Caving log

(Note: See also the Upper Flood trip reports page)

07/01/08 Leat Water Tracing, Tim F

Source: MCG newsgroup

Our own bit of exciting dye tracing was conducted last the weekend. We wanted to put some dye into Blackmoor Swallet to see if it came out of Walk the Plank Inlet. But as usual Blackmoor Swallet was dry. So we - Keith - put it in where the water sinks into the Leat underneath the Charterhouse Centre track.

We had a real surprise when the purple dye quickly (20mins or less) re-appeared in 'Streamway Regained' just after Golden Chamber. No dye was seen in Black Shale Rift or Midnight Streamway or Walk The Plank.

I didn't crawl up the stream to see exactly where it came in. It's a rather fine piece of well decorated passage that will be trashed if more visits are made.

So when we assumed that this streamway was exactly the same as the one in the Red Room we were wrong. That means there is virtually a parallel water flow to Black Shale Rift! We'd often thought that there was more water in the Departure Lounge than in Midnight Streamway but this was completely unexpected.

The next plan is to dye trace the Red Room to see where the old cave water enters the new extensions. And of course we need a high flow situation to check where Blackmoor Swallet goes (Trench Passage perhaps?). I'm suspicious about Trench Passage because it has very large black mud banks. [TF]

Upper Flood - 05/01/08

Source: MCG newsgroup

Mike R and Giles M went to the West Passage rift climb whilst Bill C and Carmen + Pete from WCC went into Neverland. We managed to communicate from West Passage to Neverland Passage (between the descent from Pork Pie Chamber and the Curtain Climb) but only with hammer taps.

We had a loud whistle in Neverland but Mike and Giles did not hear it. Mike drilled an 8 inch hole in the calcited roof of the West Passage climb but his drill did not reach the end of the calcite.

Meanwhile Brian S joined Mike and Giles. He went for a look in Mike and Peat's tube dig. Mike had found a small passage off the rift climb and soon Brian and Mike could hear each other.

'Is that you Bill' shouted an excited Mike -'No its Brian' came the reply dashing hopes but proving that the two leads from West Passage are probably one and the same.

In Neverland much of the passage floor sounds hollow, on breaking a small hole in it (very easily, around 1/4" of calcite), an 18" crow bar was pushed its full length into soft mud. At one point along the passage, there is a very small sump in the floor. This took an arm + the 18" bar in water (very confined).

Also further back there is a small chossy rising rift way too small for a person. We thouroughly scoured this part of the Neverland passage for other possible leads without success.

The West Passage team's hammering was heard at several places, possibly loudest by the small sump - there are several hammer marks low down on the wall at this spot.

Carmen climbed a calcite slope on the south side of the Neverland passage to look under a triangular boulder - nothing there. No real prospect of a dig from above, only from below. Both Carmen and Pete were extremely pleased with their trip, not having expected a visit to Neverland.

We made a quick, boot-less visit to the Pork Pies with Bill's 50W spotter lamp, Pete was particularly impressed with the vast white flowstone wall. We completed both passes of the 'suits off' link without incident. Passing through it is an onerous responsibility.

[B Ch + M Ri]

02/01/08 - Upper Flood Swallet

Source: MCG newsgroup

Mike R with Tim B as far as Royal Icing.

The ponds were lower than the wet trip on the Xmas Dinner weekend. We nipped into Thief's Chamber (and pointed out to Tim that he was now the 6th person to get there.

There was no water flowing in the Trench; the inlet under the wall was completely clear and static, so far as I could make out (which was tricky because the water reflected the roof above so well) that is closes down about a metre in.[M Ri]

29/12/07 - Blackmoor Rising!

Source: MCG newsgroup

Biff, Doug H & Mick N spent today digging in Stainsby's Shaft. We parked on the horseshoe bend and walked over. As there had been such torrential rain through the night, I thought I would see if the elusive Blackmoor Swallet was swallowing.

Shock horror, it was resurging. Yes - in three, just separate pools - water was strongly rising.

I walked over to Upper Flood Swallet. The UFS2 depression was flooded but on looking down the Upper Flood Swallet entrance, it was not and I could not hear a stream flowing.

There was a huge lake more than a hundred feet long and about six feet deep quite near to Upper Flood Swallet.

