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.

Sunday 21st April 2024

Mike Kushy, solo trip. Went and broke down some of the rocks from last night and worked on making the slab squeeze easier. Tried to squeeze down the hole nearest the solid wall feet first, I got stuck at my hips. Whilst there I had a look down the other hole in the floor, doesn't go. Prominent cold draught from the hole nearest the solid wall. Looked around the chamber and all looks risky stuff. Need to bang out the slabs and follow the solid wall. Moved some rock up cave, more still at the bottom of the 10ft climb but too difficult to shift alone. 3 1/2 hours. Mike.

Saturday 20th April 2024

AM - Mike Kushy solo. Carried on working on the big boulder, good chunks removed. Small enough rocks were posted through the hole in the wall into next door passage. With batteries spent I decided to have a go at getting past the boulder, and I succeeded. Awkward little twist to get into the boulder chamber beyond. Made some videos of the chamber and 2 interesting holes in the floor. If I had had someone with me I would have gone on in. Now I'm sure we're on the right road. Next step is to open up the awkward climb down more and blow the big boulder to pieces. Great draught coming from below. 3 hours. MK 

MK's YouTube video from today

Decent sized fossil in the new chamber. Photo MK.

Boulder after using up batteries. Photo MK.

The view of the best hole in the floor estimated 2-3m wide. Photo MK.

 

PM - Mike Kushy solo. The awkward 10ft climb is no longer awkward. 2 1/2 hours.

Big flake that came off. Photo MK.

Head of climb down. Photo MK.

Looking down the climb. Photo MK.

Wednesday 17th April 2024

Sam Hill. Went down solo and attacked the slab for 2 hrs. No pictures but got a good chunk off it. It is easier to attack now. Could do with a second person at some point to help clear rock from the bottom. Sam.

Sunday 14th April 2024

Mike Kushy and John Cooper.

Cleared out the rocks on the bedding slope to start with, MK in cave and JC on surface. 22 buckets cleared. MK then went down to attack the boulder at the bottom, whilst JC surveyed the new chamber. Still can't quite fit through, the pinch point is at the very end of the boulder, unfortunately this means the whole boulder has to come out. After we were both done we then cleared the remaining rock from the shelf to surface, 15 buckets this time. Still some rock down near the chamber to clear. Cold draught at the dig face. 3 1/2 hours. MK.

The dig face. Photo MK.

Saturday 13th April 2024

Mike Kushy and Sam Hill.

Mike to start with. Set about opening up the top of the awkward 10ft climb and removing rock. SH arrived and downsized rock in the chamber. Once the climb was opened up SH went down to see the bottom and start work on removing obstructing rock. Unfortunately we couldn't quite squeeze over the long boulder so each of us took turns attacking it. In between a couple of new routes around the boulders were opened up to investigate other ways through, nothing easy to be had. A hard attempt at the end to squeeze into new passage but just too tight, one more attack with pfs and failing that we'll just turn it into dust. 5 hours for me. MK 

Looking into the sharp end. Photo MK.

Head first view of over the boulder. Photo MK.

Top of the 10ft climb down. Photo MK.

Wednesday 10th April 2024

Sam Hill and Adrian Miles. Good session last night. Ran out of drill juice. Sam started at 6pm breaking up the boulders that had already been started on. Adrian joined just after 7pm and moved rock up cave to ledge. Both then switched around with Adrian on the drill using up  remaining juice. Some larger lumps in chamber still to breakup, but majority of rock was moved back up to below the top step. 2 3/4 hrs. Sam.

Where the boulders were. Photo SH.

Looking down the hole. Photo SH.

Saturday 6th April 2024

Trevor Hughes, Mike Kushy, Pete Hann, John Cooper, Nigel Graham and Frank Tully.

