Hmm. As a fire engineer I would be extremely concerned about messing around with Li-ion batteries. The principal risks are damage, water ingress and overloading. All of which can cause degassing and thermal runaway. Degassing is a particular hazard as the fumes are both toxic and quickly reach...
As an update to the list - Slaughter Stream Cave and Redhouse Lane Swallet are looked after by FoDCCAG (as C&A I've personally been involved intensively the last couple of years). The FoDCCAG member clubs are RFDCC, GSS and Hades. All of these are listed as responsible for cleaning Otter Hole...
In Slaughter Stram Cave there are large deposits of ancient bat guano. I've often wondered if samples could determine age they were deposited and/or insect life at the time. If possible it would be a worthy project for a cave biologist.
Firstly, thanks to all of you that attended and supported the HE talk. It was much appreciated.
A full write-up will be in Descent 301, but just to keep you all engaged....
During the weekend of HE the rains came. Rain and Redhouse do not mix well. Very few trips were made subsequent, each...
On the Forest of Dean, just for clarity. Access is easy, for all caves besides Otter just email permits@fodccag.org.uk. For Otter book on line via the RFDCC website. The reason the caves are locked is due to a unique situation whereby the mineral rights, ie anything underground, are administered...
Beautiful photo. The water and logistics didn't stop us in Redhouse, but it clearly stopped many for the last 33 years. Maybe inspiration for volunteers for a new attack at DH?
Yes, lots of fault breccia. A common feature throughout the Slaughter system. There is a strong draught throughout the cave, in pretty much every passage. As for other entrances that is an unknown as yet. Certainly nothing from above as we are beneath the coal measures and someway beneath the...
Thanks Andy. I was asking Pete for your views, so perfect timing. The cave is almost entirely in dolomite, but to the west of the main drag along Mindless Optimism (roughly north/south), lies the crease limestone. This is also characterised by smoother mud floors, again with lots of cryogenic...
Fortunately, I didn't struggle as much there - more a longer dive in Mud Sump, but yes it was a calculated guess using effort + distance and estimating whether I could hold my breath that long! After a long trip, that is some serious exit.
We said that this must be the biggest find since Draenen. The way things are going, it could well be. Not certain how much more we will be able to do this year, if any. Cave has flooded twice and last trip was at the limit of not drowning. It is a dangerous place.
Publications like Descent are timeless. Personally I much prefer print and have in the past been lost for hours in the BCRA (as it was) library. Maybe I'm just showing my age!