On going down Stainsby's Shaft, no water was squirting into the cave and in no place in the cave could running water be heard. [MN]

29/12/07 - Upper Flood Swallet passes 3500m

Source: MCG newsgroup

Ben C has now determined the precise length of Upper Flood Swallet from his survey work.

Total estimated length 3523m

Surveyed Length - 3104m

Estimated unsurveyed passages - 254m

Projected Passages - 165m

Upper Flood - 14/12/07

Source: MCG newsgroup

Ben C and Mike R returned to the small chamber and surveyed this back to the fixed point at the entrance to Neverland. Unfortunately, there is an error somewhere since this places the top of the chamber inside the Neverland passage! [??]

10/12/07 - Upper Flood Swallet keeps going

Source: MCG newsgroup

Upper Flood is now estimated to be 3500m!

Surveying adds 200m.

New passages of 165m "discovered" (not yet entered).

1) Last week saw the detailed survey of the three levels of Royal Icing passage. This added over 100m to the surveyed cave length.

2) On Saturday 08/12/07, Julie H and I surveyed Trench Passage - the middle of three upper-level passages off Plank Chamber (the other two being Plank Inlet and an as-yet-un-named blind grotto), adding another 100m to the surveyed cave length.

Prior to our survey, Tim F had been the only person to have entered Trench, and described an attractive passage, terminating after 20-30m where a low ceiling came down into a mud floor. We subsequently kept out of it due to the stunning mud formations blocking the entrance. Carefully traversing over the RH mud-encrusted boulders, Julie and I made our way in about 10m. From here one can walk comfortably without trashing it.

A 2m diameter crystal encrusted dome sits in the middle of the passage just before this point, and above it is a 4m dripping aven. This whole section still needs to be taped, which Mike R and I may do on Friday 14/12/07.

At the 10m point, a significant stream bubbled up from the right hand wall, and was obviously responsible for carving a 1m deep trench through soft mud banks. On top of the banks are one or two beautiful mud formations formed by small stones protecting pinnacles of mud from washing away in the drip.

We surveyed along the stream to where if disappeared under a low roof, with a 2" airspace. This stream was only present due to the massive rainfall, and had opened a small route beyond what Tim F had previously seen.

3) As I was wearing a wet suit, Julie H volunteered me to lie in the stream and investigate. To my right, I could see about 1m through the 2" space and could hear a cascade beyond. Guessing that the hard floor was actually compacted mud, I dug my fingers down under the water, and within minutes had formed a 6" trench.

Encouraged, I reversed back a little, and started to excavated a larger trench in the stream bed, giving myself enough head and elbow room to be able to dig in towards the low ceiling. For over an hour I kicked and scraped the soft mud, which quickly washed away in the fast flowing water. Pushing the mud through under the low ceiling with my feet, I could feel that the ceiling rose, but at the same time my helmet jammed in the mud and the choppy water rose around my neck and face.

Retreating, I realised I was not going to get through like that! Head-first was also not yet possible, with only 2" of airspace into who-knew-what unknown space beyond. To my left, the ceiling rose, but here the mud bank filled the space. Working away at the bank with my feet, I managed to widen the stream trench and form a more sizeable 5" airspace. It all looked very encouraging. Julie retreated to find some tools (to speeed up the work), and on my own I was suddenly gripped by violent cold-shivers. I had to get out of the stream and find some food.

At this point the mass hordes arrived, and having heard from us that there had been a breakthrough, Brian S, Mike R, Peat B and then Julie H went to investigate while I warmed up.

Refreshed, I went back in to find that they had all effortlessly pushed through the dig into a new chamber, some 30m long, with a 6m+ climb at the end. The stream disappeared at the back wall, and Julie H and I furtled for a few minutes to realise that this would probably also give up its secrets with very little effort. However, Christmas Dinner beckoned, so we left it for another day.

Meanwhile, Bill C had noticed on the way into the lower part of the cave that a stream was flowing out of Threadneedle Street. On his return, he noticed it was very muddy. He explored to find it emanated from under some flow stone on the left hand side just before Wall Street. We therefore speculate, that this is the same stream flowing through Trench Passage, and given that Wall Street is blocked by sediment (as is Trench), that these are one and the same passages. Duck under boss

The gap is 65m as the crow flies.

