This is my first trip report so please don?t be too harsh?..
Where ? Swildons Hole
When ? Tuesday 12th March 2013
Who ? Myself and Dave Balls
After deciding to visit Swildons (Yet Again) we met up at MCG HQ at 6:30pm, were swiftly changed into full attire and headed down to Priddy to park by the green.
Having decided in the car to change from a quick trip to sump 1 and back to the short round trip we set off across the fields to the blockhouse. Quick check of the time (7:15pm) and we were in? Dave being Dave raced straight down dropped over the climb into the 1st chamber while I slid down underneath getting only slightly wet.
We stopped briefly to adjust light levels then the race was on. Dave sped on ahead of me straight down Jacobs?s ladder at such a pace I could barely see his light, only catching a glimpse as I rounded each corner.
I went at my own speed as I have learned that racing to keep up can only lead to accidents (and I wasn?t in the mood for any of those!) We followed the stream down to the old grotto and then onwards to the water chamber where Dave waited for me while I took a minute to get my breath back (could I count this part as my first solo trip?). Swiftly on past the climb up to the old 40 down to the 8ft waterfall where after jumping down trying to stay as dry as possible we bumped into the two guys from the BEC that always seem to be in Swildons when we are. As we reached the 20ft pitch we stopped to catch our breath as we had made pretty good time for us. Once rigged we both realised that neither has been down here on a ladder in some time as we usually Ab it these days. Having made a mess of the climb down and getting suitably wet (just me) we marched on to the double pots where I was tempted to just jump in as I was wearing both a neo-fleece and a furry and was getting HOT by this point. We decided to skip Barnes loop and head down the canyon as the more ?direct? route. From there it was easy caving down to Tratman?s where we climbed up leaving the streamway behind and headed into St Paul?s series. Quick time check (7:40pm ? Not Bad!) and then onto the less glamorous side of Swildons and a bit more hands and knees crawling than Dave would have liked. Battling on to the mud sump which today was little more than a puddle. This is where I took the lead and dived through head first on my front as I?ve usually had to be on my back.
On we go past the climb up to the swine-puke detour and into the entrance of the Shatter series. After a quick glance up to try and see where the Ab down from swine-puke comes out we head on until we get to the greasy chimney. Dave goes up first not making it look particularly easy, when he?s up and not going to fall on me I start climbing using the nice foothold behind me to get started. With not so much as a grunt im up and safe now it?s just the brave step to contend with. No matter how many times I do this I still get the same feeling that I?m going to fall so I stay high then jump as I?m just over the edge (I give myself a 10 for the landing) after that I take the lead again. Down through Paradise Regained and on to the troubles past the way into Blue Pencil, up and over with feet on one side and ass on the other, even using this technique I get shaky legs from the fact im ?shuffling? up hill and not feeling very stable.
Now to tackle ?The Troubles? the first of which is so low that there is no bailing required so I go through without so much as a wet ear! The second of the ducks was similar to the first so again didn?t get as wet I had hoped (Still Boiling due to being overdressed) not having to bail the ducks gave us some time play with which was good as things slowed down once we got to the ?Birthday Squeeze? I dived through without touching the sides as Dave debated which way to face and whether or not to remove his helmet, after deciding to take off his helmet Dave started through but became uncomfortable with how Snug it was so he backed out and after several attempts Dave was visibly getting annoyed so I came back through to calm him down and talk about using technique to get through rather than forcing it. After about 10 minutes Dave decides that the way through is to remove his oversuit and wellies so while he does that we talk about years to come when stomach size could be a problem (we compare to Dave to some of the ?older? cavers we know). Anyway Dave now goes through first so I can pull him out by his feet if he does get stuck. Once he?s through I follow sliding through with room to spare. Now to move quickly to ?The Landing? as we have lost some valuable pub time. After 10 or so minutes easy caving we start to get the feeling we may have missed the climb down to ?The Landing? as the passageways become less appealing and we start to notice Leeches covering the rocks. We Back track to where we slid down and find the climb we needed to take. Once at the top of ?The Landing? I have a quick break and a mars bar and off we go. I hold the rope in my right hand as I slide down, I pick up quite a bit of speed as I move down using the puddle at the bottom to stop me, Sending stagnant water flying everywhere. We decide not to go and look sump two as I think we were both hoping for a quick time. Onto sump one and as we move along the streamway the passageways become more attractive and the water flow a lot more active.
Once at the Wookey Hole sign I know were less than half an hour from the surface. Dave goes through first and as I watch his feet thrashing about I lie in the sump pool quite happy that I can finally cool down! Three tugs of the rope and I?m clear to go through so I take in all the slack, take a deep breath and dive. I come out the other side with the rope wrapped around my Duo and the light off ? How did that Happen!?
Feeling nicely cooled down we started to head on out along the more familiar route of Swildons 1. Usually once I have been through the sump I head out at full speed due to being cold but today I was happy to cave at a more sociable pace. The way on was out was easy caving; I chose to go back through the canyon while Dave opted for Barnes loop. We made easy work of the way out and before we realised we are at the foot of the 20ft pitch. Once up and de-rigged we headed out the way we had came in through the short dry way without any issues.
We both feel the tiredness but nothing compared to some of the trips we have done in this superb cave.
Time out of cave was 9:45ish. After running back to the car to change we headed to the Hunters for some much needed cider.
All in all a very good trip which could have been far less enjoyable if we had to do some bailing so thanks to who ever had been through before us and did all the hard work.
Also this was the first time we had done the round trip just the 2 of us so next time we shouldn?t have any navigation issues.
