dighalloween

Vince, Nick, Jake, Brockers, Jon, Tav, and Nick Gymer (BEC)

Early at the cave to finish what I had started – more ‘rock bothering’. The boulders in the chamber (Trick or Treat) were reduced to manageable lumps with plugs and feathers. NOTE: Hilti cross-cut drill bits are not fit for purpose – they are expensive crap! Yet again a cutting tip has sheared off! Better off buying cheaper drill bits from local builders merchants.

The team arrived, Nick headed beyond Trick or Treat to continue digging to the left of, and around the large boulder avoiding the bone-bearing deposit(s), Jake hauled the filled bags up the slope and tossed them to the edge of the chamber. Once I had packed kit away, I carried the spoil across the chamber to the hump where it was pulled over to the other side by Brockers. Jon moved the spoil along to the bottom of the pot. Tav took Nick Gymer on a tourist trip around the cave (but not to the Gnarly North!) before they joined in with the digging effort. Nick G. took over from me and Tav perched up on the ledge. While hauling spoil up to the ledge Jon managed to fill an eye with mud and was thus incapacitated and needed to leave the cave (blindly) to find some clean water to flush out the mud.

With the combined efforts of the support team spoil was moved through the cave to the surface. Just after midday digging was ceased although there was some hesitancy involved form the digging front and miscounting of the number of remaining bags to come. Eventually, all the bags were hauled out of the cave and emptied on to the spoil heap – 70, in total. The rocks were left behind in the cave for another day. Jon had sorted out the eye problem and, rather ‘red-eyed’, rejoined us on the surface but was far too clean to empty bags.

To the Hunters’

Solo

Packed all the kit required to go ‘rock bothering’ (drill, plugs and feathers, lump hammer, chisel), loaded Kangoo, and over the hill to Hallowe’en Rift.

Underground quickly along to Trick or Treat to satisfy my curiosity and expand the hole in the roof. It was awkward but, eventually, I was able to peer in – not sure it was worth the effort as the continuation is still constricted and to go any further would require more aggressive techniques – not really sure there would be much to gain. Leave it! With the remaining battery power set about reducing a couple of large boulders left in the chamber that have proved reluctant to succumb to sledgehammer blows. Anyway, one was reduced to manageable lumps and now suitable for wall building, just started on the second boulder before batteries were flat. Packed kit away and made my way to the surface.

On the surface, added a few rocks (from last weekend) to the spoil heap wall and then made way back to the farm and back home.

Vince, Tav, Nick, Mike, Jake, and Jon

Got to the cave early to continue taking lumps of the conglomerate boulder with plugs and feathers until the team arrived. Packed away kit and left Tav to get on with digging. The next plan was to satisfy my curiosity regarding the ‘high-level hole’ in Trick or Treat. Mike wasn’t quite so keen on this idea as mud and stuff ‘rained’ down on him. I retreated and suggested that Nick might want a look (thereby shifting the blame) and left him to it. Stuff was still ‘raining’ down on Mike, but he moved and bagged up Nick’s spoil. Eventually, Nick decided that other methods would be required. I transported filled bags across Trick or Treat  to the hump where they were hauled away by Jake, Jon at the downside of the ramp then transported spoil to the bottom of the pot. Jake, Jon, and me then moved the spoil up out of the pot to the bottom of the entrance, that done I went back for more spoil while Jake and Jon hauled stuff up to the surface. And that’s how the rest of the session progressed until it was time that thoughts turned towards the pub. Finally, 56 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus about 10 loads of rocks waiting to be added to the spoil heap wall (another day). Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn!

24^th October 2024

Solo

A trip to have a look at some things and to check on water levels.

From the entrance headed along to Merlin’s area, into An Emotional Journey and through to the current dig, bypassing Toil and Trouble. All along the route was abundant calcite precipitation over recently excavated sediments, evidence for the super-saturated water percolating from the soil above. At the dig, water levels had fallen from last weekends high and should be okay for digging on Saturday. While in the area had another look at the high-level hole in Trick or Treat area. Moved a ladder into position to get a closer look but the view is obstructed and will require some attention to remove, possibly plugs and feathers will work. Tried hammering but couldn’t get a decent swing. Left the dig area and followed the more usual route back to the pot. I stopped to take photographs of some tracks in the sediment where a pool had once been – probably the newt seen last visit.

Out to the surface. Returned home to wash kit and git it dried for the weekend.

Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Tav

My plan was to get to the cave early, drill boulder and reduce with plugs and feathers, and place some thick plastic strips (from warehouse-type access) over the ‘bone’ bearing deposit for protection while overburden is removed. It almost went to plan!

At the cave early but once underground it was immediately obvious the cave was exceedingly wet. There was a small stream flowing out of the Merlin’s area to the pot, and another stream flowing from the NE passage in the Soft South also into the pot. Throughout the accessed cave there was a continuous drip of water from the walls/roof with standing water and deeper pools, one of the pools occupied by a palmate newt. Up the NE passage, over the hump, wade through the deep pool in Trick or Treat and up, over and descent to the current dig where, disappointingly, a deep pool had formed – the bone-bearing deposit mostly under water! No digging was going to be possible here today. I’d dragged the drill/plugs and feathers this far so partially reduced the obstinate boulder until battery power was all used up. The team had arrived, a discussion took place, and digging was moved back to Can of Worms for today. I stayed for a little longer to get the protection in place in the SE ‘alcove’ area.

The stockpile of rocks had been removed to the surface, so I followed them out to join Jake. The rest of the team digging in Can of Worms. On the surface walls were constructed, bags were emptied, and it was pleasantly warm in the sunshine, a contrast to the deluge of the morning’s earlier hours!

