Category: 2025

Vince, Callum, Jon, Nick, Jake, and Tav

I was pleased that Callum was available to join us for today’s digging session. We arrived at the cave ahead of the team to take a quick tour out to An Unexpected Development. Outward journey via Merlin’s, Tuck Shop, Another Emotional Journey, and Thou Shalt Not Dig There. No ladder (or rope) to descend the rift but it is still an impressive section of the cave. The return leg was through the ‘hole in the floor’ and Trick or Treat along the passage to the pot and up into Can of Worms. I was just showing Callum the dig in CoW as the team started to arrive, left Callum to dig in CoW with Jon and joined Nick to remove the spoil back to the entrance where Jake and Tav were on surface duties.

Filled bags and rocks were being removed at a good rate to the surface, although there are some rocks that require size reduction prior to removal (that will be another day). As ever with digging things did not quite go according to plan and more interesting features were revealed. More discussion followed, the outcome of which was more digging was required to see what was happening.

By the close of play another 70 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus 20 skip loads of rocks added to the spoil heap wall. And there is still plenty more to come! Time for the Hunters’.

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

Met with the team at the farm this weekend so that they could sign a card for the farmer and family (only Brockers was absent – so an ‘X’ was signed for him!), and a seasonal goodwill gesture was delivered. Access to the cave from the farm makes life so much easier and we are extremely grateful.

Time to go digging. A tongue-in-cheek suggestion to dig at the far NE extent in AUD area was met with derision. It would most likely have been a rather soggy and squalid experience given the amount of recent rain! Can of Worms it was!

Tav and Mike were digging (at present Can of Worms remains remarkably dry), Jon and I were the underground support team, with Nick and Jake on the surface. It was a slower start to get things underway, so I took the opportunity to take a look at the current conditions in the NE extent, Trick or Treat/AUD area, and as expected it was wet!

Back at CoW, things settled into a steady rate, and all were kept reasonably occupied. Whilst poking about with a bar Tav opened a small ‘hole’ in the floor about 150mm length x 50mm width, and as digging progressed, the ‘hole’ developed into something quite interesting – c.500mm length x c.75mm width, and of an undetermined depth. The NE side appears to be solid rock, a lower continuation of the rift wall, to the SW seems to be larger boulders but this needs further work to be certain. It is possible the ‘hole’ is a space between the solid wall and boulder/fine-grained sediment infill of the rift. Time will tell; there’s a lot more clearance to be done before an idea of what’s going on can be established. A good, positive development though!

About 60 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied and just a few token rocks today were added to the spoil heap wall. On the surface, a lot of tidying had been done – leaves cleared away, steps re-cut, etc.

Time to make our way to the Hunters’ for some refreshments.

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

Got to site ahead of the others to continue clearance of undergrowth, mostly brambles, to make more space available for spoil disposal.

A full squad assembled for this morning’s digging session. After being at the front digging last weekend Jon and I moved to the end of the queue to carry out surface duties this weekend. Thankfully the sun was shining and it was pleasantly warm. Of course we were overdressed!

Jake and Nick were digging in Can of Worms, and it has to be said that most of the bags were filled rather too enthusiastically! Also, the filled bags and rocks were arriving on the surface at a good rate. Some of these bags and rock loads required both of us on the surface to get them up and out of the cave. It would appear that last weekend’s digging had removed the ‘crust’ of calcite-cemented boulders and fragmented flowstone to reveal fine-grained sediment and stones below. The digging was easier and, hence, more productive (in terms of bags filled). Brockers, Mike, and Tav provided the underground support team for the digger’s and were kept busy moving the spoil through the cave to the bottom of the entrance.

By the close of play, about 80 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus a substantial quantity of rocks were added to the spoil heap wall(s).

It was time for the Hunters’.

Vince, Jon, Jake, and Nick

Arrived at the cave entrance with plenty of time to break up the rocks left from last weekend in Can Of Worms. Unfortunately, I allowed myself to become distracted and felt compelled to add some rocks to the spoil heap wall extension. Eventually dragged I myself away and set off underground with drill and plugs/feathers to CoW. Two large boulders were reduced to more manageable pieces, and I had just finished when Jon arrived. Kit packed away we got on with digging. Some smaller boulders put aside on the ledge for size reduction were moved to the entrance any further attention from me not necessary. Jake, on the ledge, hauled away the rock debris and filled bags from CoW. Meanwhile, Nick was on the surface clearing leaves (they can be very slippery when moving bags up the slope!) before joining the team below the surface.

In CoW, I dug away at some fine-grained sediment in one corner of the NE facing wall, while Jon set about lowering the floor. Slow going at first but then as a boulder was loosened, others quickly followed, and a large pile of rocks was accumulated and filled bags. Beneath the layer of calcite-cemented boulders was a deposit of finer-grained sediment and looser cobble-sized conglomerate and fractured calcite. Jake and Nick came through to check on progress. The floor still needs lowering so we can establish if there is a way forward under the SW wall.

Time was moving on, so the loose sediment was bagged and the rock pile removed. Digging was ceased and all hands to clearing the cave of spoil. Nobody counted bags or skip loads of rocks out to the surface, but it had been enough to keep us all fully entertained for this morning’s session. Now, however, it was time for some refreshments at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

Vice, Jake, Nick, and Tav

On the surface at the cave there were lot’s of rocks waiting to be added to the spoil heap walls so I got on with that until the others arrived.

Can of Worms again this weekend. Jake and Nick digging – battering rocks, filling bags – some more robust rocks were put to one side for further attention at a later date. Tav was on the ledge hauling away the spoil from CoW. Between us, Tav and me got the spoil back to the entrance and some was moved further out to the surface where a few bags were emptied. Only bags went to the surface at this stage rocks were left for later. The hauling rope was slippery and not easy to grip and some of the rocks were heavy. After a good soaking the rope was slightly easier to grip.

Midday came, digging ceased, and all the spoil removed to the surface, somewhere about 30-40 bags filled, hauled, and emptied and, there were a lot of rocks added to another stockpile for the spoil heap wall! Time for the Hunters’ Lodge Inn

Vince, Tav, Jake, Mike, and Nick

It was a wet walk across the fields, up to the cave.

Underground, there were stones on the ledge awaiting size reductions with plugs & feathers so got on with that until the team arrived. Due to wet conditions and team numbers, it seemed an obvious choice to continue the digging in Can of Worms. In the increasingly larger chamber me and Tav got to work, mostly concentrating on the southern side but also lowering the floor to give more space going forward. Room to swing the mattock or sledge! Currently the way ahead is not exactly clear so it is hoped the removal of an obstruction caused by a mixture of calcited boulders and degraded will reveal something. A consequence of removing boulders and large lumps of fragmented flowstone is that even more space is quickly created. It is also noteworthy that the sediment is no longer dry, and removal is somewhat easier with the addition of moisture.

Jake was hauling the spoil away from CoW, across the ledge to Mike at the bottom of the entrance. Nick had gone out to haul the spoil (filled bags and rocks) up to the surface. The weather had not improved and there was still persistent rain which was a complete change to the past few days of dry, sometimes sunny, and frosty days. Nick didn’t complain…much.

No-one actually counted the bags, but all agreed (later in the Hunters’) that it was more than 40 with a lot of rocks added to the stockpile waiting to be added to the wall some time in the future – too wet today to mess around with that!

To the Hunters’ for refreshments and an open fire, very comforting!  

Later this evening at the Hunters’ were the ‘J’Rat Digging Awards.’ Well done to Ali Moody and team at Longwood Valley Sink on a tremendous effort and discovery.

Below is the slide presentation that I gave on the evening regarding faunal and human remains found and recovered in 2024/2025.

Vince, Jon, Jake, and Tav

Venturing underground the first thing I noticed was the sound – the sound of dripping waters into puddles in the Soft South, and there were trickles of water along the cave passages. The cave was much wetter than of late after the recent heavy, persistent rain, the overlying soil now saturated.