TH went to the dig face to downsize rock and move it up cave. With MK at the step and PH at the bottom of the shaft all of the rock was cleared to the surface by JC and NG. This took about an hour and a half. MK then went and brought rock from the sloping floor up to PH to be cleared out again. MK then went down to TH and brought more rock from the bottom up to PH, MK was knackered and went to surface for a drink and rest. When back at the site PH had just called for the last load to come up. PH then joined TH and MK brought the drill down to them. More rock had been gathered by TH. MK and JC then brought 2 big loads up to the shaft for clearing by NG and FT. MK then joined the guys at the dig face. PH spoke of an interesting hole that had been opened by the pair and I was convinced to take a look. The vertical squeeze entered the same area that the Wednesday diggers got into, but was an alternative route in. Had a look around then before the second squeeze. TH said light came through a hole,which would be on the far right of the main chamber looking in. This was dug from both sides and was a much more comfortable exit, also allowing a short round trip through the small bouldery Chambers...note: MK went through the second squeeze and could clearly hear a low volume of flowing water from underneath somewhere. On the way back out through the newly created exit a hole to the left looked very inviting and on the other side had regained the solid wall feature prominent in the rest of the cave! Sat next to the wall it is possible to go up cave for a few metres, likely this is the other side of the higher up bedding slope below the step. Looking down cave a black hole in the floor with loose boulders was blocking the way on. TH left about now and JC was asked to get a mix on for PH. In the meantime the remaining battery was used to remove boulders from the way on. Enough was removed to allow access to an awkward drop down, approximately 10ft. At the bottom a sloping and stepping calcite floor heads off into the distance, about 20ft ahead it looks like it opens up and drops off. Alas a dodgy boulder is blocking the way on and unsure whether to remove in such a cramped condition I decided to leave and work on making access to this area better with what battery remained. PH did a grand job on cement work in the chamber and it's feeling very safe. Next step I reckon is to carry on work opening up the climb down and access. 4 1/2 hours. Mike.

MK's YouTube video from today

View on at the bottom of the 10ft climb down. Photo MK.

Main chamber, way on to the right where crowbar points. Photo MK.

A look back up cave from the middle of the chamber, where boulder used to be. Photo MK.

Friday 5th April 2024

Mike Kushy, solo trip.

Got into the cave about 7.15pm. Set to work downsizing the rest of the boulder in the way. With this dealt with and moved up cave a large rock on the right was then downsized. Nice hole straight down under this, clearly well sculpted by powerful water. Out of battery I then went to take a look at the beyond. Chamber was bigger than I expected. Obvious and safest way on seems to be on the right at the far end, looks like the floor can be dug without affecting anything around. In the middle of the chamber at the far end, rocks can be chucked into a hole and they drop further than anything I've experienced so far. A lot of calcite around. Lots of rock to clear to bring the chamber floor lower. Towards the end I moved a lot of rock up and cleared all of this, plus the rock on the shelf, up to the higher bedding area for clearing tomorrow. Draught is picking up! Mild night outside. 3 hours. Mike.

Wednesday 3rd April 2024

Sam Hill at dig at 18:30. Crawled over top of boulder to access it from other side and then started plug and feathering boulder. Joined by Alex Hannam around 19:30. He moved rock up to shelf and then took over PF. Once drill batteries were used up we both looked around beyond the boulder. 2.5hrs. Sam.

Boulder before. Photo SH.

Boulder after. Photo SH.

Alex entering over boulder remains. Photo SH.

Alex in squeeze down. Photo SH.

Fossils. Photo SH.

Saturday 30th March 2024

John Cooper, Pete Hann and Nigel Graham. John and Nigel did one double mix whilst Pete descended to see what needed doing. The mix was split over 3 buckets as usual which John ferried down as required. At the start Pete had been digging clatch out of the floor to stash behind the rock John had been cementing in last Wednesday. Once sufficient floor had been cleared Pete started to build up the wall on the left, the intention being to support the left hand wall so the big block in the middle could be removed. John assisted Pete by getting the rocks from the top stacking space together with smaller bits as required. Once Pete had started on the third bucket John ascended with the two empty buckets to get a second double mix underway. Once this was ready two thirds was loaded into the two buckets which John took down. Retrieving the third bucket this was sent up to Nigel to load and then sent down to John. Once Pete had used up two buckets from the second mix John took them out and escorted Nigel down as far as the final drop. A very useful cementing session. No photos. 3½ hours. John.