25 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied (progress is not so easy in Can of Worms) plus 25 loads of rocks added to the spoil heap wall(s). All done, time to leave, and get some refreshment at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn, a bit earlier than usual.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Tav

As expected beyond Trick or Treat it was wet after last week’s rain. The digging effort was concentrated on the north side pf the passage to bypass the ‘bone bearing’ deposit(s) and working around a substantial boulder of conglomerate. The fill continues to comprise finer red and grey silt/clay overlying fragmented and partially degrading calcite with sand. There does not appear to be any faunal materials in this area (we will still be careful). The boulder is proving to be rather stubborn and refusing to succumb to our concerted attention. The bar bends rather than the boulder moves! More determined mechanical techniques will be required, i.e. plugs and feathers to reduce its bulk, however, that’s a job for next week.

Today, 66 bags were filled, hauled, and added to the spoil heap, plus a good quantity of rock being moved part way through the cave to be removed to the surface at another day.

Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ as usual.

Just me

It turned out that today the team had fallen by the wayside for a variety of reasons – no matter there was still plenty for me to get on with.

Underground it was still very damp beyond Trick or Treat. Made the decision to remove the stalagmite (it was loose anyway) to enable the area to be taken down to a level c.0.75m below the roof (1◊) in the SE ‘alcove’ area. More faunal remains were recovered. After a couple of hours lying in the damp, I needed to answer a call of nature so packed away the kit and samples and made for the surface.

Relieved. There were several loose stones that had been hauled out previously that I could not resist adding to the spoil heap wall. It was pleasantly sunny and sheltered at the cave.

3rd October

Vince, Roz

Following recent rain, it was soggy underground beyond Trick or Treat and difficult digging conditions. Nothing to be done but to get on with it and do the best that could be done. Spent a couple of hours or so carefully digging in the SE ‘alcove’ beyond Trick or Treat and recovered quite a few more identifiable elements and fragments including left scaphoid, phalanges, vertebra, and occlusal surface of molar. All finds were bagged and tagged, packaged for removal and cleaning/drying back at home later.

Vince, Tav, and Jake

Down on numbers this weekend due to a variety of reasons – no matter always plenty of stuff to do. Arrived early today to get on with the excavation in the SE ‘alcove’ to clear around and expose any faunal remains so they can be recorded and recovered. After the recent heavy, persistent rain underground conditions were not ideal for fiddly excavation with small wood tools. Still, it is unlikely to improve through the autumn months. Slowly worked away carefully removing sediment and filling bags. Some smaller elements were recovered (including mandible fragment with dentition, phalanges, Ursus arctos). Tav and Jake arrived and cleared the small accumulation of spoil before Tav continued to work on the north side of the current dig site (BTOT). When about 20 bags had been amassed, Jake and Tav decided to get them out to the surface (but not emptied) while I carried on with excavation. As time approached midday digging was curtailed, and the last few bags were removed from the cave. Today 35 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied. Underground Jake has created another pile of rocks to be removed at another time when there is a bigger team.

Digging done, time to take some refreshment at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn as usual.

Report by Jon

“Jon, Jake, Paul and Nick turned up at the farm at the appointed hour. Jon remembered the key; Jake took responsibility for it.

Underground, Jake took the lead, digging to the left of the boulder at the current end. Care was taken to ensure that any bones were not missed; none were seen.  It was reported that the way ahead to the left appears to be somewhat low in height. Jon worked at the back, moving spoil bags from the chamber to the main haul point. Nick and Paul worked in between, improving the infrastructure (my heart sinks a little when reference is made to “Nick…improving the infrastructure!”) There were no time devices underground. Jon and Jake raised the issue of time within a few minutes of each other; the Team then departed.  Hauling was very efficiently done. 45 bags of spoil were removed.

Jake returned the key to its rightful place. The Team then retired to a local hostelry for light refreshments.”

Vince, Jon, Jake, Nick, and Brockers

Arrived at the farm early and, so too did Brockers and Jake. Not so far behind were Jon and Nick. Underground beyond Trick or Treat before digging got underway, a discussion (an ‘induction’ if using Brockers’ terminology) regarding the best way to excavate around the faunal remains and a strategy for recording.

That done I was left to dig in the SE alcove while the rest of the team removed  the bags I had accumulated through the week (Monday to Wednesday) and a pile of rocks stacked further back in the cave. While I was slowly trowelling away a rethink about and suggested to Jon that careful digging along the N side (avoiding the potential ‘bone bearing’ deposit) might be achievable, and so it was. The morning progressed and all were busy. At around 12:15, digging was ceased, the area tidied, kit packed away, and the cave cleared of spoil. Today’s count was 55 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus an estimated 5no. skip loads of rock.

Refreshment was, of course, taken at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

Vince, Jake, Nick, and Will (?)

Got the wheels back from the garage so set off for an early start. It has been quite wet for the last few days so wanted to see what (if any) effect this might have at the current dig site (and bone deposit). At the farm tarried a while to have a chat with the farmer.

Underground, it was evident that water had been flowing down from the entrance into the pot. It was surprising that there was not a pool of water at the bottom of the pot although the buckets were full (water is used to lubricate the skip hauls). The NE passage was mostly free from dripping water, however, in the chamber (Trick or Treat) there were pools of standing water and pronounced drips throughout this section to the E dig. The question is does this suggest a sediment-filled route to the surface allowing faster ingress of surface water? Also, of concern is at the SE alcove there was dripping water. Started to tidy around last weeks digging to better expose the calcite layer and potential ‘bone-bearing’ deposits.

It wasn’t long before the team arrived. A discussion with Will to explain what was going on here and then continued to clear around the dig face. Will clearing away the filled bags to Nick and Jake, who proceeded to shift the spoil back through the cave. Digging was a slower process today so some of the bags were moved back towards the entrance. At the dig face more small fragments of bone were recovered and a ‘tiny’ phalanx.

