P8, Derbyshire

Karen wanted to try her hand at some SRT rigging and as the weather was supposed to be drier today than yesterday, we decided on P8 (Jackpot Cave) near Castleton. First we called at the Orpheus CC cottage to pick up some ropes and then adjourned to Monyash cafe for breakfast where we were joined by Boyd. It was there that I realised that I had forgotten to bring any karabiners.D'oh!
Anyway, we said good-bye to Boyd who had something else planned for the day and we headed for Hitch'n'Hike in Bamford Bridge to but some 7mm Maillon Rapides because they're cheaper than karabiners and I don't need any more! While we were there we met Julie who we had taken caving in Masson Mine last year. She has obviously been infected with the caving bug as she was there buying an undersuit and oversuit and had joined the Yorkshire Speleological Society.
Once the purchases were over we joined the three vehicles already parked in the P8 lay-by and got changed. We decided to also rig the pitch down from The Flats, which is just above Idiot's Leap and Karen did this. A short way downstream we met some other cavers on the second pitch down from The Flats who were going to try and move a boulder which was wedged above the streamway. On arriving at the first pitch, we found it already rigged and continued across the traverse alternative. Karen rigged our rope and abseiled down to the bottom of the pitch while I scooted along the traverse. Once Karen had climbed up we made our way to the alternative second pitch where we met a couple of cavers. These seemed to be an caving instructor and client as the route all the way from before the junction with Stalactite Passage to the alternative second pitch was rigged with a traverse line and the second caver was carrying a tackle bag with "Acclimbatize" written on it.
They were again using the alternative traverse while Karen rigged the pitch. Once down we stripped of SRT harnesses and kit and headed towards the downstream sump. We met the other two at the traverse above the streamway and they kindly let us pass. We were soon through Mud Hall and as we approached the downstream sump, we could see foam on the walls from recent high water which was some 2 metres high!
After a quick look at the sump, we turned around and headed for he surface. We were soon back on the surface after de-rigging everything after a 2 and a half hour trip.