4) With my new light, I also saw a high level passage in the roof about 20m upstream from Plank. I speculate that there is a high level passage from the Duck-Under Boss gour pools that Tim F investigated, running about 100m to the point I could see.

What makes this section particularly interesting, is that half-way along (at stream level) is an inlet (shown on the survey). This inlet might also exist at the high level as a relic passage.

Meanwhile, the others had some very positive digging making a bypass into Neverland. I'll leave them to describe what they did. [B Co]

08/12/07 - The Search for The West

Source: MCG newsgroup

Passage to Neverland Link

Visits to the far end of Neverland and trips to view the Pork Pies require a new link from West Passage to the main Neverland Passage. This is to avoid passing through the very vulnerable, extremely fine formations (Pom-Poms, The Cornet, Fine White Curtain etc. )between the descent to West Passage and Pork Pie Passage. This is the part of Neverland for which there is a 'Suits + Boots off' rule.

First Brian S, Peat B and Mike R dug out a muddy tube on the final corner of the second 90 degree deviation down West Passage. They took a full size garden spade into the cave for this operation. Its still there.

They removed a lot of gloopy mud from a small tube. They were soon joined by Bill and Julie's Grampian geologist friend. Currently, the dig reaches a low crawl which has subsequently mostly filled with water.

Meanwhile Bill C went back to Chuckle Choke to look for more tools. On his way back he looked in a side tube on the south side that was issuing a small stream we had never seen before - the whole of the cave was extremely wet that day.

It looked possible to pass the entrance tube to a small chamber which had a waterfall in it. With Julie's guest from the Grampian they soon gained the chamber and then by pulling some rocks out over their heads were able to climb up to the next level.

This takes you perhaps some 5m up from the highest point of West Passage - tantalising close to Neverland we believed.

Mike and Peat joined the party as it looked a better prospect than the muddy tube. The ceiling is of calcite and sounds slightly hollow on hammering. [M Ri]

08/12/07 Upper Flood Swallet, another breakthrough

Source: MCG newsgroup

2 Parties:

Team dig: Mark (Grampian), Peat B, Brian S, Bill C, Mike R.

Team survey: Julie H, Ben C

Meanwhile Bill and Mark investigated hole just short of oxbow. Large stream entering from above, so they knocked out some rocks and climbed up, reaching a calcite roof about 5m above passage. According to the survey this must be very close to Neverland.

Set off out and met Julie and Ben at Walk the Plank. Ben very, very cold having excavated stream to a duck. Brian assumed Ben had been through and went for it. Mike ditto.

Brian returns:

Brian to Ben (roughly): "That's an impressive chamber"

Ben to Brian: "What chamber?"

Brian to Ben: "The one you found beyond the duck"

Ben to Brian: "I haven't been through the duck"

Transcription actually sounded more like "Oi you bastards, that was my 'effing breakthrough!" so likely to be called 'Thief chamber'.

Set off out and the Lavatory Trap was sumped right up to overflowing. Brian and Bill bailed lots out. Mark bailed lots out. Mike bailed 2ins air space, go for it. Helmet off, feet first, nose out. Note: 1 body displaced 1ins water so air space down to 1ins. Argh. Wet. Cold. Out. Nuff said. [MRi]

Team survey: Julie H, Ben C

Julie and Ben surveyed Plank Chamber for a couple of hours. We had not fully explored the very pretty passage off the inlet as the beautiful mud cracks were too good to walk over so we left the full exploration to a surveying trip.

The inlet had a healthy stream flowing out of it. We noted a very pretty gour boss with Neverland-style needle-like crystals with an 80cm crater in it which had been re-disolved by water entering in from an aven above.

The aven is obviously climbable. Very pretty, though definitely worth a look at some point. Ben was in a wetsuit so pushed the stream to what appeared to be a sump. I could hear a cascade the other side so Ben had a dig of the mud bank where the water sank; easy digging, kicking the mud away.

Finally the air space widened enough to let us in but we popped back for tools to make it safer, only to catch up with the others who went to have a look at all the excitement and enter the new stuff. Stream emerges into a chamber whose roof rises up to about 60feet ending in an aven, about 90feet high, probably climabable.