Wednesday 27th March 2024

John Cooper, Trevor Hughes, Dave Morrison (Tuska) and Wayne Starsmore. John started a mix whilst Wayne went down with his drill to start breaking up boulders. By the time John had put the mix in the buckets Wayne was back with his drill saying there nothing safe to drill. The first bucket was taken in and John decided to cement in a boulder on the right hand side before the current end. Trevor came down, had a good look round and agreed with John’s strategy. The second and third buckets were used up on the same boulder but more will be required. Tuska came along to haul but was told the rock was needed for walling and the clatch couldn’t be moved whilst walling was in progress. Both John’s and Trevor’s drills never left the surface! The end does look interesting but not safe at present. No draught tonight. Sleet on surface. 2 hours. John.

Sunday 24th March 2024

Mike Kushy, Adrian Miles, Monica Bollani and John Cooper.

MK got to the dig just after 10 and started downsizing the bouldery mess created from Wednesday's bang. AM joined not long after and cleared all the rocks back to the entrance shaft. Small buckets of clatch were filled and tipped into the rift up cave. More rocks were broken up and stashed on the ledge above the climb, this is now full. MB arrived at some point to inspect the dig and take the obligatory rock to surface. At some point some rock tickling and a collapse opened a considerable window into a decent sized space beyond. As tempting as it was to climb through we decided to keep clearing out the floor as this looks a safer prospect for continuing. A lot of cement work needs doing next. On the way out JC was on surface so with AM and JC on surface and MK filling buckets all the rocks at the base of the shaft were cleared. 5 hours for me. MK.

MK's YouTube video from today

Dig face before clearing. Photo MK.

Looking down into the floor, boulder above crowbar needs cementing in. Photo MK.

The view over the boulder. Photo MK.

The window above the boulder that opened up mid dig. Photo MK.

Wednesday 20th March 2024

John Cooper, Trevor Hughes and Adrian Miles. Trevor drilled and charged the boulder ahead, although there is another one immediately behind it, whilst Adrian did the floor (supervised bang). Trevor took pictures. The view past the left hand side of the boulder was interesting. Good outward draught. Nice and quiet at the surface. Misty. 1½ hours.John.

Saturday 16th March 2024

Mike Kushy and Frank Tully.

MK got to the cave at 10.30. Time was spent moving excess rock up cave. With this cleared, 10 small buckets were filled and stashed at the top of the pit. Time was then spent breaking up a large boulder. With this done MK moved all the loose rock to the base of the shaft and climbed up for a rest, catching Tuska's tour setting off. Returning to the dig all the small buckets were emptied into the higher rift, 3 x 10 small buckets cleared in total. Some more rock broken up and left at the top of the pit for building. MK then headed out to start mixing cement. FT had just arrived on surface (2ish). With FT at the bottom of shaft and MK on surface all the rocks were cleared to surface. MK set about making a mix whilst FT went down cave to see the dig and clear a bit more. 3 loads of big buckets of mix then went down and was used stabilising the dig face. A good view ahead, beyond both sides of an obstructing boulder. Nice draughting hole in the floor ahead too. 5 1/2 hours for me. MK.

MKs YouTube video from today

View into right hand hole, looking down. Photo MK.

View into right hand hole, looking straight ahead. Photo MK.

View of dig face, obstructing boulder with left and right holes. Photo MK

View of left hole, looking ahead. Photo MK.

Wednesday 13th March 2024

Mike Kushy, John Cooper, Sam Hill and Dave Morrison.

