After the Rescue – The Clean-Up!
After such an intense and emotional few days, the aftermath of the recent rescue has been all about recovery — not just for those involved, but for the mountain of equipment that made it all possible.
With many very tired cavers still catching up on rest, we are extremely grateful to the volunteers from the extended cavers list who returned to the cave yesterday to retrieve the equipment and tackle bags that had been left behind on Saturday. Your efforts ensured that everything was safely brought back to base – thank you.
The cleaning operation actually began straight after the rescue on Saturday morning, as team members worked tirelessly to start sorting and washing the mud-caked gear coming out of the cave. A big thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves right from the start to get the process underway.
Our thanks also go to everyone who helped remove the damming sheets from the beck and restore it back to its natural flow. Your work means the area is now fully back to normal, which is no small feat after such a major operation.
Back at our base, there was no rest for the weary! A mountain of wet, muddy kit awaited cleaning, drying, and repacking – a truly mammoth task. Huge thanks go to our wardens and to everyone who gave up their Sunday to sort it all out. It’s a tough job, but vital to ensure that we’re ready for the next call-out, whenever it comes.
The team also gathered for a hot debrief, reflecting on the events of the rescue and discussing the lessons learnt. It was an important opportunity to share experiences, review what went well, and identify where we can improve for future operations.
We’ve had a great deal of media interest following the rescue, with several television interviews over the past few days. Last night, we were particularly proud to host BBC Look North at the Hut for an interview about the incident and the team’s work. It was a privilege to share a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes and to highlight the incredible teamwork and dedication of everyone involved.
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support. They’ve meant a great deal to the whole team and have been very much appreciated.
And, of course, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our families at home. Their patience, understanding, and encouragement make it possible for our volunteers to drop everything and respond when the call comes — and for that, we are deeply grateful.
