Mike Wise and Mike Kushy along with Trevor Hughes (welcomed back after an illness), for a clearing session following the recent rock disturbance.
The hoped for open space on the left had not materialised but a large amount of rock had been sheared off the front leaving a clean face for next time and no significant collateral damage was noted.
Between us we dug, filled, hauled and disposed of north of 50 buckets of debris plus 5 or 6 big lumps of rock.
In doing this, we dug down on the right into the space left by the absent steps and below the bang debris into virgin fill. This was a solid but wet clay embedded with small stone. Soon afterwards we exposed an undercut some 18" deep running along the entire right hand side with a solid looking, flow stone covered vertical wall at its back. Also exposed was a rib of resistant rock with a rounded upper edge running at right angles across the middle of the dig. The connection of this rib with the right hand wall was hammered energetically, but nothing much resulted.
Satisfied for the moment we exited after 2.5 hours
At the start of the session a slight draught could be detected which I thought might be coming from the right hand hole that MK pushed in the first phase of WRH exploration. As we exposed the clay and undercut the draft increased noticeably to become a conversation piece above. I thought it came from the undercut. MK went down for a quick look as we exited and thought it was coming from the clean face on the left hand wall.
The next session will be used to clear the bottom of loose debris completely and if we remember to bring them, to use a smoke match or two. A photo or two will also be taken.
Mike Wise
