Breakthrough in Rods Pot
- Thread starter Andy Sparrow
- Start date
Andy Sparrow
Active member
It's probably time for an update. For the last 6 weeks ChCC have been very busy in Rod's. We had a massive problem with spoil removal from the extension and needed a solution. There was never much doubt that the new stuff could be connected to the bottom of the old Blind Pots (the 40' pitches traversed in the old cave), and if a connection could be created it would make our life very much easier.
An initial excavation at the bottom of the Blind Pots quickly revealed an arched passage with air space. It actually took only a few sessions to link this to the bottom of El Capitoff, and then a couple more to remove the accumulated bags. This week we were finally able to take a look at the end chokes of 'No Country For Old Men' and very quickly discover a semi-open passage which will now be the focus of efforts.
We have also begun work on the tube which passes over the pitch head of El Capitoff. This clean scalloped passage draughts very strongly and can be seen to open into caver sized passage within a metre or so. This represents an entirely different level of development to the lower passages.
We need a lot of manpower on this dig now and we welcome new members to the team - so if you would like to be involved PM me.
An initial excavation at the bottom of the Blind Pots quickly revealed an arched passage with air space. It actually took only a few sessions to link this to the bottom of El Capitoff, and then a couple more to remove the accumulated bags. This week we were finally able to take a look at the end chokes of 'No Country For Old Men' and very quickly discover a semi-open passage which will now be the focus of efforts.
We have also begun work on the tube which passes over the pitch head of El Capitoff. This clean scalloped passage draughts very strongly and can be seen to open into caver sized passage within a metre or so. This represents an entirely different level of development to the lower passages.
We need a lot of manpower on this dig now and we welcome new members to the team - so if you would like to be involved PM me.
Burt
New member
So to follow Andy's post, there are now 2 round trips in Rod's Pot - Rod's to Bath Swallet as existing for some time now, and El Capitoff to Blind 40's. This is quite a strenuous trip with some tight squeezes!
Could I ask anyone attempting this to mind the bones in bone chamber!! they have been taped off but are extremely fragile, as are the mud forrmations. The aven above bone chamber has been climbed and chokes down.
Could I ask anyone attempting this to mind the bones in bone chamber!! they have been taped off but are extremely fragile, as are the mud forrmations. The aven above bone chamber has been climbed and chokes down.
tony from suffolk
Well-known member
I wish I lived closer, I'd love to help. I find there's something very exciting and satisfying about such a well-visited cave like Rod's being extended in this way.
Keep it up folks!
Keep it up folks!
Ed W
Member
Last night Andy and I finally managed to get through ?The Nitpicker? (the small passage leading onward above ?El Capitoff? pitch). This took three sessions of very entertaining capping whilst dangling over the 50ft pitch. The Nitpicker is about 2.5m long, and constricted (though not desperately tight). Beyond is a small chamber, formed at the junction of the Nitpicker and a sizeable (well hands and knees) phreatic passage. There is a narrow rift in the floor (150mm wide) which drops the full height of El Capitoff. The phreatic passage unfortunately ends at partial mud chokes after only about 3m to both left and right. In each direction there are substantial air spaces above the mud, and digging looks very easy. Spoil removal would however be problematic to say the least. It is presumed that the right hand dig would connect to one of the mud choked tubes in the left hand wall of the main passage beyond the now not so blind pots. The left hand passage is more intriguing however, and last night was emmitting a steady draft. There is also a very small mud choked passage leading dead ahead from the end of the Nitpicker. It is suspected that this is heading towards Main Chamber and doesn?t look to be too promising. With the addition of Amazing Grace and the latest extensions, I reckon that the total extension beyond the Resistor is now somewhere around the 75-80m mark.
The new bit of passage has been christened ?Four Ecks Passage?. The name refers to the Roman numeral XXXX (referring to Andy?s recent 40th anniversary of his first caving trip, and my recent 40th Birthday). It may also have more than a passing relationship with the curses I made getting through the Nitpicker for the first time (and more importantly getting back), the number of times I smacked bits of myself with the hammer enlarging the Nitpicker and the small pile of digging equipment dropped down El Capitoff over the last few trips (can people keep an eye out for a couple of chisels, a crowbar and a Hilti Rod for me please).
