Sunday 5th May 2024

Mike Kushy, Adrian Miles, Jack Miles and John Cooper.

MK started just after 9.30, took in 2 drills and set to work on the slab ahead. At some point AM and JM arrived and cleared the rocks at the base of the shaft to surface. Around 12.30 they joined MK at the bottom. With MK handing up the 10ft to AM, then back to JM in the chamber most of the bottom was cleared. AM then came in to see the end before they departed. The rest of the drill battery was used not long after. A hole below the slab has appeared and draughts really well. The bottom is filled up with rock, which needs clearing now. The chamber also has a lot of loose rock in it. Around 2ish MK got to surface and caught JC getting a mix on. This was used stabilising some more of the floor in the chamber. All stone dust now used up. Some of the bungees have snapped on the surface shelter, also the bucket deviation is very worn and could do with replacing. 5 hours, Mike.

MK's YouTube video from today

The current end. Photo MK.

Friday 3rd May 2024

Alex Hannam and Sam Hill. Good session breaking up the slab. Started solo, then briefly joined by Alex H to help haul half the rock up to the chamber. Alex then left and I continued breaking the boulder up until I ran out of drill battery. 2hrs. Sam.

Boulder at start of session. Photo SH.

Boulder at end of session. Photo SH.

Wednesday 1st May 2024

Alex Hannam and Sam Hill. Opened up climb down a little but drill bit was very blunt. All rocks then hauled up to the base of shaft. All now ready for the next slab to be broken up. 2 hours. SH.

Saturday 27th April 2024

Mike Kushy, solo. Took in drills and broke up the rest of the 1st section of slab. This is now in pieces at the bottom and ready to be cleared. Started 4 holes on the next slab. Should be much easier going on the next piece. Nice draught from below. Went to surface and made a mix to fit into 2 buckets. Took the mix and used it stabilise around the 10ft climb. This should now be safe to straighten out. 4 hours, MK.

Current dig face, red line shows the line of drill holes started. Photo MK.

Wednesday 24th April 2024

John Cooper, Alex Hannam, Sam Hill, Callum Simmonds and Andy Thompson. Andy worked on the surface, initially clearing the rocks John stacked by the entrance on 14^th April and then hauling. Sam took his drill in for p/f work and John took in one of the large hauling buckets with a tape handle. Initially Sam was at the bottom loading rocks into the large bucket which Callum hauled up the 10ft climb and passed them to John to stack in the Boulder Chamber. Once that was done Callum went down for a look and John made a start moving the rocks outwards. Some of the larger ones were broken up by Sam. Alex arrived and also went for a look at the bottom. From then on rocks were moved up in stages to the shelf and then on upwards before eventually reaching the bottom of the entrance shaft. Callum had to leave to go to work but the rest cleared all the rocks to the surface. The slab is now ready for Kushy’s attention. 2 hours.