Which (Mendip) cave have you visited this week?

[bagpuss]

A few holes from the MCRA data base on our Boxing Day walk today.
Brockley rift cave, Brockley Pit 1 and 2.

 

[bagpuss]

Was shown this cave on a walk in Blaise Castle today, its not Nymph, Robbers or Butchers caves which I'm familiar with. Anyone know if it has a name? The marked location on the map is only a rough guess as I didn't take a grid ref thinking it would already be on the MCRA site.

 

[mikem]

Don't know the cave, but his dates are a bit out, so looks like it was done in 1985:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/253159274/blanche-violet-baker

 

[Ali M]

An article by Pete Moody on the caves in this area is published in Wessex Cave Club Journal 365, February 2025, pages 240-244.

 

[bagpuss]

With no club takers for caving between Christmas and NY it was another hike for us today, some nice footpaths from Chewton Mendip and an excuse to visit the cave entrances of Willets Hole (shortest Mendip through trip?)
Would like to return with a helmet to have a look to the end of the cave. Proximity to a cafe that does cake or in our case Hunters for lunch makes it a nice bimble.

 

[spelfish]

I thought White Cliff Cave (above Cross) was the shortest through trip at about 7-8 metres.

 

[mikem]

Or

Quiddler's Arch - Mendip Cave Registry Site Details

 

[spelfish]

Or

Quiddler's Arch - Mendip Cave Registry Site Details

I'd forgotten about Quiddlers Arch. I can't imagine there's anything shorter.

Actually, what constitutes a proper 'through trip'? Should it involve being out of sight of one or both entrances? In White Cliff, both are always visible (though it does feel like a cave). I'm not sure that Quiddlers Arch does..

 

[bagpuss]

I'd forgotten about Quiddlers Arch. I can't imagine there's anything shorter.

Actually, what constitutes a proper 'through trip'? Should it involve being out of sight of one or both entrances? In White Cliff, both are always visible (though it does feel like a cave). I'm not sure that Quiddlers Arch does..

Out of sight I reckon. Paradise Bottom cave could be a good contender, a few body lengths to get through but can't see the exit immediately on entering.

 

[mikem]

Couple of 10m through trips on sandford hill (& another arch on crook peak)

 

[bagpuss]

Couple of 10m through trips on sandford hill (& another arch on crook peak)

Which is the Crook Peak one?

 

[mikem]

There are 3 arches, but you're probably right about then not being through trips

 

[bagpuss]

Sludge pit hole yesterday, visited with a Wessex member and was very grateful for the luxury of an indoor changing area afterwards!

 

[bagpuss]

Cuckoo Cleaves, air was nice and fresh in the cave with lots of dripping bits. Got as far as the squeeze, Boots and Buttocks but two of the party decided it was too tight and I didn't fancy going it alone. Not sure I will ever make it lake chamber, does anyone have a photo? Respect to those that dived it, must have been a real challenge getting kit through. Some nice fossils in the cave, can anyone confirm if these are Crynoids?

 

[andrewmcleod]

Looks like a coral to me?

 

[mikem]

Lots of lithostrotion coral on mendip

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Lots of lithostrotion coral on mendip

Really nice ones in Aven Chamber remnant of Balch Cave.

 

[bagpuss]

Pierre's Pot, plan had been to visit the hanging gardens but as one of our party couldn't fit through one of the final squeezes we had a quick look at the streamway and then back up to the upper series for a bimble around. Curious as to whether the stream ever backs up and floods the lower section, does anyone know?

 

[Ad W]

Plenty of water on the roads around Stoke St Michael last night on my way home. What was the stream like in West Twin Valley?

 

[bagpuss]

Plenty of water on the roads around Stoke St Michael last night on my way home. What was the stream like in West Twin Valley?

We turned off the path before we saw it, big tree down over the turning to Pierre's, a reminder now of where the path is so not to overshoot it!