Sunset bedding crawl

[flashheart]

Roughly halfway down the pitch into the 'final' chamber in Sunset Hole is a decent size hole in the wall. Just wondered if anyone had been along there, and was there anything to see?

 

[Alex]

Which side? If it's on the right (facing out), then it likely connects to the rift in the pitch bypass route, I would guess. If not then, go and take a look

 

[LadyMud]

It doesn't actually answer your question, flashheart, but this is interesting (from CNCC website):

There are options for further exploration beyond this usual turnaround point (including two further pitches, no anchors). This is the
Upper Series and 1968 Extensions, and these are tight, awkward and may have loose blocks. Directly across on the opposite wall of
the Main Chamber is an awkward 4m climb up, the second opportunity to access the Upper Series. This climb may have a very old in
situ rope which should not be trusted. Onward from the top is a short pitch (15m rope, no anchors in place), which drops down to a
tight corkscrew descent leading immediately onto another pitch. A 18m rope should be belayed at the top of the corkscrew to
protect the descent and rig the pitch, again no anchors so natural belays will have to be located. This final pitch drops into Rift
Chamber, where numerous routes and block chambers can be explored which ultimately all choke within about 50-100m.

 

[georgenorth]

Roughly halfway down the pitch into the 'final' chamber in Sunset Hole is a decent size hole in the wall. Just wondered if anyone had been along there, and was there anything to see?

I believe that it’s blind, but haven’t been in to check personally.

 

[georgenorth]

It doesn't actually answer your question, flashheart, but this is interesting (from CNCC website):

There are options for further exploration beyond this usual turnaround point (including two further pitches, no anchors). This is the
Upper Series and 1968 Extensions, and these are tight, awkward and may have loose blocks. Directly across on the opposite wall of
the Main Chamber is an awkward 4m climb up, the second opportunity to access the Upper Series. This climb may have a very old in
situ rope which should not be trusted. Onward from the top is a short pitch (15m rope, no anchors in place), which drops down to a
tight corkscrew descent leading immediately onto another pitch. A 18m rope should be belayed at the top of the corkscrew to
protect the descent and rig the pitch, again no anchors so natural belays will have to be located. This final pitch drops into Rift
Chamber, where numerous routes and block chambers can be explored which ultimately all choke within about 50-100m.

The description for the extensions is quite out of date. The up pitch and the 2nd down pitch are both equipped with modern anchors. The 1st down pitch is rigged off good naturals. Removing the rail and all the old tat from the up pitch is on my to-do list. There’s no need to be belayed through the corkscrew squeeze - you just need to be aware that there’s a pitch at the bottom of it.

There’s a couple of tight squeezes and a big loose choke to get to the end (where the sound of a significant stream way can be heard very nearby). It almost certainly needs scaffolding to progress any further, which will be extremely difficult to get there!

 

[Ian Ball]

The corkscrew section in NC2 I believe carries the warning that rescue after this section is virtually impossible.

 

[georgenorth]

The corkscrew section in NC2 I believe carries the warning that rescue after this section is virtually impossible.

The corkscrew could be rapidly widened in case of a rescue these days. The squeeze to get to the final passage (The Rising of the Moon) is much more difficult and problematic!

It’s a really interesting bit of cave, but definitely needs treating with respect.

 

[danthecavingman]

Presumably the stream that can be heard is the Sunset stream heading towards Roaring Hole?
Would reopening the connection to Braithwaite Wife Hole make access any easier?

 

[georgenorth]

Presumably the stream that can be heard is the Sunset stream heading towards Roaring Hole?
Would reopening the connection to Braithwaite Wife Hole make access any easier?

Yes, the assumption is that it’s the sunset water (and maybe more). Reopening Braithwaite might make access a bit quicker, but the real issue is the two twisty squeezes in the extensions. I think to get scaff (and boards) through you’d need to straighten them both out, which might be a bit controversial!

 

[flashheart]

Hi Alex, It's on the left (facing out).
Could well be blind at the end, georgenorth, I only had a short look in passing. Will have a better look next time, unless anyone else can solve the mystery before then!

 

[Beardy]

http://cavemaps.org/surveys/ulsa/full/ULSA%20XXXX%20Sunset%20Hole.png

Does this help?

 

[flashheart]

http://cavemaps.org/surveys/ulsa/full/ULSA%20XXXX%20Sunset%20Hole.png

Does this help?

Thanks Beardy, I suspect it's the little passage between 'crawl' and '20' climb' on that survey. Doesn't look like it goes far!