The water cascades down past 4foot high mud banks, which need taping, and over a small drop into a pebbly floor where the water sinks behind a boss. We dug for half an hour or so easily removing rocks by hand. The end is very diggable and a good prospect as the survey now shows it heading towards the end of Threadneedle Street. Interesting exit out of the Lavatory Trap! [JH]

08-12-07 GB Cavern.

Source: MCG newsgroup

Party: Russ H, Russ P, Tim B, Steve P, John C.

Down GB for SRT training, nearly made it to Ladder Dig. Fantastic trip. THANKS John and Steve.

8-9/12/07 Stainsby's Shaft

Source: MCG newsgroup

On Saturday, Keith K and and I managed to divert the incoming water away from the inner shaft.

On Sunday the twins Keith T and Rob T, Bill C, Keith K and myself cleared more spoil from the top of the inner shaft and then with the help of the compressor and air chisel we removed an out cropping of calcited clay mineral and rocks to make room for the winch and pulley

It was hard work in miserable conditions, well done us.

I hope to fit the winch next weekend then it's on down.

Thanks to Linda M and all those who sorted out the excellent Xmas Dinner on the Saturday evening.[Biff]

Upper Flood Swallet 05/12/07

Source: MCG newsgroup

I drove to the Mendips yesterday for a trip in Upper Flood Swallet with Mike R. Driving through the torrential rain I did question my sanity, but as we had both made the effort to take the day off work, we decided to have a look at the cave anyway.

The entrance crawl was awash, with 6" deep water at one point just before the flat-out crawl into Midnight Chamber. I approached the crawl expecting a sump, but amazingly there was only a couple of inches of water. Midnight Streamay was strong and we approcahed the Lavatory Trap somewhat apprehensively.

Needless to say, the level was very high with only 3" of airspace.

Oh well, we hadn't come all this way to be turned back now, and I quickly volunteered Mike for the miserable task. Darn-it, he made it through, so I had to follow. Once through, it only took a few minutes of bailing to reduce the level another couple of inches.

The rest of the trip was fabulous. Water was dripping everywhere and all the inlets were flowing nicely.

We surveyed from the end of 550m Way back up to Netherwood Inlet, and then over the top into Halogen Loft, surveying three independent levels here, through Royal Icing Chamber and up to the start of Neverland. We poked about in the floor of Halogen Loft, seeing numerous tubes, cracks and opportunities in the rubble in the floor.

All looks very exciting, though nothing looks like it will give up its secrets easily.

On the return, the Lavatory Trap hadn't risen at all since we had bailed it, so it would have been quite easy if I had remembered to take off my helmet, which of course I hadn't.

We surfaced at 9pm, after some 9-hours underground, much later than planned due to us both having forgotten our watches.

In fact, I had forgotten much of my kit, and had to raid the shed. Thanks to whoever for the oversuit and boots. Much appreciated. I will wash and return on Saturday morning.

Tentative plan for Saturday is to carry out a more detailed survey of Plank Chamber and its three major side passages.

[BeC]

01-12-07 Upper Flood.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Mike R, Tim B, Russ P

17:00 - 20:00. Thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Golden Chamber; very physical and tight squeezes. Mike was an excellent guide. On return found entrance door frozen stuck due to a ground frost. [RP]

Blackmoor Shaft 01/12/07 and 02/12/07

Source: MCG logbook

Despite foul weather good work was done in Blackmoor Shaft, aka Stainsby's Shaft.

The diggers removed a good cubic metre of spoil from the head of the second shaft on Saturday and on Sunday built a mortared wall to consolidate what they had done.

The diggers on Saturday were Tim, Adrian and Biff, joined by AlanG and Simon from ACG.

Sunday it was just Adrian and Biff.

Historically the shaft was named Stainsby's by the miners in the 1840's but in the old MCG log books the club has called it Blackmoor Shaft since 1961. Any comments to which we should use? [Biff]

01-12-07 Mountain biking.

Source: MCG logbook

Bill C and Hugh (son). Beacon Batch, Burrington, over to Cheddar, back up. About 30km. Weather mixed. Ground wet. 10:30-15:00. And again on Beacon Batch in wind and rain for a bit Sunday am. [BCh]

01/12/07 Blackmoor (or Stainsby's) Shaft.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Biff , Adrian B, Tim F, Richard C, briefly ACG (Alan, Simon), Joan G came for a look.

