Category: 2025

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

Tav set-off to the NE extent, An Unexpected Development area, to dig with Jon helping to remove the spoil generated; Brockers went to Can of Worms to fill some bags. There was the pile of rocks and gravel to remove from the NE, so spoil was quickly moving through the cave to be temporarily stored at the bottom of the entrance. Nick and Jake were shifting spoil from the NE and up to the ledge, I cleared spoil from Brokers and hauled stuff from the ledge to the entrance. When Brockers had filled about 20 bags he went up to the surface and started to haul spoil out of the cave. This was not an easy task today as recent rain had soaked the hauling rope and mud soon adhered to it making the rope very difficult to grip. There was not enough water in any of the buckets to wash the rope. Eventually, Jake took over from me at the bottom of the entrance and I went to the surface to help with the hauling out.

At the end of the session 96 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus several loads of rock were added to the spoil heap wall extension. A productive morning, concluded with a visit to the Hunters’ Lodge Inn for some refreshments.  

Solo

Drill/plugs and feathers packed into tackle bag, time to go ‘rock-bothering!’

At HR, very briefly scratched around the spoil heap wall extension before getting underground to attend the primary objective. At the dig in the area of An Unexpected Development a rock had been left exposed on Saturday, and it was my intention to reduce it into more manageable pieces. After this task had been achieved, I trimmed a lump off from a protruding boulder before removing a ‘lip’ of rock and calcite along the edge of the ‘hole in the floor’ to make removal of spoil a little bit easier. A pile of rocks for the wall were stacked to one side along with a couple of bags of gravel. Time to pack up and leave the cave.

Hunters’ Lodge Inn does not open on a Tuesday lunchtime so returned home, I’d forgotten my wallet anyway!.

Vince, Tav, Jon, Jake, and Nick

Underground digging activity was mostly concentrated at the NE extent, in the area of An Unexpected Development (AUD), although Nick, freshly returned from a working field trip to Angola and raring to go, couldn’t resist an opportunity to fill some bags in Can of Worms (CoW). At the AUD area it was my turn to dig, the spoil being cleared away by Tav, Jon hauled the bags and rocks upslope and carried the spoil across the chamber to the ‘hump.’ A combination of Jake, Nick, and Jon then shifted the spoil through the cave to the entrance initially, then to the surface. The pile of rocks I had stacked to one side a couple of weeks ago in the chamber were also removed to the surface.

The digging effort (AUD) continued to open the area below the “false floor” where there are potential leads to the northern and eastern sides. Just need to create some more space to enable progress in both directions. The fine-grained sediments comprise silty, fine sand with frequent inclusions which consist of cobble- and boulder-sized chunks of calcite ‘floor’ and less frequently dolomitic conglomerate. At the close of the digging session, a large boulder was eventually prised free of the fine-grained sediment and left in position where it can be easily reduced into more manageable fractions. At the end of digging the progress made is clearly visible.

A total of 54 bags (including 14 from CoW) were filled, hauled, and emptied plus 15 loads of rocks were hauled out and added to the spoil heap wall extension. The session was concluded with refreshments at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

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.

Solo

Carried in drill and plugs/feathers to reduce in size the accumulated large rocks left in various places in the cave. First pile in the chamber, Trick or Treat. Rocks dealt with, decided to secure the conveyor belt on the slope from the chamber to the dig in An Unexpected Development area. While I was there had a quick peek at the dig too. Back to the chamber, packed kit into bag, then along to Can of Worms to break-up rock left there. Again, as I was there, a quick look at progress in the dig. Returned to the ledge and packed away kit for the last time. Exited the cave.

Stopped at the Hunters’ for some refreshment, it’s on the way home anyway!

Vince, Jake, Jon, and Tav

Early start for some more wall-building. A smaller team assembled for todays session. So, diggers choice of venue – Jon, as we were down in numbers, elected to have a look in Can of Worms. Jon upfront, Jake clearing spoil back to the ledge, I flitted between the ledge and the entrance, Tav stayed on the surface. Before digging and spoil removal was fully underway various skips were replaced and hauling ropes changed – new skips always slide more freely! Jake also carried out some work to improve the skip run from the dig and a large rock was removed. The morning progressed smoothly as digging continued and spoil was moved through the cave to the surface where the bags were emptied and hung-up to dry.

By the end of today’s session, a total of 63 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus several skip loads of rock added to the spoil heap wall. There are some rocks still underground that require some reduction in size, a job for plugs and feathers another day.

Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ as usual.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Tav.

On an early spring morning in the sunshine, Hallowe’en Rift is a pleasant place to be, on the surface anyway. Added the few rocks that were available to the embryo spoil heap wall and scratched around some sediment to consolidate the wall. Then packed away the very dry and dusty bags ready  for refilling at some later stage. When todays team had assembled all set off underground.

Tav led the way to the NE extent (An Unexpected Development area) with Jon to clear the filled bags and rocks away, Jake was hauling the spoil up the slope, Brockers moving it across the chamber (Trick or Treat) to the hump. Before joining the team, I decided to take a quick look into Can of Worms to see how it was progressing. While I was there, I made a very token gesture of filling some loose bags (3no.). then along the NE passage to move spoil.

As digging continued, spoil was moved through the cave to the surface, rocks were added to the ‘embryo’ wall, bags were emptied, then back underground to repeat the process. By the end of the session, about 50 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus several skip loads of rocks. Some larger rocks were left lurking in the chamber waiting for a reduction to more manageable (and useable) sizes.

As ever, the morning was rounded off with a visit to our favourite hostelry! Another good session.

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

An earlier start by me, as the weather is good, to clear brambles and other vegetation to clear a space for the next ‘terrace’ wall to retain spoil. Used the available rocks to start on wall-base.

When the team assembled, and the dry bags packed, all underground. I headed to the NE to dig, Jake went to the SW to dig in Can of Worms, Nick went along to An Unexpected Development (AUD) to carry out some restoration work. Tav joined me at the NE dig site (AUD area) and set about bailing the quite considerable puddle aided by Mike at the top of the slope. Tav then cleared the filled bags and rocks that I dug from the ‘hole in the false-floor’. Jon was busy moving bags from both digs (later joined by Nick) by stages on the journey towards the surface.

At the NE, the task was to further develop the ‘hole in the false-floor’ revealed by Jake last session. Some largish rocks were wrestled out, along with quite a lot of fine sediment, and the only definite conclusion was – there is a lot more stuff to dig out yet before a clear idea of what is going on can be seen! It does look very interesting. The base of the false floor can be seen and the possible remnants of a lower ‘floor’. There are some coarse calcite crystals visible too. The ‘passage’ may continue in an easterly direction but too early to be certain.

All too soon it was time to cease digging activities and clear the cave of spoil. About 70 bags (15 from Can of Worms) were filled, hauled, and emptied on to the spoil heap and 6 skip loads of rock for the wall.

Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’.

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

First day of meteorological spring and it was glorious up at HR packing up some very dry bags in the sunshine.

A full team assembled for todays activities. At the NE extent (An Unexpected Development area), Jake was busy filling bags, I moved them away along with the occasional rock to the ramp where it was hauled up the slope by Brockers. It was wetter than expected and quite a large puddle of water had accrued at the bottom of the slope. A futile effort to bail it was soon abandoned. Tav moved the spoil across the chamber to the hump. After that I don’t know who did what except that Nick filled bags in Can of Worms (about 20). Anyway, the spoil found its way to the surface eventually.

At the NE extent, Jake was following what appeared to be a diminishing ‘rift’ trending approximately eastwards. He was just tidying away some loose material when a hole opened through a ‘false floor’ to reveal space beyond. Some ‘gardening’ was required, and some large lumps of rock and calcite were removed. It was interesting to note that a large lump of calcite flowstone contained within a detached stalagmite around which the flowstone was deposited. In an effort to reduce one boulder to more manageable pieces by Brockers only resulted in a broken lump hammer. The sledge was retrieved from elsewhere and the boulder succumbed! Soon a better look at the space ahead was possible, it measures about 1.2m wide x 1.2m length x 0.25m height and appears to trend downwards. Of course, there is a lot more sediment to be removed before we know whether this represents a significant development or not. But a change must be good!

All to soon it was time to stop digging and all hands to clearing the cave of spoil. About 85 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus about 8 skip loads of rock ready for wall building. Good session!

To the Hunters’ for refreshments.

Vince, Jake, Jon, Brockers, Mike, Nick, and guest Arthur Griffin

Arrived at site a little before the team. It was pleasantly warm in the sheltered sunshine so much better than last weekend. Added a couple of large rocks to the spoil heap wall before starting to pack the surprisingly dryish bags ready for refilling. The team arrived, the remaining bags packed, and underground we ventured – not to Can of Worms this time but to the NE extent, An Unexpected Development area.

