Author Topic: Well Mr Brook, you were right! (Read 21278 times)

Badlad · « **on:** November 06, 2011, 11:14:18 pm »

This afternoon, 6th November 2011, the final connection was made in the much postulated 'Three Counties System'. After over 140m of digging through an horrendous boulder choke, Lost Johns has been joined to Notts 2 - the final link in a 50 year+ saga. It is now possible to go underground in Cumbria, travel below Lancashire and emerge in Yorkshire (if you are hard). All those involved, from whatever era, should celebrate this fantastic achievement. The system is now approximately 102km.

Les W · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2011, 11:38:10 pm »

Wow! Well done to all concerned.

Judi Durber · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2011, 11:42:31 pm »

Wow indeed, well done to all

steviet_scg · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2011, 11:52:17 pm »

Fan-f'ing-tastic. It might be late but I'm off to raise a toast.

georgenorth · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2011, 12:06:24 am »

Brilliant news!

mmilner · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2011, 02:13:43 am »

Well done, a long time and a lot of hard work! Brill. Hopefully we shall see a video and/or TV program about it soon...

simonsays · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2011, 05:57:54 am »

That's outstanding work!

langcliffe · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2011, 07:15:36 am »

Congratulations!

Maj · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2011, 07:29:57 am »

Maj.

graham · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2011, 07:31:17 am »

Well done to everyone concerned.

estelle · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2011, 09:00:14 am »

fantastic news, well done to all those involved.

Pie Muncher · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2011, 09:03:10 am »

Congratulations. What is the state of the connection at the moment? i.e. passable with care, stay away till stablisation work is complete?

Pete Brookdale · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2011, 09:06:12 am »

great news just need to connect to Easegill for an even bigger trip!

Alex · « **Reply #13 on:** November 07, 2011, 09:38:46 am »

I am up for some digging to make that possible by a dry route.

Rich West · « **Reply #14 on:** November 07, 2011, 10:49:43 am »

Many congratulations to all.

Imo · « **Reply #15 on:** November 07, 2011, 11:15:29 am »

That's fantastic achievement. Well Done!

biffa · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2011, 11:41:03 am »

Nice effort!

paul · « **Reply #17 on:** November 07, 2011, 12:00:44 pm »

Brilliant news! Well done.

Loki · « **Reply #18 on:** November 07, 2011, 12:45:32 pm »

Quote from: Pete Brookdale on November 07, 2011, 09:06:12 am

great news just need to connect to Easegill for an even bigger trip!

it is! lost johns connects to gavel connects to pippikin.

Great news. Looking forward to seeing the BK side after being in the LJ choke.

scurve · « **Reply #19 on:** November 07, 2011, 12:55:02 pm »

This is awesome!

droid · « **Reply #20 on:** November 07, 2011, 12:58:27 pm »

Brilliant.

Trying to think of some smart-arse witticism, but can't.

There's been so much hard work and sacrifice in this project over the last 30 or so years that it beggars belief.

Alex · « **Reply #21 on:** November 07, 2011, 01:10:03 pm »

Forgot to say, that is some great news btw.

Badlad · « **Reply #22 on:** November 07, 2011, 01:41:58 pm »

In answer to the question about the status of the dig.

The attitude of the digging team is 'open to all', no restrictions etc etc. However if anyone who hasn't been involved wanted to do the through trip it might be courteous to wait a couple of weeks to allow those that have to get their trip in.

A word of warning though. This is a desperately horrible and dangerous choke. The route through has taken two years to complete and is around 140m long. I have personally been trapped in a collapse under a boulder the size of a piano and I have pulled someone else out of a similar situation. Two other diggers have suffered head injuries from falling rock. The worst stuff is scaffolded and much of the Notts side cemented up too. Due to the longer trip involved the Lost Johns side has less protection. Although there is only one route through there are several 'dead ends' that are unsafe. For example; if you follow the bang wire on the Lyle side you'll end up in the 1980's 90's dig - not a good place. Further in, most of the scaffold was reclaimed from a dead end leaving it in a dangerous condition. All in all it is never wise to kick or thrash around in such a place and everyone needs to be very considerate as to what they push or pull on. It is also disgustingly filthy, has a couple of quite tight bits and is energetic especially with a bag. Sorry it's not nicer but there was no choice.

If you are feint of heart or uncomfortable in dodgy chokes please do another trip. Anyone who does go down will be amazed at the tenacity and determination of the diggers - or perhaps just reflect on how crazy cavers are!!

dunc · « **Reply #23 on:** November 07, 2011, 01:53:57 pm »

Determined or crazy, either way fantastic effort by all involved!

Groundhog · « **Reply #24 on:** November 07, 2011, 02:29:25 pm »

Fantastic news. Well done everyone involved.
Couple of questions. First where in Lost Johns / Notts 2 is the connection. Sorry I've not been keeping track.
Second is anyone thinking of the complete through trip Top Sink to Rift or wherever is the furthest point now?
Obviously this would be a journey of epic proportions involving lots of dives that would have to be pre stocked with bottles etc. Maybe even a camp. Dozens of cavers would be needed for support but I doubt it would be hard to get them should anyone take on the planning. I for one would be willing to help.