shotlighter
Active member
Although I've not been, I have wondered if it's over yonder.
Redhouse Lane Swallet Update
- Thread starter Tritim230
- Start date
David Rose
Active member
Jimi well described the sinking feeling of arriving at a cave with a gated entrance where one's been planning an exciting trip, only to discover unexpected access problems. I believe this happened to some during the (we can now surely say, insane) Ogof Draenen cold war.
Wait a minute, something's wrong here
The key won't unlock this door
Wait a minute, something's wrong
Lord, have mercy, this key won't unlock this door
Something's goin' wrong here
Wait a minute, something's wrong here
The key won't unlock this door
Wait a minute, something's wrong
Lord, have mercy, this key won't unlock this door
Something's goin' wrong here
Tritim230
Well-known member
Exploration Update 10th May.
Two teams of 3.
Mark, Matt and John survey 200m of previously discovered passage.
Ian, Dan and I recommence digging activities looking for the next big lead.
One passage dug through two sections and explored ~250m through a complex of rifts to a connection at the top of a climb up just below Mindless Optimism.
A second was a 5m awkward climb to a passage heading north off WOTSTW. Ends in a dig and a TT descent. Estimated length ~150m explored.
Some fine sets of fossils, mud deposits and cryogenic calcite found.
The next big lead remains illusive but plenty of digs left...
Further surveying trips planned the coming weekends. The 10km mark isn't too far off.
Dan and I celebrated 10 full trips in 10 consecutive weeks and have earnt our straight-jacket and white coat award. And my knees do hurt somewhat today.
Two teams of 3.
Mark, Matt and John survey 200m of previously discovered passage.
Ian, Dan and I recommence digging activities looking for the next big lead.
One passage dug through two sections and explored ~250m through a complex of rifts to a connection at the top of a climb up just below Mindless Optimism.
A second was a 5m awkward climb to a passage heading north off WOTSTW. Ends in a dig and a TT descent. Estimated length ~150m explored.
Some fine sets of fossils, mud deposits and cryogenic calcite found.
The next big lead remains illusive but plenty of digs left...
Further surveying trips planned the coming weekends. The 10km mark isn't too far off.
Dan and I celebrated 10 full trips in 10 consecutive weeks and have earnt our straight-jacket and white coat award. And my knees do hurt somewhat today.
Dan S
Member
I'm definitely ready to be carted off. I was coming up a roomy bit of streamway yesterday, and thought 'ohh, this would make a really nice duck, shame the roof's not a bit lower..'Exploration Update 10th May.
Two teams of 3.
Mark, Matt and John survey 200m of previously discovered passage.
Ian, Dan and I recommence digging activities looking for the next big lead.
One passage dug through two sections and explored ~250m through a complex of rifts to a connection at the top of a climb up just below Mindless Optimism.
A second was a 5m awkward climb to a passage heading north off WOTSTW. Ends in a dig and a TT descent. Estimated length ~150m explored.
Some fine sets of fossils, mud deposits and cryogenic calcite found.
The next big lead remains illusive but plenty of digs left...
Further surveying trips planned the coming weekends. The 10km mark isn't too far off.
Dan and I celebrated 10 full trips in 10 consecutive weeks and have earnt our straight-jacket and white coat award. And my knees do hurt somewhat today.
mrodoc
Well-known member
Probably the one up the lane.
Dan S
Member
When the Slaughter Stream Cave connection happens (only a matter of time + effort!), the whole system will be knocking on the door of the 2nd longest in England and be pushing into the top 5 in the UK.. A bit of work to do yet though!It's the Peak-Speedwell and Gaping Gill crowns we're aiming for! Should be possible once we connect with Slaughter Stream Cave.
PeteHall
Moderator
Aiming so low?It's the Peak-Speedwell and Gaping Gill crowns we're aiming for! Should be possible once we connect with Slaughter Stream Cave.
Could the "Two Countries System" rival the "Three Counties"?
PeteHall
Moderator
Joking aside, I think a 30km system is very plausible, but even in our wildest drams, I don't think we'll be anywhere near Three Counties length!Dream on
Adventure Traveller
Member
Latest film is now up - Episode 12 - 'Redhouse - Calcite & Consolidation'
I didn't go on that trip so it's a short film with footage from others, but mostly I produced it to showcase a few of Bartek Biela's excellent photos of the White Forest for you to enjoy...