At around midday digging was wrapped up and the cave cleared of spoil. A total of 33 bags filled, hauled, and emptied. Time to go to the Hunters’ Lodge Inn for some refreshments.

Vince, Nick, Brockers, Mike, and Jake

Had planned to get to HR early but a few mishaps put paid to the best of plans. The car wouldn’t start, the alternative vehicle – the key battery was flat so had to find a replacement battery, eventually got to the farm to find I had forgotten my caving helmet so had to go back home and get it. Finally arrived at the farm to find the rest of the team were already changed and were up at HR.

Underground, at last! Went up to the dig to have a chat with Nick (who was digging), tarried a while and cleared a few bags back to Brockers before making my way towards the back of the queue. Brockers continued to clear away bags of spoil from Nick, Mike moved the filled bags across the chamber in Trick or Treat to the ‘hump’ where I hauled them over and transferred the bag to Jake at the bottom of the ramp, he then moved the bags along to the bottom of the pot. When a suitable pile of around 20 – 30 bags had amassed in the pot I moved back with Jake to get the spoil up on to the ledge. Then returned to our original positions to do it all again. As midday approached, we made another move back to start moving the filled bags up to the entrance and out of the cave to the surface. Soon digging activities were curtailed and bags were emptied, 63 of them in total.

Hunters’ Lodge Inn for refreshments as usual.

29th August:

Vince and Tav

A quick trip to the Soft South to tidy up the survey to the current dig(s) beyond Trick or Treat and Can of Worms. Survey was later annotated to show various points of interest.

Vince, Nick, Jake, Jon, and Brockers

Another early start to drag a couple of 1.2m x 0.6m sheets of 6mm plyboard to the current end of the cave beyond Trick or Treat. The purpose was cover over the potential ‘bone’ layer to allow further removal of overburden. Nearly finished as the team arrived. Then ensued a brief discourse regarding strategy and for future plans to excavate the ‘bone’ layer (once more is exposed).

All good, I set off to the back of the queue, Jake got on with digging, Nick clearing (?) spoil away, Jon transported the spoil across the chamber to the hump, and Brockers dragged it over. I was at the bottom of the ramp hauling the spoil from Brockers and carried it along to the bottom of the pot. Every now and then Brockers came along and together we hauled the spoil to the top of the pot and onto the ledge.

Midday came and digging was ceased to clear out the cave. In total, 73 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied on to the heap. It had been raining quite a lot and it was now very slippery and mucky!

Refreshments were enjoyed by most at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

Vince

Spent the morning continuing to clean around and recover faunal remains in the SE side passage/alcove at the current end of the cave beyond Trick or Treat. Some nice finds too including bear canine, more phalanges (also bear), and many more bone fragments. Excavation can be frustrating at times especially as some of the bones are so fragile requiring some careful digging using wooden (clay modelling) tools. Some remains are mineralised, some are quite abraded perhaps suggesting some turbulent flow has affected the remains (at some time!)

Vince

Spent a very peaceful couple of hours or so cleaning area around faunal remains and defining section of sediment deposition overlying the remains. Photographed, faunal remains left in situ for the time being as there is more cleaning required to fully expose potential accumulation of ‘bones’.

Vince, Mike, Jake, and Jon

Went to the cave earlier again to take some sediment samples from the north facing section beyond Trick or Treat that had been cleaned and recorded last weekend. Before venturing underground, I had a quick scan of the spoil heap (rained in the previous week) and recovered a few more bone fragments.

 Before I had finished sampling the team arrived and they waited while I took the last sample, some photographs taken, recording done, kit was packed away (more detailed sediment descriptions can be done at home). To make up for the delay both me and Mike set about digging – Mike concentrated straight ahead going east, I was in the southeast side passage/alcove. There I was happily loosening sediment and filling bags when I glanced down to spot more bone fragments. At the base of the finer, grey and red banded/laminated sediments is a thin layer of red brown clay overlying a calcite ‘false’ floor, slightly degraded. Peeling away the thin upper ‘crust’ of the floor revealed a small accumulation of bone fragments in amongst fractured flowstone lumps. The bones are fragmentary, abraded, and mineralised; some elements were identified as phalanges, other fragments might be identifiable when cleaned and closer inspection possible. A sample of faunal remains has been bagged and tagged for further study.

 As the session was coming to its conclusion, more bones were revealed. These were left in situ as further excavation and cleaning will be required. The team all moved back to clear the cave of spoil. At the end of the morning session about 60 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied. There is a small pile of rocks beginning to accumulate underground, these will be removed when a larger team is available.

 Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn as usual.

Vince, Jon, Jake, and Brockers

Went to the cave early to carry up the ‘new’ skips and to tidy up the mess I had left on Thursday. Replaced the skip between the top of the pot and the entrance as that was in an especially ‘sorry state’. I wondered if the team would realise there were ‘fresh’ skips as there was an aroma now pervading the cave in this area anyway! All done I made my way to the dig beyond Trick or Treat (ToT) where I bagged the loose sediment after sifting through it and picking out a few more bone fragments. Some more photos were taken including the cleaned N facing section and bone location, and a bearing of passage direction (dig(s) trending towards east and southeast).

The area where the faunal remains appear to be more frequent was covered over with plastic bags and fixed into place with some long plastic tent pegs. Digging could then continue so I swapped place with Jon (the team had arrived, and they had noticed the ‘fresh’ skips!). Jon got on with digging, I hauled away the bags and passed them back to Jake. He carried them across the chamber to Brockers on the other side of the hump. Brockers transported the bags along to the pot. When time allowed Jake went with Brockers to get the filled bags up on to the ledge.

Digging activity was ceased at about midday to get the bags out of the cave and up to the surface where they could be emptied – 53 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied today. More bone fragments were recovered from the spoil heap. Bags empty and hung up, it was time to depart, get changed, and reconvene at the Hunters’ for refreshments.

