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Looking for SRT caves in the Mendips

S

Smudge375

New member
Hi guys and gals,
Being from up north I mainly cave in the Peak district but a few friends are from London/M4 corridor so think it's only fair to nip down from time to time.
We have already been in Swildon's, Sidcote swallet and Goatchurch but not sure where we can go without having to book a key etc Just looking for a nice srt cave ;)

Can anyone help with ideas?
 
cap n chris

cap n chris

Well-known member
Thrupe Lane Swallet. "No key, no fee, SRT, just wheee!".

But it's weather dependent. And proper 'ard.

Easier fun can be had in Hunters Hole. It's a hole, near the Hunters Lodge. More a training venue than a challenge. It's also falling to pieces. Mendip limestone's fickle like that. Jackie and Roger like a courtesy "Hello" beforehand, or stop by for a drink/nosh afterwards so they get a bit of trade. Also, park on the grassy set-aside area, rather than taking up pub parking space(s).

If you can find it Mangle Hole's "different", muddy and a bit of a marmite cave. If you're happy with goodwill fees then Manor Farm Swallet is also an option with straightforward rigging and a bit of an adventure.

Most Mendip bolts are so wobbly they almost fall out of their sockets* but everyone already knows about them so you don't need to bother reporting it. *This may be a melodramatic exaggeration.
 
S

Smudge375

New member
Cheers for that Cap'n Chris  (y)

We don't mind paying good will fee's, we do it in the Peaks for some holes.

Most of us are novice but have good training behind us. I'm trained in basic rigging. Just looking for something to play in down south  :bow:
 
Maj

Maj

Active member
Hi Smudge,

Hunters Hole sounds ideal for you (don't mix up with Hunters Lodge Inn Sink).
Once down the first two pitches there are three routes down. Good vantage points to keep an eye on your novices. When we take our SRT improvers down there we tend to rig the entrance pipe for SRT too, might aswell get an extra short pitch in. Be aware of loose rocks particularly on the approach to Sago pitch. As Cap'n Chris says, park in the overflow carpark/grass enclosure at the end of the carpark.
A good write up in Mendip Underground 5, have you got one?  If not, I can highly recommend one.

Maj
 
cap n chris

cap n chris

Well-known member
Depends on the route(s) you take; there's masses of scope; you need to check out Mendip Underground for rigging info/topos etc..

Entrance, Perseverance Pot route, Marble Streamway, Ledge Traverse, Slither Pot, Wuthering Heights and Lateral Aven all eco-bolted. High Atlas is still on spits and given the approach/awkwardness/difficulty is best left for another day. It is not ideal for beginners. It is a marmite cave.

The cave is weather dependent and floods (a lot); don't go unless ground conditions are dry and the forecast is totally clear too. A visit requires preparation and research; route-finding is not simple.
 
Duncan Price

Duncan Price

Active member
The entrance to Thrupe Lane is currently a tad wet as the stream is flowing down it.  The gate is not locked, just there to keep debris from being washed into the cave from the surface depression.

Chris beat me to it with a description and I would add that a combination of ladder, free climbing and rope work is the most efficient way down and up.
 
cap n chris

cap n chris

Well-known member
Fulk said:
Is Rhino Rift still a 'no-go area'?
Click to expand...

Yes. It is having some new bolts placed imminently, to facilitate descent of P3, a topo will be drawn up and it will reopen thereafter. Give it at least a week or more. CCC Ltd. will announce things through the correct channels in due course.
 
S

Smudge375

New member
Maj, I have got Mendip Underground 5 but as with all of these types of book, it can be hard to work out what is suitable for our group without talking to someone with first hand knowledge of the cave.

It does look like the next trip down south might well be to hunters hole. I'll keep an eye on the bolts though ;)

Cheers guys, you've been a great help :D
 
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