Online Log Book 2007

[Chris Lank]

Drunkard?s Hole
Saturday 10th November 2007

Tim, Sumpy, Martin & Chris L

This was the first time in this particular cave for most of the party.  Nevertheless, we decided to use it for a bit of ladder and lifeline practice.

We descended down the steeply sloping entrance passage and through the vertical squeeze, before reaching the 10m pitch at the rift.  With much fumbling about on my part, the ladder and lifeline was finally rigged.

After climbing down, we had a bit of a look around at the bottom of the pitch and found all sorts of interesting ways on, plus the skeleton of an unfortunate animal.  However, as time was against us, and we were aware how much ?fun? the ascent out of the cave was going to be, we decided to turn around and save the rest for another day.

Many thanks to the posse for a good day?s caving.

 

[anfieldman]

Cuckoo Cleeves
Wednesday 7th November 2007

Sumpy, Tricia, Tim, Mark, Barry, Danny, Steve W, Karen, Martin & Chris L

After walking through half of Somerset, our trusted guide finally got us to the entrance of the cave.  We never doubted him for a moment (not much anyway).

We descended down through the concrete entrance tube, entrance chambers and canyon to the bottom chamber of the cave.  The air was not great and we were all suffering a bit.  A couple of the team pressed on through the squeezy rift to the sump and dig beyond.  It had been hoped to find the The Lake but a slight geographical miscalculation meant that a non?optimal route was taken (i.e. the wrong one).

After gathering our breath we headed back out of the cave and off to the Hunter?s for a well earned drink.

Muchos apologista's amigo for not writing this report. Been very busy since Wednesday. 

 

[Sumpy]

Drunkard?s Hole
Saturday 10th November 2007

Ar was a good day out doing both Rods then Drunkards, Shame I could not fit down the vertical squeeze but all was not lost as when I headed out to wait for the others to return I bumped into a group of girls from Oxford Uni CC who demanded we all share in "Random caver hugs!!" Now who can refuse an offer like that?

 

[Chris Lank]

Goatchurch Cavern
Wednesday 14th November 2007

Frank, Ellie, Mark, Sumpy, Dani, Sim, Chris L & guests (Russ, Stu, Nick)

After entering through the Main Entrance, we made our way to Boulder Chamber by (not very) Bloody Tight.

Ellie, Sim, Mark and our guests went down the Drainpipe for a ?look-see? before supporting Mark in his triumphant return to the Coalchute (scene of some previous unpleasantness).  Well done Mark!

Dani forced her way through the tight squeeze between Boulder Chamber and Water Chamber.  I gamely tried to follow but had obviously eaten a few pies too many and got slightly stuck.  Many thanks to Dani, Sumpy and Frank for taking the time to extricate me!

Frank, Dani and I pushed on through Dexion-series and into the chamber beyond.  Frank did his best to lose his headlight but found it again.  After having a quick breather, we then returned to the rest of the group who were getting ready to leave via the Tradesman?s Entrance.

Upon leaving we headed off to the pub for a natter.

(Photos are from Frank.)

 

[Chris Lank]

Drunkard's Hole
Wednesday 14th November 2007

(By Barry Hulatt.)

There was a breakaway trip on 14th November by Barry Hulatt and Steve Windsor (two of the more senior members in Burrington on the night). We managed to insinuate ourselves into the far reaches of Drunkard's Hole, which seemed, surprisingly, to have shrunk since last we were there. A stream had recently been flowing in the bottom dig, silting up the way on. The tightness on our return up the rift, carrying gear, and feeling pretty unfit for the task, made us wonder if a dig anywhere down here was really on.

By the way, can anyone who has been down there in the last year or so remember what the dead animal above the stream was? It's either a dog or a fox, but there's no fur left now. (Not much left on the bones for a stew either).

 

[Dani]

What happened to the wedged wellies picture?

 

[Sumpy]

What happened to the wedged wellies picture?

They got liberated LOL   Another good Wednesday night trip thanks all!