I didn't go on that trip so it's a short film with footage from others, but mostly I produced it to showcase a few of Bartek Biela's excellent photos of the White Forest for you to enjoy...
Length is theoretically possible, a huge chamber is possibly possible, but the 103m waterfall might be a challenge
Rob
Well-known member
And the 141m pitch might be a challenge
Lankyman
Active member
It says something when 300m of new passage is a bit of a disappointment. I doubt I found that much in my entire caving career!
David Rose
Active member
If Aggie connects to Daren, that will eliminate one cave from the longest in UK list. So I guess if the Redhouse dream is fully realised, maybe to include Big Sink, ahead of it would likely be the 3 Counties, OFD, Aggie-Daren and Ogof Draenen. My article on the cave with some of Bartek's photos will be posted on UnHerd.com before the end of the week - maybe tonight. I will post again when I know.
Andy Farrant
Active member
Tritim230
Well-known member
Trip Reports 17-5-25
Team 1. Joel, Matilde, Bartek, Paulina, Ian. A one off trip to Marble River for photography and filming. A bypass to a pristine mud section was excavated. Please note that this series is taped off at Snow Flake Passage and no further trips are allowed beyond until we have installed a via ferrata type system so that cavers can pass over the sensitive floor. Joel, Matilde and Ian were on the original exploration and survey team and knew exactly how and where to cross to minimise damage (wellies off, etc).
Team 2. Tiff, Dan and myself. Surveyed beyond the Forbidden Passage below Falkland's Folly. This is a passage that is filled with a pristine calcite flow complete with cave pearls. Using a plastic sheet to cross, we surveyed ~130m with many off-shoots and rifts (Lhasa Rifts), before running out of time as Eurovision beckoned....Before leaving we rigged a rope so the passage can be reached from just below Mindless Optimism. Both sides of the Forbidden Passage are taped across but the cave pearls can be viewed and photographed from the Falkland's Folly side. Note there is also a passage to the left before the Forbidden Passage which is adorned with cave pearls. The passage reached beyond has only been crossed once without damage (see Ian's video) and ends in mud chokes. This passage is taped again just before the cave pearls so everybody can view/photograph.
There is still around 150m plus to survey in this section of cave. With the many rifts and side branches, so it will be another full day trip.
Team 1. Joel, Matilde, Bartek, Paulina, Ian. A one off trip to Marble River for photography and filming. A bypass to a pristine mud section was excavated. Please note that this series is taped off at Snow Flake Passage and no further trips are allowed beyond until we have installed a via ferrata type system so that cavers can pass over the sensitive floor. Joel, Matilde and Ian were on the original exploration and survey team and knew exactly how and where to cross to minimise damage (wellies off, etc).
Team 2. Tiff, Dan and myself. Surveyed beyond the Forbidden Passage below Falkland's Folly. This is a passage that is filled with a pristine calcite flow complete with cave pearls. Using a plastic sheet to cross, we surveyed ~130m with many off-shoots and rifts (Lhasa Rifts), before running out of time as Eurovision beckoned....Before leaving we rigged a rope so the passage can be reached from just below Mindless Optimism. Both sides of the Forbidden Passage are taped across but the cave pearls can be viewed and photographed from the Falkland's Folly side. Note there is also a passage to the left before the Forbidden Passage which is adorned with cave pearls. The passage reached beyond has only been crossed once without damage (see Ian's video) and ends in mud chokes. This passage is taped again just before the cave pearls so everybody can view/photograph.
There is still around 150m plus to survey in this section of cave. With the many rifts and side branches, so it will be another full day trip.
Last edited:
FoDCCAG
Member
The evening presentation was a big success. Over 100 people turned up (almost all locals) for 90 minutes of the slide show and a special edition of Ian's video. Over £400 was generously donated to be shared between GCRG and FoDCCAG. An A0 poster of the most up to date survey was on display together with surface overlays and historic photographs/press cuttings.
The evening finished off with a presentation by Paul Taylor of a picture of Mindless Optimism taken by Bartek Biela to Avril Bowen the landowner of Redhouse Lane Cave. A second photo was presented to Phil Gwilliam that was taken when FoDCCAG handed over the cheque for the purchase of the land at Wet Sink.
A huge thanks to all those that turned up and contributed.
David Rose
Active member
My article on Redhouse will be posted on UnHerd.com at midnight tonight. Photos by Bartek Biela.
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