Redhouse Lane Swallet Update

[mrodoc]

One thing that does intrigue me is that nobody seems to have dug much in the cliffs of Symond's Yat in the past which with a resurgence there seems fairly obvious. I am wondering if access problems or absence of draughts or just perceived wisdom from the past that there were no significant caves in the area were issues. Certainly the big gorges and valleys on Mendip have many little holes that have nearly all received attention at some time or another.

 

[Tritim230]

As Dan said we have been digging in SYC 5 with some success. And are systematically reviewing everything now.

I think the recent discoveries have thrown everything we previously thought on their head.

Note to dig we have to apply to Forestry England via FoDCCAG for a permit.

The area above the Saracen's Head between the Pinnacle (Longstone) and Yat Rock is currently off limits for climbers and cavers until new fencing is erected following a rock fall.

SYC5, 3J's and SYS are all south of this area.

SYS has been reopened at the surface but is choked by a collapse part way down the entrance shaft. It will take a lot of engineering to make safe. Apparently it was deemed a death trap all the way to the end.

If you haven't seen it yet, Ian has produced another excellent video of the trip 2 weeks ago (posted earlier). Last weekend's discoveries are still being processed!

 

[PeteHall]

The latest film premieres tonight at 7pm!

It's from the trip on 6 April

Another fantastic film! Well done to the stand-in film crew and Ian, as ever, for the editing!

 

[jonnybellman]

Just watched this. The updates are fantastic, and hearing/seeing the reactions of white forest brought a big smile to my face. Can't wait to see what other treasures this cave brings!

The latest film premieres tonight at 7pm!

It's from the trip on 6 April when what some of the team are calling 'one of the most beautifully decorated passages in the Country' is discovered! - 'The White Forest'.
Unfortunately I didn't get to film this trip underground myself, but have included footage taken by Dan on one of my cameras. I filmed them coming out and telling their story after another 12 hour gruelling but exhilarating trip.
Enjoy...

 

[mattsccm]

Bits of that map overlay appear in the videos. Is there an overall map anywhere?

 

[PeteHall]

Bits of that map overlay appear in the videos. Is there an overall map anywhere?

It's work in progress and still changing every week, but will certainly be published when complete.
Look out for preliminary issues of the survey in Descent.
There is a shot of the full survey (as of two weeks ago) at the end of the video, so you can get an idea how it all fits together in the meantime.

 

[Tritim230]

Bits of that map overlay appear in the videos. Is there an overall map anywhere?

We will be doing a presentation in English Bicknor on 16th May. Full details will be published via FoDCCAG on this forum, shortly.

 

[Mrs Trellis]

It's all rather wonderful -

 

[PeteHall]

For the record, I'd like to quote Tim from last week, after I kept saying things like "Oooo, that looks interesting. Have you looked at it yet?"

Tim's response?
"If you can't walk into it, we've not looked at it"

That, with nearly 8km on the survey!

 

[mattsccm]

We will be doing a presentation in English Bicknor on 16th May. Full details will be published via FoDCCAG on this forum, shortly.

I'll be there. Straight from school!

 

[mrodoc]

As Dan said we have been digging in SYC 5 with some success. And are systematically reviewing everything now.

I think the recent discoveries have thrown everything we previously thought on their head.

Note to dig we have to apply to Forestry England via FoDCCAG for a permit.

The area above the Saracen's Head between the Pinnacle (Longstone) and Yat Rock is currently off limits for climbers and cavers until new fencing is erected following a rock fall.

SYC5, 3J's and SYS are all south of this area.

SYS has been reopened at the surface but is choked by a collapse part way down the entrance shaft. It will take a lot of engineering to make safe. Apparently it was deemed a death trap all the way to the end.

If you haven't seen it yet, Ian has produced another excellent video of the trip 2 weeks ago (posted earlier). Last weekend's discoveries are still being processed!

The film was excellent. Technology has advanced so rapidly in the last 15 years. My films of Reservoir Hole look sad compared to what you are producing now and being to film explore and survey would boggle cavers from 50 years ago.

 

[Peter Ryder]

I think it is the sense of openness and willingness to share such a major find as it happens that is so remarkable, and I really hope it does not backfire in anyway. Completely contrary to some traditional caving attitudes. I recall a phone call some years ago from a guy who introduced himself as a member of a by-then-defunct Northern club. Was I interested in the caves of ….dale? Sure, I was. He reeled off a list of cave names, mostly new to me. Would I like to see surveys of them? Yes please. Well, he said, you never will. And put the phone down…

 

[Goydenman]

I too applaud the openness of the team on their finds, on their excellent videos, surveying and conservation a model to follow for us all. The White Forest stuff is mind blowing, what amazing formations

 

[Tritim230]

I think it is the sense of openness and willingness to share such a major find as it happens that is so remarkable, and I really hope it does not backfire in anyway. Completely contrary to some traditional caving attitudes. I recall a phone call some years ago from a guy who introduced himself as a member of a by-then-defunct Northern club. Was I interested in the caves of ….dale? Sure, I was. He reeled off a list of cave names, mostly new to me. Would I like to see surveys of them? Yes please. Well, he said, you never will. And put the phone down…

Thanks Peter, your comments are very kind.

 

[Tritim230]

I too applaud the openness of the team on their finds, on their excellent videos, surveying and conservation a model to follow for us all. The White Forest stuff is mind blowing, what amazing formations

Thank you, Chris as well

 

[mrodoc]

I would like to echo these sentiments. As a caving correspondent for the Mendips it would be good see more openness there!

 

[Pegasus]

I'm loving this thread, especially the videos. Thanks to all for sharing and for supporting UKC - much appreciated

 

[Adventure Traveller]

Next Redhouse video is now up! Unfortunately I was again unable to personally get any underground footage myself, but I have put something together to bring the latest revelations to you. This Saturday I plan to be filming at the sharp end and we will hopefully make many more discoveries. NB This film is also a chance to get to see, for the first time, some really good photos taken by Bartek & others in Mindless Optimism & Cryogenic Causeway. No doubt he'll be featuring again on the front cover of Descent sometime with one of his portrait shots I've not included.

 

[mrodoc]

We can't keep up and we're not even in the cave!

 

[langcliffe]

Awesome!