Widened and deepened the rift [south south-east below Don's Chamber]. Heavy rain so quite a slurry trickle was heading down the passage. We lowered the floor as far as the proposed winch platform. The slope looks rather dodgy because it's all mud and rocks rather than solid. So the plan is to wall it up to stabilise the slope. Headed back in the cold and luckily the rain and hail had stopped. Bumped into a bunch of lost scouts who couldn't find Yoxter. [TF]

30 and 31/11/07 Skye caves

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Julie H and Eva, and lots of GSG (Grampian).

Spar Cave (Eva and Julie), Camas Mallag Caves and Beinn An Dubhaich Cave. All excellent fun tourist trips - see newsletter 346 for details. [JH]

29/11/07 GB Cavern.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Mike R, Tim B.

Mike demonstrated his knowledge of Mendip caves is, with certain exceptions, rather limited. Got through Ladder Dig but failed to get as far as Bat Passage; failed to find the Devil's Elbow. Added an exploratory feel to the trip. [MRi]

10/11/07 Stainsby's Shaft.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Doug H, Mick N, Biff, Rob (BDCC)

Digging and infrastructure, concreting and stone-walling. Alan Gray (ACG) was supposed to come but failed to show.

13/11/07 Lionel's Hole.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Antoinette B, Sonya C.

Seemed to be a lot of bats!

10/11/07 Stainsby's Shaft.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Biff, Mick N, Bill C, Doug H, Carl R.

Infrastructure at start of dig. Scaffolding, grid, cement. Top of shaft secured. Old bath to collect rain water. Carl and Bill went to Caracass Cave to get the winch and some tools. [BCh]

3/11/07 Impromptu beginners' weekend.

Source: MCG logbook

Following several enquiries via the web, two prospective members (Nina from Bridgewater, Tim B from Shaftsbury) came to the cottage and were taken to Swildon's by Linda M and Brian S.

Tim dived Sump 1 on is first caving trip. Both did well and we hope to see them again soon.

Steve P and his nephew Russell P went to GB Cavern, and took Alan W and John E on the 'Round Trip'. Russell is another prospective member and we hope he will apply to join!

Same day, Biff and others fixed a new fixed ladder in Stainsby's Shaft.

03/11/07 Upper Flood.

Party: Mike R, Mark S (CUCC), Martin G (CUCC). Mark's photo trip No. 2. Down to Royal Icing and grottos beyond, and photos on the way out - not as many as would have liked, but ran out of time. Scratted around in the left-hand floor (going out) between Royal Icing and climb back down to streamway. MRi

20/10/07 Upper Flood Swallet.

Source: MCG logbook

Tim F plus 3 SWCC. Air 12degC, water 15degC. Very wet with not a great deal of air in the Lavatory Trap. Went to look at end of Charnel Side Passage. Couldn't shift the boulders in the end of the tube so left the hammer and crowbar. Yes, you could hear the Streamway and I felt sure it was an oxbow. Found the other side to be low down on the right hand side just where you leave the Streamway. Needs surveying plus regaining the tools. Then down to Zebra Aven to look at the tube that Mike dug. Pushed on to the end. It closes down after a few metres so I'm afraid we will need to dig loads of mud to make progress. [TF]

20/10/07 Bath Swallet-Rod's Pot

Source: MCG logbook

18 person exchange trip. Nine in Rod's led by Mick N and Giles M. Nine in Bath led by Paul ?, Bill C, Biff. Exchange and out - three ladders. Excellent. MN

We started to do Waterwheel Swallet but somebody has removed the key without the knowledge of the C&A officer or the cottage warden. So did Stainsby's Shaft to new dig. MN

14/10/07 Blackmoor (or Stainsby's) Shaft.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Bill C, Biff.

Revisit old dig at bottom of the shaft spoil heap to the south east. This goes quite a way, say 30m in and 15m down from the bottom of the surface shaft (about 10m).

