Which (Mendip) cave have you visited this week?
- Thread starter bagpuss
- Start date
bagpuss
Well-known member
No, plenty of bat poo and I did hear them a few times but they were out of sight. Trip was completed before dusk, so a bit early I think to see them flying in the woods.
bagpuss
Well-known member
Pierre's Pot to the Hanging Gardens last night, used the really tight squeeze bypass , still fairly tight for average sized people.
Been a few years since I've been there and don't remember there being muddy handprints in the moon milk previously. Someone had also sadly gone over the tape in the grotto and left foot prints across the chamber
Had a look at the sump which was very much sumped.
Been a few years since I've been there and don't remember there being muddy handprints in the moon milk previously. Someone had also sadly gone over the tape in the grotto and left foot prints across the chamber
Had a look at the sump which was very much sumped.
bagpuss
Well-known member
The narrow bit by the bolt looks like the worst option to me and I'm slim!
bagpuss
Well-known member
Eastwater 13 pots
Have always wanted to do this trip, but I really struggle with heights/exposure and was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do the bold step. Greatful to be in a club that was happy to find a solution to it. We went in via the Woggle press, through the upper series of the cave to Dolphin pot, I chose to abseil it as didn't like the sound of it belling out at the bottom. Laddered Dolphin pitch. At the bold step we ran a rope through a large thread and I abseiled down to the left side. Two of us took the muddy oxbow downwards and the 3rd went across the ledge. We descended 13 pots and enjoyed it so much decided to go back up them which I found more fun than going down. Didn't manage to count 13 in either direction though! I bottled going back over the bold step so used a hang jammer whilst climbing up. Going back out went without incident, reversing the way we had come. First time I've had an enjoyable trip in Eastwater, shout out to @Ad W who carried the biggest bag and caved with no knee pads & one elbow pad!
@Dingley Dell on the bold step
@Ad W on Dolphin pitch
Are the mud splatters here natural or thrown mud by cavers?
Have always wanted to do this trip, but I really struggle with heights/exposure and was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do the bold step. Greatful to be in a club that was happy to find a solution to it. We went in via the Woggle press, through the upper series of the cave to Dolphin pot, I chose to abseil it as didn't like the sound of it belling out at the bottom. Laddered Dolphin pitch. At the bold step we ran a rope through a large thread and I abseiled down to the left side. Two of us took the muddy oxbow downwards and the 3rd went across the ledge. We descended 13 pots and enjoyed it so much decided to go back up them which I found more fun than going down. Didn't manage to count 13 in either direction though! I bottled going back over the bold step so used a hang jammer whilst climbing up. Going back out went without incident, reversing the way we had come. First time I've had an enjoyable trip in Eastwater, shout out to @Ad W who carried the biggest bag and caved with no knee pads & one elbow pad!
@Dingley Dell on the bold step
@Ad W on Dolphin pitch
Are the mud splatters here natural or thrown mud by cavers?
bagpuss
Well-known member
We had been to look at the entrance of Toad Hole and Lizard hole (decided both would need a rope to descend) and were en route to East Twin Brook to go up the scramble to Beacon Batch, had to deviate due to the large fallen tree. Came back down via West Twin Brook adit for a quick dip (with a frog) Still with time to kill prior to club pub meet we headed up Pride Evans Hole (we forgot your instructions from previously and Steve took a much more exposed climb till I took the sensible way round)
bagpuss
Well-known member
Swildons Hole last night
We split into two groups, with a group of 7 doing the round trip and our smaller group of 4 going as far as Barnes Loop/ the water rift.
Still a small amount of water in the wet way and able to stand up easily in the double pots. Round trip group reported they didn't have to bail the troubles and small air gap in the sump.
Became a daughter of Mendip on the way out on the first double pot, only my second time of falling in (first time was balancing higher up to take a photo) I blame filling my boots with water demonstrating the depth of the pots!
First time in Barnes Loop for years as usually go in and out the water rift, had forgotten how pretty it is, probably the first time I've seen it with a decent light.
We split into two groups, with a group of 7 doing the round trip and our smaller group of 4 going as far as Barnes Loop/ the water rift.
Still a small amount of water in the wet way and able to stand up easily in the double pots. Round trip group reported they didn't have to bail the troubles and small air gap in the sump.
Became a daughter of Mendip on the way out on the first double pot, only my second time of falling in (first time was balancing higher up to take a photo) I blame filling my boots with water demonstrating the depth of the pots!
First time in Barnes Loop for years as usually go in and out the water rift, had forgotten how pretty it is, probably the first time I've seen it with a decent light.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
A two hour trip in Shatter Cave. I like to take photos for new visitors to keep. Simple stuff of the usual subjects but always appreciated.
The connecting route to WL Cave on the left.
The connecting route to WL Cave on the left.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
One for me. Very large cryogenic stalagmite sheared off by ice and recemented to the floor.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Not on the wacky stuff again are you Mike ?
bagpuss
Well-known member
Hunters hole
@Dingley Dell 's first solo SRT rigging. A group of 4 of us meeting to practice, we arrived early to get a head start. Sagos rigged first, then Direct and Right hand route once @Ad W and Danielle arrived with more rope. Did all 3 pitches and some twice. Each time I practice I learn a bit more about what works best. First time derigging on the way out, with guidance from @Dingley Dell Apologies to the group of students coming in that we held up, hard to be fast when learning.
(When you realise you need an extra rope bag when rigging more than one pitch but all you have is an ikea bag...)
@Dingley Dell 's first solo SRT rigging. A group of 4 of us meeting to practice, we arrived early to get a head start. Sagos rigged first, then Direct and Right hand route once @Ad W and Danielle arrived with more rope. Did all 3 pitches and some twice. Each time I practice I learn a bit more about what works best. First time derigging on the way out, with guidance from @Dingley Dell Apologies to the group of students coming in that we held up, hard to be fast when learning.
(When you realise you need an extra rope bag when rigging more than one pitch but all you have is an ikea bag...)
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Have you got the shopping along as well ?
bagpuss
Well-known member
Didn't have enough tackle sacks so had to improv.
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Not quite sure about caving, but Ikea bags make excellent rope bags for crag climbing
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