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Redhouse Lane Swallet Update
- Thread starter Tritim230
- Start date
List hasn't been updated (Somerset underground gives swildon's as 9.2km - MCRA 9.14, below 9.41):I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but if MCRA info is up to date, the surveyed length of Redhouse now exceeds the length of Swildon’s Hole by 49m!
England - Longest caves
Last edited:
PeteHall
Moderator
I'm not sure where the data came from on ukcaves, but there are definitely some errors on there. I would guess that the 9.41km is a typo, copying 9.14km from MCRA.List hasn't been updated (Somerset underground gives swildon's as 9.2km - MCRA 9.14, below 9.41):
England - Longest caves
www.ukcaves.co.uk
Either way, I think we'll soon be leaving that particular milestone well behind.
langcliffe
Well-known member
Good, positive public relations for caving in general.
PeteHall
Moderator
Update from today.
Pete Hall, Mark Tringham and Tom Elliott entered the cave around 9.30am, with several objectives planned in the Pissimism area.
Objective 1 was to try to create a shortcut into Pissimism after recent surveying showed overlapping splays through an inclined bedding plane. We spent about an hour working on this from both sides, but despite the short distance between us, we decided that something more energetic than a lump hammer would be needed. Approx gap 2-3m.
While looking for the right spot to dig, I accidentally found two other passages about 15m each, one ending in a too-tight rift, the other ending in breakdown.
After a bite of lunch, I spotted a side rift on the way to the next planned objective and managed to push about 30m, finding bat bones along the way, but unfortunately it pinched out.
On to Objective 2, where we surveyed a previously explored, but unsurveyed oxbow. This added about 45m to the survey and contained some interest geological features that we photographed.
Objective 3 was a side passage that had been noted and entered for a short distance but not pushed. This was explored and surveyed through some nice sculpted limestone for about 65m to a rather sketchy boulder choke, which I managed to dig through to gain another 10m on the survey before it became too tight. If it wasn't so remote, it could probably have been pushed a bit further, but as I was the only one foolish enough to pass the choke, I didn't push too hard!
On the way out, with ample time and energy I reorganised my bag (eg gave the survey kit to Tom to carry) and picked up the diving cylinder I'd left in the cave last year and brought it out.
We exited to daylight after a mere 11 and a half hours.
Also pleased to note that when a couple of locals passed walking their dog as we were kitting up, they wished us well and said they looked forward to seeing the update on YouTube later! It seems since the talk everyone in the village is talking about it, which is brilliant publicity for cavers and caving in the area
Pete Hall, Mark Tringham and Tom Elliott entered the cave around 9.30am, with several objectives planned in the Pissimism area.
Objective 1 was to try to create a shortcut into Pissimism after recent surveying showed overlapping splays through an inclined bedding plane. We spent about an hour working on this from both sides, but despite the short distance between us, we decided that something more energetic than a lump hammer would be needed. Approx gap 2-3m.
While looking for the right spot to dig, I accidentally found two other passages about 15m each, one ending in a too-tight rift, the other ending in breakdown.
After a bite of lunch, I spotted a side rift on the way to the next planned objective and managed to push about 30m, finding bat bones along the way, but unfortunately it pinched out.
On to Objective 2, where we surveyed a previously explored, but unsurveyed oxbow. This added about 45m to the survey and contained some interest geological features that we photographed.
Objective 3 was a side passage that had been noted and entered for a short distance but not pushed. This was explored and surveyed through some nice sculpted limestone for about 65m to a rather sketchy boulder choke, which I managed to dig through to gain another 10m on the survey before it became too tight. If it wasn't so remote, it could probably have been pushed a bit further, but as I was the only one foolish enough to pass the choke, I didn't push too hard!
On the way out, with ample time and energy I reorganised my bag (eg gave the survey kit to Tom to carry) and picked up the diving cylinder I'd left in the cave last year and brought it out.
We exited to daylight after a mere 11 and a half hours.
Also pleased to note that when a couple of locals passed walking their dog as we were kitting up, they wished us well and said they looked forward to seeing the update on YouTube later! It seems since the talk everyone in the village is talking about it, which is brilliant publicity for cavers and caving in the area
David Rose
Active member
The Sunday Times has an article today (paywalled) https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environ...-as-cathedrals-under-forest-of-dean-pc2p8srfn
JasonC
Well-known member
The sound track to Marta's piece at the end, courtesy of Mr Blackbird, was very beautiful and a perfect accompaniment!
Tritim230
Well-known member
Trip Report 26-5-25.
A larger team with multiple roles of taping, surveying, filming and exploration of Into the Void/Paleo Paradise comprising Joel, Matilde, John, Paul, Ian, Dan S, Daniel J, Tim.
Passage was pushed beyond previous limits by Joel, Matilde and Ian. The west direction was dug via 2 tight squeezes to a mud choke.
The climb we came prepared to rig was dropped by Joel without tackle to a TT rift that connected back to a traverse initially deemed too dodgy.
