot. I would have liked for this to be my introduction too but that was not to be. Simon suggested that we entered the system by one of the alternative entrances, Disappointment Pot. The vague plan was to meet up with another group and do an exchange, us exiting by their entrance and vice versa. Vague plans are nearly always doomed to failure. The name of the entrance should have given a hint to the nature of the journey but I did not take heed. Besides I'm always a little apprehensive before going underground. It might be something to do with childhood fears of the nasty things that live in the dark and shadows of the mind.

From the survey and description the route looked reasonable. It consisted of a long tunnel with a few pitches and a duck come short sump in the middle. It was the short sump that caused all the problems. Until the sump everything was as it always was. The four of us made steady progress, forcing our bodies thought the tighter sections and noisily insulting each other abilities. Before long we were standing at the sump. The pool of dark water looked brooding and menacing. Now I was a good foot taller than everybody else in the party and it occurred to me that if anyone was going to have problems getting through here it was going to be me. This was not a good frame of mind as it almost invites trouble with open arms. I watched the others slip into the water. Then it was my turn. I decided to go though face down as I was assured that it was very short. What I had not bargained from was the height, almost exactly the height of my chest, or so it seemed. The gravel on the floor didn't help either and I only got through by bulldozing my way though it. Once on the other side it occurred to me that if we did not meet up with the others, which was highly likely, I would have to go back though that nasty shallow water filled hole. The thought prayed on my mind (afterwards Simon said that I got very quiet after the duck, which was a sure sign that I was not happy). I really hoped that we would meet the others at the bottom. I tried telepathy to tell them we were on our way, but I doubt I have that skill. At the top of the last pitch we saw lights. My spirit rose. The lights faded into the distance and never reappeared despite our shouting. By the time we had a ladder down the pitch they were nothing but a memory. We were committed to going back the way we came. A black haze of fear overtook me; I had to go back through that watery constriction. I took the lead on the way back mainly as I wanted this caving expedition to be over as quick as possible. The thought of going though the sump was slowly being replaced with the thought of being stuck. If I was going to get stuck at least I'll have everybody behind me to push me though as I'll be blocking their way out. Indisputable logic from someone with irrational fears welling up. All too soon I was back at my watery nemesis. There was nothing else for it. I knelt down on the floor, took a deep breath and lunched myself into the water. The gravel that we had pushed neatly though the constriction conspired against my forward motion. It pushed up against my chest and wedged me to the roof. I was stuck face down in water. I scrabbled like a lunatic but nothing moved. Something strange happened. I stopped. There seems to be no point in struggling any more. A great feeling of calm came over me. I resigned myself to the situation and all was right with the world. The overwhelming feeling of well being was rudely interrupted by Simon applying his welly to my behind propelling me through the gravel and into the dark air of the other side. Apparently I had spent two minuets struggling away and not making any progress. The others had expected me to reverse out and regroup but when my body went limp realised that something was wrong. They had two options push me through or pull me back. Simon took the decision to plant a well-aimed kick.

I sat at the other side and tried to regain my composure. The last few minuets had scared me and my reaction to the situation chilled me to the bone. All of a sudden all I wanted to be was out in the open. Once the next person was through I made my excuses and left. I really did not want to be in the dark and under the ground any more. I emerged into an all enveloping Yorkshire mist. It was dark, cold, grey, wet, fresh and clear. I was outside, alive and never going back down that hole again.