To the ledge at the approach of Can of Worms and set about breaking up a boulder there with plugs & feathers. Just about done as the team arrived and packed kit away. Jon moved past me to get to work digging in Can of Worms and it wasn’t very long before the plugs & feathers were unpacked and put into use again as several boulders appeared. Tav and Jake removed the resulting rock debris and filled bags out to the surface where Jake added the rocks to the eastern side of the spoil heap wall, thereby creating more dumping space.

In CoW, Jon worked on the southern side. The sediment was a bit easier to remove now that it wasn’t quite as dry. There was a moment when it seemed the dig might be ‘broken’ but some perseverance and the removal of calcite-cemented conglomerate boulders and fragmented flowstone soon rectified that minor ‘hiccup’ and so digging proceeded. All too soon it was time to stop digging and clear the cave of the few remaining bags and rocks. Time passes quickly!

Today’s count = 37 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus a lot of rocks hauled out and added to the spoil heap wall, the were a couple of boulders left on the ledge waiting size reduction, a job for next weekend.

Refreshments at the Hunters’ as usual!

Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, Jon

Early at the cave to replace 10mm jute rope on the haul up out of the ‘pot’ with a 14mm hemp rope. These twisted natural fibre ropes are easier to grip with muddy gloves. The knots tied only last week were already tight. I was just about done as the team arrived.

Apparently, Brockers had been selected as ‘digger’ and he made his way towards AUD followed by Jake, Jon, and Nick. Meanwhile, I made my way into Can of Worms to continue the removal of calcite-cemented conglomerate boulders on the southside of the [current] end chamber. Just working at an annoyingly loose rock that just wouldn’t come free when I heard movement in the pot so went to help with spoil clearance dragging the few bags I had filled with me.

At the pot met Nick, who then helped with removal of rocks from CoW, before we cleared all the spoil from AUD and CoW out to the surface. Then returned for the next lot. The backlog of spoil was also moved out to the surface, this time with Jon’s added assistance. Back for more, by now time had moved beyond midday and a message was relayed to the digging team at AUD. Soon others could be heard, and all spoil was moved out the surface, bags were emptied, and racks added to the western wall extension. Nobody bothered counting how many bags; later at the Hunters’ we agreed it was greater than 10 but less than 100. It was a fun morning as ever!

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

Early to the cave to install new pulley on the haul out of the pot, new jute rope too (but this will be replaced as it was too thin, 10mm. Have ordered a 14mm hemp rope). Also replaced the worn-out skip on the haul from ledge/entrance. The rest of the team arrived.

Headed off to AUD with Nick where we both were digging either side of the large stalagmite ‘boss’. Mike was hauling the spoil up the slope to Jon who was somewhere near the hump. Jake, meanwhile, with Tav, was busy in Can of Worms loosening and removing calcite-cemented lumps of conglomerate on the southside.

Eventually, in AUD, Nick and me, managed to dig all around the stalagmite ‘boss’ but the connection was rather small, lots of calcite. To the SE side of the ‘boss’ it all closed down, on the NW side there is still plenty of digging to be done and, hopefully, we can continue to make some progress in a NE direction. All too soon it came time to finish digging and empty the cave of spoil.

Today’s total = about 70 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus a token rock. There is a large boulder on the ledge awaiting some size reduction, a job for another day.

Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ as usual.

Vince, Jake, Mike, Jon, and Nick

I got to the cave ahead of the team to collect some sediment samples from An Unexpected Development (AUD) area for a local artist who wants to experiment with natural pigments (I have already collected samples from the Polden Hills, Dolebury Warren, and Wookey Hole). While I was there, photographs were taken too.

Just about done as the team arrived. A quite emaciated newt was removed from the passageway and placed on a ledge out of harms way. Later, when I went to collect it, the newt had gone.

