Online Log Book 2007

[Sumpy]

Goatchurch Cavern
Wednesday 17th October 2007

Chris L, Dani G, Martin and Sumpy

The four of us parked in the car park next to the award winning toilets and kitted up not knowing what the plan was and waited for the rest of the group to arrive. After hanging around for a while we realised everyone else was parked in the car park next to the Burrington Cafe / Inn, wandered down to find they they were all going to drive up to Lionel's Hole. Not wanting to dirty our cars and not wanting to strip off again we plumped for Goatchurch as Chris hadn't done it before

In through the main entrance and followed route down Giants Staircase, Dani looked in through the small tube on the last step towards Orange Peel Passage.

Followed main passage skipping Bloody Tight down small rift towards The Terrace, Dani and Chris went down the squeezes to Boulder Chamber whilst Martin and myself  followed the rift strait down. Under Coffin lid into Water Chamber, We took some time to look at most passages from the Water Chamber, going down into the small waterfall chamber, up to the stream and Dani did the small tube at the bottom far end of the chamber.

We then went down the small climb to the Drain Pipe, Chris, Dani and Martin crawled through and I stayed behind and had a sneaky munch on some Kendal mint cake. They explored the rift in the floor and the tube in the wall to the Final Rift Martin going furthest in but also getting a little stuck, finally managing to free himself with a little help from Chris.

On the way out met three other cavers looking down ladder just before the Drain Pipe, continued back up over Coffin lid and stopped to look over the Coal Chute before free climbing out the Tradesmen's Entrance.

It was a nice gentle trip which got us back at the Burrington Inn at about 9:45.
Thanks Guys for the great night!

 

[Dani]

Another jolly evening - thanks guys

I think next time Swampy ought to have an umbrella or a stick with a flag on it in true tour guide style!

 

[anfieldman]

Lionel's Hole

Wednesday 17th October 2007

Barry H, Steve W, Trish,Meg W,Mark W and someone else who's name escapes me but a bloody jolly nice chap.


This just in from our roving reporter Barry H..........................(in other words copied and pasted from his email)


A somewhat more local trip on Wednesday17th September saw ten of us meeting in the Burrington cafe carpark. This was clearly too many for any one cave, so six headed for Lionel's Hole and four to the East Twin valley where they delved into the inner reaches Goatchurch. Those of us in Lionel's attempted (yet again) the round trip. Route finding, ably led by Steve Windsor, was this time no problem, but the amount of water in the stream prevented the party progressing with its ultimate aim. Still, we had fun in the various tight squeezes and boulder collapses.

There were a couple of new/prospective members, so borrowed kit was needed. After the event both parties met up in the Burrington cafe - didn't want to risk getting to the Hunters after hours.

Any thoughts about next week?


Wake up Barry it's October now not September.

Nice trip for me being a Lionel's Hole virgin. Fun cave.

 

[cap n chris]

Nice trip for me being a Lionel's Hole virgin.

Could be taken out of context, Mark! Glad Cheddar's going strong(er).

 

[anfieldman]

Nice trip for me being a Lionel's Hole virgin.

Could be taken out of context, Mark! Glad Cheddar's going strong(er).

Did I mean to say it like that? Me???

Yes we're going very strong thanks. Memberships creeping up all the time.

 

[Chris Lank]

Swildon?s Hole ? Upper Series (MRO Practice Rescue)
Saturday 20th October 2007
Andy H, Zoe, Dave, Neil, Judy, Gary, Mark W, Brendan, Martin & Chris L

This trip to Swildon?s Hole was somewhat special as a practice rescue had been arranged with Martin and Richard of the Mendip Rescue Organisation (MRO).  After a briefing at the Belfry we assembled at Priddy Green and strolled down the Short Dry Way to a point just above to the 20? pot.

It was here that our volunteer casualty, Richard (MRO) had his ?accident?.  The Cheddar Caving Club team leapt into action and in no time Richard was secured to stretcher.  We spent the next 3-hours huffing and puffing, as Richard was dragged out of the cave via the Short Dry Way.  Although the entire rescue was hard, the hardest bit by far was getting our casualty through the 90-degree bend at the 40? pot.  In the end, brute force and ignorance won through and we made it.

We sustained our casualty with comforting banter and imaginary biscuits, but nevertheless, when we finally made it out of the cave he was somewhat blue and shivering.  He claimed it was from the cold, but we reckon otherwise.

Thanks to the MRO for providing us with an excellent training experience.  Lesson for the day ? don?t have an accident in a cave.

 

[anfieldman]

Yes big thanks to Martin & Richard for a hopefully unique experience. It really makes you realise how difficult a job these volunteers have (I proudly include myself now) when trying to help someone.

 

[Chris Lank]

Goatchurch Cavern
Tuesday 23rd October 2007

Martin, Chris L with Nigel, Chris & Andy as guests of Martin

The return to Goatchurch was intended to be a gentle stroll with a few of Martin?s friends, who had a small amount of caving experience.

We entered via the Main Entrance and made our way down Giant?s Stairs, through Boulder Chamber and into Water Chamber.  In Water Chamber we had a quick look at the small waterfall in the hole in the floor before looking for the Drainpipe.

We took a likely looking tunnel, which unfortunately turned out to be a dead end.  We did discover that you could just about get four people in the dead-end, but this is most definitely not to be recommended as the air got very stale very quickly.  The last person to leave the dead-end certainly huffed and puffed their way out.

After a slight course adjustment we found the Drainpipe and made our way along it.  While the others explored the small chamber at the end, I made my way along the passage leading through the Dexion-shored boulders.  After negotiating various squeezes and holes, I finally found myself in a fairly large chamber containing some nice taped-off decorations.  I had a quick look at the two dig sites before returning to the head of the Drainpipe.

After regrouping, we made our way out of the cave via the Coffin Lid and the Tradesman?s Entrance before heading off to the pub for an essential debrief.

 

[Dani]

Read's Cavern
Wednesday 24th October

Chris L, Sumpy (not Swampy -sorry, I blame it on old age, or hormones), Martin, Laura (aka Hoodie), Dani and later joined by Barry

After last weeks jaunt, we again managed to organise ourselves in the absence Mr S to meet up for a trip to Read's.  Meeting up by the UBSS hut (sorry Barry), we thought we were in for a busy night with four or five other cars there (and their occupants) joining in the curious practice of stripping off in front of strangers in the freezing cold - rather daunting for Laura, who was on her first club trip.  In the end I think most of the other guys headed off to Bath Swallet or Rods Pot, so we had Read's to ourselves.

Kitted up, we set off for the entrance, assured by Chris that he knew where it was and true to his word, after a gentle stroll we ended up at the entrance by the streamway.  After sorting a slight technical difficulty with Laura's light (needing a new bulb - thanks Sumpy for 'being prepared' :bow we followed the streamway into the main chamber. 

I'm afraid after this, my account gets a bit hazy and completely lacking in any sort of official or technical description.  First we headed off to the far end of the main chamber (near the other entrance) and did some crawling around after descending a hole in the floor, then we decided it got a bit tight, so came out of there and went down a different hole in the floor a bit higher up the main chamber.  By this time, Barry had joined us in our explorations and we headed off for the Z-bends (can't remember if that's the right name).  After wriggling and squeezing down we ended up in another chamber (Waterfall chamber?  ) and again spent some time investigating various small openings to see if they went anywhere.  By then, we'd decided that it was probably about time to head off to the pub, so made our way back out, having a quick nose at the other entrance.  Quick change and back to the Hunters for some light refreshments!

Thanks guys for an interesting trip exploring all the nooks and crannies and for looking after Laura so well. 

 

[anfieldman]

Glad to hear you all had a good time. I'm off there at the weekend to do some sketching.

 

[Dani]

I'd heard that - I thought the cave was quite pretty and there were lots of interesting shapes that should make for good sketching - have a fun weekend!

 

[Sumpy]

Dani you should really get a copy of Mendip underground to help you with names lol .. Twas a good trip shame we couldn't find our way around proper.
Thanks for the fun time guys.

 

[Chris Lank]

Fabo trip to Read's Cavern!  I really enjoyed having to find our way around without someone who knew the exact layout.  I reckon we still have unfinished business in it though.

 

[Dani]

I've got a copy (and even read it before we went to Reads), but I still can't remember the names of things  .  I'm afraid to say I can only remember things by what they looked like or how you had to cave them ie you go down a slidy bit then over a big hole in the floor and carry on till you get to a crawly bit - I think Andy calls it 'girly descriptions'.  A repeat trip is definitely in order - I might get the names right then!

 

[Chris Lank]

Swildon?s Hole ? Upper Series
Wednesday 31st October 2007

Martin, Dani, Sumpy, Kaz & Chris L

Summary  - A nice relaxing bimble.

We commenced our evening?s stroll by finding a pair of unattached trainers in the car park near the barn.  These were subsequently returned to their rightful owner by one of our more honest members.

After reaching the entrance chamber, we took a small diversion to the Zig Zags area, before making our way to the head of the Wet Way.  One group went down the Top Oxbow via Butcombe Chamber, and the other group continued down the Wet Way.  We regrouped just past the Lavatory Pan before continuing down to Water Chamber.

At the Forty Foot Pot, we again split up, with one group taking the high route to the top of the Pot and the other group continuing downstream.

After descending the Forty Foot Pot, we again regrouped, took some photographs and made our way back to the surface via Water Chamber, Old Grotto and the Short Dry Way.

In celebration of our return to the surface, a small beverage was later consumed at a certain local hostelry.

 

[Chris Lank]

East Twin Swallet
Sunday 4th November 2007

Mark, Meg & Chris L

Our visit was suitably christened by a member of our party (who shall remain nameless) weeing on their oversuit prior to entering the cave.

There was lots of evidence of digging and shoring up in this cave.  I think it is fair to say that it was not the most attractive cave that we had ever visited.  After a quick descent to the bottom of the Third Chamber, we returned by the same way and headed off for our second cave of the day.


Sidcot Swallet
Sunday 4th November 2007

Mark, Meg & Chris L

We headed on down into the cave through the Tie Press and Boulder Chamber before ending up at the "infamous" Lobster Pot.  For safety?s sake, we rigged it with slings before descending.  After a short crawl we entered Paradise Chamber, which was suitably well decorated.  We were not feeling too adventurous so only went as far as the duck.  However, we agreed to return later and pass the duck to reach the end of the cave.

We made our way out of the cave using the same route.  The Lobster Pot was good fun although suitably difficult.  The remainder of the trip was mostly uneventful with two thirds of the party doing their best to get lost in the Boulder Chamber.

Thanks to M & M for a fun Sunday afternoon trip.

 

[Chris Lank]

Sidcot Swallet
Monday 5th November 2007

Martin & Chris L

The Return to Sidcot Swallet?

Our mission was to investigate likely looking holes and crawls during our way down to the duck at Paradise Chamber.  We both had a few interesting moments, which involved getting hauled out of various holes ? in one memorable instance backwards by the ankles.  Nevertheless, we achieved our mission.

Purgatory was saved until last.  It had a totally different look and feel to the rest of the cave.  Given my ?knackered? state, I didn?t push my luck but this is certainly an area for a future dedicated visit.

We did our best to discover a new entrance on the way out but despite our best endeavours we eventually found the correct route.

Very sore, covered in bruises but pleased with the evening's results.

 

[Misty]

Had a lovely Sunday saunter down Sidcot may I say, thanks for a lovely time.

Sidcot Swallet entrance Chris infront Misty behind

East Twin Swallet, Not as fun as Notts Pot lots of digging and shoring up made it simply unpleasent

Misty and Chris climbing up the kerplunk in East Twin Swallet

Misty up a May Pole

 

[Chris Lank]

Cuckoo Cleeves
Wednesday 7th November 2007

Sumpy, Tricia, Tim, Mark, Barry, Danny, Steve W, Karen, Martin & Chris L

After walking through half of Somerset, our trusted guide finally got us to the entrance of the cave.  We never doubted him for a moment (not much anyway).

We descended down through the concrete entrance tube, entrance chambers and canyon to the bottom chamber of the cave.  The air was not great and we were all suffering a bit.  A couple of the team pressed on through the squeezy rift to the sump and dig beyond.  It had been hoped to find the The Lake but a slight geographical miscalculation meant that a non?optimal route was taken (i.e. the wrong one).

After gathering our breath we headed back out of the cave and off to the Hunter?s for a well earned drink.

 

[Chris Lank]

Rod?s Pot
Saturday 10th November 2007

Tim, Sumpy, Martin & Chris L

As a warm-up to the next cave, we decided to take a short tourist trip to Rod?s Pot.

After a quick march down to the bottom of the Main Chamber, we had a quick look at the top of Purple Pot before heading out.

Not much to report except that we found it a little odd to exit a cave during daylight.