Where ? Swildons Hole
When ? Tuesday 12th March 2013
Who ? Myself and Dave Balls
After deciding to visit Swildons (Yet Again) we met up at MCG HQ at 6:30pm, were swiftly changed into full attire and headed down to Priddy to park by the green.
Having decided in the car to change from a quick trip to sump 1 and back to the short round trip we set off across the fields to the blockhouse. Quick check of the time (7:15pm) and we were in? Dave being Dave raced straight down dropped over the climb into the 1st chamber while I slid down underneath getting only slightly wet.
We stopped briefly to adjust light levels then the race was on. Dave sped on ahead of me straight down Jacobs?s ladder at such a pace I could barely see his light, only catching a glimpse as I rounded each corner.
I went at my own speed as I have learned that racing to keep up can only lead to accidents (and I wasn?t in the mood for any of those!) We followed the stream down to the old grotto and then onwards to the water chamber where Dave waited for me while I took a minute to get my breath back (could I count this part as my first solo trip?). Swiftly on past the climb up to the old 40 down to the 8ft waterfall where after jumping down trying to stay as dry as possible we bumped into the two guys from the BEC that always seem to be in Swildons when we are. As we reached the 20ft pitch we stopped to catch our breath as we had made pretty good time for us. Once rigged we both realised that neither has been down here on a ladder in some time as we usually Ab it these days. Having made a mess of the climb down and getting suitably wet (just me) we marched on to the double pots where I was tempted to just jump in as I was wearing both a neo-fleece and a furry and was getting HOT by this point. We decided to skip Barnes loop and head down the canyon as the more ?direct? route. From there it was easy caving down to Tratman?s where we climbed up leaving the streamway behind and headed into St Paul?s series. Quick time check (7:40pm ? Not Bad!) and then onto the less glamorous side of Swildons and a bit more hands and knees crawling than Dave would have liked. Battling on to the mud sump which today was little more than a puddle. This is where I took the lead and dived through head first on my front as I?ve usually had to be on my back.
On we go past the climb up to the swine-puke detour and into the entrance of the Shatter series. After a quick glance up to try and see where the Ab down from swine-puke comes out we head on until we get to the greasy chimney. Dave goes up first not making it look particularly easy, when he?s up and not going to fall on me I start climbing using the nice foothold behind me to get started. With not so much as a grunt im up and safe now it?s just the brave step to contend with. No matter how many times I do this I still get the same feeling that I?m going to fall so I stay high then jump as I?m just over the edge (I give myself a 10 for the landing) after that I take the lead again. Down through Paradise Regained and on to the troubles past the way into Blue Pencil, up and over with feet on one side and ass on the other, even using this technique I get shaky legs from the fact im ?shuffling? up hill and not feeling very stable.
Now to tackle ?The Troubles? the first of which is so low that there is no bailing required so I go through without so much as a wet ear! The second of the ducks was similar to the first so again didn?t get as wet I had hoped (Still Boiling due to being overdressed) not having to bail the ducks gave us some time play with which was good as things slowed down once we got to the ?Birthday Squeeze? I dived through without touching the sides as Dave debated which way to face and whether or not to remove his helmet, after deciding to take off his helmet Dave started through but became uncomfortable with how Snug it was so he backed out and after several attempts Dave was visibly getting annoyed so I came back through to calm him down and talk about using technique to get through rather than forcing it. After about 10 minutes Dave decides that the way through is to remove his oversuit and wellies so while he does that we talk about years to come when stomach size could be a problem (we compare to Dave to some of the ?older? cavers we know). Anyway Dave now goes through first so I can pull him out by his feet if he does get stuck. Once he?s through I follow sliding through with room to spare. Now to move quickly to ?The Landing? as we have lost some valuable pub time. After 10 or so minutes easy caving we start to get the feeling we may have missed the climb down to ?The Landing? as the passageways become less appealing and we start to notice Leeches covering the rocks. We Back track to where we slid down and find the climb we needed to take. Once at the top of ?The Landing? I have a quick break and a mars bar and off we go. I hold the rope in my right hand as I slide down, I pick up quite a bit of speed as I move down using the puddle at the bottom to stop me, Sending stagnant water flying everywhere. We decide not to go and look sump two as I think we were both hoping for a quick time. Onto sump one and as we move along the streamway the passageways become more attractive and the water flow a lot more active.
Once at the Wookey Hole sign I know were less than half an hour from the surface. Dave goes through first and as I watch his feet thrashing about I lie in the sump pool quite happy that I can finally cool down! Three tugs of the rope and I?m clear to go through so I take in all the slack, take a deep breath and dive. I come out the other side with the rope wrapped around my Duo and the light off ? How did that Happen!?
Feeling nicely cooled down we started to head on out along the more familiar route of Swildons 1. Usually once I have been through the sump I head out at full speed due to being cold but today I was happy to cave at a more sociable pace. The way on was out was easy caving; I chose to go back through the canyon while Dave opted for Barnes loop. We made easy work of the way out and before we realised we are at the foot of the 20ft pitch. Once up and de-rigged we headed out the way we had came in through the short dry way without any issues.
We both feel the tiredness but nothing compared to some of the trips we have done in this superb cave.
Time out of cave was 9:45ish. After running back to the car to change we headed to the Hunters for some much needed cider.
All in all a very good trip which could have been far less enjoyable if we had to do some bailing so thanks to who ever had been through before us and did all the hard work.
Also this was the first time we had done the round trip just the 2 of us so next time we shouldn?t have any navigation issues.