Jake set about digging in the AUD area circumnavigating a rather large ‘stal’ boss, as I was there, I cleared the filled bags back to Mike, who hauled them up the slope to Jon. The spoil was moved further along the passage. Meanwhile, Nick was in Can of Worms ‘attacking’ the floor in an effort to move forward in a south-westerly direction, about 10 bags were filled. Nick then joined in with spoil removal. Periodically, the filled bags were moved through the cave and out to the surface to be emptied.

Just after midday (12:15) digging was stopped, loose material bagged, and the remaining spoil moved out to the surface. Today’s total = 64 bags filled, hauled, and emptied.

Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ as usual.

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

An earlier start for me, drill/plugs and feathers packed. Arrived at the farm, chatted briefly with the farmer, got the key from the shed, changed and walked across fields to the cave.

Once underground set off to Can of Worms and got to work removing a calcite obstruction that was impeding the ‘free-flow’ of the skip when being hauled. Just finished off as the team arrived. I was surprised to find we had a full compliment of men for this session. A quick discussion resulted in Brockers, Jake, and Nick heading off to AUD to continue the digging there while Mike joined me in scratching around in Can of Worms, it’s not exactly inspiring in here at this moment. Tav and Jon removed spoil to the base of the entrance, including the debris I had earlier created.

At 11:00 it was time for me to go (attending Mendip Rocks Lectures at the Earth Science Centre, Stoke St. Michael, and very good they were too!), so no idea what happened after that. Although as I was leaving Jake had returned from AUD with many bags and was busy hauling them out of the pot with Jon on the ledge, Tav at the base of the entrance.

Hopefully an additional report will be forthcoming…

Jon later provided the following account:

“Summer is over. Mike returned to the fold. A full team of seven met at the farm for today’s events.

As usual, Vince arrived early. His aim for the day was to break up a boulder to ease the skip run into Can Of Worms. Having achieved this, he left early.

Mike dug in Can of Worms, initially assisted by Tav and Vince. The rest of the Team went on to the further dig site, where a recent connection was made into the known cave around An Unexpected Development. Brockers dug while Nick and Jake explored known cave. Jon started moving the spoil out. When the explorers returned, Nick assisted Brockers; Jake and Jon hauled bags of spoil back to the Soft South. Tav then moved to the surface and started hauling supported by Jon from the bottom of the entrance. Within Can Of Worms, the left and right sides are now both solid. A decision is needed concerning breaking through the calcite floor. At the other site, Brockers dug to the left of the constriction; this continues.

The Team’s efficiency dropped off towards the end of the session; the bag count during the last hour was notably low. Sixty 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, Nick, Jon, and Tav

Due to a variety of circumstances, a suggestion was put forward “shall we have a Sunday session?” There were some minor glitches but, eventually, it came to pass. A suitable team gathered at the farm on Sunday morning.

Underground, Jon and Tav were dispatched to Can of Worms to continue the excavation on the southernmost side, Nick and I provided the support, clearing filled bags and rocks, also did a bit of mud scraping along the ledge. The bags and rocks were taken out to the surface; bags were later emptied and rocks added to the wall extension.

In Can of Worms, the digging doesn’t get any easier – dry, compact sediment. The ‘alcove’ that was just being exposed last weekend developed into a more substantial wall, in effect, constricting the southern direction. It might be that the only option is to dig the floor and try to get some more depth. Which ever option will result in slower progress. We could split our efforts and have two small teams working at the NE and SW extents in AUD and Can of Worms, respectively. Time will tell.

On the way back to the surface a palmate newt was picked up and relocated to the entrance area. Today’s total = 57 bags filled, hauled, and emptied and quite a few rocks added to the wall. It was now time to set off for the Hunters’ and refreshments.

Vince, Nick, and Jon

Arrived early at the farm, got changed, and wandered up to the cave. There were no bags to pack up so added a few stones to the spoil heap extension wall before going underground.