Interestingly this is basically a boulder choke against a big cave wall, often covered in flowstone. Near the bottom there is an excavated vertical 10' tube ending with a small puddle containing small mammal bones. A couple of old digging tools and a polythene skip. The main wall is undercut at the top of this 10ft pit and floored with crazed grey mud. The air here is very fresh and cold. An air space above the mud (very sticky) of about 6ins goes off for about 8ft. All very interesting - reminiscent of the main UF boulder choke but a bit more muddy. BCh

13/10-/07 Upper Flood.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Bill C, Mike R, Joel C, Matt S (stunt double for Mark who was sick).

12:00 - 20:00. Inspected the aven at Walk The Plank. Joel thought it looked do-able. However we pressed on to Zebra Aven and he duly bolted his way up over an hour or two.

Meanwhile Mike, assisted by Bill, dug the tube out of the Zebra Aven corner. The mud looks sandy, indeed the trowel goes in ok but then it turns to glue and sticks to everything. You know how boots go when you walk on a wet clay field - our hands were like that. We pressed on for a bit but from time to time the air seemed a little short.

We left it in a state where Mike imagines Tim/Peat might be prepared to push through. However there is no echo and not much draught - not looking good.

Back at the bolting, Joel passed a squeeze but sadly after that the aven pinched out to a narrow immature slot - where the water comes from. Joel is interested in another visit to bolt the Walk The Plank aven which we all agreed looked a more mature better project.

It is really great not to have to faff with a lock on exit. You just slam the door - fantastic. The aven is about 16m high. [BCh]

07/10/07 Upper Flood.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Biff, Mick N, Giles.

Old Upper Flood lid removed. New lid fitted with new padlock.

The new lid can be opened from the inside when locked on the outside, so the lid can be locked shut when a group is inside on a trip. A temporary iron ladder has been chained in place for now! I hope to make a permanent one later. BF

06/10/07 Upper Flood, Charnel Inlet extensions.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Peat B, Brian S, Ben C, Julie H. Brian and Ben had a look at a climb above Walk the Plank but thought it was a bit dodgy. Then headed downstream to look at Charnel Inlet extensions that Tim and Richard had looked at. Julie was supposed to follow in with me but decided it was too tight. First bit was a tube that had a right hand turn; carried on and reached a slope going up over calcite. Tube carried on and saw a too-tight tube going off to the right. This made a vocal connection back to Ben at the tube at the base of rope climb. Carried on and reached tight squeeze Tim had previously got to and not carried on. Pushed through this which was rather committing and finally got to some impressive mud cracks with end blocked by an infill of rocks. managed to push one of the rocks out but couldn't move any others. However, more exciting, could hear the Streamway to the left below. Hopefully this might have passed the previous termination of the Streamway. [PB]

06/10/07 Bath Swallet - Rod's Pot through trip and Read's Cavern.

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Giles M, Mick N, Richard P.

With the recent breakthrough between Bath and Rod's, we thought we would give the through trip a stab. A quick descent was made of Bath with the usual two ladders being rigged and then Mick giving a guided tour of the lower parts of the cave. The connection was found first time and involved a rather awkward left hand turn/crawl through thick mud and then up a quite tight muddy shaft, which was difficult with a ladder and rope (rigged by UBSS) and would be very challenging with no fixed aid. Another tour was provided by Mick and then we headed out, with no problems finding the way out. Although the odd step (near the entrance) proved a little bit challenging, especially when Giles found the large boulder above our heads was gently rocking and seemed to be held up on two very small points of contact. We got to the surface just in time to avoid a group of 15 scouts, who were just entering. Quick trip to see Read's Cavern and then back to Rod's to derig. [RP]

06/10/07 Upper Flood

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Brian S, Ben C, Julie H, Peat B, Mike R, Jenny (BDCC) Mike and Jenny went down first; tourist trip down to Royal Icing Junction, up to the grotto behind and entrance to Neverland. Then into East Passage to mud filled tube below Zebra Aven. Dug out over mud bank into continuing passage; reached point where passage is still visible ahead but needs trugs and (illegible) to pull back the infill (it's that dry-but-very-sticky stuff. Jenny was well tired by the time we got back, and some fine bruises.

04/10/07 Upper Flood

Source: MCG logbook

Steve W, Neil L. Just to the Lavatory Trap and back before pub. [NL]

21/9/07 Upper Flood

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Mike R, Mark (SWCC), Andy, Simon (UBSS)

Route: East Passage, West passage, Wall Street

Possible dig if not on (illegible), turn left at Zebra Aven (I think, where climb up loose rocks in right) - tube with but (illegible) visible for several metres. [MRi]

15/9/07 Upper Flood

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Julie H, Mike R, Pete G, Phillipa G

Tourist trip to take Pete and his youngest daughter into Upper Flood.

