Goatchuch potential

[joker001]

What is the general view on the digging potential of Goatchurch would it lead to anything worthwhile. As I am thinking of starting a dig there and would like to know if I would be wasting my time and effort or weather it would be a worthwhile dig.  

 

[Andy Sparrow]

What is the general view on the digging potential of Goatchurch would it lead to anything worthwhile. As I am thinking of starting a dig there and would like to know if I would be wasting my time and effort or weather it would be a worthwhile dig.  

The potential is excellent if you dig in the right place.  Where exactly are you thinking of?

 

[joker001]

Where would be the best place to start a dig ?

 

[Peter Burgess]

I would start by looking at places that would extend the cave at a higher rather than a lower level, and going east and not west. But only based on a feeling that lower sections are more likely to be seriously choked with silt and pebbles, and the passages in the upper section seem to be 'going somewhere'. The problem might be that many ways on are blocked by significant amounts of calcite, which although dirtied, broken and worn, would cause much consternation if anyone suggested digging through it (quite right too) .

 

[joker001]

there must be more people with view than this where is everyone  :

 

[Elaine]

It has been suggested to me by someone (can't remember who) that the end of the main entrance chamber might be a potential way on. I haven't looked at it to see whether there are any possible dig sites there.

 

[andymorgan]

The very end chamber, there are two obvious sites there, and they are away from the main routes.

 

[cap n chris]

The recent survey data (not available to the public just yet!) should show the proximity of known parts of the cave i.e. "does the stal floor at the end of the main entrance chamber cover the breccia infill which is visible at the top end of the Old Grotto and what's the distance between the two?"... "Does the tube at the bottom of the Water Chamber run at the same horizon as the ladder dig tube and the pebble dig at the far end of the Drainpipe?".... "Does the side passage from Bloody Tight link in with the low choke at the top end of the Terrace or does it link under Drunkard's Alley with one of the side rifts at the far end of the Maze?".... "Does the side passage from the main entrance chamber link with the boulder choke in the Maze?".... "Does the (now named) Dining Chamber middle extension link with Sidcot Swallet's Purgatory?"... all these questions, and more, should be answerable once the survey data are uploaded, creating a 3D framework.

Also, given that the chamber beyond the dexion shoring is fault aligned and shows convincing evidence of a localised upthrust fault introducing the spring line of LLS/ORS this gives a strong clue as to the genesis of GC and leads me to question whether there is significant passage beyond the Drainpipe. I am pretty sure there isn't.

It would be nice if someone would care to enlarge/dig out the sump, though!....

 

[joker001]

Any ideas when this survey will be done ?

 

[cap n chris]

Soon; months, not weeks, unfortunately. I don't want to state a date just in case it gets delayed. There's still a LOT of work to do!

 

[cap n chris]

"Does the (now named) Dining Chamber middle extension link with Sidcot Swallet's Purgatory?"

Ahem!.... that won't be answerable until the Sidcot Swallet survey with surface links is done (if ever!....). Sorry!

 

[whitelackington]

Has anybody been around (in) Goatchurch with a draught meter? :idea:
We B.D.C.C. have such a device, it cost £100 ish, we bought it just over a year ago for our dig of Carcass Cave, near Axbridge.
Srangely, it has not been used there, yet. :blink:

 

[cap n chris]

Has anybody been around (in) Goatchurch with a draught meter? :idea:

Not to my knowledge; however, there are plans to do just this; I have recorded where draughts are felt on the survey notes.

 

[axbridgecaver]

It has been suggested to me by someone (can't remember who) that the end of the main entrance chamber might be a potential way on. I haven't looked at it to see whether there are any possible dig sites there.

I suggested this several years ago. The end of the main entrance chamber is blocked with stal flow, however to investigate further would require the liberal use of explosives which would not be practical or permitted in Goatchurch.

 

[cap n chris]

Also, any digging in GC would require considered movement/packing of any spoil; leaving mud on a popular route could result in havoc!

 

[whitelackington]

Could "They" take the havoc mud out in havocsacks?

 

[Peter Burgess]

Very good!

I ruined a perfectly good tackle sack by letting it be used as a 'kibble' for rocks being hauled out of a shaft. Never again!

 

[Andy Sparrow]

Also, given that the chamber beyond the dexion shoring is fault aligned and shows convincing evidence of a localised upthrust fault introducing the spring line of LLS/ORS this gives a strong clue as to the genesis of GC and leads me to question whether there is significant passage beyond the Drainpipe. I am pretty sure there isn't.

I have spent a considerable amount of time in the end chambers of Goatchurch.  These chambers are formed on a bedding plane - the same major bedding that is observed throughout the cave.  It is easily identifiable by the distinctive dark red non-limestone band which is clearly visible in the upper/final chamber.  If this area of the cave had been subjected to faulting there would be evidence in the form of fault breccia - but this is entirely lacking.  Is Chris suggesting that the water that created the system entered the limestone directly from springs in the subterranean Old Red Sandstone?  Does he think that this mechanism could produce a system wth 3-4 metre diameter phreatic tubes?  Where else does this happen? And what about the draft?  Where is that coming from? 

 

[joker001]

Had a look in goatchurch today the main entrance chamber wouldn't be a viable dig as it is all solid, but I did look at I think is dining chamber (where the coalshutte drops into) right at the top of there following the bedding plain as there was water coming through and a slight draft was felt.

or what about water chamber where the stream is ?

 

[cap n chris]

Yes; maybe..... aahhh! And,... perhaps. Mostly yes, however.