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!
24th 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.