Much speculation on the caving forum as to whether Pete would fit. He tried the squeeze machine at the cottage, to no avail, even with nothing on but a plastic bag to cover his modesty and make his chest more slippery! Alas he only made it as far as the boulder choke at the end of Andrew's Grotto before his big manly chest proved too big which challenges the theory that 'Not EasySqueeze' is the tightest part of the cave!! [JH]

08/09/07 Upper Flood

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Tim F, Ben C, Mike R

Started dig at end of Threadneedle Street. A slab in the roof needs removing. Also opened up a bypass to EasySqueeze but it's horrendous hence the name "Better call the Samaritans". [TF]

19/08/07 MM Mine

Source: MCG logbook

Party: Paul ?, Mick N, Bill C, Biff

When descending the shaft Biff decided to test his pelican box with the 36volt drill in it by hurling it to the bottom. We can now say that pelican boxes are not unbreakable but but luckily the 36volt drill survived.

We proceeded to the end of the mine and after about 1 hour's digging we broke through to another 6 metres of passage to a t-junction; left went 2 metres to a shaft but choked after 2 meters

(01/05/06 to 01/08/07 to be added

15.04.2006 Upper Flood

Party: Malcolm Cotter, Charlie Allison, Mark Ward

Trip: to the end to clear Andrew's Grotto of spoil

Shifted 40 buckets removing all the boulders back to the Red Room, so there's plenty of space now! Water levels not very high, cave as unpleasant as ever!! [CA]

08.04.2006 Ubley Hill Pot

(PeatB, TimF). After failing to find the key for Upper Flood, decided to go to Ubley to see if we could open the entrance series with a spot of digging. (Upper Flood did turn up but we had sorted all the kit out by then). Called at Ubley farm but no one was in so traipsed across the field with the curious cows rushing over to see what was going on. Once in the cave, Battle of the Somme commenced. Everything got stuck. Trying to get clay off the spade was a two- man job. Once the floor had been dropped looked to see if we could get through the crawl - called it a day at this point as it was impossible to get mud out of the floor. Probably the best way to get through is via a water hose. Everything got messy on the way back up the pitch, not helped with my light going out. [Peat]

07.04.2006 Loxton Quarry Cave / Lost Cave of Loxton

(PeatB, MickN, GilesM, DougH, TimF). Tim, Mick and I went into Loxton Quarry Cave and the others went into the Lost Cave of Loxton to see if we could do a sound connection. Even after lots of shouting we couldn't hear anything. Then popped over to the others to look round and have a guided tour of the lost cave. This even included the 2 birds scratched onto the wall which seem to be fading, corduroy marks under some planks and a clay pipe. Formations were pretty good just to the right of the entrance pitch. Then tried to get into the other caves in the area - which was all to no avail as the locks had rusted up. [Peat]

06.04.2006 Coral Cave

(GilesM, MickN, Sonya & MalcolmC). SRT trip to test Mick's rigging technique. Everything went well! Not a particularly easy SRT cave owing to tightish entry and traverse to rebelay. Much larger void than expected with large, steep, boulder strewn passage. [MOC] This was Giles, Sonya and Malcolm's first time in this cave. [MN]

05.04.2006 Bone Hole

(DougH, MickN, Biff). [MN]

04.04.2006 G.B. Cavern

(GilesM, MickN, DougH, Duncan, Biff ). Nearly all passages covered. Good air today. [MN]

03.04.2006 Rhino Rift

(GilesM, MickN, Duncan, Biff [Bracknell C C]) Right hand route. We decided to revive the right hand route in Rhino Rift. All on spits - Biff was rigging. Last time he used spits was in the Berger with Doug two years ago. No problem. This is an airy route, much more exciting than the 'P' bolted left hand route. You are more exposed, get right up in the roof and are much closer to the formations - also less ammunition underfoot. Three hour trip. This was Giles' first Mendip S.R.T. trip. [MN]