Into Can of Worms to see last weeks progress and, while I was there, decided to remove a large lump of calcite-cemented conglomerate on the southernmost side of the current end “chamber”. This lump was then reduced to smaller pieces. Got to work to define contact between sediment infill and the underlying calcite layer that, in turn, seals accumulated ‘roof-breakdown’ and other material. It was at this point that Nick arrived, accompanied by Jon. I continued digging away using a mattock to loosen the very dry and compact sediment, it’s like ‘concrete!’ I put the mattock down to place the loosened material into bags, Nick could not resist the temptation and picked up the mattock and continued to dig away, I carried on filing bags. Meanwhile Jon hauled away the skip and very tidily stacked the filled bags (and stones) on the ledge. That’s how the morning progressed, two of us digging, Jon hauling away, until all the available bags in the “chamber” had been filled. It was time to clear the cave.

50 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus three skip loads of rock added to the extension wall. A good session by a small team. Time to refresh at the Hunters’ Lodge Inn.

Some of us were attending Hidden Earth (BCRA national caving conference) in Llangollen, North Wales. Others were digging but, so far, a report on Saturday’s activities has not been forthcoming…until now

Report by Jon:

“…Jake, Paul, Tav, Nick, and Jon

Things started well. Paul assumed control and the Team remembered The Key. At the cave, Jon and Tav were instructed to dig, supported by Jake. Nick and Paul hauled and stacked the spoil bags, including a few extra. Inside Can of Worms, Tav dug on the right and cleared back to what appears to be solid wall, all across. Jon dug to the left, currently this is ongoing, but hard digging. The infill is very dry and compact. More broken stalagmites were found on both sides.

80 bags of spoil were removed from the cave, along with a few rocks.

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

Solo

Spent a couple of or so on the surface at the cave undertaking some spoil heap management tasks. Cleared overgrown vegetation (mostly brambles) before adding the available rocks to the western wall extension and levelled dumped spoil thereby creating space for more bags to be emptied. It was very pleasant in the warm, autumnal sunshine, peaceful too listening to the birdsong.

With Brockers, Jake, and Nick

Arrived at the farm early only to remember that my key to the cave was in my car and that was at the garage! And I could not find the spare key. Nothing for it but to get changed and wait for the others to turn up. Jake soon directed me to the key, and I went up to HR.

Opened the gate, moved some stones onto the wall, a replacement pulley was installed (although it was of dubious quality and there were some doubts about whether it would survive the session!) and when the team had assembled at the cave, underground. Can of Worms would be today’s destination – me and Brockers digging, Nick and Jake shifting the spoil out to the surface.

The digging was concentrated on the southernmost side, and it is hard work. The sediment is quite compact and has dried ‘rock-hard!’ A variety of picks, mattocks, and bars were employed in an effort to loosen the sediment. A ‘new’ small pick supplied by Nick was useful as it was sharp, and as ever, the ice-pick was effective. We ended up with one loosening the spoil while the other filled bags and loaded the skip to the support crew. At the end of the session 76 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus a few rocks added to the pile. The forecast heavy rain did not happen for which we were thankful.

As ever, refreshments at the Hunters’

Report by Jake

“Nick & Jake digging in Can of Worms, on the southernmost side. A total of 40 bags were filled, hauled out to the surface, and emptied.”

and from Nick

“… arrived at the farm to find no other participants. Undeterred the two chipped away the hard dry side of the Can of Worms removing a total of 40 quality regulation weight bags between them. Oil is required for the surface pulley or perhaps a new pulley for the next session and a slight narrower small but heavy pickaxe would be useful.”

Vince, Nick, Jake, and Tav

An earlier start for me at Can of Worms with drill/plugs and feathers to deal with the boulder loosened and pushed to one side last weekend. Spent an hour or so reducing the rock to more manageable pieces and was just ready to pack kit away as Nick arrived. The pile of rocks was removed (plus the rocks left underground last weekend).

