Vince, Jake, Jon, and Tav
Got there early to scratch around the wall extension and start to pack the now very dry bags ready for refilling. The team arrived…
They had already decided to dig Can of Worms, the “easier” option. No matter. Jake digging, I was hauling the spoil from the dig to the ledge and then loading the skip to Tav at the bottom of the entrance, Jon was on the surface hauling the spoil out and emptying bags in the pleasantly warm sunshine. Some of the rock pieces from my last trip were taken out to the surface. As the morning settled in to a steady rhythm, Tav helped move bags across the ledge. The cave has dried out considerably and the skip runs required some lubrication to enable the loaded skips to move more freely.
At the dig, the way ahead became less clear as the session progressed as, directly ahead, an apparently solid rock face appeared; more large, fractured and detached stalagmites were uncovered, and an associated stalagmite base still seemingly attached to rock. As more digging occurred the “blank” wall revealed ‘phreatic pendants’ along the bottom edge. All in all, it is quite perplexing. The answer, as ever, is that lots more digging is required!
At the end of the session, 70 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus several loads of rock for the wall added to the surface pile.
The digging session was concluded with refreshments at our favourite hostelry, the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.
NOTE: Due to a number of factors no digging was undertaken on Saturday 29th March 2025.