Jon took the helm and led the way with Jake close behind, and they were soon filling bags. I hauled them up the slope passing the filled bags to Mike who carried them across the chamber to the ‘hump’ where Brockers took possession and transported the spoil to the bottom of the pot. Nick, meanwhile. Took Arthur for a tour of the cave as far as An Unexpected Development anyway, before they too joined the digging effort. Arthur took over from Jake while the rest of us then combined our efforts to shift the spoil through the cave to the surface where the bags were then emptied.

The count went somewhat awry after 68, but we agreed that at least 80 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied. And, although still squalid underground, it was so much more pleasant than last weekend!

To the Hunters’ for refreshments as usual.

Vince, Jake, Jon, and Mike

Smaller team assembled today so options were left to ‘diggers prerogative’ – Mike chose ‘Can of Worms’!!!  

While Mike was left to get on with filling bags, the rest of us decided to shift the accumulated pile of rocks from the bottom of the pot to the entrance ready to be hauled out of the cave later with the first batch of filled bags. Conditions today meant two people were required on the surface for hauling. Jake returned underground, I stayed on the surface to add rocks to the spoil heap wall and empty the bags already on the surface before going back below. It was particularly cold, wet and miserable today both underground and on the surface, it was all rather squalid.

At about midday, a return to the surface to clear the next pile of bags and empty them (me and Jake). Jon stayed underground to help Mike move the last few bags to the entrance and these were hauled out to the surface. A total of 50 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied today, and quite a lot of rocks were added to the spoil heap wall. Very cold, wet, and miserable. Time for the Hunters’, some refreshment, and a warm by the fire!

Vince, Mike, Brockers, Jon, Jake, Tav

The bags were almost dry, which given the very gloomy weather, was a surprise. Anyway, all were packed ready to be refilled later. Time to head underground.

I was digging at the NE extent with assistance from Mike. The effort continued to excavate a route to the eastern side of the known passages in An Unexpected Development beyond the surveyed area. There are tantalising spaces ahead but all very small. Brockers was hauling the spoil up the slope before swapping with Jake, once again Jon was filling in wherever needed. Tav filled (10no.) bags in Can of Worms, where digging is reportedly “easy.”

The most difficult task is the movement of spoil through the cave to the surface. It is especially mucky in the cave at present due to the continuing damp weather. The surface soils are saturated resulting in an abundance of percolation water (drips) into the cave. Squalid at times!

At the end of the session, 80 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied. The rocks remain at the bottom of the pot where they can stay until required for wall building.

Post-digging refreshments were taken at the Hunters’ Lodge in as usual.

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

Bags packed ready to be refilled, all underground. Tav digging at the NE extent (beyond Trick or Treat in the An Unexpected Development area, ToT/AUD), I was clearing away the filled bags he generated, plus a few bags of my own (improving a skip route), and some rocks were moved. Hauling the spoil up the slope was initially done by Nick who then swapped places with Mike. Jake was busy filling a few bags from Can of Worms, and Jon was flitting around moving spoil when and wherever required on a busy morning. Spoil was also finding its way to the surface.

The recent rain during the past week meant that conditions in the cave had not improved much and it was as squalid as ever, a consequence of wetter winters. The digging continued and progress was made in both digs. As ever, and all to soon, it was time to clear the cave of spoil, todays total = 74 bags (10 from Can of Worms, CoW) were filled, hauled, and emptied this session.  

The digs, approximately 50m apart, at either end of the NE (beyond ToT/AUD)/SW(CoW) trending passage(s) were looking not without interest with some [small] enticing looking spaces waiting to be investigated further, and a lot of sediment to be removed. In CoW there is abundant root growth too, adding an organic aroma to the dig, and more dripping water. Happy days!

The session ended with lunchtime refreshments at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn as usual.

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

Replaced the surface hauling rope, packed bags ready to be refilled, time to get underground with a full squad assembled today!

Jake digging beyond Trick or Treat (or, nearer to An Unexpected Development, really) assisted by Tav. I hauled the spoil up the slope and handed it over to Nick who then moved it across the chamber to the hump, it was pulled over to the other side by Jon (initially). Mike was attending to things in Can of Worms aided by Brockers. The spoil was carried along to the bottom of the pot then on up to the entrance, and as the morning progressed, it was hauled out to the surface.

