Sunday 24th November 2024

Mike Kushy and Geoff Newton. Geoff's first time into the new dig area, think he was impressed by how far it went. Very wet in the cave, an impressive stream flowing towards the dig once you pass the 1st connection point. Sounds of water below us somewhere and all the water seems to sink straight ahead rather than heading off left. Anyway, MK reduced the slab down to size whilst GN ferried some rocks to the connection point. After rock reduced MK then joined GN and they passed a few large rocks through into the stacking area. 2 hours. MK.

Thursday 21st November 2024

Mike Kushy, solo. Took in drill to reduce boulders down with pfs. All went well, even managed to take some big bits off the bedding floor. At the end I tried to take a corner off to allow me to get in further, but a big slab peeled off which will need more battery power to reduce. Strongest draught coming from straight down rather than off to the left. 3 hours. MK 

MK's youtube video from today

Big slab that peeled off and a view of off to the left at the bottom. Photo MK.

Wednesday 20th November 2024

John Cooper, Sam Hill, Mike Wise and Mike Kushy. MK and JC started by clearing the stack of bags and rocks. JC then went to the sharp end, followed by SH, then MW with MK in the chamber. Many rocks and bags moved. MK moved rocks further back and finished off building the big retaining wall. Didn't use bang as there's a lot of rock to be broken up and will probably get into the next bit with plug and feathers. 3 hours. Mike.

Dig face. Photo MK.

Wednesday 13th November 2024

Mike Kushy and Sam Hill. MK to start with. Unwound bang wire and pulled some slack through to the front as its been getting a bit tight lately. Went to the sharp end and started moving rock and bags of spoil up cave. SH arrived not long after and he transferred everything to the stacking chamber. Meanwhile another round of bags were being filled. More rock, a couple of large rocks needed plug and feathering. Being hard work with just 2 we decided to drill and set charge early, even though there was a lot more spoil to come out. 3 holes all filled nicely, everything went off fine. Will want a team of at least 4 to have a big clear out. 3 hours for me. Mike.

Sunday 10th November 2024

Mike Kushy and Trevor Hughes. Started around 3ish. TH went to the sharp end to fill bags and move rock. These were moved up to the connection point by MK. When everything was filled MK went through the connection and received bags and rocks from TH. After this holes were drilled by TH. All set and charge went off fine. 2 hours. MK 

TH drilling at the sharp end. Photo MK.