Bad air / pollution / bad bolts / etc

[Pete K]

SUICIDE CAVE - Bad Bolt
The 3rd P-Bolt anchor on the left wall as you approach the 1st pitch, which is the one used for the right side of the y-hang, is rotating in its hole. The bolts rotates a few degrees easily and the visible resin rotated with it.

GIANT'S HOLE - Bad Bolt
The 1st P-Bolt anchor on the left wall when approaching the pitch head at Garlands also rotates within the wall. This anchor also seems to move with the resin still attached.

The relevant people have been notified but treat both anchors as suspect and avoid using. As ever, check your bolts!

Pete Knight
DCA/PICA

 

[Jenny P]

The P-anchor reported loose at the top of Garlands Pot in Giants Hole has now been replaced, thanks to the bolt installation team from DCA.

They hope shortly to check the one reported loose in Suicide Cave and we'll let everyone know as soon as that has been dealt with.

Jenny Potts,
DCA Hon. Sec.

 

[Badlad]

Out of interest.  Have the DCA started to use the more conservation friendly IC Anchor. 

Interested, because after much discussion I believe the various CNCC anchor groups have made the IC anchor their preferred anchor of choice on conservation grounds.

 

[SamT]

Not as far as I'm aware, though I've not been involved in any related discussions recently

 

[JB]

Out of interest.  Have the DCA started to use the more conservation friendly IC Anchor. 

I had an informal discussion with Simon Wilson about this today. The IC anchors that Simon manufactures are not available to other regions. Simon manufactures them to equip his local caves in the Dales and isn't looking to sell them/doesn't have capacity to manufacture them for other regions. It's Bolt Products anchors that are currently installed in Derbyshire. Just thought I'd explain that rather than leave the question hanging.

Jules.

 

[SamT]

Thanks for clearing that up Jules.  I should have known but I didn't click.. I'd contacted Simon earlier in the year re buying some of his bolts for some climbing projects of mine, and he explained exactly the same.

 

[Pete K]

Giant's Hole - Boss Aven
I understand that the last section of the in situ rope at the very top of Boss Aven is in a dangerous state. DCA do not install or check ropes on any bolts so it is important for cavers to inspect fixed gear themselves prior to use.
Either myself or Phil from DCC hope to be able to donate and install a suitable replacement in the not too distant future. Do take care if ascending this part of the system.
Pete

 

[pwhole]

I thought Ralph Johnson replaced that rope a while ago after it was first reported - probably on here. Maybe this is subsequent damage. Isn't it rigged to natural? Maybe it's time for a P-hanger?

 

[Pete K]

I thought Ralph Johnson replaced that rope a while ago after it was first reported - probably on here. Maybe this is subsequent damage. Isn't it rigged to natural? Maybe it's time for a P-hanger?

This will be new damage I guess. Ralph has not been with us for a while now. I'll have a look at the anchors when I'm up there. We could ask DCA to place some resin anchors if required.

 

[RichardB1983]

Giant's Hole - Boss Aven
I understand that the last section of the in situ rope at the very top of Boss Aven is in a dangerous state. DCA do not install or check ropes on any bolts so it is important for cavers to inspect fixed gear themselves prior to use.
Either myself or Phil from DCC hope to be able to donate and install a suitable replacement in the not too distant future. Do take care if ascending this part of the system.
Pete

I think there were two bits of damage, as Phil will be able to tell you: in addition to the damaged rope right at the top, there's also a red traverse-line leading away from the top of the vertical pitch after the initial climb up out of the streamway - where the rope is badly damaged at the end nearest to the pitch. It's not as big an issue as you can easily avoid having to clip into the damaged bit - but probably worth someone looking into at some point.

 

[Pete K]

This has now been sorted. Take care of loose rock at the top.