A small team assembled again this week so, as we were already there, continued to dig in CoW. I worked away on the southern side while Nick concentrated his effort to the northern side. With two of us filling bags the support team, Tav and Jake, were kept busy. The task not improved as the pulley on the haul out to the surface was not performing as required, more of a ‘friction’ device!

Todays final count was 80 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus about 0ne dozen skip loads of rock added to the wall building pile. A good productive session.

Refreshments at the Hunters’ as usual.

Vince, Brockers, and Jake

A small team assembled today, and because of that Can of Worms was the chosen digging venue.

Underground,a brief discussion on digging strategy before Jake and Brockers got to work on the southernmost side at the current end of Can of Worms. My job was to haul away the spoil and carry the bags along the ledge to the skip (a skip replacement was required). When about 30 bags had been piled up with Brockers help these were moved up to the surface where they were emptied. The forecast was for rain later in the morning, so we wanted to get most of the surface work done before it got wet. The bags were dry enough to be repackaged and returned underground. Then back underground to clear the next lot. A brief interlude followed as Brockers wrestled with a large boulder. When the boulder finally came free some evasive action was required before it was moved to a position where it could be reduced in size (on another day!). The loose sediment was bagged up and the cave was cleared of spoil. A total of 48 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus quite a lot of rocks were still in a pile on the ledge to be removed when a bigger team becomes available. As we left the cave, there were some spots of rain.

Refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’ and looking out through the window it was now raining heavily!

Vince, Nick, Brockers, Jake, and Tav

The team assembled and all underground, digging today in the NE extent, in the AUD area. It was my turn to dig supported by Nick (who also was digging as there is plenty of space!), Jake was top of the slope hauling up the bags. Brockers and Tav were filling a few bags in Can of Worms (10no.).

I hadn’t been digging very long when a small hole was punctured through the thin calcite layer than formed the roof of the current dig. The ‘hole’ was expanded to allow my head to poke through and see whereabouts we were in AUD and then, satisfied with where we were the hole was made large enough to pass through into the passage beyond. The team all came forward to have a look, Jake and Brockers went to look at the rift at the far extent of An Unexpected Development. This part of the cave is seldomly visited.

Digging then continued, initially clearing the debris from the access route. Then worked around a large ‘stal’ boss and lowering the floor by digging the accumulation of ‘trampled’ sediment thereby creating more space to work in. It appears there are several phases of ‘open and closed’ passages separated by calcite flowstone (false floors) and sediment infill, these processes occurring over an unknown time span. Meanwhile, Nick was paying particular attention to a ‘lower’ false floor (?) and had pried loose some fragments calcite layering. Although the last bag of spoil had been filled, we could not leave the ‘wobbly’ rock so combined our efforts to remove it. It was past midday and time to clear spoil from the cave to the surface. Today, 64 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied, plus a few rocks, and another ‘hole in the floor’ or roof depending which side you are on!

To the Hunters’ for some refreshments!

Vince, Tav, Jon, Jake, and Brockers

Spent a peaceful time at the cave packing bags while waiting for the rest of the team to arrive.

Underground in the AUD area, Tav digging, I was clearing away the filled bags to Jon who hauled them up the slope and carried them across the chamber to the ‘hump.’ Brockers and Jake were digging in CoW where, rumour has it, that the “Leaning Tower” has bee toppled! (TBC)

At AUD, progress through the morning was steady rather than rapid due to a couple of large ‘stal’ bosses impeding digging until Tav dug around them. As usual digging ceased about midday and the cave was cleared of spoil. Not sure how many bags were filled, hauled, and emptied but it must have been around 60 or 70, a few rocks were added to the extension wall too.

A warm morning on the surface and a thirst was quenched at the Hunters’

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, Tav

Arrived at the farm early enough but ended up chatting to the farmer for quite a while. Eventually I got changed and set off across the fields as Jake rode his motorcycle into the yard. At the cave started to pack the dry bags ready for refilling later.

