Expedition Log

Day 27 Monday 6th February 2006

Moose and Robbie surveyed the doline perimeter to determine it’s width. Stephen, Matt, Nancy, Dave Gill, Tom and James went to photograph in Downstream Ora.

The low tyrolean thread belay broke so Matt crossed the river upstream on the short tyrolean and refixed a long rope to a high natural belay. Tom fixed a couple of long through bolts as the belay for the downstream tyrolean was a doubtful looking natural belay. There was now a long high tyrolean which was hard to get off at the far side but is now above the river. The river was in high flood with a flow 10 – 12 cumecs.

Matt Dave rigged a short traverse line on the right bank above the fast water. The bank gave out after a short distance but a ledge two metres above river level could be followed with protection. The cave now appeared to bend to the right but mist and spray prevented a good view. James attempted to climb up to a high ledge, twenty metres above the river but the rock was covered in a fine film of greasy moonmilk and needed a rope for protection which they did not have as the second rope was now being used as a pull-back line on the first tyrolean.

While Stephen was taking photographs downstream James and Dave went upstream to take a look at the smaller doline and the upstream sump. The thousands of small gnats produced much coughing and puking. Tom went back out and returned to camp. It wasn’t easy getting attached to the tyrolean as it was too high.