Reservoir Hole Digging Prospects

[cap n chris]

Video camera on a pole would sort it.

Thanks Chipperlessnesses. If memory serves all the high prospect alcove-thingies have nearby blank wall(s) which could be bolted directly up and then traverse across at the correct height horizon. I spent quite a long time looking at the bolting route/options and they're definitely do-able without egregious conservation issues. Drone(s) would be better though, imo. Perhaps their time is approaching.

 

[mrodoc]

The area Chris B is interested in certainly deserves attention. There is clear airflow in this part of the cave but whether open passage exists at a high level or beyond the boulders in the floor is debatable. Regarding Dingley Dell this is a mysterious place as the draught through the eyehole into what appears to be a blind chamber is substantial. Andrew Atkinson was supposed to have examined it but I still wonder what that hole does. Last time I was there we considered a climb just further back before the 'letter box' and I don't think that has been ruled out. Then even further back all the Skyfall water flows down a parallel passage that Alison Moody considered working on - this would need chemical means to enlarge but might enter the system downstream of the sump. The area in the roof of TFD is extensive and it gives you an idea of the age of the cave when you can move along a well scalloped relict streamway 35 metres above the floor. Photos attached of formations up there.

 

[cap n chris]

Exploration of TFD and the moral "ownership of digging rights" really rested with the discoverers - it was (still is?) very much "their baby" as they'd found it after a huge amount of graft and very well done to them and what a massive moment in the history of Mendip Caving and Digging/Exploration. To a large extent I would imagine future digging say-so should include their assent but legally that probably rests with the landowner(s) - someone more knowledgeable than I can answer that.

Back to now. When/if access to RH and TFD resumes does this mean that the landowner will call the shots regarding continued exploration works, unilaterally, or is there a moral case to be made for future digging to be given secondary assent from the original discoverers? I'd say the latter/former combined. Furthermore who would be "in on the digging" there and how would that be selected? There is almost certainly a massive amount more cave to be found, and probably without too much difficulty.

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Exploration of TFD and the moral "ownership of digging rights" really rested with the discoverers - it was (still is?) very much "their baby" as they'd found it after a huge amount of graft and very well done to them and what a massive moment in the history of Mendip Caving and Digging/Exploration. To a large extent I would imagine future digging say-so should include their assent but legally that probably rests with the landowner(s) - someone more knowledgeable than I can answer that.

Back to now. When/if access to RH and TFD resumes does this mean that the landowner will call the shots regarding continued exploration works, unilaterally, or is there a moral case to be made for future digging to be given secondary assent from the original discoverers? I'd say the latter/former combined. Furthermore who would be "in on the digging" there and how would that be selected? There is almost certainly a massive amount more cave to be found, and probably without too much difficulty.

Ultimately the landowner trumps everyone. Simple. You dont play be their rules he shuts the cave. My own view from my cosy niche in the nursing home is that I am happy for anyone to carry on with our work. Lets face it Reservoir Hole has been " generational " where digging is concerned and likely to remain so. It would be nice to be kept informed of progress though. Such is the case with Vurley now the younger folk are digging there.

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Of course the old problem regarding fixed aids and platforms exists. Who actually is responsible for long term maintaince ? Surely not the folk who put it there if they are all over 80.

 

[cap n chris]

Of course the old problem regarding fixed aids and platforms exists. Who actually is responsible for long term maintaince ? Surely not the folk who put it there if they are all over 80.

Probably more a case of volenti non fit injuria than a subset of caveat emptor.

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Sorry Cap'n. I never learned French.

 

[mrodoc]

As far as I am concerned the digs in Reservoir Hole were building on the work done by Willie Stanton. He did give us his blessing as well regarding the dig heading for Frozen Deep as promising. The reason he stopped was that he had nobody to dig with anymore! As OR says all we ask is that the diggers keep us in the loop!

 

[tony from suffolk]

Probably more a case of volenti non fit injuria than a subset of caveat emptor.

You are Boris Johnson, and I claim my £50!

 

[cap n chris]

Sorry Cap'n. I never learned French.

Doofus. It's Spanish.