A Thursday evening caving trip with the Axbridge Caving Group

[crickleymal]

...I was dreading the Drainpipe until we reached it and I discovered it was horizontal! I thought it must be a vertical tube given the name.

YES - THANK YOU!!! ... for confirming in writing what I have long since given up explaining to others... Your observation is precisely the reason why I ceased using that name about 5+ years ago (unless talking with instructors about routes) and began calling it The Tunnel: many parts of that cave have counter-intuitive, unsuitable or archaic and no longer descriptive names, all of which have better alternatives which can be used which enhance a trip for newcomers, and "make sense". Names I stopped using yonks back are: Drunkard's Alley, Coal Chute, Bloody Tight, F-ing Tight, Coffin Lid and Midgets' Steps.

Drains can run horizontally you know. Apart from the names with swearing in (which I agree is a problem with young kids) I don't see why the more colourful names can't be kept. The Coffin Lid is fairly descriptive of its shape for example.

 

[mrodoc]

The other frequently used name was The Rabbit Burrow.

 

[mikem]

I've heard the "Smartie Tube" referred to as the "Rabbit Run" & the network of openings between there & Hellish Tight/the main way down to the Drainpipe as the "Rabbit Warren"...

Mike

 

[cap n chris]

The Coffin Lid is fairly descriptive of its shape for example.

For example, so is Grand Piano Slab. or slippery slope or whatever.

Far less deathy too.

People new to caving aren't massively keen on deathy references on their first trip(s), apparently.

 

[mrodoc]

Reminds me of a letter my mother wrote to the Speleologist magazine in the 60's (she didn't like caves at all and worried) describing waiting for us to call in when out of the cave and, if we were late, noticing names on the survey I had on the wall in my room such as - "The Coffin Lid". Can't say it ever bothered us but then I think it was Capn'Chris who referred to snowflakes a while back

 

[cap n chris]

Seems a bit harsh calling implying your mother was a snowflaker, Pete.

 

[mrodoc]

No, I was more referring to the time you were grumbling on FB about an afternoon taking members of the snowflake generation caving. Ny mother wouldn't have got the reference as it is a 21st century.

 

[Tribal Chestnut]

Well I went back today and am wondering if my testicles are large enough for caving.

I set myself a minimum target of going further than last time and got to the bit past the first tunnel thing where you encounter a fairly acute bend to the left (if on your belly).

At that point I turned back.

Bit further next time, perhaps. Also found a few other sodding tight bits I couldn't get through, but climbed up what I think is the 'Vee' from the Water Chamber, which was a little tricky but good fun.

Brought the little one this time and managed to get her along the Drainpipe and Smarty Tube/Rat Run which I was quite pleased with, kind of makes up for my own failings.

 

[mikekushy]

Paradise in Sidcot Swallet next 

Nice pictures Pete, thanks.

 

[Tribal Chestnut]

Paradise in Sidcot Swallet next 

Nice pictures Pete, thanks.

Is Paradise the section you enter through the muddy midget slot?

If it is, the little rascal wouldn't do it.

 

[mikekushy]

No sorry I meant Purgatory...it's a downwards passage on the right, just before the boulder chamber.

 

[Pegasus]

Goatchurch was my first cave many years ago. I was dreading the Drainpipe until we reached it and I discovered it was horizontal! I thought it must be a vertical tube given the name.

Ha, me too! 

 

[Tribal Chestnut]

No sorry I meant Purgatory...it's a downwards passage on the right, just before the boulder chamber.

Ah, I know it. Got my body into the first section before wondering how I would extricate myself if it tightened up around the bend.

 

[Tribal Chestnut]

Can't seem to edit my post, so: Just re-read my Mendip Underground book and I think the climb that I found a little taxing was Jacob's Ladder, not the Vee.

 

[mikem]

Yep, Jacob's Ladder is much easier to get down than it is up. The Vee is the passage to the left when you enter the Water Chamber & the hole in the middle of the Boulder Chamber connects with the double triangular passage just to the right of it - neither have I managed to get back up, although I fitted down both when I was younger.

You only have 20 minutes to edit your post.

Mike