Upper Flood Trips
Rules and Guidelines for Wardens
A Cave of National Importance
Upper Flood Swallet is a cave of national importance. It contains some of the very finest calcite formations. Due to the extreme vulnerability of these formations, access is controlled via a warden system.
The Role & Expectations of a Warden
The primary role of a warden is to lead trips for other cavers into Upper Flood Swallet. Conservation of the cave is their prime responsibility. Trips must have minimum impact, which means taking an active role in guiding a party through the cave. **If a party does not seem sufficiently competent or are careless, the trip must be abandoned.**
Wardens are expected to:
- Demonstrate a level of caving and leadership ability commensurate with the difficulty of a trip to the far reaches of the cave.
- Have a sound knowledge of the history of exploration within the cave.
- Have visited (as far as is practicable) all areas within the cave and be competent in route finding, particularly with regard to the main boulder choke.
- Be aware of the particular dangers and conservation-sensitive areas within the cave.
- Actively participate in conservation and maintenance projects.
Warden Commitment
Wardens must take a **minimum of 2 trips per year**. The MCG committee will collate logbook data annually. Wardens who have not taken 2 trips will lose their status, unless the committee is made aware of any mitigating circumstances beforehand.
Trip Rules & Cave Conservation
Out of Bounds Areas
Due to its unique and extremely vulnerable formations, the original entrance to Neverland (from the start of West Passage to the Bare Hands Dig) is **strictly out of bounds**. All trips to Pork Pie Passage must use the New Link from the middle section of West Passage.
For the time being, only cavers working on the Second Neverland Link are to proceed beyond Funnel Chamber.
Conservation Rules
All visitors to **Pork Pie Passage** must remove their oversuits at the lake reached just after passing through the New Link and avoid touching the passage walls whilst doing so. Before proceeding, feet and hands must be cleaned of all traces of mud. Great care must be used to avoid touching anything other than the tape-marked section of the passage floor.
The small ponds in Pork Pie Passage may be used for further washing. The final approach to the Pork Pie Lake is to be made by a flat-out crawl. Beware the sharp calcite needles on the passage floor; the use of clean gloves is suggested.
Any conservation, safety or security issues (i.e. damage to formations, instability, problems with the entrance etc.) in the cave must be reported to the MCG caving secretary as soon as possible.
General Trip Criteria
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Party Size is limited to the warden plus three guests (four people total).
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A fifth person is permitted only if they are a **Prospective Warden** on a familiarisation trip, pre-notified to the MCG committee.
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Competence & Fitness: The party must be competent to move through the delicate cave without causing damage. The Warden should curtail a trip if fitness expectations are not met.
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Equipment: The use of carbide is strictly forbidden in the cave.
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Logging Trips: All trips must be logged. The logbook is kept in the Key Box next to the Tackle Store in Nordrach Cottage.
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Callout Procedure: Wardens must leave a trip card on the MCG callout board, regardless of any other callout arrangement.
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Digging: All digging activities are controlled by the MCG. Guest wardens are welcome to dig with MCG leaders.
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Reporting Problems: Any issues relating to Nordrach Cottage should be reported to the MCG Cottage Warden or another committee member.
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Lost Keys must be reported to the MCG caving secretary. The warden will be responsible for the cost of replacement.
How to Become a Warden
Prospective wardens should be active Mendip cavers and must be paid-up members of the BCA (British Caving Association).
To become a warden, you should participate in a **minimum of three training trips** to demonstrate knowledge of the expectations listed above. These trips should be completed within 18 months, with at least two different established wardens, one of whom must be an MCG member.
On completion of each trip, applicants should fill in the form provided by the MCG, noting the accompanying warden. Once all training is complete, the form should be submitted to the MCG trustees who will consider the appointment.
Upon approval, for a one-off donation of £6, new wardens will receive a key and access card to Nordrach Cottage, as well as the combination for the box containing the cave key. Wardens and their guests are welcome to use the facilities in Nordrach Cottage for a £2 day fee, payable in the changing-room donation box or via the Payment system above the lectern.
Warden Application Form
Download the form to begin your application and log your training trips.
Download Form (PDF)Permitted Leaders
MCG Leaders
Andrew Horeckyi, Bill Chadwick, Ben Cooper, Brian Snell, Peat Bennett, Tim Francis, Kev Speight, Mike Waterworth, Julie Hesketh, Mike Richardson, Graham Price, Ed Waters, Richard Carey, David Lossl, Mark Edwards, Matty Dredge, Tom Harrison, Daniel Matthews, Mike Ormond and Ed Ford.
Guest Leaders
Henry Dawson, Andrew Atkinson, Lee Hawkswell, Tarn Stroud, Simon Flower, Jude Vanderplank and Chris Binding.
The rules and guidelines set out in this document are not intended to be exhaustive. The MCG reserve the right to make changes at any time.