25th February 2020

Report by Vince

Vince

After collecting the supplies at 16:45, I was underground by 18:00. Arrived at the end of the Cold Gnarly North and was surprised to find that the trench in the floor of the rift hadn’t refilled with water. Perhaps Jon’s probing with the long bar on Saturday had the desired effect. However, there was a puddle of water at the business end. I decided to continue the with the passage widening and to remove the remaining bulge of rock in the floor. The 4no. were again widely spaced (in pairs) and I used a 12mm diameter drill bit, maximum depth c.550mm. While drilling the fourth hole the cutting tip sheared off possibly the result of accidentally dipping the bit in the puddle of water at the end. Luckily, I had spare bits and was able to drill a parallel hole (the broken tip was at the bottom of the other hole!). All holes drilled, filled and fired from a safe distance and I exited the cave. I was cold, so secured the cave and jogged back down to the farm to warm up a bit.

Didn’t stop at the pub went straight home to sort out the kit and get things drying out.

Author: mendipgeoarch

Archaeologist, Geologist, Speleologist