Underground at the NE extent in the area adjacent to AUD Jake was digging aided by Tav, I was hauling the filled bags up the slope and carried bags across the chamber and over the hump when Jon departed to find some water to lubricate the skip run. Jon got waylaid by Nick, who was digging in Can of Worms. Nick had filled about 20 bags before joining the spoil removal effort. As midday approached Nick and Jon tarted to get the filled bags to the surface. Digging ceased around midday and the last few bags from the dig were moved along the passage and up to the surface. Today’s total = 83 bags filled, hauled, and emptied. It was a rock-free day!

At the NE extent dig the dig appears to be closing down a bit and veering to the north side towards the ‘known’ passage in AUD. On the south side, a large ‘stal’ boss bars progress and the roof is lower. There were some mutterings about digging a more open route through into AUD but, personally, I think that is not necessary and would lead to the damage of the more delicate formations present. Better to keep on the current trajectory and see what develops.

Anyway, it was time for the Hunters’ and refreshments.

Vince, Tav, Jake, Nick, Brockers

Arrived at cave and while waiting for the others to turn up added a few rocks to the spoil heap extension wall and packed the bags into bundles, mostly in ‘tens.’ Slipped underground with the packs of bags and had a peek at last session’s progress in CoW, it wasn’t long before I heard the others approaching. It was Nick ‘hell bent’ on getting to the NE extent, AUD area to get digging underway. I followed with some more packs of bags before turning around to join the end of the line as Brockers was close on my heels. He cleared the bags as Nick filled them, Jake hauled them up the slope, Tav moved the spoil across the chamber to the ‘hump’ and I dragged them over. When about 20 bags had piled up, they were shifted along to the entrance, me and Tav then pulled the spoil out to the surface. Back for more.

This time about 30 bags to clear out. I stayed on the surface to start emptying, quickly joined by Tav, and then the next backlog of bags arrived. Today’s total = 76 bags filled, hauled, and emptied and it was now time for the Hunters’ and some refreshments!

Report by Tav

“Tav, Nick, Brockers, Jake

A smaller team today so in keeping with recent tradition the Can of Worms was selected. Tav and Nick digging, Brockers and Jake clearing away. The cross rift chamber at the end of Can of Worms is now quite large. Digging took place at both the west and east sides of the chamber.

Today’s tally, 71 bags plus 2 rocks.”

With Brockers, Jake, Nick, and Tav

Arrived earlier with the intention of getting some photos of the interesting stalagmites uncovered during digging activities in Can of Worms. Of special interest is a teetering, fractured, but still standing, stalagmite, the ‘Leaning Tower.’

Just about done when I could hear packs of bags being dropped down the entrance and soon after I was joined by Brockers. Jake passed by on his way to dig in the AUD area followed by Tav and Nick. I stayed in CoW to clear up the mess I had created on Wednesday (and this morning) with Brockers helping to drag the spoil back to the ledge. Loose rock and lumps of degraded calcite ‘floor’ and 10no. bags were filled and hauled to the bottom of the entrance. Then we moved back towards AUD area to clear the pile of bags accumulated there. With Nicks help these were moved to the entrance, and while Nick went back for more, the spoil at the entrance was hauled out to the surface (Brockers above ground, I loaded the bucket). Then back for the next lot. When these had been hauled out, I joined Brockers on the surface. Rocks were added to the wall extension and began to empty bags. More bags were hauled out too.

At the end of play, a total of 85 bags had been filled hauled, and emptied with about 5no. skip loads of rock added to the wall including last weeks ‘forgotten’ stone!

As ever, refreshments were enjoyed at the Hunters’

Solo

Spent a very pleasant couple of hours or so in HR. Carried out a survey from ToT down to the current dig beyond in the AUD area, including the alcove where the faunal remains are located. Added a bit more detail here. When that was done continued with excavation briefly and recovered a few more specimens/fragments. Collected the canine tooth already exposed too.

