Dooms Retreat, Peak Cavern
For information contact Jim Lister.

Introduction by Jules Barrett - May 2007
Doom's Retreat is an aven on the upstream side of Peak Cavern's Ink Sump. The project to find a way through the boulder choke at the top of the Doom's Retreat aven is being spearheaded by Jim Lister (TSG and EPC) with assistance from members of both clubs. Due to the difficult location of the dig, on the 'wrong' side of the 200m long Ink Sump, this one is likely to run for some time yet.

The project has been in progress for around two years and time has so far been spent fixing the guideline, laying coms cable and stabilising boulders in Ink Sump and fixing iron ladders and scaffold platforms to gain access to the boulder choke. The next stage of the project will involve transporting a steel frame from the TSG hut in Castleton to the dig site to protect the diggers as they begin work on the choke itself.

Jim Lister surfaces on the downstream side of Ink Sump

Report by Jules Barrett - 20/05/2007
Divers: Jules Barrett (EPC), Simon Cornhill (CDG), Fiona Crozier (CDG), Jim Lister (TSG & EPC), Mark Smith (CDG)
Support: Bob Toogood (EPC)
MS dived the (very heavy) steel base plate for the Doom's Retreat choke through Buxton Water Sump before exiting. JB, SC, FC and JL continued to Ink Sump dive base and dived through Ink Sump to Doom's Retreat. Some work was done on the scaffold platform and upper section of ladder before divers exited through Ink Sump and Buxton Water Sump. Thanks to Bob Toogood for support.

1. Mark Smith ready to dive the steel base plate through Buxton Water Sump. Photo: Jim Lister.
2. Bob Toogood at the downstream end of Buxton Water Sump. Photo: Jim Lister.
3. Jules Barrett in Ink Sump. Photo: Jim Lister.
4. Simon Cornhill 'on the phone' to Bob Toogood at Ink Sump dive base. Photo: Jim Lister.

Report by Jim Lister - 21/04/2007
Cavers: Martyn Grayson (TSG), Jim Lister (TSG & EPC), Jenny Rushbrook (TSG), Ann Soulsby (TSG), Richard Tooley (TSG)
Purpose of this trip was to transport the first section of steel frame to ink Sump dive base. Many thanks to all who helped with the rather awkward carry.

1. Carrying the first girder to the Peak Cavern entrance. Photo: Richard Tooley.
2. In Five Arches with the first girder. Photo: Richard Tooley.
3. In the Mucky Ducks with the first girder. Photo: Richard Tooley.
4. Jim Lister lowers the first girder down Surprise View. Photo: Richard Tooley.

Report by John Taylor - 06/04/2007
Simon Cornhill (CDG) has dived a radio through Ink Sump and communications have now been established between Ink Sump Dive Base and Doom's Retreat.

Report by John Taylor - 25/03/2007
Divers: Jim Lister (TSG & EPC), John Taylor (EPC), Chris Jewell (BEC)
Work has begun on assembling a scaffold frame in the Doom's Retreat boulder choke. Following some 'careless handling' a new stove is required at Doom's Retreat.