Solo

It was a damp day forecast so decided time would be best served underground so got my stuff together and set off for HR. my plan to clean and record a stratigraphic section in the passage beyond Trick or Treat just before the current dig location(s). arrived at the farm, changed quickly and walked up to the cave. Opened the gate and ventured into the passages below.

Once beyond Trick or Treat laid out my kit, decided on a suitable stratigraphic section (NW facing) and proceeded to clean and tidy the section prior to recording. While cleaning the loose sediment from the ‘floor’ of the passage I spotted something of interest, a small object that appeared to look like a ‘bone’ and indeed it was. How good was that!

When my excitement died down, I took some photographs of the cleaned section and then drew the section. The drawing looks okay but I might also annotate one of the images in ‘Noteshelf’ to get a better idea of the colours and finer layering.

Once the recording was done, I decided to take a closer look at the dig face(s). It was during the closer scrutiny that I noticed some more fragmentary faunal remains low down in the sediment, amongst fractured calcite flowstone, the sediment in this location is slightly silty sand. Some of the bone fragments are covered with a layer of calcite and all are ‘fossilised’. Among the fragments a partial vertebra was seen but not identified to species. It is possible that more faunal remains are still to be found but the area requires quite a bit of tidying up before a proper investigation can proceed. There is a significant overburden of sediment, c.0.7m thickness, that requires removal beforehand. The ‘bone’ area can be covered over while excavation takes place.

Well, I’m dumbfounded really, it’s been years since finding any faunal remains in HR, Brockers goes to the front, makes a comment, and what do you get!

On the way back home dropped into the Wessex Cave Club hut where I spoke to JC and collected 3no. 25 litre drums, ideal for making digging skips. It’s good to know that some of Mendip’s caving clubs still cater for and support digging! Back at home the drums were duly converted to skips ready for use to destruction in HR.

Report by Jon

“Four members of the Team were on duty this week. Given recent road closures, they went straight to the farm. Jake, Nick and Jon were ably supported by Brockers, who remembered the key!

By way of reward for his first important contribution, Brockers was given the role of chief digger. He was backed up by Nick, who obviously became the second digger. He modified the side wall of the slope in the interests of hauling efficiency. Between them, Jon and Jake moved the spoil back to the pot. Jake was at the back, moving between the two ends of the main haul as required and consequently did most of the work.

Brockers was keen to understand the chances of finding animal bones in the dig. A matter for further discussion in the Team.

59 bags of spoil were removed.

Jake returned the key and most of the Team retired to a local hostelry for light refreshment, taking a more direct route than they should.

End report.”

Of note was the recovery of a bone fragment from the spoil heap. it had come from one of the bags filled during Saturday’s digging activities. This find required some discussion between team members. The images below were taken by Jon Riley 03/08/2024.

Vince, Jake, Brockers, Jon, Nick, Tav, and Mike

Got to the farm before the team arrived and made my way across the fields to the cave, taking care to keep one eye on the bull on the way. Safely at the cave tidied the spoil heap, added a few rocks to the wall, and packed the dry bags into bundles (x10) ready for use as the morning progressed. It was not too long to wait for Jake and Brockers to arrive (I could hear them as they walked across the field). A brief chat and they went underground to start digging at the NE extent. About 10 minutes after they had departed, the others arrived. A discussion about who was going where ensued – I was on the surface as I dug last weekend – all sorted, they ventured into the ‘abyss’. Once they got themselves organised it was not long before bags (and, infrequently, rocks) arrived ready to be hauled to the surface. The rate was steady enough to allow time to empty the bags, and add rare rocks to the wall, every now and then Jon appeared on the surface to help empty the bags too.

 And that is how the morning progressed. The weather became oppressive – warm, humid and it was not a surprise when it started to rain – quite a lot, making it very slippery on the surface around the entrance and up to the spoil heap. Fortunately, it was not too long before the team arrived on the surface. 68 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus some rocks. Time for the Hunter’s and some refreshments.

Vince, Jake, Tav, Brockers, Jon, and Nick

Wandered up to the cave to tidy up the spoil heap and add a few rocks to the wall before heading underground. Grabbed an unused drag tray from just below the entrance and set off to the far NE dig beyond Trick or Treat. Once there put together a haulage skip (I had bought with some lengths of rope from home) ready to try out later in the morning. That done got out the camera and took quite a few photographs  and video of the sediment deposition in this section of the cave. Jake arrived, closely followed by Tav. Digging got underway.

Sediment was loosened, bags were filled, and hauled away, the drag tray worked well although its passage was eased with the occasional sprinkling of water on the slope. I was digging, Jake hauled spoil away, Tav carted the bags and very sporadic rocks across the chamber to the ‘hump’ there the spoil was shifted through the cave and out to the surface where the bags were emptied. In between bags from the NE, about half a dozen bags of spoil were coaxed out of Can of Worms. And that’s how the morning continued until it was time to stop digging and head out to the surface.

Todays total count = 76 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus a token rock or two. To the Hunter’s!

Vince, Jake, Jon, Tav, Brockers, Nick

First job of the day was to liberate a large toad from the cave. As last week all our efforts were concentrated towards digging at the far NE extent of the cave beyond Trick or Treat. Jon was upfront loosening sediment and filling bags. The sediment was removed to reveal a thick false floor with another deposit of fine sediment below it. I was removing the filled bags back up the slope to Jake who transported the spoil across the chamber to the ‘hump’ where Tav dragged it through to the other side. Tav, assisted by Brockers, then shifted the bags (and occasional rocks) along to the pot where some of the spoil made it out to the surface. There was a rumour that someone or other had thought to open a Can of Worms, but this was never confirmed.

