martinb
Member
In response to this thread: http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=13200.0 I though I had better write up what we (I and others from CCC) have done in Stoney Middleton since November 2010.
From November 2010 to May 2011, CCC had an ongoing project to reopen the shaft in Clay Chamber in Nickergrove Mine to Stream Chamber. Stream Chamber is where the stream comes in from Streaks Pot and then goes out NNE towards the Boil Up. After months of stabilising the shaft and digging through years of silt, we managed to open the route in May 2011.
Subsequently, we also found a 20m+ rift going virtually all the way up to the same level as the entrance passage. Miners had been there before and nicked quite a lot of stal - the new rift was named T'owd Mans Rift.
In October 2011, John Taylor from EPC and CDG did try to dive the downstream extensions towards the Boil Up, but unfortunately, there had been movement in the boulder choke and it was not to be.
In July 2011, members of CCC were to be found in Merlins looking for a connection between Carlswark and Merlins. After only three weeks of digging, a new connection was found through a large scree pile. be warned that the connection is tight and awkward! The connection was found and passed by 4 members and was named ' Connect 4'.
In September 2011, whilst wandering around on the hillside between Hangover Hole and Rubble Rift, 2 members of CCC noticed water worn features on a small rock outcrop. After 10 minutes of digging with hands through soil and scree, we were rewarded with a small gust of cool air from gaps inbetween larger boulders.
The following week we returned with rock breaking equipment and subsequently forced a way into a narrow descending rift about 18" wide and 8' deep, from the bottom, you can slide into a small chamber about 1m H x 4m L x 2m W.
A narrow 2m long slot in the wall of the chamber allows access to another chamber at the rear with voice and light connection to Moonmilk chamber in Hangover Hole. The connection has been called 'Sober Connection' as we dug it before we went to the pub!
Another project is underway with a write up (hopefully) in the next Descent.
From November 2010 to May 2011, CCC had an ongoing project to reopen the shaft in Clay Chamber in Nickergrove Mine to Stream Chamber. Stream Chamber is where the stream comes in from Streaks Pot and then goes out NNE towards the Boil Up. After months of stabilising the shaft and digging through years of silt, we managed to open the route in May 2011.
Subsequently, we also found a 20m+ rift going virtually all the way up to the same level as the entrance passage. Miners had been there before and nicked quite a lot of stal - the new rift was named T'owd Mans Rift.
In October 2011, John Taylor from EPC and CDG did try to dive the downstream extensions towards the Boil Up, but unfortunately, there had been movement in the boulder choke and it was not to be.
In July 2011, members of CCC were to be found in Merlins looking for a connection between Carlswark and Merlins. After only three weeks of digging, a new connection was found through a large scree pile. be warned that the connection is tight and awkward! The connection was found and passed by 4 members and was named ' Connect 4'.
In September 2011, whilst wandering around on the hillside between Hangover Hole and Rubble Rift, 2 members of CCC noticed water worn features on a small rock outcrop. After 10 minutes of digging with hands through soil and scree, we were rewarded with a small gust of cool air from gaps inbetween larger boulders.
The following week we returned with rock breaking equipment and subsequently forced a way into a narrow descending rift about 18" wide and 8' deep, from the bottom, you can slide into a small chamber about 1m H x 4m L x 2m W.
A narrow 2m long slot in the wall of the chamber allows access to another chamber at the rear with voice and light connection to Moonmilk chamber in Hangover Hole. The connection has been called 'Sober Connection' as we dug it before we went to the pub!
Another project is underway with a write up (hopefully) in the next Descent.