andrewmcleod
Well-known member
We were at Star Shaft the other day and once we got our heads around the interesting rigging at the top we had a nice pootle down the cave. The second half of the second pitch was flooded (above any of the wooden galleries) which I thought might be the case so couldn't really explore anything but it was good SRT practice.
On the way out I was planning on taking up a few odd bits of rubbish that were lying around, picked up a small plastic bag in the first passage and got to the bottom of the main shaft. I then realised there were many more of these small plastic bags at the bottom of the shaft, at which point I realised what they were and I am afraid to say bailed on taking any rubbish out. I will be bringing a black plastic bag for rubbish (with handles) on my next trip, and if I can convince anyone to nip over next time I am in the Mendips I will try and clear it up a bit. The problem is of course dog walkers dropping the bags through the hole in the gate (plus the odd bottle and can). Reading old threads it seems like originally there was a plan to put a flap on this (to stop cows putting their foot through the hole)? Or alternatively perhaps a small laminated sign 'DON'T THROW SH*T DOWN THE HOLE' might dissuade dog walkers who are under the mistaken impression that nobody will ever go down that hole? If I convince someone to come with me on the next Mendips trip I could knock one up and work out some sort of attachment strategy.
Incidentally, climbing back out I was quite worried about crashing into the nice straws on the wall, although that may have been because I was foolishly wearing my tackle sack rather than dangling it below me.
In any event, take care where you stand at the bottom of the shaft
On the way out I was planning on taking up a few odd bits of rubbish that were lying around, picked up a small plastic bag in the first passage and got to the bottom of the main shaft. I then realised there were many more of these small plastic bags at the bottom of the shaft, at which point I realised what they were and I am afraid to say bailed on taking any rubbish out. I will be bringing a black plastic bag for rubbish (with handles) on my next trip, and if I can convince anyone to nip over next time I am in the Mendips I will try and clear it up a bit. The problem is of course dog walkers dropping the bags through the hole in the gate (plus the odd bottle and can). Reading old threads it seems like originally there was a plan to put a flap on this (to stop cows putting their foot through the hole)? Or alternatively perhaps a small laminated sign 'DON'T THROW SH*T DOWN THE HOLE' might dissuade dog walkers who are under the mistaken impression that nobody will ever go down that hole? If I convince someone to come with me on the next Mendips trip I could knock one up and work out some sort of attachment strategy.
Incidentally, climbing back out I was quite worried about crashing into the nice straws on the wall, although that may have been because I was foolishly wearing my tackle sack rather than dangling it below me.
In any event, take care where you stand at the bottom of the shaft