Saturday 9th August 2025

Mike Kushy, solo. Took in drill and a BDH of cement. Finished off breaking down the boulder from Wednesday and put the pieces aside. Then a mix was made using 1 Daren Drum of sand and 1/4 drum of cement. This was used in and around the vertical squeeze boulder (unfortunately this boulder can not be removed as it holds up loads above), the vertical squeze boulder will have to be widened later. Went to surface with empty bags and drums then brought back in 2 drums of sand and some more water to mix with. This again was turned into cement and used at the base of the vertical squeeze rock. 3/4 BDH of cement and 2.5l of water left in cave, no sand. Should be safe enough now to open up the light conncetion route to the chamber, but I'd like to see another session of cement work yet. Would be nice to build a wall to the ceiling just above said squeeze. 5 hours. Mike.

Wednesday 6th August 2025

Day. Mike Kushy and Dave Morrison spent 5 hours doing more tidying up on the surface.

17.30 Ed Ford and Hollie London. Ed and Hollie entered around 17.30 after collecting bags from the Belfry. Hollie carried in two bags each containing a Daren Drum of sand, while Ed carried a black BDH of cement a Daren Drum of sand and a 5L water container in. Quite the challenge with two large tackle sacks. John arrived shortly after.

18.00 John Cooper entered at 18.00 without any loads to carry! John did 1 mix (2 Daren Drums of sand and half a black BDH of cement) which he passed down to Ed. Then did another mix, same quantities, and used it higher up on the climb down (where the yellow bag is). John then left with bag containing 2 empty Daren Drums - out by 20.30.

Ed and Hollie worked mainly around the entrance to the new bit. Hollie did a good job at reducing a large block making it much easier to get into the breakthrough (her first time plug and feathering). Ed spent his time adding cement to various loose boulders and made a small wall. We did not get as far as the squeeze. But Ed took a look. It is definitely tighter than remembered. This will take a fair amount of drilling to widen. Spare bags, empty cement BDH and drill box taken out. Out at 2100 before retreating to the Hunters'. 

Ed, Hollie and John.

Trainee mason in action. Photo EF.

Drilling 14mm holes. Photo EF.

Building block created. Photo EF.

Looking down into pot. Photo EF.