 

[Pete K]

https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=22595.0

Warning - Suicide Cave, Winnats Pass.
There has always been a nasty bit of rock on the wall at the far pitch in the roof (3rd p). Last night we attempted to remove this once and for all which successfully ended with about half a ton being redistributed to the floor.
Removing this section revealed a lot more loose rock, one section of which is very close to the P anchor or may even contain it. The other being at least a ton.
I am left in no doubt that the far pitch is a death trap and will not be going anywhere near it with groups or friends in future. You just have to look at the boulder fill inside this cave to see the potential risks.
The route along at floor level is still open but does have a good selection of new rocks. 1st & 2nd pitches do not seem to be affected.
Pete Knight
PICA Chairman / DCA Projects

 

[Pete K]

Warning - Hillocks Mine, Climbing Shaft.
https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=23914.msg299695

There has been a collapse at the shaft top of the Hillocks Climbing Shaft in the small copse. By description it appears that a portion of the ginging came away while cavers were ascending. Luckily no one was hurt and Pete Dell has already been over to secure a warning notice to the lid. This is a new problem here and is unrelated to the packwall stabilisation a few years ago.

Please refrain from using this shaft until the situation can be inspected and any remedial work carried out. Rocks dislodged from the ginging will fall the whole length of the shaft and there is no place for a caver below to get out of the way.

Pete Knight
DCA Projects

 

[Pete K]

Masson Quarry
Please use main thread for comment and further info - https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=24285

Please note that cavers should treat access to sites in and around Masson Quarry as highly 'sensitive' right now and are advised to stay away from the site in the short term until contact has been made with the landowner.
There has been a resumption of groundworks at the quarry and heavy machinery is present. DCA were investigating the risk to the underground sites in the vicinity but unfortunately, the report has come in today that Gentlewoman's Shaft has been blocked by a large boulder. This is almost certainly a deliberate act to block access to the shaft. Thanks to Jacob (NUCC) for the pic.

DCA are already in communication with Natural England (SSSI land) and Derbyshire County Council (planning). Thanks to those who have supplied information on this matter. We request that cavers stay away from the area while DCA attempts to contact the owner and establish the facts.

Pete Knight
DCA Projects & acting Access Officer

 

[Madness]

Tearsall Pipe Cavern - Pool Shaft

We were down Tearsall the other night and we noticed that some of the ginging in the shaft is unstable. At least one piece is likely to fall if you breathe on it and I suspect that there may be others similar. If one or two pieces go then I suspect a few more pieces above will follow.

Be careful if you go down Pool shaft.

 

[benshannon]

Hey guys,

I was in waterways swallet yesterday. There is a climb in toad haul chamber with a rope hanging down. (The un knotted one) found a broken krab at the top. the other back up ones aren't in great condition either tbh. just thought id let people know. for some reason my photo wont attach

 

[peterwdell]

We Put those in about 15 -20 years ago when we discovered it so they probably all want sorting properly.

Hey guys,

I was in waterways swallet yesterday. There is a climb in toad haul chamber with a rope hanging down. (The un knotted one) found a broken krab at the top. the other back up ones aren't in great condition either tbh. just thought id let people know. for some reason my photo wont attach

 

[chunky]

Popped to the upper stream way from JH yesterday. Quite a strong smell of petrol/diesel fumes.

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

 

[Pete K]

Info from the team at Speedwell Cavern:

Cavers have been in Speedwell today and report that last week's flood has significantly altered the Boulder Piles. They think it is highly likely that some rocks have come down from above, as well as some large boulders washed downstream from the main pile.
Someone is going to go in on Friday and check the connection up into JH, and also check the connection through to Titan.

DCA suggest extreme caution if undertaking trips in this area. We will update you when we get more information.

Pete Knight
DCA Projects Officer

 

[Brains]

- The oil drum coffin level is badly silted again and needs clearing of tailings. Likely to sump in wet weather as the floor no longer drains either

- Base of the WCS has been reduced to a flat out crwl due to rubble accumulating at the bottom (NOT fresh falls), and could do with cobble clearing session to bring it back to hands and knees before that chokes off

- The East Level climb down has a very ancient and crusty rope on drilled threads and could do with replacing, the electron ladder is rusty and broken on one side, belayed to a thin iron bar by a ball of rust that used to be a krab. Next time I am there I will take it out / replace the handline. Could really do with a couple of P bolts - Who has the DCA kit these days, if I can borrow it will pop some in (after approval / retraining as my bolting "ticket" is expired!)

-Paper in the ammo box is damp and the biros wont write, suggest pencils or crayons?