Carlswark Dynamite series.

[JonP]

hey,

me and two others went into the dynamite series today with the intensions of finding flower pot and possibly exiting through this way. first off we went to flower pot to open the lid and secure a handline to be used if necessary. After a quick trek through the cave we got to the start of the dynamite series and scaled through dynamite chamber. after a quick breather carried on the way forward through a right angled squeezed into a opened rectangular chamber. at the end of the chamber was a duck squeeze in the floor with running boards passing through. this squeeze was abit flooded and the helmets had to come off. at the end of the squeeze was a small opened bowl with the only way on through a little entrance to your left leading into midnight chamber? after another breather we followed on through via the only accessible way to the right of the chamber a hands & knees crawl leading to prospect chamber? so from there we went to the end of the chamber to find only a small crawl entrance at floor level. i pressume this was the entrance to porth crawl?? we decided not to go down and eventually by accident we found the entrance '1st extension, falls chamber.' after an awkward climb we entered the passage (very tight with helmets on!) and eventually came to a rift going towards the left. after a scramble through the rift, duck under a giant stone with a hole in the floor, then over another into a small bowl type opening which we had to climb up through a tight stand-up climb. through this we pressumed to be inside of 'falls chamber.'/ "rift shaped" after a 3-4metre scramble up there were three passages on.
Standing at the entrance (top of the rift);-

• one to the left (very tight rift.) did not manage to get that far.
• one to the right a metre or so and straight ahead. this lead either two ways one to the left where blue bucket (barrels) were on the floor but with no entrance. the right one ended after a short time
• and one straight back on ourselves which went on for about 5 metres (giant iron bar on the floor) but lead to what we pressume a fill in. loads of tarmac and rubble piled to the roof and cars could be heard loudly.

at this point two of the five lamps decided to die on us. so we quickly left via the gin entrance safely.

if anybody understands where we were please can you point us in the right direction to flower-pot?!?

has it been filled?!?

 

[ianball11]

Why not go in from Flower pot and see where it gets you to?

Ian B.

 

[danthecavingman]

The Blue Barrels will be the bottom of Flower Pot. Sounds like it has run in properly.

 

[JonP]

when we opened flower pot up from the top 3 of the 4 barrels were still existing and there must have been 1metre or so of open air space below. when was the last time anyone went down?

 

[caverholic]

Someone from suss went through last year and kinda had to dig his way out as it collapsed a bit behind him (I think).
This may not have been the best thing to do but I believe the whole thing is reasonably unstable.
There has been lots of dicussion on how to open it up again but as yet I don't think anyone has had the time.

 

[SamT]

Just thought I'd resurrect this topic, given the recent offer of pipe from the crewe. (same as Shot lighter offered in this tread earlier.

Sounds like this pipe will be making its way to Hucklow soon.

Im sure a length or two  some could be dropped off at stoney.

There where plenty of volunteers on this thread,

pipster, CaveTroll, AndyF.  - plus the others from the other thread, Pembertons, Jams, MarkC, MartinB.

From AndyF's comments, sounds like you just need to excavate the old barrels out by digging out the loose fill to create a gert big hole.

Stick the new blue pipe in, Refill loose fill. Easy peasy.

Come lads. 'ave it.

 

[Rob]

If i'm free i'll giv an and an all... 

 

[JonP]

indeed resurrection. went for a trip through porth crawl last week did Jams & myslef. got as far as Straw inlet in picnic passage, was a good trip!

Should hopefully be a trip report in the next Eldon news letter!!

 

[Pipster]

There where plenty of volunteers on this thread,

pipster, CaveTroll, AndyF.  - plus the others from the other thread, Pembertons, Jams, MarkC, MartinB.

Yup, giz a shout and if I'm free (weekends seem quite busy at the moment) I'll be there.

 

[Rob]

...went for a trip through porth crawl last week did Jams & myslef. got as far as Straw inlet in picnic passage, was a good trip!...

How wet was it at Buckely's Dig, the crawl just before Straw inlet? When i went through it was definitely unpleasant!

Did you climb up to the top and have a look at the draughting choke up there? Would be good if that draught isn't straight from the surface, although you'd probably cause a bit of damage taking the dig on. A surface survey tied into the cave data would easily answer it, but i don't suppose either are readily available. 

 

[JonP]

Hey Rob, Buckley's dig had about an inch or so of water so wasnt to bad to be honest. was very muddy and cold though. I did'nt actually climb up straw inlet, that was left for my partner in crime Jams...im sure he'll speak up sooner than later and confirm. were aiming to go back shortly to take Sammyp down and have a good gander at the end.

 

[MarkC]

Re. Fower Pot entrance stabilisation works

Given that work would take place next to the road on the surface, within a declining unit of the SSSI designation, I would like to run this by Jo Poll at Natural England before work commences.  I can't see there being any problem as the work on Flower Pot is urgently needed on safety grounds, and in terms of the conservation audit that I have been preparing for the DCA, I have not identified any underground conservation issues.  Nevertheless caving in the Dale must be seen to be responsible if access is to be continued so freely.  Indeed Natural England also provides funding for DCA conservation projects (such as the Rowter Hole re-cap & Hungerhill Swallet shaft), which a number of other projects in the Dale would benefit: big dig collapse, streaks upper entrance... 

The next DCA Underground Conservation Forum meeting taking place at the Natural England offices in a few weeks has on the agenda "Conservation and Access Issues, which will include the protocols for cave digging with special reference to awareness-raising of duties and responsibilities".  It is therefore timely that the correct procedure is followed for Flower Pot. 

Martin B and I will be visiting Flower Pot tomorrow evening (Friday from about 5:30pm) should anyone like to attend to discuss the plans.

Mark

 

[SamT]

I understand the pemberton boys will be there on saturday, to have a recce, measure up, etc. They are keen as mustard to get on with this and they have time on their hands.

Word from andyf is that its a simple job - dig out the old barrels, expose the solid rift. insert new pipe, refill.

[quote author=andyf]
We just piled the rubble up, there isnt that much, maybe 6-8 cubic yards. It will all stack next tot he hole.
What you wil find is there are 2 solid walls, and it is a sort of "rift", so the hole wont get too big.[/quote]

Having spoken to John Beck, he advised to just ask permission of the land owner, which should be no prob.

Im not sure what good running it past Jo Poll will do really. I understand the sentiment behind it. but given that its been done before, Jo is highly unlikely to have any objections, I dont see why we should delay matters when we have some lads keen to get on.

Only thing we have to wait for is this pipe making its way up from crewe to Nick Williams. However, theres nothing to stop the boys making a start with digging out the old barrels. I get the impression the whole thing could be done in a couple of days.

 

[AndyF]

6 People could do the job in one day. Id say put a tarp down to stack on to avoid damage to vegetaion.

Given the rock was all out a few years back should be easy to re-excavate.

Takea step ladder to make it easy in and out of the hole and minimize pulling the walls in 

 

[MarkC]

Can I emphasize that damage to a SSSI is illegal under the wildlife & countryside act, with unlimited and fines and potential imprisonment of up to eighteen months for 'reckless' disturbance of habitat under the CROW act.  Please please don't do any work until I have spoken to Natural England.  It will only take a phone call - I'll get onto this on Monday. 

Sam T - -this won't hold things up terribly, but is likely to mean that we will have to work within NE guidelines.  If access is to be continued to SSSIs in the peak, and if Natural England is to continue funding for DCA projects such as the Rowter recap, Hungerhill etc then we must keep them on our side.  The DCA Conservation Officer has already been in touch with me regarding this matter and I have requested that funds are made available for materials on this project should the appropriate processes be followed.

Mark

 

[MarkC]

Sam,

Thanks for speaking to Jo Poll today and for querying with John Beck about land ownership.  I spoke to her earlier today also, with regard to recent stability issues affecting the caves of the Dale.  She was supportive of the reasons behind the work being proposed and is keen that Natural England funding is made available through the DCA for such projects.  However as suspected we need to notify her of any proposals to ensue there there are no adverse environmental effects (biological or geological) on the SSSI designation.  She appreciates that it's important to keep the momentum going when the is interest in such projects, and as such will endeavor to get back to us as soon as possible. 

If your happy to contact the landowner that's great.  I've got some detailed mapping of the Dale as part of the desk study I'm preparing, so can easily produce a plan to provide to Jo Poll.  I'll post this on the forum for comment before sending it off.  I'll also have a word with Dave Webb (the DCA conservation officer) and Martyn Grayson (DCA projects officer) with regard to funding materials.  In the mean time perhaps we could continue with a discussion on the other thread as to exactly what we're proposing...

Mark