Finally, unless anyone knows better, I believe that I have now hung in a harness in Rod?s Pot longer than anyone in history. A total probably exceeding 8 Hours over the three trips. Does anyone know how I get the Guiness Book of Records to recognise that one?
The new bit of passage has been christened ?Four Ecks Passage?. The name refers to the Roman numeral XXXX (referring to Andy?s recent 40th anniversary of his first caving trip, and my recent 40th Birthday). It may also have more than a passing relationship with the curses I made getting through the Nitpicker for the first time (and more importantly getting back), the number of times I smacked bits of myself with the hammer enlarging the Nitpicker and the small pile of digging equipment dropped down El Capitoff over the last few trips (can people keep an eye out for a couple of chisels, a crowbar and a Hilti Rod for me please).
Finally, unless anyone knows better, I believe that I have now hung in a harness in Rod?s Pot longer than anyone in history. A total probably exceeding 8 Hours over the three trips. Does anyone know how I get the Guiness Book of Records to recognise that one?
cap n chris
Well-known member
Good stuff gentlemen! - I wonder whether Gerbil will attempt 9hrs in three trips?
Andy Sparrow
Active member
Ed W said:
I think it is probable that Four Ecks Passage will connect with Hanging Rock Chamber and represents a missing link in the section of tube visible as the half tube in HRC. It's worth trying oral connections from FEP to HRC and to the tube system that branches off after the Blind Pots. I wouldn't want to put a massive amount of work into connecting these passages but if it could be done it would create a new round trip in the cave, and possibly an easier route into HRC.
Here is a thought for Eddie - we have already bolted a traverse across HRC in anticipation of capping the continuation of the half tube. There is great potential here for somebody to break the 8 hour record of hanging in a harness in Rod's Pot!
whitelackington
New member
What an exciting system this is becoming.
Well done diggers.
Well done diggers.
tony from suffolk
Well-known member
Yes, great stuff!
I confess I'm struggling to visualise how these new extensions relate to the "old" cave. Don't suppose some kind person could post a sketch? You'd make an old man very happy!
I confess I'm struggling to visualise how these new extensions relate to the "old" cave. Don't suppose some kind person could post a sketch? You'd make an old man very happy!
tony from suffolk
Well-known member
Cor! Ripper! Many thanks Burt, all is clear.
Andy Sparrow
Active member
Here is the latest extension to Rod's - made on Wednesday night. Keith Milward pushed through the partial choke in Four Ecks to reach Whippets Junction. It should be mentioned that speedy Keith and his mate Neil are known in ChCC as 'The Whippets'. The right hand passage has a very clear vocal connection with Hanging Rock Chamber and this will be linked in due course to create a new round-trip. The other two passages are semi-choked tubes leading out of the known system.
Ed W
Member
Another small breakthrough last night. Barry Hullatt got through the mud choke at the right hand end of Four Ecks Passage to a small rift "chamber". From here there is a very clear vocal connection with a mud filled tube at the top of the Blind Pots. There was no vocal connection with the low passage on the left beyond the Blind Pots. This suggests that the orientation of Four Ecks Passage as shown on the survey posted by Andy is wrong (not surprising as this was only sketched on). In turn this suggests that Whippet's Junction is even closer to Hanging Rock Chamber than we previously thought. With several ongoing leads, this project is becoming ever more fascinating!
Andy Sparrow
Active member
I had some trouble sleeping last night - that's because various bits of me hurt as if I had been through a mincing machine. This is the effect of passing The Nitpicker. As I said to Ed and Barry last night it is a feature worthy of a name, and a name that will stick. Last night, emerging bruised and battered, we discussed the feasibility of bypassing The Nitpicker but then, in the comfort of the pub, decided that a bypass would only detract from an otherwise classic route. The connection with Hanging Rock Chamber is only a matter of time now, and then the new Rod's round trip, and the joy of The Nitpicker, will be open to all you lucky cavers!