Sludge Pit

[KevinR]

Any news on Sludge? Descent 232 seems to indicate access arrangements should be sorted by now 

 

[Les W]

Still waiting...
hopefully not too long now. 

 

[exsumper]

Cant wait to start digging at the terminal sump

 

[Andy Sparrow]

Cant wait to start digging at the terminal sump

And I can't wait to dig another site in the cave...

 

[estelle]

see http://cscc.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id=news:start - it is open and has been for a week. We were surprised when we went down last night to find that we were the first in the logbook! I would have thought there would have been a mad rush of people desperate to go and see it after all these years...

 

[mrodoc]

Possibly because it was never that exciting a cave. Marginally more interesting than Tyning's Barrow Cave (IMHO as they say).

 

[mrodoc]

However, I should add that interest is piqued by the fact that the stream in the cave enters Swildons via Shatter Passage so a through trip is a future possibility (although I suspect a lot of engineering will be involved).

 

[estelle]

Possibly because it was never that exciting a cave. Marginally more interesting than Tyning's Barrow Cave (IMHO as they say).

yes but a generation of cavers won't have seen it before to find that out for themselves! At least it seems to have good air circulation unlike Tynings and a few others!

 

[tony from suffolk]

Oh come on, it's not that bad! 

Does anyone know offhand if Nine Barrows Swallet's going to be open again soon?

 

[estelle]

Does anyone know offhand if Nine Barrows Swallet's going to be open again soon?

the info i was given for the BEC newsletter is that the cave is currently gated and closed with signs making it clear that this is the case. It is hoped when the landowner visits the UK next time, a decision will be made on the type of gate and access agreement so hopefully it won't be too much longer to be patient for.

 

[cap n chris]

Sludge Pit's various digging teams' efforts should represent a nice lil' earner, and the log book of visits will indicate which dig(s) are active and which are dormant and therefore will be useful to know.

 

[mikem]

Still on first page of trips in the logbook...can't recommend using SRT on the pitch!

Mike

 

[estelle]

Still on first page of trips in the logbook...can't recommend using SRT on the pitch!

Ladder hasn't got the best of hangs using a bolt either side as they put you against the ledge, the scaff bar makes the best hang!

 

[cap n chris]

The scaff bar was alarming; when the bolts were put in we used the scaff bar to sound test the rock - the ledge the scaff bar was "supported by" gave a very dull clonk, signifying that the chunk of rock it was resting on wasn't attached to anything at all.

The bolts provide good rigging options and a free-hanging ladder is easily achieved from a y-hang (rigged to your personal preference); clipping a ladder directly into either bolt probably would result in a compromised hang for the ladder, if you choose to do it that way.

 

[bagpuss]

Is there a survey of the cave? I've got a written description from the previous Mendip Underground but would be interested in seeing a survey if there was one..

 

[JohnMCooper]

Searching Mendip Cave Registry Site for surveys takes you here:

http://www.lancock.co.uk/mcra/live/surveys/Nine%20Barrows%20Swallet.pdf

 

[bagpuss]

Cheers, I usually check there, hadn't thought to check due to it only recently re-opening. Any trip reports up online of any visits?

 

[Cookie]

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=14574.msg201483#msg201483

 

[cap n chris]

There's a little film of SP showing at this weekend's Hidden Earth. It may get uploaded onto YouTube afterwards but meanwhile you'll just have to wait.

 

[bagpuss]

Do you know where is best to park for the cave? It doesn't say in the access info. Is it best to park at Eastwater farm (paying the changing fee for there)?