Several people from WMCEG and a couple from Dudley CC have expressed an interest in supporting a trip down the Lost Johns cave system for which WMCEG had a permit for the 14th. In the event five people turned up for the trip. Rach, Rich and Colin from WMCEG: Keef and Brendon from Dudley, we had no interpreter. As anticipated the weather forecast was wrong so the planned trip to Shale Cavern was abandoned in favour of the Mud Centipede route to the start of Battleaxe Traverse.

After meeting in Bernie’s (where we bumped into Sloth and Fiona) we got ourselves organised and headed for a misty Leck Fell. At the cave entrance the brown water of the stream was flowing with considerable enthusiasm. Inside foam in corners and alcoves told of recent higher flow. Traversing above the stream on the way to the first pitch was accompanied by the thunder of the water as it turned away to take a more direct route than we had planned for ourselves. Even following our dry route down the cave the water could still be heard. After looking at Battleaxe we headed out. Keef de-rigged and Brendon took some photographs on the pitches.

Back on the surface the day had turned bright and sunny and we could see across to the Lakes the other side of the bay. After a good trip enjoyed by all we retired to Bernie’s for tea and medals.