Andy Sparrow
Active member
I am very pleased to announce that after several months of work members of Cheddar Caving Club have created a new round trip in Rod's Pot.
The Murlis Loop is named after Brian Murlis - a well liked member of the MCG who died in 1997. Brian played a leading role in the discovery of Hanging Rock Chamber in Rod's Pot. Without his contribution this round trip would not be possible.
Currently the route is very tight but it is our intention to make it Sparrow/Waters size over the next few weeks so that 'normal' size cavers can fully enjoy this speleological delight.
Description of the Route
Until the route is enlarged I would recommend only attempting it 'anti-clockwise'. Go through the low arch at the end of Rod's Main Chamber to the base of a steeply ascending chimney [Eyeball Aven]. Climb this to an awkward squeeze past a boulder and then through a difficult horizontal squeeze. Down and straight ahead are routes into Hanging Rock Chamber. To the left is a narrow rift which thin caves can pass directly - larger people need to squeeze up between jammed boulders before dropping back down to floor level.
A small passage leads off to the left. Follow this for a few metres to a constriction. The crux move is to pass the tight rift and make a left turn into a small tube. This tight difficult section is called 'No Picnic'. Beyond the route enlarges and emerges at Whippets Junction with choked tubes to the right and straight ahead. Turn left into Four Ecks Passage - a low muddy crawl for 10 metres. This enlarges where a tube rigged with a traverse line leads off to the right. This is The Nit Picker, a tight tube emerging directly over the 15 metre El Capitoff Pitch - make sure you clip to the line!
Following the traverse line leads to Ever-Ready Passage which quickly leads a squeeze - The Resistor. Beyond the passage enlarges and emerges at the head of the Blind Pots.
The Full Monty
It's not often, if ever, that there is a Mendip first on offer! But here is one for somebody.... The Full Monty. Descend Bath Swallet by abseil pull-through and then climb Purple Pot (no handline at present) to enter Rod's Main Chamber. Follow the Murlis Loop as far as the El Capitoff. As you emerge from The Nit Picker there are two ring bolts above you. 20 metres of rope is enough to reach the ledge - you can free climb down from there. Abseil down to the lower series. Follow the crawl through to the Blind Pots and then climb the second pot (fixed handline in place). Exit via Rod's.
Here is a very crude survey:
Let me know how you get on!
The race is on for the first Rod's/Bath Full Monty.....
The Murlis Loop is named after Brian Murlis - a well liked member of the MCG who died in 1997. Brian played a leading role in the discovery of Hanging Rock Chamber in Rod's Pot. Without his contribution this round trip would not be possible.
Currently the route is very tight but it is our intention to make it Sparrow/Waters size over the next few weeks so that 'normal' size cavers can fully enjoy this speleological delight.
Description of the Route
Until the route is enlarged I would recommend only attempting it 'anti-clockwise'. Go through the low arch at the end of Rod's Main Chamber to the base of a steeply ascending chimney [Eyeball Aven]. Climb this to an awkward squeeze past a boulder and then through a difficult horizontal squeeze. Down and straight ahead are routes into Hanging Rock Chamber. To the left is a narrow rift which thin caves can pass directly - larger people need to squeeze up between jammed boulders before dropping back down to floor level.
A small passage leads off to the left. Follow this for a few metres to a constriction. The crux move is to pass the tight rift and make a left turn into a small tube. This tight difficult section is called 'No Picnic'. Beyond the route enlarges and emerges at Whippets Junction with choked tubes to the right and straight ahead. Turn left into Four Ecks Passage - a low muddy crawl for 10 metres. This enlarges where a tube rigged with a traverse line leads off to the right. This is The Nit Picker, a tight tube emerging directly over the 15 metre El Capitoff Pitch - make sure you clip to the line!
Following the traverse line leads to Ever-Ready Passage which quickly leads a squeeze - The Resistor. Beyond the passage enlarges and emerges at the head of the Blind Pots.
The Full Monty
It's not often, if ever, that there is a Mendip first on offer! But here is one for somebody.... The Full Monty. Descend Bath Swallet by abseil pull-through and then climb Purple Pot (no handline at present) to enter Rod's Main Chamber. Follow the Murlis Loop as far as the El Capitoff. As you emerge from The Nit Picker there are two ring bolts above you. 20 metres of rope is enough to reach the ledge - you can free climb down from there. Abseil down to the lower series. Follow the crawl through to the Blind Pots and then climb the second pot (fixed handline in place). Exit via Rod's.
Here is a very crude survey:
Let me know how you get on!
The race is on for the first Rod's/Bath Full Monty.....