 Back at the main focus of digging, in between clearing stuff from Jon the slope was modified to enable a skip/drag tray to be employed in the future as forward progress is good. Meanwhile, Jon had strayed from the path and was going in the ‘wrong’ direction (to the ~east side) and was being influenced by an ‘open’ space in the roof above the sediment fill. It does appear to be an interesting development that requires further investigation. There is quite a lot going on at this dig at present. However, it was past midday, and the decision was made to move back and clear the cave of accumulated spoil. The count for today c.80 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus a couple of skip loads or so of rocks for the wall.

 Glastonbury now over, the pub was reopen and it would have been churlish not to pay them a visit for the usual post-digging refreshments.

Vince, Nick. Jon, and Jake

A smaller team assembled at the farm for today’s digging session and a little earlier than usual. We changed and wandered up to the cave. There the bags had dried nicely in the recent warm spell and excess sediment still adhered was easily shaken off. The bags were bundled into randomly numbered packs usually somewhere near to twenty. All headed underground. We had decided not to open a Can of Worms this session but instead all lend support to Nick’s activity in the far NE extent beyond Trick or Treat. Nick was in his element, happily loosening the sediment and enthusiastically filling bags, on many occasions a little too enthusiastically filled! The spoil was then dragged through the cave to be temporarily stored at the bottom of the pot. a consequence of the clement weather was that the cave was drying, and the lack of lubrication resulted in more effort was required to haul the skips. Water was applied to ease the skips, but this was in short supply so could only be done sparingly. We persevered.

 As time approached midday Nick was persuaded to stop filling bags and all together, we moved back to clear the cave. Jake reported back from the surface that the clegs were arriving in “gangs of twenty” it was a good job I had refreshed the supply of insect repellent.

Eventually the cave was cleared, and the final task was to empty the bags – about 65 of them. Not all of these bags were easily relieved of their contents and required some coaxing, turning inside out and given a jolly good shaking!

 No pub today as the staff had gone to Glastonbury. Some of the team had thought to bring their own refreshments to the entrance, others went thirsty! All was good.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Mike

Went up before the others arrived to get some photos of the wobbly stal at the NE end of the current digs. After photos were done made my way back out of the cave to the surface where I met up with the team. Jake made a beeline straight to the NE dig, Nick continued to open a Can of Worms, Brockers and Jon provided the support to the diggers, Mike settled in at the bottom of the entrance. I was on the surface hauling out the spoil. Managed to get some of the bags emptied – those from the NE were especially difficult to empty, when they arrived, rocks were added to the wall. When it all got too much the bags were left for later. The persistent accompaniment of buzzing flies was not welcome, and I was glad to find an insect repellent spray stuffed in a hole in a wall.

 Time passed and the diggers seemed reluctant to cease their activities and bring todays session to a conclusion. Eventually help arrived on the surface and the remaining bags emptied, wall extended, and a ‘count’ was made, arriving at 99 bags filled, hauled, and emptied, plus quite a few rocks including a couple of rather heavy ones!

 Refreshments at the Hunter’s were welcome, it had been a busy morning (on the surface) and warm too!

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Tav

Went up to the cave early to add the rocks hauled out last weekend to the wall and a bit of levelling-up to create a bit more dumping space. There were not as many rocks as I had thought and soon ran out. Nothing for it but to head underground. Bundled up a pack of bags (x20) and headed off to the far NE extent. There I spent the next couple of hours or so loosening sediment and filling bags, prised a few rocks loose too. Cleaned around the ‘wobbly’ stal which is actually wobblier than expected – definitely requires some attention to secure it in place. On closer inspection, it is an interesting stalagmite in that it is a record of several growth phases (interglacials?). Need to get a good photographic record of it still in situ. The filled bags and rocks were regularly cleared away by the support team (Nick and Tav), Jake was digging in a Can of Worms with Jon in attendance there. Currently the progress in CoW is slower as digging is rather constricted – compact sediment overlies calcite flowstone.

 All too soon it was time to stop digging and head towards the surface to empty the bags (and add more rocks to the wall). Jon had carefully carried the filled bags to the spoil dump and had arranged in piles of ten for ease of counting. Unfortunately, this well laid out plan fell apart when the rest of the team acted in an ad hoc fashion and the count reverted to the bags actually hung up. Eventually, a figure of about 70 bags was arrived at plus some skip loads of rock. Satisfied with the outcome we decided to go to the pub.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Nick. Doing our bit for Global Wellness Day 2024!

Wandered up to the cave before the team arrived and trimmed back the vegetation that was beginning to overgrow the path and spoil heap. When the team arrived, bags were gathered together and packed (x20) ready for refilling later.

 Jon headed off to the NE extent and I went to open a Can of Worms. Jake, Brockers, and Nick provided the support to both digs, clearing filled bags and rocks to the surface and emptying the bags. From the surface the word came back reporting the first clegs of the summer!!!

 In between loosening the sediment and filling bags I took a few images in ‘CoW’ of sediment deposition as it wasn’t too steamy at the SW extent. It is much drier and more spacious here.

The digging at the SW extent in ‘CoW’ comprises of fine sediment (sand, silt, clay) deposited over layers of calcite flowstone – the upper layer of which is sometimes degraded and stained ‘black’ from mineralisation (?), the lower layer(s) appear mere ‘solid’. Between the layers of calcite are thin deposits (mm) of fine sediment and it is suggested that during the Pleistocene period of permafrost on Mendip these sediment layers froze, causing frost heave and fracturing of the calcite layers. Hammering a bar between the layers it is possible to prise loose large chunks of calcite (the edges along the fracture line are ’dirty’). It is slower progress but still moving forward.

At the end of the session, 105 bags (from both ends) were filled, hauled, and emptied plus about 20 skip loads of rock stock piled for wall building at a later date. To the Hunter’s!

