The Tuesday dig was postponed so Mr O'Doc and I went up the road to take a few photos in Spider Hole. This is currently an active dig by very determined diggers and I was very impressed by all they had done.

The cave entrance is up a short track just before the lay by on the right near the top of the gorge ( Going up hill ).



There are a few spiders about the entrance passage that would not deter anyone except the most ardent arachnophobe.



One or two moffs too.



APG photoing spiders.

The locked gate is just a few metres inside the cave.



The proper photographer at work .



Most impressive tree roots in the first chamber.





First short pitch.







Top of upper section of main pitch.



Bottom of first section.





Bottom of main pitch looking up to the ledge and ladder on upper section.

APG at base of main pitch.



APG approaching the split level on the main pitch.



At the split level is a traverse across to the upper section.



Pretty buckets in main chamber.



I did not want to overdo my welcome so I have made no reference the the active dig in the floor of main chamber. In fact the diggers have a polite notice there asking folks not to descend in case some of the new cement grouting  is disturbed. I also make no reference to cave names and tackle required . Personally I think Spider Hole is either on the cusp of greatness or the continuation of a very long haul. The cave is formed in a similiar N/S fault system we see at Reservoir Hole. Probably Bone Hole and lower parts of Charterhouse Cave lie on the same fault. Like Reservoir both bone Hole and Spider Hole are ideally placed to intercept a main stream conduit at depth. Currently the bottom of Spider Hole should be just below the 100m OD mark .

Peter's photos are far better than mine and also have a much nicer model.

for those interested, at the end of the album are some I took: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.466934199810.254186.772704810&type=1&l=a3fdfd8e39

Peter's photos are much better mainly due to the forbearance, patience and good looks of his model. Also his wretched luminous oversuit  glowed brightly under my flash meaning I had to chuck most of my 276 photos away.  :tease:

There is no secrecy on Spider Hole and it is included in MU5 all we ask as diggers is that any one going down use there own equipment and respect the signs and equipment left in the cave.
I would like to thank the group that went down between Sat 9 Nov and Sat 16 Nov for pulling up the rope on the bottom half of Nut pitch and leaving it on the ledge, it was near impossible to bend over and lower it back down the pitch when you have a 6 foot long bar hanging from your belt and also for leaving toilet paper beyond the tape, we didn't look to closely to see if there was any other presents.  :spank:

Have you made use of the Rock Net yet ?

braveduck said:

Have you made use of the Rock Net yet ?

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That would be the Thursday night team, i do the cementing Saturday & Mondays.

We had a go with the rock net - spacing meant only large rocks fitted so some complaints from the smallish hauling team at the time (I mean numbers not wessex members  :).

Also cemented nature of cave meant that it kept catching on every projection on the way up.

Can see it having good use on larger rocks up clean walled pitches - as our shaft is far from clean walled I'll probably stick to taking out life's frustrations making big rocks into little rocks with the lump hammer  and using the nice buckets provided

Thanks for that mak, If you need any more/replacement buckets please contact my Mendip agent Mr Grass !

pete h said:

I would like to thank the group that went down between Sat 9 Nov and Sat 16 Nov for pulling up the rope on the bottom half of Nut pitch and leaving it on the ledge, it was near impossible to bend over and lower it back down the pitch when you have a 6 foot long bar hanging from your belt and also for leaving toilet paper beyond the tape, we didn't look to closely to see if there was any other presents.  :spank:

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Thank them? a good kick up the arse would be more suitable!

I believe it is called irony, Burt.

Really?  :


I thought Pete was being sarcastic.

Cap'n Chris said:

Really?  :


I thought Pete was being sarcastic.

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A distinction without a difference, dear boy. Sarcasm may sometimes involve verbal irony.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Plenty experts on here then!

graham said:

I believe it is called irony, Burt.

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What, a bit like Ferric?

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/resources/ist2_1955850_ferret.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/ferrets/&h=271&w=380&sz=13&tbnid=To2f8Qdu-XIuYM:&tbnh=115&tbnw=161&zoom=1&usg=__rmazoLID_j_0jsnWZWdKLrawhC8=&docid=m95OFOh2z4rzNM&sa=X&ei=BUGPUuLqBJGrhQef84DICA&ved=0CDgQ9QEwBA