Caravan Trail dig

Goydenman

Well-known member
Work was started on digging an entrance shaft which hopefully will allow 'dry' access into the Caravan Trail found by divers between New Goyden downstream sump 2 and 3. On Saturday December 8th we used a digger to dig out a 3m sq 2.6m deep hole in the site where a crater had appeared in the farmers field. This had been fixed by molephone to be over the 20m aven at the end of the Caravan Trail. The crater was filled in by the farmer but was still visible by the patch of weeds and edge of crater seen in the grass. We calculate there is 14m between the surface and the aven - a lot of digging! We are in need of scaff boards if anyone can help with a cheap source or freebies please let us know.
Survey
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Me by the 'crater'
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Ready to dig
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Scott peering into the abyss  :eek:
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Area fenced off by Ian the following day
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Goydenman

Well-known member
The farmer is a great guy and really supportive. We are going to ask him if there are any jobs we can help with on the farm as well as the usual Christmas pressie we give him.
 

Goydenman

Well-known member
We are now starting to install the metal bins that will form the entrance shaft. Saturday October 5th plan is to have a stack of three bins in place, joined and then tidy up ready for the large hole to be backfilled. That will leave us with having to make an entrance - not sure what is best? Any suggestions? Needs to blend in with the environment (middle of field) easy to rig for SRT, easy to open and close while down to stop livestock falling in.

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martinm

New member
Goydenman said:
We are now starting to install the metal bins that will form the entrance shaft. Saturday October 5th plan is to have a stack of three bins in place, joined and then tidy up ready for the large hole to be

What r u going to when the metal bins corrode & collapse in a few years time like so many oil drum entrance shafts created in the Peak in the 1980's? You'll have to dig it open again!

You should be using Plastic (or GRP) pipe like that used for Flower Pot in Stoney Middleton. See here:-

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=7316.msg97512#msg97512

That will last for many, many years.

Regards, Mel.

 

Goydenman

Well-known member
They are galvanised bins so should last more than a few years and we can't afford plastic pipe that length/width. So unless someone offers some best we can do.
 

bograt

Active member
Back fill to about 3" of the drums, stick some re-bar down and then concrete up to the drums, this should give enough support when the drums start to go.
When the concrete reaches the surface, you will have a decent collar to mount belays and cover.
 

bograt

Active member
Just a thought, if the field is used for tractor work ( mowing, harrowing, spreading etc.), any lid put on there needs to be able to handle the weight unless its raised to avoid being run over.
I know man hole covers come with different weight handling.
 

Goydenman

Well-known member
Good point Bograt I pretty sure he just let's sheep graze on it and certainly know he'd be happy to work round the entrance when in there with his tractor. However that is a reason to raise it a bit above ground level and I was thinking of it being in a slight crater or level so less easily seen hmmmm?
 

dunc

New member
If it was level could a large rock or even a bush next to it (both natural looking) be used to mark the location? :-\
 

JasonC

Well-known member
I would have thought slightly above ground level would be better - any concrete rim could be muddied over so it would be unobtrusive.  If it's in a crater, it will very quickly fill with crud - I know you like digging but not to get  to the entrance ? :)
 

bograt

Active member
I tend to agree with Jason on this, a hollow in that kind of pasture could attract all sorts of surface run-off, making the climb more unpleasant than it needs to be, a slightly raised entrance could be banked off with topsoil and turned into a grassy mound.
 

nickwilliams

Well-known member
The counter argument, from the farmer's point of view, is that if the field is ever mown, having a lump of concrete/metal lid sticking up in the middle will be a right PITA and could cause serious damage to the blades of any mower which hits it.

Even fields which are normally only ever grazed need mowing occasionally to deal with thistles and other weeds.

I'd strongly recommend getting the landowner's view before reaching a decision.

Nick.
 

bograt

Active member
Which is why I raised the subject, although judging by the first photo in this thread, the farmer is used to avoiding that area of the pasture with his mower/topper.
 

Goydenman

Well-known member
Thanks everyone. I do intend to ask the farmer but thought worth getting your views first. Never seen the farmer mow this field in this area so thinking one level with the field would be good and not in a crater of mud!.  (y)
 
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