Later Ashleigh would describe this trip as “the most scared I’ve probably ever been!!” but as we abseiled down to Garlands Pot to the long crabwalk, there was a bounce in our step.
We’d been due to meet at 10am, but since Ashleigh was still incredibly hungover, by the time me and (Ashleigh kitted up in a brand new Caving Crew oversuit and SRT kit) headed into the cave, it was 3pm
I’ve been told that one of the best places to be hungover is a quiet, dark cave and as we made our way down the high long passage at the start, Ashleigh made some spirited and successful attempts to avoid getting damp.
Giants Round trip is a natural obstacle course with most of the notable obstacles occuring after the halfway point but Ashleigh was so eager to avoid water, that she climbing down the back of a ladder.
Suddenly, Ashleigh’s hangover and brief attempt at “dry March” ended abruptly in a mandatory pool of water.
In one of the photos taken shortly afterwards, she’s smiling, but possibly with the rage of a recently awoken cave monster planning to avenge the loss of the its self-inflicted alcohol-induced pain.
Next came a traverse – the main challenge is psychological. If you can control your fear, if you can do anything but focus on the thing you want to focus on, you’ll be fine… But if you focus on it, and it’s right in front of you, you’ll see a big drop that you’re feeling very unsecured above.
I pranced along like an underground bambi, forgetting perhaps that the newly awoken post-hangover zombie giving chase might prefer some encouragement and guidance and possibly slowing down a bit.
There were bits that followed. Some were easy. Some were challenging. Some would have been easy had they not happened after everything else.
Eventually, we made it to the bottom of the rope we had to go up. I went first. Would Ashleigh make it up – after everything she’d been through? Would she remember what she needed to do?
Not long afterwards, we were laughing and heading out into the quiet evening. “I’d like to do it again” said Ashleigh, “in like 3 years time!”
Originally posted on Instagram
