Longwood
- Thread starter Stupot
- Start date
Stupot
Active member
If you drop down Swing Pitch then follow the main streamway you eventually come to a very low section where the stream runs though over large stones, this is far to low to squeeze through ! does this need clearing and if so is there much beyond ?
Also whilst at this point I noticed a route going off to the right (away from the streamway) that seams to drop down a small rift, is this a bypass ?
The guide book just doen't seem to make any sense :doubt:
Stu.
Also whilst at this point I noticed a route going off to the right (away from the streamway) that seams to drop down a small rift, is this a bypass ?
The guide book just doen't seem to make any sense :doubt:
Stu.
Les W
Active member
The place you described sounds like the junction with Reynolds passage.
This is just after the high rift part of the main stream where the passage lowers to hands and knees crawling in the stream. When you reach the junction, straight on lowers to a passage full of cobbles down which the bulk of the stream sinks. to the right crawling over cobbles leads to a climb down into Reynolds passage where part of the stream reappears in a rift passage, which can be followed for some distance until it lowers at the fanny rift.
Apparently the cave continues beyond here but it is somewhere I am unlikely ever visit
This is just after the high rift part of the main stream where the passage lowers to hands and knees crawling in the stream. When you reach the junction, straight on lowers to a passage full of cobbles down which the bulk of the stream sinks. to the right crawling over cobbles leads to a climb down into Reynolds passage where part of the stream reappears in a rift passage, which can be followed for some distance until it lowers at the fanny rift.
Apparently the cave continues beyond here but it is somewhere I am unlikely ever visit
graham
New member
I'll tell Wig that you don't like his guidebook (he won't care, mind).
I agree with Les, that sounds like the start of Reynolds Passage. The passage drops steeply & then turns right into a narrow rift. This continues (past one very odd enlargement) to the exceedingly narrow Fanny's rift which Les describes. I have never been further than here, but the rift not only continues but the main stream reappears in it and can be followed until it finally sumps at a depth of 173 m this being the deepest cave on Mendip (until our dig goes, of course).
I agree with Les, that sounds like the start of Reynolds Passage. The passage drops steeply & then turns right into a narrow rift. This continues (past one very odd enlargement) to the exceedingly narrow Fanny's rift which Les describes. I have never been further than here, but the rift not only continues but the main stream reappears in it and can be followed until it finally sumps at a depth of 173 m this being the deepest cave on Mendip (until our dig goes, of course).
Stupot
Active member
That's the one, so I assume the section where the bulk of the stream goes cannot be passed
It looks like a half hour of shifting cobbles would open it up enough for me to squeeze through.
Thanks for the guidance, will skuttle off back down ASAP, if I manage to open the lock
Stu.
It looks like a half hour of shifting cobbles would open it up enough for me to squeeze through.
Thanks for the guidance, will skuttle off back down ASAP, if I manage to open the lock
Stu.
graham
New member
Stupot said:That's the one, so I assume the section where the bulk of the stream goes cannot be passed
It looks like a half hour of shifting cobbles would open it up enough for me to squeeze through.
Thanks for the guidance, will skuttle off back down ASAP, if I manage to open the lock
Stu.
It was dug several times before Fanny's Rift was passed & is not passable. When (If) you reach the hole through which the stream rejoins you will understand why.
Just remember, put the key in all the way and don't force it.
Stupot
Active member
Cheers Graham,
"Put it all the way in, and don't force it" ........ or use an angle grinder run off a portable generator
I will admit it does open quite easily if you can get the key all the way in, but that's the problem (getting it in all
the way). I now carry a snoopy loop that goes on the key and around my wrist, I can't believe no one has
ever dropped the key down there (or have they).
Stu.
"Put it all the way in, and don't force it" ........ or use an angle grinder run off a portable generator
I will admit it does open quite easily if you can get the key all the way in, but that's the problem (getting it in all
the way). I now carry a snoopy loop that goes on the key and around my wrist, I can't believe no one has
ever dropped the key down there (or have they).
Stu.
Les W
Active member
Stupot said:
Yes they have plenty of times, thats why most Longwood keys (except, it appears, the Wessex keys) have a long string loop on them
Nobody is going to admit to dropping the key
but remember its long way to go to get another one to retrieve the first one Still the walk would do them good
graham
New member
Don't you break our lock.
Oh aye, many people have dropped it! It's a real shame if you drop it while it's still locked. I have always put the key on a loop around my wrist.
More seriously, you need to be thin to get through Fanny's Rift and this to get to the end of the cave. It was dug by the Moodys, need I say more.
Oh aye, many people have dropped it! It's a real shame if you drop it while it's still locked. I have always put the key on a loop around my wrist.
More seriously, you need to be thin to get through Fanny's Rift and this to get to the end of the cave. It was dug by the Moodys, need I say more.
T
Tree Monkey
Guest
Have you been there Les? :tease:
bill chadwick
Member
Fanny's rift is tight and steep. A rope might help on the way back up (like it says in the book, which we read afterwards).
Kev Welch once started off down and had to prussic back up, expanding his own chest as a jammer so that he could rearrange his legs.
I waited at the top watching!
Kev Welch once started off down and had to prussic back up, expanding his own chest as a jammer so that he could rearrange his legs.
I waited at the top watching!