02.04.2006 Upper Flood Swallet

(First party: MarkW, TimF, MikeR, DougH). 2nd part of History trip for leadership. Went up to Rip-off Aven. Then down to digging area and removed several large loose rocks. Drilled one hole, then the drill stopped working. Tim fired one hilti - lots of rocks moved out of Golden Chamber back to Andrew's Grotto. Lavatory Trap water level slightly higher than usual. Good trip. [DH] On removing side wall in terminal chamber, wall decided to pin Doug into the terminal rift. Doug proceeded to smash the boulders to extricate himself. Amusing at the time!! Roof of terminal chamber needs shoring? [MW] (Second party: JulieH, Giles Martin, LindaMilne). Got to end. Too fat to get into Golden Chamber but I believe the others had a smashing time in there. [GM] (Third party: SonyaC and MalcolmC). Joined others in Boulder Choke where large quantities of rocks were passed back. Nice pretty stream down Upper Flood Passage. Main stream had good volume. Strong air current noticed in Bypass Passage - outward. P.S. Did not see any indication of boulder slumping.

01.04.2006 Swildon's Hole

(GilesM, JulieH). Post AGM potter around the Upper/Entrance series. Lots of water. Explored places you wouldn't normally bother with - particularly beyond a small climb close to the water Chamber - lots of small crawly stuff - plenty of it and quite tight. Good fun trip. [JH]

25.03.2006 Hunters Lodge Inn Sink

(MarkW, SonyaC). This is a really surprising place - interesting crawl over flat boulders ('Pub Crawl'); over a hole in the floor leads to the beautifully decorated 'Happy Hour Highway'. A hole down to the right takes you to a wet, rifty fun climb and this narrows down eventually, through a cowshy duck and crawl, to the end of this passage. Saw frogs in the streamway of this 'Inn-let'. Following the 'Highway' further takes you past more stunning formations. We looked at the 60ft pitch - will do another time - and explored the 'Barmaids' Bedrooms' - more stunning flowstone - there are bones on the right-hand side at the far end of this passage which can be squeezed along to its narrow, low conclusion (but small chamber visible). The 'Drip Tray Sump' does look very clear and promising. Really, really impressive. Fab trip. [SC]

18.03.2006 Upper Flood

(LeeH, MarkW). Trip to see progress past Golden Chamber, very promising. Cleared all mud and rocks from Andrew's Grotto back to red Room - good job. [MW] P.S. Warning: Second squeeze in Boulder Choke - the boulder has moved/split!! [LH]

05.03.2006 Upper Flood

(MalcolmC, BenCooper, DougH, TimF, MikeR). Started work on the rifty aven below Golden Chamber. Made good progress with Hilti caps but we didn't really have the right [?]bar. The battery ran out of juice before we could finish the hole for a snapper. But now the corner has come off it doesn't look that far. It might only need two or three sessions depending upon how cold and wet it is. [TF]

05.03.2006 Bowden Hill Mine, Scotland

(JulieH, Goon [GSG] , GaryS [?GSG]) Good fun - old limestone mine dug open by the GSG in the 80's or 90's. Mostly crawling acrobatics. Goon knew the through trip so spent about 2.5 hours playing. Gary appeared to have fun and even threatened to come up to Sutherland one day. Not the most exciting of underground trips but "needs must ..." [JH]

19.02.2006 Upper Flood

(MikeR, MarkW, SonyaC & MalcolmC) Mike having been on the 'breakthrough' trip, outlined the requirements! First job was to rearrange rocks in Golden Chamber. We then commenced cleaning mud from the temporary dump in the Boulder Choke - generally a good cleaning operation. We all had a look at the new passage and were very pleased with progress. More removal of mud and testing of large rock lodged in mud on right desirable. Very loud noise from stream. May still be in Lower Limestone Shale. [MOC]

05.02.2006 Upper Flood

(TimF, Peat, MikeR). Golden Chamber - was written up by Mike in Newsletter No. 332.

04.02.2006 Eastwater

(JulieH, TimF, Peat, MikeR). Finally got round to doing Eastwater after many years caving. Wittered mightily at the end of the First Traverse; full marks to Julie, Tim and Pete for persuading me not to wimp out. Tim poked about a bit, then out via Hallelujah Hole and over top of Baker's Chimney. I'll crack the claustrophobia bit yet. [MikeR]