Swildons to Wookey

[Hughie]

It's probably completely unfeasible to try & break into it again...

It was discussed not so long ago. I'm pretty sure I've seen a survey of it, but I'm not sure who owned it.
J'Rat seemed keen and was trying to encourage Tuska to take the project on.

The scale of operations would be huge, likewise the cost. Extrapolating the cost from other projects, £10k would probably get it off to a good start. Pledges, anyone.......

 

[graham]

I hereby pledge not to pirate it.

 

[Hughie]

I hereby pledge not to pirate it.

I think if it ever took place, all pirates would be welcome!

 

[Peter Burgess]

Stand by to repel boarders!

 

[andymorgan]

Isn't it best for cavers if everyone joined in on a dig rather than kept other cavers away 

 

[graham]

Isn't it best for cavers if everyone joined in on a dig rather than kept other cavers away 

S'pose it depends on whether you are digging a big choke or a narrow tube, really.

 

[paul]

Isn't it best for cavers if everyone joined in on a dig rather than kept other cavers away 

S'pose it depends on whether you are digging a big choke or a narrow tube, really.

Or if you've been digging regularly for months and take ONE day off to attend a rescue practice elsewhere, then somebody who has never been there before then moves ONE rock - and bloody breaks through into very substantial, well-decorated new cave!!



The only consolation was that the offending rock slab nearly fell down on his head as he dug underneath!

 

[whitelackington]

Has anyone postulated what would be the likely streamway length of a combined
Swildon's Hole / Wookey Hole Streamway?

 

[graham]

Yes.

Doesn't mean that their guesses would be anywhere near close to reality though.

 

[cap n chris]

Isn't it best for cavers if everyone joined in on a dig rather than kept other cavers away 

Yes, you're right; it isn't.

 

[Peter Burgess]

Isn't it best for cavers if everyone joined in on a dig rather than kept other cavers away 

Yes, you're right; it isn't.

Imagine the scenario. An all-comers welcome approach at UFS. By now, there would be a Cave Management Committee, a Conservation and Access Sub-group, a Legal Aspects Sub Group, and perhaps in a few months time there might be some agreement about doing some exploring and further digging. Or am I just an old cynic?

I think the unwritten ethics of who 'runs' a dig have served us well on the whole, and I wouldn't want it to change.

 

[Elaine]

This is what happens if digs are free for all;

Team A go down Wednesday night and have a jolly good digging session getting out 30 drums of spoil.

On Thursday Team B go down and ferret around leaving all the spoil for Team A to dispose of the following Wednesday.

Team A point out that this is not very fair, Team B amends its naughty habits for a week or two.

Digger X thinks he will have a solo dig and leaves all his spoil at the end for someone else to haul out and accidentally breaks Team A's digging tool and just leaves it there.

Etc etc.

 

[graham]

Both UFS and Bedstead Swallet were dug by two teams at the same time. This caused problems in both cases.

 

[Peter Burgess]

So hands up who still thinks a digging free for all is the preferred option?

 

[andymorgan]

I actually meant if people wanted to get involved in a dig maybe they should just be invited along by the digging club to help out.

In Anne's example I don't see the problem of one team doing digging and the next team moving spoil, it is all digging.

This thought of wanting to be the first to enter VIRGIN passage, well I can imagine it will give psychologists a field day!

 

[graham]

In Anne's example I don't see the problem of one team doing digging and the next team moving spoil, it is all digging.

You would if every time you turned up to dig that's all you were able to do 'cos teh other buggers had been rat holing.

It's bloody annoying and very dispiriting.

 

[Hughie]

Both UFS and Bedstead Swallet were dug by two teams at the same time. This caused problems in both cases.

We managed it for quite a while, both teams working the same area of the dig. One group preparing for the other. Worked very well.

The two teams have now totally merged as it was a more efficent way to utilise human resources.

 

[cap n chris]

This thought of wanting to be the first to enter VIRGIN passage, well I can imagine it will give psychologists a field day!

On discovering new passage, the first thing you do is establish a pathway (preferably taped) so that the pristine state of the chamber remains pristine thereafter. It's hardly a free for all (and nor ought it to be).

 

[Hughie]

In Anne's example I don't see the problem of one team doing digging and the next team moving spoil, it is all digging.

You would if every time you turned up to dig that's all you were able to do 'cos teh other buggers had been rat holing.

It's bloody annoying and very dispiriting.

Absolutely.

 

[whitelackington]

Has anyone postulated what would be the likely streamway length of a combined
Swildon's Hole / Wookey Hole Streamway?

Alright, I agree with wot Graham put
but wot would be the minimum length of single route mainstreamway :blink: