Maj
Active member
Update regarding Thrupe Lane Swallet (TLS).
As you will find there is an article in the latest copy of Descent (255) about the digging of Hobnail Hole which now connects with TLS. The break through point is in Upper Butts' Chamber. To get down from Upper Butts' Chamber into Butts' Chamber requires climbing down one of two routes, both of which are over unstable boulders (the floor of both Butts' and Upper Butts' Chambers consist of one large boulder slope). The preferred route to the right (left is more exposed and loose) involves climbing over three boulders, the centre one of which is bridged across the other two with a large cavity below and behind. From below it would be obvious that care would be required, but from above you wouldn't be aware of the perched nature of the boulders until it's too late. We are currently building up the cavity below with cemented rocks and a steel beam (steel beam due to be installed tonight) to stabalise the boulders.
Hobnail Hole won't be available for general trips until the stabalisation work is completed. Since Hobnail is visible from the road and has a tempting fixed ladder and vertical free climb below, the plan is to fit a CSCC padlock to keep access for cavers as easy as possible (the status quo will remain for TLS gate).
TLS is still taking the full stream at present.
The stream can be diverted down Hobnail Hole to allow access to TLS, but we would kindly ask if you could contact us first (one of the ATLAS diggers) if you would like a trip down TLS since we are usually working down Hobnail Hole on a Fri or Sat daytime and at present on a Wed evening too, days and times may change. We may even be able to divert the stream for you prior to a trip which would give the Ferret Run and Perseverance Pot longer to drain/dry out.
If you would like to lend a hand with the cementing etc. or our other project to re-open Bone Aven down the Old Wells Road, please get in touch, you will be more than welcome.
Thanks,
Dave.
As you will find there is an article in the latest copy of Descent (255) about the digging of Hobnail Hole which now connects with TLS. The break through point is in Upper Butts' Chamber. To get down from Upper Butts' Chamber into Butts' Chamber requires climbing down one of two routes, both of which are over unstable boulders (the floor of both Butts' and Upper Butts' Chambers consist of one large boulder slope). The preferred route to the right (left is more exposed and loose) involves climbing over three boulders, the centre one of which is bridged across the other two with a large cavity below and behind. From below it would be obvious that care would be required, but from above you wouldn't be aware of the perched nature of the boulders until it's too late. We are currently building up the cavity below with cemented rocks and a steel beam (steel beam due to be installed tonight) to stabalise the boulders.
Hobnail Hole won't be available for general trips until the stabalisation work is completed. Since Hobnail is visible from the road and has a tempting fixed ladder and vertical free climb below, the plan is to fit a CSCC padlock to keep access for cavers as easy as possible (the status quo will remain for TLS gate).
TLS is still taking the full stream at present.
The stream can be diverted down Hobnail Hole to allow access to TLS, but we would kindly ask if you could contact us first (one of the ATLAS diggers) if you would like a trip down TLS since we are usually working down Hobnail Hole on a Fri or Sat daytime and at present on a Wed evening too, days and times may change. We may even be able to divert the stream for you prior to a trip which would give the Ferret Run and Perseverance Pot longer to drain/dry out.
If you would like to lend a hand with the cementing etc. or our other project to re-open Bone Aven down the Old Wells Road, please get in touch, you will be more than welcome.
Thanks,
Dave.