Swildons to Wookey

[Razzerip1]

I was reading a post today on another site regarding Swildons sump 12a and gravel  blocking the way forward and was interested if White Pit with all its current digs could be a connection between Swildon's and Wookey.
As someone new to the scene, i have watched Wookey Exposed and Secret Underground and have been very interested in the progress made so far.
It would be interesting to know what the current level of progress is at present?

 

[cap n chris]

Diggers in White Pit have got at least 300 feet of depth to go before they get anywhere near Swildon's streamway!

 

[Hughie]

Diggers in White Pit have got at least 300 feet of depth to go before they get anywhere near Swildon's streamway!

That's just vertically isn't it,Chris? Must be some distance laterally.

 

[Razzerip1]

But not necessarily 300 feet of total infill !

 

[cap n chris]

I guess there is a slim chance that it's only five foot of infill and two hundred and ninety feet of open vertical passage. Pretty unlikely but.... it could just be true!

Haven't a clue how far apart the two systems are likely to be separated laterally without overlaying surveys and I don't have one for White Pit. Anyone?, anyone?...

 

[SamT]

Buler? Buler?

(soz couldn;t resist)

 

[graham]

Current level of progress, Hmm. Wooding, Savage & Drew reached Sump 12 in 1966. In 1973 or 4 I remember John Parker telling me he "knew" the way through Sump 12. Others have said similar things in teh more recent past, but progress? Nope! Only from the Wookey end.

 

[Razzerip1]

According to Rick Stanton (Wookey DVD), Decompression times were far too long in Wookey and a new technology was needed.

This in turn takes me back to White Pit or Templeton.

Are there any other possibilities?

 

[andymorgan]

I don't know how the survey of White Pit ties in with the Swildon's survey. However it appears on a plan survey (from above) of Swildon's that the entrance of White Pit is down stream of sump 12 (if the stream continues in the same direction). http://www.bdcc.co.uk/mendip.html?Mapping=Microsoft&Grid=UKOS&Latitude=51.2988&Longitude=-2.7104&MapType=Sat&Zoom=16
This is probably why Razzerip is interested in it, and is a question I have pondered.
  Capn don't be cynical  :chair:: there may be 300 feet of depth, but perhaps it could 'do a Priddy Green Sink' and enter an undiscovered aven system! .....Or maybe it is a fossil system that his no relationship to modern day drainage 
  Maybe an old White Pit digger on this forum  could enlighten us of the potential of the cave?

 

[Razzerip1]

This is probably why Razzerip is interested in it, and is a question I have pondered.

Correct

It was just an observation regarding such an interesting topic.

 

[andymorgan]

Are there any other possibilities?

I think Twin Titties was dug to intercept the Priddy Master Cave. Sand Pit Hole is on the line of Swildons to Wookey, but from what I have read won't go anywhere.

The link I have posted didn't work so go to http://www.bdcc.co.uk/mendip.html, and select 'cave' as overlay for the Swildons survey overlay and see its relationship to White Pit.

I find this topic very interesting as well!!

 

[Razzerip1]

I am just reading a Balch Book at the moment "Cheddar its Gorge and Caves" where Balch seem to think Swildon's was the head of the Cheddar system at the time of print.

 

[Stupot]

Swildon's 7 holds the answer, Sump 12 just seems the obvious way on.

Stu.

 

[Razzerip1]

This sounds very interesting, can you tell us more!

 

[Stupot]

Parallel streamway that enters Swildon's 13 

Stu.

 

[Razzerip1]

I didn't know such a place existed!

I thought it was just 12, 12a, 12b

But never having been there, would love to hear about Swildon's 13.

 

[Stupot]

Swildon's 13 exists, it just hasn't been discovered yet - neither has the parallel streamway but we are working on it.

Stu.

 

[cap n chris]

Let's just hope that the parallel streamway isn't in a parallel universe. Now that would be a bit of an epic trip, eh?!

 

[Razzerip1]

 

[Hughie]

Swildons to Wookey is a bit specific. Think Swildons/St Cuthberts/Eastwater and the picture changes somewhat.

Currently, Wigmore Swallet is at the head of the Cheddar system (but quite squalid and sump ridden - with no through trip), though Hillgrove is also a proven feeder (but no caveable link - despite 100 years or so of sporadic digging!

There are also some big blank areas between the Priddy area and Cheddar - mainly due to access difficulties. Anne and I are working on this by attempting to encourage a relationship between her youngest daughter and the landowners Grandson - apparently he told Kerry he wouldn't marry her if she was the last girl on earth. however, they're only 9 or 10 so there's hope yet. Seriously though, I reckon we could have access when the elder generation relinquishes it's grip, as I get on quite well with the two sons. Definitely stuff there as the sons tell me they frequently drop a tractor wheel down thinly covered holes.

The Templeton management department have also identified a 10 acre site that geologically has immense  potential - shall we have a whip-round?  :doubt: