To answer The Old Ruminator first:
Personally, I would say that the simplest solution would have been to knock off the knob of rock back in 1972. Presumably, you did not do so for a reason, the most likely of which is that you (and whoever was with you) were able to get through without doing so. So, would you have knocked it off if there had been someone with you who had been unable to pass the squeeze? Or would you have just said "Tough luck Fatboy, just wait here while we go off exploring!" All I can say is that you must have very patient caving companions if the latter is the case!
Secondly, as Andrew suggests we are in total agreement that the incident back in July which prompted the starting of this thread was most unfortunate and would have been best avoided for all concerned. We had a productive, extremely amicable, telephone conversation (proving, once again, that the old ways of communication are indeed be best) and are both of the opinion that such a thing must not occur again. I do still have severe concerns that the incident has been shamelessly exploited for political purposes, particularly with the publication of the article in Descent, and I will be returning to this aspect in due course. I am, however, happy that Andrew has not been a party to this.
Finally, during the course of our conversation, Andrew made it clear that he only visited the OUCC dig in Yellow Van Passage on an infrequent basis and that he was not involved in its beginnings. So, I will ask again (preferably Chris Densham, failing that any other OUCC members currently involved in the dig) if anyone can tell me who they contacted for permission initially? Some friends of mine have found a highly promising site elsewhere in that part of the cave and are very keen to begin work. Obviously, they cannot possibly do so until permission has been obtained, so if anyone can tell us who to contact that would be very much appreciated. Thanks to Graigwen for his input (his ideas confirm my own) but I would like to know for certain.
Personally, I would say that the simplest solution would have been to knock off the knob of rock back in 1972. Presumably, you did not do so for a reason, the most likely of which is that you (and whoever was with you) were able to get through without doing so. So, would you have knocked it off if there had been someone with you who had been unable to pass the squeeze? Or would you have just said "Tough luck Fatboy, just wait here while we go off exploring!" All I can say is that you must have very patient caving companions if the latter is the case!
Secondly, as Andrew suggests we are in total agreement that the incident back in July which prompted the starting of this thread was most unfortunate and would have been best avoided for all concerned. We had a productive, extremely amicable, telephone conversation (proving, once again, that the old ways of communication are indeed be best) and are both of the opinion that such a thing must not occur again. I do still have severe concerns that the incident has been shamelessly exploited for political purposes, particularly with the publication of the article in Descent, and I will be returning to this aspect in due course. I am, however, happy that Andrew has not been a party to this.
Finally, during the course of our conversation, Andrew made it clear that he only visited the OUCC dig in Yellow Van Passage on an infrequent basis and that he was not involved in its beginnings. So, I will ask again (preferably Chris Densham, failing that any other OUCC members currently involved in the dig) if anyone can tell me who they contacted for permission initially? Some friends of mine have found a highly promising site elsewhere in that part of the cave and are very keen to begin work. Obviously, they cannot possibly do so until permission has been obtained, so if anyone can tell us who to contact that would be very much appreciated. Thanks to Graigwen for his input (his ideas confirm my own) but I would like to know for certain.