 

[Chris Lank]

For Dani - A pair of weged wellies attached to a wedged caver in Goatchurch Cavern:

 

[Ellie]

Swildons Hole
Saturday 17th November 2007

Frank, Sim, Gary, Mark, Megan, Chris L, Ellie + guests Emma (15) and Anne (12)
Trip report by Ellie

After much faffing about getting changed, we headed off to the cave with the two girls complaining of being cold and wet before we had even crossed the field!    :  Once there, we entered the cave without too many protests (just a couple of squeals) and we proceeded along the long dry way.  On down the streamway to the top of the 20 ladder pitch where we turned around and headed back.  I was treated to an impromptu song and dance routine in the water chamber by the two girls whilst the others took a detour up the old 40.  Reconvening we headed up the wet way - where Frank had helpfully gone ahead to rig a lifeline up the Well (we think that was the correct name) for the novices.  Turning left at the t-junction to reappear in the long dry way, Mark noted that his suit - having just been nicely washed - was now muddy again.......out of the cave and off to the pub to partake of refreshments and plan future trips.

Photos to follow. 

 

[anfieldman]

Swildons Hole
Saturday 17th November 2007

Turning left at the t-junction to reappear in the long dry way, Mark noted that his suit - having just been nicely washed - was now muddy again.......

There's no point in going to Swildons and coming out muddy!

 

[Chris Lank]

St Cuthbert's Swallet
Wednesday 21st November 2007

Photos only.  Report to follow from Chris Castle.

 

[anfieldman]

Nice piccies.
Did someone bring up their beans on toast in the last one?? :yucky:

 

[Frank]

Swildons Hole
Sunday 18th November 2007

Here are a few pics from the fun splash around the upper series on Sunday...

For the full set go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franks_pics/sets/72157603263585600/

Looking forward to curry night!
Frank

 

[chriscastle46]

Wednesday 21st November 2007. St. Cuthbert's Swallet.

Chris Castle, Chris L., Barry H., Steve W., Martin L., Danny B.

This was a grovel around some of the places less frequently visited not too far from the entrance.
Progress was a bit slow along the Wire Rift due to somebody climbing right to the top by mistake and having a job to get down again. Once that was over we went to Lower Mud Hall and climbed down Mud Hall Pitch to enter Lower Traverse Chamber. At the very top of this is an ascending passage to Upper Traverse Chamber which we took and admired the fine formations there; some of Chris L's pictures are of them. We entered a pretty grotto that I'd never been in before, it may go further than we could see but this could not be done without climbing over the flowstone. After a look at Maypole rift we took the route towards September Series to see the bridge and fine grill, then climbed up to Boulder Chamber for a look at The Cascade before wriggling in to see the crystals near Kanchenjunga and back to Lower Mud Hall via Rocky Boulder Central Passage.
Despite the wet conditions and the gate valve in the dam not being closed properly there was no water coming down the Entrance Rift.
Chris

 

[Chris Lank]

Sidcot Swallet
Saturday 24th November 2007
Mark, Meg, Sam, Brendan, Tricia, Tim, Chris L

We split into two groups.  Sam led Brendan, Tricia and Tim into Purgatory for a bit of a ?shufty?.  After passing the difficult Z-bend at the entrance they had a good look around, noting the sharpness of the walls.

In the meantime Mark, Meg and I headed for the entrance to Eden in Paradise series.  We stripped off to our wetsuits and tried to push through the squeeze.  Despite our best endeavours, none of us are ever going to see Eden as we are too large!

Despite the disappointment, we started part two of our mission ? to push through the duck (which looks like more of a sump).  We started bailing and siphoning the water to make the sump into a duck.  In the meantime our colleagues joined us from Purgatory and their assistance made a significant difference to our efforts.

The wetsuited trio of Mark, Meg and I got through the duck and entered the passage beyond.  (It was noted that a certain, anonymous, member of the team was particularly vocal in their appreciation of the water temperature).

We reached the 15? foot Chimney.  As cold and tiredness was setting in, I made a solitary climb up the Chimney and took some photographs of the Grotto for posterity.

Upon returning to the Lobster Pot the team had the usual fun and games.  We were also treated to an all time classic statement, ?You can stand on my helmet if you want to, just let me know if you are going to do it?.  Sounds painful.

Changing in the car park afterwards was not much fun given the cold day.

