Mendip Caves - One way system?

PeteHall

Moderator
A friend made an off-hand comment about needing one way systems in caves now, which got me thinking...

There are loads of one-way trips in other parts of the country, but where in Mendip could you complete a round trip without passing the same place twice; there can't be many.

Off the top of my head, here's a first go at a list; surely there are others:
  • Priddy Green Sink to Swildon's Hole
  • Swildon's Hole, Upper Series. In the blockhouse, through the zig-zags, along the long dry, back up the wet way and out the tree
  • Goatchurch. In the tradesman's entrance, down the coal chute, into the boulder chamber, back up through bloody tight and out the main entrance
  • Rod's Pot to Bath Swallet. Could include the Murlis Loop in this without passing the same way twice
  • Read's Cavern. In the dry entrance, down Zed Alley, out through Browne-Stewart and the Wet Entrance
  • Stoke Lane. In the main entrance, down the stream to the bottom of the Muddy Oxbow, back up the Muddy Oxbow and out the 2nd entrance
  • Various combinations in Fairy Quarry

 

PeteHall

Moderator
Fulk said:
Well ? I never knew there is a second entrance to Stoke Lane Slocker.
I've never tried it, but I've heard it is quite tight... It is also listed as denied access in MU5
 

mikem

Well-known member
Swildons upper can be extended by going in the tree, down oxbows, up wet way, binney's link, down long dry & up short to blockhouse.

The maze & boulder maze could add a bit to goatchurch too.

Also five buddles, but I've never managed to find the other (bigger) entrance.

Plus home close / wigmore for divers & presumably some options in wookey there too.
 

PeteHall

Moderator
mikem said:
Swildons upper can be extended by going in the tree, down oxbows, up wet way, binney's link, down long dry & up short to blockhouse.
Yes, oxbows definitely add a bit, but the route described would cross itself for a couple of metres at the top of Jacobs Ladder, potential to breach social distancing if timed wrong ;)

The maze & boulder maze could add a bit to goatchurch too.
Agreed

Also five buddles, but I've never managed to find the other (bigger) entrance.
Never even heard of this one. Having looked it up I can see why  :eek:

Plus home close / wigmore for divers
Very keen divers at that! Has a through trip ever been made? I know it's been talked about...

& presumably some options in wookey there too.
including the show cave of course
 

mikem

Well-known member
PeteHall said:
mikem said:
Swildons upper can be extended by going in the tree, down oxbows, up wet way, binney's link, down long dry & up short to blockhouse.
Yes, oxbows definitely add a bit, but the route described would cross itself for a couple of metres at the top of Jacobs Ladder, potential to breach social distancing if timed wrong ;)
No, Binney's is downstream of Jacob's & then you'd use zigzags, so wouldn't.

Graigwen said:
Fulk said:
Well ? I never knew there is a second entrance to Stoke Lane Slocker.

Exactly what I was thinking!
Somewhere there's the route that the bones took to get into the large chambers as well. 2nd entrance is in the quarry & was opened in 1993 (& in Descent that year)
 

PeteHall

Moderator
mikem said:
No, Binney's is downstream of Jacob's & then you'd use zigzags, so wouldn't.
You are quite right, I stand corrected.

What about Thrupe Lane to Hobnail? I guess this would need dry weather and possibly some digging out of flood debris?
 

mikem

Well-known member
Yep, that's a goer, but not sure if they've sorted the dangerous rock yet - UPDATE it hasn't been done:
https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=26057.0

BTW the latest MCR Corona update suggests the landowner has closed swildons.
 

The Old Ruminator

Well-known member
Yes of course we are good at it.

Hilliers - Hillwithy.
Hilliers - Fairy
WL - Shatter.
QWUH - HWUH
Withyhill - HWUH now blocked
Bits of Balch
Fairy second entrance shown on 50's survey.


Coming close.

Fernhill - Fairy
Fernhill - Ducks Pot. If the latter was reopened.
Withyhill - Withybrook Slocker. Items wash through in flood.

 

tim.rose2

Active member
Don't think anyone has mentioned..

Read's Cavern
Ubley - Nettle
Sandford Levy to something above (Pearl?) - remember reading it had been connected.
Loxton Cave
Rose Cottage
 

mikem

Well-known member
Reads was in first post, ubley to nettle is currently shut due to loose boulders further down & sandford is not connected to anything, although there is a short through trip by the entrance.

Loxton & Rose Cottage are eligible, but quite short (as is ubley).
 

tim.rose2

Active member
Could have sworn I'd read / heard somewhere in the last few years Sandford Levy had been made into a through trip.  Obviously wishful thinking.

Hadn't realised Ubley / Nettle was out either.  Sort of one of those once places, though there is a nice calcited skull in there and it is one of the better / more interesting evening trips.  Pity the cave's closed.
 

mikem

Well-known member
Yeah, there were numerous rumours, but it's one of my digs. About 4m horizontally, but through solid rock.
 

tim.rose2

Active member
Presumably the 'nearly connection point' is that really loose rift / shaft on the left?  Used to have a load of manky rope not attached to much in it - well that's what I remember about the place. I climbed up to have a look about 10 years ago.  Felt like me and Richard climbed a long way with very little in the way of attached foot & hand holds - just like rifts on Portland really.  Ensure you have six points of contact at all times as at least three of them are mobile.  As for the rope we sort of agreed not to rely on that much either.  Much fun was had.  The memories of that evening....
49892134347_a2cd1f6029_z.jpg

Sas and our other worldly friend were on 'bag minding' duties whilst me and Richard were buggering around that evening.
 

Andy Farrant

Active member
If we're talking about a one way system though 'nearly connection points' (ie <10 m), then of course we have the potential GB-Charterhouse through trip via a potential link at the bottom of The Gorge. This would make a fantastic trip, but no doubt would upset a few people... Just need to blast a short connection...
 

pwhole

Well-known member
Aha - I remember you showing me that last year. What is is - three metres or something like that?
 

Andy Sparrow

Active member
PeteHall said:
Fulk said:
Well ? I never knew there is a second entrance to Stoke Lane Slocker.
I've never tried it, but I've heard it is quite tight... It is also listed as denied access in MU5

I think they're both owned by the same person - and both have an 'official' status of 'permission not given' (so don't ask for it).
 

PeteHall

Moderator
pwhole said:
Aha - I remember you showing me that last year. What is is - three metres or something like that?

I think I have measured it at about 4m off the survey, however having thoroughly investigated both ends, I believe the distance is in fact much greater now. The rifts in the GB side that get closest on the survey have been filled with gravel/ cobbles that have washed down the cave over the years and are no longer accessible.

One day, this will be a fantastic through trip  (y)
 
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