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Gateham Swallet re-opened

DAN

DAN

New member
Gatham swallet has now been re-opened it has been off limits since 1959 when it collapsed leaving a gapping hole in the field. The stream which sinks in the hole has washed away all the soil and made thing worse. The main priority has been to get the shaft stable and a proper lid on it and make it stock proof which we have now achieved thanks to the Team. Paz (paul Vale), Nigel Strong, Jason Rider, Pete Ray (Darfar Pot Hole Club), Bob Toogood and myself. It has been a pretty big job 6 weeks loads of digging and concrete. The shaft decends through a boulder choke into a rift chamber 15 meters below the surface, into a wide rift 3m wide with two solid walls. The draft is so strong Bob Toogood pointed out that the only place with a draft like it is in peak is Peak Cavern. The strange thing is that the draft is outwards sugesting another entrance Maybe it connects with Plantation swallet the only known open entrance?

Dan
 
martinm

martinm

New member
Well done on this Dan, you guys have done a fantastic job on it so far. Had a look last Sunday with Pete Ray and some of the other DPC members and the draught is indeed awesome. (And very gusty!) However, Bob obviously hasn't felt the draught blowing out of Darfar Pot top entrance, Link Swallet and more especially Riverside Swallet at Wetton Mill main sink. It is of similar strength and they all draught outwards.

It could well link with the Manifold on it's way to Ilam, as the river only takes a few minutes to get to the sump 46m below the river bed and must carry an enormous amount of air with it which should be being pushed through to Gateham and Plantation. (That also mostly draughts out too doesn't it?)

Whatever, there's a great depth and length potential. Just get a load of scaffolding in there so it's safe enough for me to go down too, lol! (Yes, I'm a wuss...)

Just wish I could get up mid-week to help, but can't really afford the time off or the petrol. If you want help on a Sunday then I could be there. (Not this one though, am watching the F1 GP :)

Regards, Mel.
 
DAN

DAN

New member
The thing about an outward draft in warm weather it should indicate a higher Entrance, only the highest entrance sucks air in. I think plantation is the highest entrance known about. Paz has a draft meter which was indicating that the draft was 4.5 km per hour and up to 6.5 km per hour. I dont know now just guessing that verry cold air would indicate the air has traveled a fair distance?

Dan
 
Goydenman

Goydenman

Well-known member
Good job Darfar boys  :clap: sound like there might be good potential for more finds in there as well.
 
martinm

martinm

New member
Dan said:
The thing about an outward draft in warm weather it should indicate a higher Entrance, only the highest entrance sucks air in. I think plantation is the highest entrance known about. Paz has a draft meter which was indicating that the draft was 4.5 km per hour and up to 6.5 km per hour. I dont know now just guessing that verry cold air would indicate the air has traveled a fair distance?
Click to expand...

Draught direction: Not if there's a big river pumping air into the system. Temperature:- Yes very cold air would indicate it's been underground for some time. (And it is a 'fair distance' down to the Manifold to Ilam phreas...)
 
J

Jenny P

Active member
Well done all involved!  The scaffolding must be a superb job to keep this from collapsing round your ears.

A strong, cold, outward draught does sound really hopeful and is a good incentive to carry on down in this one.

 
andychapm

andychapm

New member
Nice one Dan and Paz :).
You got any further since I had a look??
Give us a shout when you're back onshore and I'll come and give a hand.
 
DAN

DAN

New member
We have already done that at the farmers request,did you not see the pictures? But it is not locked!  It had to be made stock proof.
 
Maisie Syntax

Maisie Syntax

Active member
I saw the lid, but wondered if you had put a lock on it to keep 'pirates' (or other non-bonafide cavers) out and ignorant cavers who might spoil the pristine mud which has laid undisturbed for millenia........ or at least since the last wet spell the other week. You can't be too careful with these things.
 
AndyF

AndyF

New member
I can see another multiyear waterways-style epic developing and with hopefully the rewards at the end. It certainly is in a prime location for a major find. Having any solid wall is a real luxury, having two is just greedy...  ;)

Is there stacking room down there or will stuff have to come out?

I really hope this project develops and goes well...  ;)


 
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