Well done to everyone concerned for the concerted team effort.

Mark looking pleased with himself:

Meg in Paradise series:

The way to Eden:

Passing through the duck:

15' Foot Aven:

Grotto:

Lobster Pot:

 

[anfieldman]

A great little trip that I really enjoyed.
Many thanks also to the Wessex CC for the use of their facilities so that Meg and I could get cleaned up before the AGM. We were made most welcome by Pauline and the rest of party there. What a fantastic clubhouse!

 

[Chris Lank]

Drunkard?s Hole
Wednesday 28th November 2007
Andy S, Rachel, Dani, Tricia, Martin, Chris L & Aggie (guest)

This trip was the first visit to this exciting cave for some club members.

After reaching the bottom of the ladder pitch (which can be reached without a ladder) we made a high-level traverse towards the 1st Rift Chamber (which can be reached without making a high-level traverse).

We then had a look at the 2nd Rift Chamber, making a quick detour up to the 3.5m high dig tube, which was rather muddy and unpleasant.

After looking around for a bit, we proceed to make our way out.

The ascent turned out to be ?one of those days? for me.  Firstly, I managed to hit Andy?s Wellington Boot quite hard with my face (sorry Andy!), before getting my foot and Wellington Boot jammed in a hole for 5-minutes.

Comfort was sought at the pub afterwards.

 

[Andy Sparrow]

I managed to hit Andy?s Wellington Boot quite hard with my face (sorry Andy!)

Shortly after this I violently assaulted Rachel's wellie with my nose.  I blame all this on a beer-fever induced over-zealous urge to exit.

 

[Chris Lank]

Eastwater Cavern
Wednesday 5th December 2007
Dave H, Lucy & Chris L

After creeping past the sleeping sheep and cows in the adjacent fields, we entered this dark, atmospheric cave.

Our outward route took us through Upper Traverse and under Baker?s Chimney.  After a quick look at Boulder Chamber we header down the Canyon and through Crossroads, S-Bend and into 1st Rift Chamber.

The return journey took us through Lower Traverse and upwards through Hallelujah Hole (which I found much easier than my previous visit in the opposite direction).  On returning through Upper Traverse, my headlamp attempted to take an alternative route.  Happily, we were quickly reunited.

Finally, we had a quick look at the top of 380-foot Way before exiting the cave.

Thanks to Dave for organising the trip.

Unknown location:

Lucy in Hallelujah Hole:

Dave above Hallelujah Hole:

Chris in Upper Traverse (without light):

The Terrible Trio:

 

[Chris Lank]

Pierre?s Pot ? Lower Series & Hanging Gardens
Tuesday 18th December 2007
Sam, Dani, Rachel, Andy S & Chris L

After negotiating the entrance series, we rigged a handline and dropped into the infamous vertical squeeze.  This proved to be very hard for half the group, extremely hard for the other half and completely impossible for one member of the team.

Pushing on, we passed a few more tight squeezes before dropping into the boulder ruckle at the streamway.  We then proceeded to get lost before we consulted the survey and the written directions.

We passed through various other squeezes and climbs before reaching the final 20? climb. It looked rather exposed and certainly proved to be so.

At the top of the climb we made a bold step across to an arch and after a crawl we finally entered the Hanging Gardens.  The pretties were excellent and no amount of photographs will do them justice.

After a short rest we made our way back.  The 20? climb was nasty on the way down.  The various squeezes were slightly easier on the way out but somewhat more energy sapping ? especially the final hard vertical squeeze.  As we were getting rather late we resorted to standing on each other to push upwards through this squeeze.  Unfortunately, the last person did not get this luxury (sorry Dani).

Finally after three and a half hours we made it out of the cave.

The cave was relentless in its challenges and is easily the hardest cave I have visited to date.  However, it was also one of the most interesting caves I have visited.

Epic trip!  Thanks to Rachel and Dani for coming along and special thanks to Sam and Andy for your assistance and hard work.

Sam helping Rachel down the Vertical Squeeze:

Dani having far too much fun:

Resting in the Hanging Gardens:

Chris looking at the pretties:

Some of the pretties in the Hanging Gardens:

Floor decorations in the Hanging Gardens: