Dan S
Active member
After a quiet few weeks, we had a busy weekend in Redhouse.
Chocolate river team 4/10/25: Andrew Atkinson and Matt Jones
Aim was the end of chocolate river via the white forest. The end constriction was passed quickly but was immediately mud choked. We dug at another lead in the higher passage in conglomerate layer, where Andrew broke into a small chamber. A small passage continued upwards, with what we thought was a small air-flow, but needed a chisel or something more to help clear the constriction. Wouldn’t say was the most promising..
We then backtracked continuing upwards, where it feels like you’re going back at a high level over chocolate river. Matt squeezed up (tight) with help of lump hammer to reach roof level where the crease limestone meets marl. A junction right in crease went too tight. Possible passage beyond, but solid rock constriction for a few metres.
The other way, following roof ended in flat out marl choke. Maybe 25-30m found in the two locations.
West End trip 4/10/25: Tiff, Pete, Joel, Dan, Gareth and Ian.
Planned to photo + derig the Wild West pitch, dig at the end ‘Crow’ dig and to bolt climb the inlet at the camp.
On the way to the end, Joel climbed the dripping inlet in the gour chamber just before HH. He made it look easy, but unfortunately all too tight at the top, with nothing in the way to digging prospects, so I think we can tick that one off the list.
Gareth, aided by myself, methodically bolt climbed the 7M camp inlet. At the top a few boulders needed gardening and then those with SRT kits pushed into a large aven. (Joel, Tiff and Gareth). They reckon it’s about 17M and 4M wide, with clean washed sides. Great prospects for getting near the surface (maybe below the infilled depression area?) No obvious passages going off – It will need to be bolt climbed and Gareth is very enthused to return.
By this time the other group were finishing off the photos and derigging. Most of us has a dig at the end Crow dig. Ongoing mud floor, we were just worm holing through, stacking to the sides. Tight, but made good progress – probably about 8-10M on the day. We left it with a tantalising wider section about 3 meters ahead, but were running out of stacking space. Definitely worth preserving with as it’s heading straight to the SY cliffs, but probably needs a drag tray system for the next dig. Very fresh in there, so we were all quite excited about the prospects.
All then made are way out – last out by 9.30pm, just to ensure the dubious glory of a 12hour trip!
White Forest trip 5/10/25. Falky, Alex and Ollie.
Planned to do some taping and cleaning around White Forest. Sadly, Falky pulled his back in the entrance series and soon after getting past NIRA decided not to carry on, so he headed back out. Alex and Ollie carried on to White Forest picking up the spray bottle and tape on the way. These were left at the WF and the drill was brought from HH back to WF, so everything is there ready for taping and cleaning next time.
Science trip: 5/10/25. Mark Tringham - Report to follow..
Also, there will soon be another video from our multi award winning videographer, so keep a look out!
Chocolate river team 4/10/25: Andrew Atkinson and Matt Jones
Aim was the end of chocolate river via the white forest. The end constriction was passed quickly but was immediately mud choked. We dug at another lead in the higher passage in conglomerate layer, where Andrew broke into a small chamber. A small passage continued upwards, with what we thought was a small air-flow, but needed a chisel or something more to help clear the constriction. Wouldn’t say was the most promising..
We then backtracked continuing upwards, where it feels like you’re going back at a high level over chocolate river. Matt squeezed up (tight) with help of lump hammer to reach roof level where the crease limestone meets marl. A junction right in crease went too tight. Possible passage beyond, but solid rock constriction for a few metres.
The other way, following roof ended in flat out marl choke. Maybe 25-30m found in the two locations.
West End trip 4/10/25: Tiff, Pete, Joel, Dan, Gareth and Ian.
Planned to photo + derig the Wild West pitch, dig at the end ‘Crow’ dig and to bolt climb the inlet at the camp.
On the way to the end, Joel climbed the dripping inlet in the gour chamber just before HH. He made it look easy, but unfortunately all too tight at the top, with nothing in the way to digging prospects, so I think we can tick that one off the list.
Gareth, aided by myself, methodically bolt climbed the 7M camp inlet. At the top a few boulders needed gardening and then those with SRT kits pushed into a large aven. (Joel, Tiff and Gareth). They reckon it’s about 17M and 4M wide, with clean washed sides. Great prospects for getting near the surface (maybe below the infilled depression area?) No obvious passages going off – It will need to be bolt climbed and Gareth is very enthused to return.
By this time the other group were finishing off the photos and derigging. Most of us has a dig at the end Crow dig. Ongoing mud floor, we were just worm holing through, stacking to the sides. Tight, but made good progress – probably about 8-10M on the day. We left it with a tantalising wider section about 3 meters ahead, but were running out of stacking space. Definitely worth preserving with as it’s heading straight to the SY cliffs, but probably needs a drag tray system for the next dig. Very fresh in there, so we were all quite excited about the prospects.
All then made are way out – last out by 9.30pm, just to ensure the dubious glory of a 12hour trip!
White Forest trip 5/10/25. Falky, Alex and Ollie.
Planned to do some taping and cleaning around White Forest. Sadly, Falky pulled his back in the entrance series and soon after getting past NIRA decided not to carry on, so he headed back out. Alex and Ollie carried on to White Forest picking up the spray bottle and tape on the way. These were left at the WF and the drill was brought from HH back to WF, so everything is there ready for taping and cleaning next time.
Science trip: 5/10/25. Mark Tringham - Report to follow..
Also, there will soon be another video from our multi award winning videographer, so keep a look out!
) The radio location gear was set up after Bartek and Loz had finished their photos. We had no luck with the VHF radios, but an hour or so after the radio antenna was set up, and Mike relayed messages to me, via cave link, that a surface location spot had been identified. Sitting on my own for over an hour in the end chamber, you start to hear things – mainly the dripping of water, but I thought I could hear faint tapping.. Standing up and putting my head into the hole in the roof, the tapping started to get louder – definitely hammering from above! Very difficult to tell how close, but also very exciting to hear outside noise, this far into the cave.
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