Vince, Jake, Jon, Tav, Nick, Brockers, and Mike

I went up to the cave early again not to break-up rocks but have a tidy around the spoil dump, mostly clearing away vegetation and levelling-up, and creating space. Brockers arrived, he packed bags, and we talked. Soon the rest of the team arrived, and time to get underground, all except Jake who arrived fully kitted out for surface duties today.

Tav went to the lonely NE, Nick continued to open a Can of Worms, and everyone else was somewhere in between. Initially I followed Tav to the NE dig to take some photos before it got too steamy.

I cleared a pile of bags that Tav had filled and was joined by Jon who helped bag movements. We returned to join the others. It was then a matter of moving filled bags and an assortment of rocks through the cave to the surface, keeping Jake occupied. It seems that Jake was ‘enjoying’ the sounds of playing children somewhere in the fields above the woods. It would quite some time before they moved on, and peace restored.

At the NE dig, Tav had uncovered a fine stalagmite during digging and suggested that a photographic record was taken. This was done. Unfortunately, Tav later reported that the stalagmite is ‘wobbly’. Hopefully it can be made secure with pinning and resin at some point in the future when the area around it has been fully cleared.

As last week the diggers seemed to very happy in their endeavours and were reluctant to cease activities, another later than normal end to the session. At least it was now peaceful on the surface and the weather was good. All the spoil was levelled, and rocks added to various walls, about 104 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus around 20 skip loads of rocks for wall building.

As usual refreshments were enjoyed at out favourite hostelry. Another good, productive digging session.

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Tav

Another earlier, solo start for me, more rocks to split. A suitable pile amassed, kit packed just as Jake arrived, followed by the rest of the team shortly thereafter. Jake kept going in a northeasterly direction to continue the dig beyond Trick or Treat, Jon set up to dig a Can of Worms, Nick and Tav providing support to the diggers. I set off to the NE with a plan to visit An Unexpected Development (AUD) to find out if we could establish a voice connection between AUD and the NE dig.

 On arrival at AUD a voice connection with Jake was easily made – loud and clear – distance between the two points estimated 2-3m. A look around the chamber at the SW extent of AUD, and beyond some fine calcite formations, the passage appears to continue, the NE dig on current trajectory should pass closely this possible continuation. Reference to survey suggests the dig is to the SE side of the known passage (AUD) and leading towards a “blank” area. Very interesting.

 A satisfactory result, time to head back to join the rest of the team and assist with spoil movements. Going through this part of the cave I was reminded just how extensive HR is, and how much excavation work has been done! It is a fine bit of caving. Back at the entrance hauled a few bags back from the Soft South, Nick suggested I might go to the surface and haul out from there. I, of course, obliged. Bags were hauled out and emptied, rocks were hauled up and another section of wall constructed, and the bags kept coming! It seemed a long time before I was joined on the surface by any of the underground team members. At the end of the session, about 100 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied from the two digs, plus a good quantity of rocks pulled out and added to a wall somewhere or other. It was a bit later than our usual finish time.

Refreshment was, as ever, sought at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn.

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Tav

I was up at the cave early to continue creating wall building material. Still clearing the accumulation of boulders at the bottom of the pot in the Sift South. There are a couple of more substantial boulders that might require more aggressive treatment, in the meantime, I will persevere with plugs and feathers. I was just about done and repacking kit when Jake arrived, followed shortly afterwards by the rest of the team. I headed off along the NE passage to dig at the far end, Tav settled in to open a Can of Worms.

 At the NE extent, a considerable quantity of sediment was removed from floor level, much of this was loose material that had become trampled, this increased the working height of the dig. Then proceeded to remove sediment from the sides and slowly moving forward (c.NE direction). The deposition layering is clearly visible – alternate bands of varying red and grey. The area to be excavated is broad. To the left side (c.NW direction) is a likely connection into Unexpected Development (it might be worth trying a voice connection next week). Of more interest is that the floor and roof appear to be dipping down steadily.  About midday digging at the NE end was finished and effort was concentrated to emptying the cave of amassed spoil. I went to the surface and started hauling bags out, then as the spoil was moved through the cave the rest of the team appeared on the surface to empty bags. Spoil dumped to the N while the weather is dry. About 90 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus several loads of rock added to the walls.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Tav

Yet another earlier start for me, continuing the process of reducing the accumulated pile of larger boulders at the base of the pot in the Soft South. The rocks are required for wall-building. There are a couple of especially large boulders and I experimented with removing chunks off one of them with varying success.

Brockers and Jake arrived in tandem, Brockers making a beeline to the NE extent to take up position in the ‘lonely spot’, Jake opening up a ‘CoW’. Soon after Jon and Tav were on the scene and the pile of reduced rocks I had amassed were hauled out of the pot by them, I continued to break up the last couple of boulders for this session before packing kit away. Then headed up to the NE extent beyond Trick or Treat to relieve Brockers of his filled bags. Jon came along and together we moved the spoil to the pot. All spoil was removed to the bottom of the entrance where Tav had stacked it very neatly for removal later in the morning. Jake’s accumulated spoil was cleared, then back to Brockers and so on.

Currently, forward progress is more easily obtained following the NE trending dig beyond Trick or Treat, where the spoil mostly comprises finer sediments. In ‘Cow’, forward momentum is hampered by a thick basal calcite flowstone deposit which although appears to have been fractured (freeze/thaw processes) the sediment has to be removed before the fragmented deposit can be removed. This type of obstruction is not entirely unexpected having been encountered before, we just have to ensure that dimensions of the dig allow for comfortable excavation and removal.

Eventually digging activity was curtailed at the NE extent so that spoil could be hauled out to the surface and dispersed there. I joined the surface party and was able to build up the wall and level the spoil, thereby saving me a job for tomorrow. A total of 90 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied from the two digs and about 20 skip loads of rocks added to the wall. A larger team turn-out resulting in a productive session. Refreshments were, of course, taken at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn.

