Andy Sparrow
Active member
Is anyone familiar with the 20 metre pitch in Great Oxbow Owbow Series of OFD? According to the survey it connects with Marble Showers - has anyone done a pull-through trip by this route?
Andy Sparrow said:I'm not sure we are talking about the same pitch, which is hardly surprising since yawning chasms abound in the Great Oxbow Series. I think this one was once known as 'The 62 foot Pitch' and my survey does not seem to indicate any on-going passage to traverse into. You'll find this one, annotated as P20, half way between Splash Inlet and Mutiny Junction on the new survey.
NigR said:The standard rescue route out of the streamway is at the end of Midnight Passage, marked p30 on the most recent survey.
NigR said:Are you on the SWCC Committee these days? If so, could you do something about getting the fixed aids list updated? I am absolutely astounded that a visiting party was given a skyhook only last week. I don't really know if they could have had a nasty accident but if you read their report they definitely seem to think they could have. Better still, re-rig the pitch so the skyhook will work again. I always found it a useful piece of kit but, again, that was a long time ago.
Cheers,
Nig
biffa said:IF THE FIXED AID DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE LIST IN THE COTTAGE IT IS NOT AN OFFICIAL SWCC FIXED AID. You are responsible for checking the list before going underground to check for any reported faults with fixed aids and making your party aware of them.
Andy: I think that you are mistaken in your interpretation of the fixed aids list, beside any fixed aid has an official fixed aid tag upon it (as is stipulated on the piece of paper next to the fixed aids list), including any rope/pull through cords. My email is up around the club fixedaids@swcc.org.uk and whilst you were up at the club on Monday, as far as I am aware you failed to mention it to anyone.
I have been active as fixed aid officer, including gradual replacement of the rawl bolts within the cave (that actually are official fixed aids) and maintenance of others (notably bolt traverse and the Cwm Dwr entrance). Why bitch on a forum when my email address is so easy to find on the SWCC site? I would have to say it does seem almost irresponsible for this to be the first place of call, rather than a simple google search for the SWCC website. If I am not aware of the problem I can not fix it.
Ben Stevens, SWCC Fixed Aids Officer
There's enough ironmongery in the cave to look after as it is. As you well know Ben There's no need for an aid here as the top of the pitch can be accessed relatively easily by an alternative route.biffa said:Just as an aside, do people think that there should be a fixed aid there, which encourages traffic through what is a delicate part of the cave (my understanding is that was the reason it was not adopted).