It is still rather mucky throughout the cave (except for the digs!). there was some discussion regarding prospects beyond Trick or Treat, but it was decided there is still plenty of digging to be done before we can fully understand what is going on. Cave passages never do what is ‘predicted’ and always more likely to do the unexpected!

As ever time moved swiftly, and the cave needed clearing of filled bags (the rocks are being stockpiled at the pot for removal on another day). Today’s total = 104 bags (about 30 from Can of Worms) were filled, hauled, and emptied (some more easily than others).

The session ended with a visit to the Hunters’ for the usual refreshments.

Vince, Jon, Jake, Nick, and Tav

Yesterday I had made a new hauling bucket and spare skip ready for putting into use at HR (thanks to the Wessex CC for drums). Got to the cave ahead of the team and proceeded to open the cave and pack the very dry bags to be filled again later. The team arrived.

Underground, Jon digging beyond Trick or Treat with Jake clearing the filled bags (and draining the pond), Tav dragged the skip up the slope, and I carried the spoil across the chamber to the hump and through to the other side. Meanwhile, Nick felt compelled to fill 10 bags from Can of Worms (as expected). It was rather squalid as usual. After completing his quota of bags, Nick joined the support team in the removal of spoil from Trick or Treat. The spoil first removed to the pot and, eventually, to the bottom of the entrance. Then back to clear the next pile that had accumulated. Surprisingly, a glance at the watch revealed it was now time to clear the spoil all the way to the surface. To this end digging had already ceased and all hands to bag dragging.

Out on the surface, a total of 76 bags (including 10 from Can of Worms) had been filled, hauled, and emptied this session. Emptying the bags was not always easy as the sediment they contained was, on occasion, sloppy and rather sticky requiring the bags to be turned inside out. Still, another good, productive session capped with visit to our favourite hostelry!

Vince, Jake, Jon, and Brockers

Arrived at the cave a little ahead of the team thinking that the lock might have frozen in the recent cold snap, it had not, so got on with packing the now ’freeze-dried’ bags ready for use underground later. About done when the rest of the team turned up. It seems a majority decision had been made that perhaps we might dig Can of Worms today in light of there being a smaller team and there was the “open space” noted last week. So, that’s what we did.

Brockers was digging, Jon and myself clearing along the ledge at the top of the pot, Jake at the entrance. When a suitable pile of bags had accumulated, Jake and I hauled them out to the surface and emptied them. Back underground to get the next lot of spoil, and so the morning progressed. Initially, it was slow going due to the constricted nature of the dig, as more space was created the rate of spoil removal and movement increased. Unfortunately, the “open space” did not develop further and is most likely the result of sediment settling over time, it is also very ‘rooty’. At the end of the session, 75 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied, plus 3 skip loads of rock added to the soil heap wall. One bag was sacrificed underground to improve the skip hauling route, this bag not included in the final tally as it didn’t make it out of the cave! A good and productive session.

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

Vince, Brockers, Jon, and Nick

After a senior moment and having to return home to get my forgotten helmet/light, assembled with the rest of the team at the farm and made our way across the field to the cave entrance.

Underground, I set off towards the dig beyond Trick or Treat (ToT), Brockers joined me, as did Nick very briefly until he succumbed to the desire to fill some bags in Can of Worms. Meanwhile, Jon had headed off to An Unexpected Development (AUD). I had only just started to fill bags beyond ToT when Jon arrived at AUD and a visual connection between the two areas was easily achieved. The gap, about 4m, 2m wide, and reaches about 0.5m in height, it looks ‘caveable’ but no attempt to achieve that objective was made, far too many fine formations and no point spoiling them, not worth the effort.

That objective confirmed it was back to digging, Jon made his way around to join us. As I filled bags, Brockers cleared them away and when a suitable pile had accumulated the support team, comprising Brockers, Jon, and Nick, removed the spoil to the bottom of the entrance. I carried on digging. Time flew by and when Jon returned to clear the backlog it was approaching midday and digging was bought to a close. Took a few photos before leaving, a brief stop in Can of Worms to look at progress there as rumours were that it was looking a bit more interesting and indeed, amongst the proliferation of roots, there was a small space between the sediment and the cave ceiling. Then all hands to clearing the cave of spoil. A total of 56 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied. And it was still squalid!

To the Hunters’ Lodge Inn for some refreshments and a debrief. All good stuff!