Vince, Brockers and Jon

Another earlier start for me to break-up some more boulders in the bottom of the pot (Soft South) for the continuing wall extension.

Brockers was the first of the team to appear for this morning’s digging session and he promptly got on with opening a Can of Worms. It was not too long before Jon arrived completing this week’s team – 3 of us. I reduced a couple more boulders to manageable size, packed the kit away, and we hauled the rocks out of the pot and dragged them along to the bottom of the entrance. Pot cleared, I took over digging in CoW, while Brockers and Jon cleared the spoil away, getting the filled bags and rocks to the surface, and emptied the bags. And that’s how the morning proceeded at a relaxed pace – 60 bags filled, hauled, and emptied, and a good supply of wall-building material was piled up ready for use, probably tomorrow morning.

As usual, refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn.

Vince, Brockers, Jon, and Nick

Another early start for me to break some more boulders stashed at the bottom of the pot. Time passed quickly, Brockers was the first of the team to arrive, clutching empty bags and other paraphernalia, he began to open a Can of Worms. Not long after Jon and Nick arrived. Jon took over the digging in ‘CoW’ and Brockers went to the top of the ledge to empty the bucket as I hauled up the accumulation of wall building material. Nick was in position at the bottom of the entrance and hauled the rocks and bags away and temporarily made a pile of stuff ready to go up to the surface later.

While I packed drill and kit away, Brockers cleared filled bags from Jon, Nick continued to accumulate spoil at the bottom of the entrance. Kit stowed, we settled into a steady rhythm keeping the dig clear of bags and, as the morning progressed, the accumulated spoil was removed to the surface. No-one bothered to actually count the quantity of spoil removed but arrived at a ‘guesstimate’ of somewhere around 60-70 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus about 20-30 skip loads of rock ready to be added to the wall. There was an attempt to level the spoil (not by me) but the wall needs building up beforehand really – a job for another day!

The Hunter’s was visited for the usual post-digging refreshments.  

Vince, Nick, Jon, Jake, Brockers, Tav, Mike, and Pete Bolt (with Charlie the dog)

Another full team assemblage, this week with a welcome guest appearance by ‘Bolty’.

An earlier start by me again as more rocks are needed for wall construction and there are quite a number of boulders at the bottom of the pot that require size reduction. Busy with the plugs/feathers until all battery power (3no.) was just about used. At that moment, Jake arrived, clutching several packs of bags, heading off to the NE extent closely followed by Pete B. I packed my kit away and started towards the entrance. Brockers made a beeline for a Can of Worms and proceeded to dig.

On the surface, I swapped place with Nick, who was happy to go underground (my light battery wasn’t as charged as I had thought!), Mike was also on surface duties. The rocks from the pot were hauled out of the cave and soon added to the wall, thereby creating space for spoil disposal, and there was going to be quite a lot of spoil today. A total of 136 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied (and somewhere between 25 to 30 skip loads of rocks). All the while there was plenty of vocal support for the surface team from Charlie the dog! It became more peaceful when Pete returned to the surface.  

A very productive session and we can do it all again next weekend. As usual, there were refreshments at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, Nick, Tav, and Mike

A full team assembled for today’s digging activities. It was going to be productive.

An earlier start by me and Brockers. The dodgy pulley and sling were replaced at the entrance before venturing underground. There was a small accumulation of boulders on the ledge that needed dealing with, so I got to work with plugs and feathers, Brockers cleared away the reduced lumps of rock and also filled a few bags in Can of Worms (leaving a pile of debris for Jake to clear away later). Jake was the next to arrive and took over from Brockers digging Can of Worms. Rock reduction completed I went up to the surface, collecting some a small bar, as requested by Nick, on the way out. The rest of the team had arrived. Nick was repairing the stile in the woods before heading underground to dig at the NE end beyond Trick or Treat. The subsurface support team comprised Brockers, Mike, and Tav, Jon joined me on the surface. With the two os above ground, the bags were hauled out, emptied, and the dumped spoil levelled, the rocks were added to the wall to create more space for spoil dumping. It was a very pleasant morning on the surface.

Below ground digging progressed a good rate. About 140 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied, plus quite a few rocks hauled out and placed on the spoil heap wall. Refreshments were well-earned at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn today.

Report by Jon

“Only three reliable members of the Team arrived on site at the appointed hour. Between them, Jon, Nick and Jake remembered the key. It was a blustery morning, but dry, as the Team walked up to the dig. The stile just before the dig is in need of attention. A previous attempt to shore up one of the posts has highlighted the fact that the post needs replacing.

The dig was unlocked using the multi-person, rock-and-key method.

Jake repaired the skip on the entrance haul. Cable ties are now available at the bottom of the entrance. After an absence of more than a week, Nick was clearly desperate to dig. The Team opted to focus on the Can of Worms. While Nick filled his first pack of bags, Jon and Jake moved some building stone. Jon worked on the ledge; Jake hauled. After Nick had filled several bags, Jake moved up to the bottom of the entrance. Jon carried bags of spoil from Nick back to the ledge. Nick also dug out a quantity of rocks. Three larger rocks remain on the ledge and will need further persuasion to be removed. Jake hauled.

As is now normal, the hauling pair then moved up again and took the spoil bags to the surface. Jon loaded at the bottom of the entrance. Jake hauled.

Jake’s new oiling system for the pulley above the entrance came too late. The pulley needs to be replaced with some urgency. It survived the morning but is audibly distressed. Some 60 bags of spoil were removed along with 18 loads of stone.

The tree eventually advised Jake that it was time to retire to a local hostelry for light refreshment. The good news was that the tree had put its clock forward the previous week. The key was dutifully returned to the correct place. This act was duly witnessed.”