Joel and Matilde pushed this initially - it is extremely arduous - trying to wedge in along the route. Multiple ways lead off but all terminating in chokes. Of interest was lots of cryogenic calcite, a geode and one set of bat bones. Furthest reaches appear to be above the NW route below the Wicked Pitch of the North. Total surveyed 278m.
A nice, short trip at 9 1/2 hours. Water levels extremely low - the Welcome Pool had dried out and instead of getting washed off on exit, you got muddier! What a difference from 12 weeks ago when we were sucking the ceiling for the last 30 minutes of exiting.
Ian did video the trip so hopefully a new episode soon....
A larger team with multiple roles of taping, surveying, filming and exploration of Into the Void/Paleo Paradise comprising Joel, Matilde, John, Paul, Ian, Dan S, Daniel J, Tim.
Passage was pushed beyond previous limits by Joel, Matilde and Ian. The west direction was dug via 2 tight squeezes to a mud choke.
The climb we came prepared to rig was dropped by Joel without tackle to a TT rift that connected back to a traverse initially deemed too dodgy.
Joel and Matilde pushed this initially - it is extremely arduous - trying to wedge in along the route. Multiple ways lead off but all terminating in chokes. Of interest was lots of cryogenic calcite, a geode and one set of bat bones. Furthest reaches appear to be above the NW route below the Wicked Pitch of the North. Total surveyed 278m.
A nice, short trip at 9 1/2 hours. Water levels extremely low - the Welcome Pool had dried out and instead of getting washed off on exit, you got muddier! What a difference from 12 weeks ago when we were sucking the ceiling for the last 30 minutes of exiting.
Ian did video the trip so hopefully a new episode soon....
Indeed
...also loved the way such care was taken not to harm the formations.Thanks once again for sharing your exploration so openly on UKC and elsewhere. Many will be enjoying your updates including myself
Tritim230
Well-known member
There is more than that left to survey.
Tritim230
Well-known member
Updates:
Trip 31st May:
A large group: Tiff, Marta, Mark, Dan S, Ade, Chris Scaife, Gareth Davies and me.
First team establishes Cave Link and Radio Location to a point just beyond Symonds Yat Swallet at a depth of 36m (confirming the survey data).
Second team finish off surveying Matt's Rift connecting this to the Calcite River and providing an alternative route to Consolation Climb. Dan and I descended Wild West Pitch to survey. A very attractive pitch with stalactites and calcite flows to land on a gour floor. Sadly, it descended to a TT mud rift but draughts strongly. Then onto Mudificent Desolation to dig into the void Dan had spotted previously. Sadly, this also ended after a short distance in glutinous mud. The survey data indicates that this is the deepest point of the cave, just above resurgence level.
A 13 hour trip and all too tired to go to the pub!
Trip 1st June:
Rhys, Jules Carter and Al Braybrooke completed taped all along, and stabilised the end, of Frosty Freeway.
Only 80m of 'tidy-up' surveying done this weekend, but all being well we'll crack the 10km next weekend with further surveying in the Lhasa rifts.
Still a couple of open leads and then back to digging the multitude of draughting chokes.
Trip 31st May:
A large group: Tiff, Marta, Mark, Dan S, Ade, Chris Scaife, Gareth Davies and me.
First team establishes Cave Link and Radio Location to a point just beyond Symonds Yat Swallet at a depth of 36m (confirming the survey data).
Second team finish off surveying Matt's Rift connecting this to the Calcite River and providing an alternative route to Consolation Climb. Dan and I descended Wild West Pitch to survey. A very attractive pitch with stalactites and calcite flows to land on a gour floor. Sadly, it descended to a TT mud rift but draughts strongly. Then onto Mudificent Desolation to dig into the void Dan had spotted previously. Sadly, this also ended after a short distance in glutinous mud. The survey data indicates that this is the deepest point of the cave, just above resurgence level.
A 13 hour trip and all too tired to go to the pub!
Trip 1st June:
Rhys, Jules Carter and Al Braybrooke completed taped all along, and stabilised the end, of Frosty Freeway.
Only 80m of 'tidy-up' surveying done this weekend, but all being well we'll crack the 10km next weekend with further surveying in the Lhasa rifts.
Still a couple of open leads and then back to digging the multitude of draughting chokes.
andybrooks
Active member
This is great stuff, I really enjoy these reports and videos.
Speaking of draughts, Trevor Ford's 1989 book "Limestones and Caves of Wales" describes Wye Rapids Cave (C3) as "several excavated sections for at least 200m, with a strong draught throughout . . . trending towards the area of Symonds Yat Swallet."
Speaking of draughts, Trevor Ford's 1989 book "Limestones and Caves of Wales" describes Wye Rapids Cave (C3) as "several excavated sections for at least 200m, with a strong draught throughout . . . trending towards the area of Symonds Yat Swallet."
Tritim230
Well-known member
Thank you.
Indeed on C3! It is one of the caves furthest away from the Redhouse end though. After large chambers a sinewy, tight crawl ends in chokes. It is on our list to resurvey soon. Too many bats in the way when we looked in winter!
Recently, we have found more unlisted holes in the cliff much closer to the current Redhouse end, and will be systematically working at those as well.
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