Thursday 19th September 2024

John Cooper and Mike Wise. MW charged the 4 holes drilled by JC yesterday. JC advised some of them might be longer than expected, so with only 2m of 40g, we prioritised the two holes on the left and the upcave hole on the right and packed them to the brim. The remaining 250mm or so of 40g went into the 4th hole. JC kindly took the bang bag out while MW connected the det and brought the cable back out to the surface. Fired satisfactorily. MW bang wire remains in place. 1.5 hours. Electrical tape was used in the top of the first hole, but subsequently, 4" cable ties were used because the slimy, wet conditions stopped the tape sticking. Mike.

Wednesday 18th September 2024

John Cooper. Drilled 4 holes for Mike Wise to use tomorrow. All 12mm with a top 100mm of 14mm. Two furthest in 400mm deep and nearer ones 600mm deep. 1½ hours. John.

Sunday 15th September 2024

Mike Kushy and Nicky Pearce. 

Made a 2 bucket mix and me and NP took a bucket in each. NP used the 1st bucket up on the right hand wall, whilst MK had a go at the boulders ahead. Managed to take enough off to allow access to the floor. The 2nd bucket was used by MK to build a retaining wall on the left and cement in the boulders in the ceiling, NP had left during this. MK then cleared as much out of the floor as physically possible and put it behind the new wall. The floor needs drilling and banging to allow progress ahead. 4 hours. MK 

A view under the boulders ahead, I'm about 2 body lengths in. Photo MK.

The dig face. Photo MK.

Friday 13th September 2024

Mike Kushy and Mike Wise.

We cleared some rock back and stashed a load in the Boulder Rift connection. Mike had a camera rig which we poked into the chamber to the left. We then cleared the mid week bang spoil back. 2 big rocks in the ceiling denying us the ability to dig out the floor. Nice view ahead of a solid bedding ceiling. 4 hours. MK.

View ahead. Photo MK.

After clearing . Photo MK.

Wednesday 11th September 2024

Trtevor Hughes and Adrian Miles. All holes drilled out where needed and fired. The top right hole was left because the flake it is in is so thin that the whole thing could be beaten to death with a decent hammer ( I tend to use a short handled 7lb sledge).
Good luck for the weekend.
The rock pile at the base of the climb down before the final slope could really do with being moved up and out of the way. 1 1/2 hours. Trevor.