Brackenbottom Pot

[Pitlamp]

That's not strictly true about Committee Pot.

It started as a bit of dig (late 60s/early 70s I think) by members of the NPC and Red Nose. They got down about 10 metres into a chamber choked by a chaos of boulders. This was being dug when one day Steve Thorpe belayed a chain block to the only safe wall and proceeded to crank a large boulder out of the way - only to realise that the boulder was stationary and the "safe" wall was moving towards him! There's also another story from around this time involving Bob Hryndyj, a length of wire and a battery - but that's probably best told of board.

When we were exploring Notts 2 via the Notts Pot sump in 1986 we radiolocated Mincemeat Aven and realised its proximity to Committee Pot. The NPC then sank a seperate 10 m shaft at Committee Pot but this also foundered in boulders. Eventually the present new entrance to Notts Pot (via Committee Pot) was dug by Colin Davis and friends - an impressive effort.

 

[langcliffe]

That's not strictly true about Committee Pot.

It started as a bit of dig (late 60s/early 70s I think) by members of the NPC and Red Nose. They got down about 10 metres into a chamber choked by a chaos of boulders. This was being dug when one day Steve Thorpe belayed a chain block to the only safe wall and proceeded to crank a large boulder out of the way - only to realise that the boulder was stationary and the "safe" wall was moving towards him!

Thanks for the correction. It didn't really come within my horizon until after it become a very significant dig. It's the sort of history that would be useful in the Wiki.

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

I agree with you.  Commitee was dug for many years on and off... what I meant by "obscure" was that they never looked like "easy" digs... no massive draft or obvious route.  They were all long term projects with many man hours involved.  All the easy finds (holes int ground) were made during the Golden Age of Exploration in the 20 years following World War II.  I think that there are no "easy" finds anymore.  Brackenbottom is no exception to this... but it is pleasing to see that the BPC are taking an interest after several years of lapse.

CN.

 

[langcliffe]

what I meant by "obscure" was that they never looked like "easy" digs... no massive draft or obvious route.  They were all long term projects with many man hours involved.  All the easy finds (holes int ground) were made during the Golden Age of Exploration in the 20 years following World War II.  I think that there are no "easy" finds anymore.  Brackenbottom is no exception to this... but it is pleasing to see that the BPC are taking an interest after several years of lapse.

CN.

I was actually referring to your use of the words "obscure holes" which you used in the context of named holes referenced in Descent and / or NC1, NC2, and NC3 (see your Reply #14). My only point was that Hensler's Pot and Corky's Pot were not named holes until after they became serious digs, and so had not appeared in the literature.

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

what I meant by "obscure" was that they never looked like "easy" digs... no massive draft or obvious route.  They were all long term projects with many man hours involved.  All the easy finds (holes int ground) were made during the Golden Age of Exploration in the 20 years following World War II.  I think that there are no "easy" finds anymore.  Brackenbottom is no exception to this... but it is pleasing to see that the BPC are taking an interest after several years of lapse.

CN.

I was actually referring to your use of the words "obscure holes" which you used in the context of named holes referenced in Descent and / or NC1, NC2, and NC3 (see your Reply #14). My only point was that Hensler's Pot and Corky's Pot were not named holes until after they became serious digs, and so had not appeared in the literature.

Agreed... this is a very old thread given rebirth!  I spent a week in Southern Kentucky (Mammoth area) last week... talk about an area with undug shakeholes!!

So how is the Brackenbottom dig going??

CN.

 

[cave junky]

So how is the Brackenbottom dig going??

Things are going very slowly at the moment due to alot of rain and a number of collapses, but it is moving in a general downward direction

Ally

 

[Cumbrian Neil]

So how is the Brackenbottom dig going??

Things are going very slowly at the moment due to alot of rain and a number of collapses, but it is moving in a general downward direction

Ally

Ally - Is there anything on the BPC site regarding this? - CN.

 

[RUSS B]

No there's nothing on the website but there are updates in the BPC newsletter. We've dug a scaffolded shaft approx 6mtrs down in floor which is still going down. Sadly progress has been slow recently due to bad weather/ expeditions/holidays and a couple of injuries (not caving related) but should be back to normal soon.

Russ