Vince, Jake, Jon, Brockers, and Mike

Mike digging at the NE extent, continued along on right side to work towards the ‘open’ spaces, reducing the hump of sediment. There is a thin crust of calcite between the ‘space’ and the sediment. Interesting. Meanwhile, in the SW, Brockers was expanding the broad dig-face in a Can of Worms. There is no obvious way ahead as yet, just a wide. Inclined bedding filled to the roof with sediment. Plenty of stuff for us to dig, probably all the way to Badger Hole! The support team – Jake, Jon, and me – worked to keep the filled bags moving freely through the cave to the surface where they were emptied into the extension area. Jake was principal bag remover, Jon did most of the hauling out to the surface and emptying bags, I was flitting about somewhere in between wherever required. All went smoothly and time passed quickly.

 Today’s bag total = 106 filled, hauled, and emptied (42 from the NE, 64 from the SW), plus a few rocks were pulled out to be added to the wall building pile ready for use (probably tomorrow).

Vince, Jake, Brockers, Tav, and Mike

My turn to take up the ‘lonely’ spot beavering away beyond Trick or Treat, Mike was up on the landing opening a Can of Worms. The support team comprising Jake, Brockers, and Tav, not only kept the digs clear of bags but also hauled out a pile of rocks for wall building.

 As the morning progressed at the NE extent the dig ahead looked increasingly interesting. There are more spaces being revealed over the top of the sediment, sometimes with a thin crust of calcite flowstone and a feint hint of air movement. We appear to be approaching a bit of a ‘hump’, another metre or so of digging might reveal something more – all very tantalising, good stuff.

  At the close of the session, about 80 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied and an estimated 30 skip loads of rock for wall construction.

  Another excellent session rounded off with a visit to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for some refreshments.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Mike

Jake digging in the ‘lonely’ spot at the NE extent while I was opening a ‘Can of Worms’ to the SW. the support team; Brockers, Jon, and Mike were kept fully occupied clearing away filled bags and rocks.

I had packed a drill and plugs/feathers with a plan to reduce a couple of boulders to a more manageable size. Rocks are required for the next phase of wall-building in the extension area. That done, I then got on with loosening sediment and filling bags. A productive session with a steady supply of filled bags and rocks being removed from the two dig sites. The spoil (or at least some of it) was removed to the surface and bags were emptied too.

 Jake had lugged up from the shed a bag of ready-mixed mortar to carry out remedial work to the upper skip haul route. This was done when all spoil had gone beyond that stage and was mostly on the surface. The excess mortar was used to consolidate a rickety stile post on the path to the cave/farm.

 About 90 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus quite a lot of rock added to the wall-building pile. Empty bags were repacked and back underground ready for the next session.

 The session was concluded with refreshments at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn as usual.

Vince, Nick, Jake, Jon, and Tav

The digging continued to be pursued on the two fronts; Nick (on a self-imposed time constraint for this morning) was promptly dispatched to the NE extent, clutching a pack of fresh digging bags (supplied by Brockers), to work alone, Jake was digging at the SW extent in Can of Worms. The support team, comprised Jon, Tav, and me, worked continuously to keep both digs clear of filled bags (and making sure empty bags were available to be filled).

 Jake concentrated his effort on widening Can of Worms to see if the bedding reduced in height on the south side. Meanwhile, Nick working away in the ‘lonely’ spot had opened a small space at roof level that looks interesting, although more work is required to open the space fully to see how it might develop. As Nick was on a time limit, digging ceased in the NE about 11:30 and Nick returned to the surface, staying long enough to haul up some bags before leaving.

 At the bottom of the entrance there was a considerable accumulation of filled bags and the support team decided it was time to get the filled bags out of the cave, Jake was left to continue digging in Can of Worms. Eventually, all hands were engaged in spoil clearance. Once on the surface the bags were then emptied over the wall into the new extension area. I will level off the spoil dump later in the week. Today’s final count was about 120 filled bags emptied, and a token rock added to the wall. The woven bags supplied by Brockers are a lot easier to grip and carry than the plastic bags.

Refreshments at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn as usual.

Vince, Jon, Jake, Brockers, and Nick

As is the current trend, work continues at either end of a NE/SW alignment. Jon was dispatched to the ‘lonely’ spot at the NE extent, dragging a pack of wet and heavy ‘empty’ bags with him. Brockers was in the more sociable SW extent now known as a Can of Worms, support for the diggers was provided by Jake and Nick, I was at the bottom of the entrance. Digging was slightly delayed at the SW extent as the digger needed to adjust his attire. Eventually though work progressed.

 When about 20 bags had amassed at the entrance, I went up to the surface, with Nick loading the bucket, the filled bags were hauled out of the cave, then returned underground to clear away the backlog of bags from the diggers, and the next lot of bags were hauled up to the surface, some of them were emptied too. The rain continued intermittently mixed with hail/sleet. Back underground.

 About midday digging activities were wound down and the process of clearing the cave and emptying the bags took priority. About 100 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus one rock. Light rain continued to fall. Job done, back to the farm, changed, and up to the Hunter’s for refreshments.

Solo. At the cave about 2 hours

Underground – went along to the NE extent (Trick or Treat/An Unexpected Development area) to have a quick look at progress (see above) and to take some sediment pH/temperature readings [mean pH 5.2; soil temp. 10 degs C]. Back to Can of Worms for more sediment pH/temp. readings [mean pH5.1; soil temp. 10 degs C], then returned to the surface

Above ground – moved the pile of rocks to where I needed them, down to the spoil heap extension, and then added them to the wall. When all available rocks were used up, that was it for today. Last task was to take some surface soil pH/temp. readings [pH 5.6; soil temp. 8 degs C].