MK started around 2.45, moved rocks at top of pit up cave. Filled up buckets from the bottom and filled up the retaining wall at the top of the pit. JC arrived not long after and ferried the rocks to the entrance shaft. SH arrived and helped JC clear the rocks to surface. JC then set about a mix whilst MK and SH emptied small buckets into the higher up rift. SH then went to the dig face and released some more rock. Meanwhile MK helped bring 3 big buckets of cement into the cave and stashed them for later use. The big rocks were then downsized and stashed ready for wall building/stabilising. Really cool draught at the bottom tonight, with a good view along a sloping cobble floor. A bolt has been put in at the head of the final climb down, ready for a pulley. Arrived on surface to find DM wall building. 4 1/2 hours for me. MK.

MK's YouTube video from today

Bottom of final climb down, looking inwards and downwards. Photo MK.

A bit further in. Photo MK.

Further in again. Photo MK.

Looking ahead into the left hand hole. Photo MK.

Sunday 10th March 2024

Mike Kushy, Trevor Hughes and John Cooper.

Just MK to start with, filling up the retaining wall built yesterday, quite surprised how set the cement was already. Started breaking up some rocks then TH Showed up. TH in the bottom pit filling up small buckets, with MK at the top lifting buckets on rope. Every 4 small buckets MK ferried up cave to the higher up rift, at least a dozen loads of 4 done. TH broke up some decent sized rocks. TH had to leave so MK went down to use up the rest of the drill batteries. TH left taking 4 small buckets out with him. Drill batteries spent MK made his way out with drill looking forward to a rest and a tea at Upper Pitts. MK arrived on surface to find JC mid mix. After a short break MK then went back down cave and ferried 3 big buckets of cement to the bottom. This was used building up more retaining wall and supporting more underneath the climb down wall. 5 hours. MK.

Bottom of pit after clearing. Rock my right foot is on has now been moved. Photo MK.

View underneath the rock moved in first photo. Photo MK.

John Cooper. I thought all I was doing today was loaning my drill to Mike to use but during lunch in the Hunters',  post my Swildon's Hole trip, I was approached by Trevor saying Mike was expecting me to do a cement mix. Finished lunch then went across and was just preparing to add the water when Mike emerged. I think he regretted asking for the mix but it was too late so after I'd finished the mix, split into 3 loads as usual, he descended to use it up. I cleared up and packed things away then went back to Upper Pitts for afternoon cups of tea. There is 1 bag of sand, no cement but plenty of stone dust still on site. 1 hour. John.

Saturday 9th March 2024

Mike Kushy, Pete Hann, Adrian Vanderplank, John Cooper and Nigel Graham.

MK started at 10 and got about down sizing the stacked up boulders left from mid week. All broken up and stacked higher up then the rest turned up. With NG on surface all the rocks were cleared. After this PH went to the sharp end and many buckets of clatch were sent to surface. Some big boulders removed from the floor and walls by AV capping. PH set about cementing the climb down and some rocks in front, a small retaining area ready to be filled in. Whilst this happened MK and JC did a little clearing within the rest of the cave. Interesting voids lower down, one which looks like a significant inlet coming directly into the solid wall. 5 hours for me. MK

MK's YouTube Video from today

Pete at the deepest point of the dig. Photo MK.

Pete on his way out, pit below. Photo MK.

Straight ahead from the top of the pit. Photo MK.

Passage over the top,which we aim to keep open for future exploring if needs be. Photo MK.

Wednesday 6th March 2024

Dave Morrison, John Cooper and Trevor Hughes. Tuska hauling from the surface, John transferring tubs of spoil and rocks with myself at the bottom. Good progress- removing a lot of wet mud and gravel, revealing moveable rocks and open vertical voids. A stacked pile of biggish, just about moveable, rocks need to be broken up and cleared away. Much more work needs to be done before any passage gain possible. A good start though. 2 hours. Trevor.

Cave being rebuilt on surface, we can have the caverns as large as you would wish. David.

Tuesday 5th March 2024

Dave Morrison building spoil retaining walls on surface followed by John Cooper dropping off 4 bags of sand and a bag of cement. John.