Knotlow Cavern, Peak District

During the week Jess Eades had asked if there was any caving planned for today so we arranged to meet at the Orpheus hut in the morning. Keith also planned to come along so once he had arrived we decided on a trip to Knotlow Cavern because a) Jess wanted some SRT practice and b) Keith wanted to go to the cafe in Monyash...
So, it was off to the cafe and once we had finished, we drove up the lane and track to Knotlow Triangle. It was dry but cold so most of us had changed into furry suits before leaving the hut. Just as we were heading for the shafts, two more cars arrived with a group of students - there was a CHECC (Council of Higher Education Clubs) gathering in Castleton this weekend.
Keith attached our 80 metre rope to Knotlow Engine Shaft and lowered it down the 210 foot shaft while I headed for the nearby Climbing Shaft which I found already rigged (in fact one of the students had told Karen that this was so). I headed onwards down the mine rigging our own rope as well until Jess, Keith and Karen arrived in Pearl Chamber at the bottom of the second pitch. We continued on down the several short climbs and passageways until arriving at the top of the last pitch: Waterfall Pitch. I soon had this rigged and waited at the bottom until the others had descended. I managed to get hold of the 80 metre rope which was hanging down the Engine Shaft and pulled it to the side as the rope and tackle bag were floating in the deep pool at the foot of the shaft.
Karen set off up the 210 foot prusik to the surface and Jess and Keith were to follow while I returned the way we had come in order to de-rig our rope. At the top of the second pitch I found a group of three cavers on their way down. They were another 3 University club cavers. Once they had descended this pitch I de-rigged out and back up the Climbing Shaft to find Karen on the surface at the Engine Shaft in the cold air - it was hovering just above freezing on the surface whereas underground it was noticeably warmer.
After I had hauled the tackle bags and rope to the surface and tidied away the rope into a bag, Jess had arrived. We went back to our cars and while Jess and Karen started to change out of caving gear, I took off my SRT stuff and walked back to the Engine Shaft to meet Keith when he surfaced so that I could help haul up the 80 metre rope. We also got changed and then headed back to the nice warm cafe.