On the way out of the cave stopped at CoW to retrieve one of the long bars there that might be required in AUD area on the coming weekend. While I was there couldn’t resist the temptation to have a poke at some things! Loosened and removed some more lumps of the degraded calcite flowstone floor and prodded here and there trying to get a better idea of what might be going where (if anywhere!). Of note are some large [broken] stalagmites that have been exposed during digging activities and sediment removal, these need photographing, perhaps on Saturday morning. It was time to leave before I made any more mess!

Vince, Jake, Tav, Nick, Jon

Arrived ahead at the farm before the allotted time and went into the shed to sort out some ‘good’ bags for use in LoH&G (Wookey Hole). Then a leisurely change, it was warm already. Minimalist approach to undergarment, shorts and T-shirt, same as WH attire, cotton overalls and other sundry items were stuffed into a bag to be put on at the cave entrance. Walked across the very parched looking fields, into the woods, to the cave entrance where I started to pack bags ready for refilling later. When I heard voices approaching, I donned my overalls and got prepared to go digging.

At AUD/BTOT area, and before digging commenced, quickly talked through faunal remains excavation with the team. That done, I got on with filling some bags. Jake cleared the filled bags away and loaded them into the skip to be hauled up the slope by Tav. The application of water to the slope made the skip easier to pull up. Nick was moving the spoil across the chamber while Jon was filling bags in CoW (Nick also added a few ‘guilty’ bags from CoW). When finished in CoW Jon joined the support team. When a suitable quantity of bags had accrued, they were moved through the cave to the bottom of the entrance. I think there might have been some reluctance to spend too much time above ground as it was getting rather warm, and the flies were biting!

At the dig (AUD area), the small space revealed last weekend was just that – a small space. A decorated space in a cross-rift that almost immediately closed down in all directions. The dig continues straight ahead where a large ‘roof’ flake was partially exposed that will require removal, but that will be a job for next week.

Meanwhile, Jon had arrived on the surface to haul spoil out, the temperature risen to about 30^oC and it was airless in the wood, the flow of bags was relentless. A total of 83 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied. There was a token rock but that had been left behind somewhere in the cave.

Refreshments at the Hunters’ were very welcome today!

Vince, Jon, Jake, Tav, and Nick

A damp morning but, thankfully, the bags remained mostly dry. Packed bags ready for refilling while waiting for the others to arrive.

All assembled headed underground, Jon leading the way to the AUD area where digging would take place today. Before digging got underway a brief discussion with Jon and Jake showing where the maxilla had been recovered and where the other remains are exposed. Jon got on with filling bags, I was clearing away, Jake hauling the bags up the slope, and Tav moved the spoil across the chamber to the ‘hump.’ Surprisingly, Nick was not active in Can of Worms due to an over-indulgence on the previous evening, instead he was the other side of the ‘hump’ hauling the bags over. When a suitable pile had amassed, the spoil was moved along through the cave to eventually arrive on the surface but were not emptied there. This process repeated as and when necessary.  

At the dig, some subtle changes seemed to be occurring; a corner appearing on the eastern side, a line of stal ‘stumps’ on the floor, a slight rise in the floor level, and a rise in the roof with some thin calcite layers. Then at the very end of the session as we had just finished tidying up, a prod of the sediment at ‘roof’ level revealed some open space above. It looked tantalising but time for digging was done for today and we left to help clear the cave. It will still be there for the next session, and it was good to end the morning with a positive note.

Total for today = 75 bags filled, hauled, and emptied; one token rock was added to the spoil heap wall.

Back to the Hunters’ Lodge Inn for refreshments this weekend.

Solo

After fiddling about with a few rocks and stone on the western spoil heap extension wall thought I had better get myself underground and get on with the main objective for the session.

Quickly along to the AUD/BTOT area to continue with the excavation of faunal remains. Once settled, began to carefully excavate around some visible bone fragments. Cave excavation of bones, whether human or faunal, can be frustrating at times due to the variation of preservation. As the morning progressed more fragments were recovered, mostly small <2cm². However, a nicely preserved partial maxilla, brown bear, with canine tooth embedded was recovered.

There were other faunal remains being uncovered too. I’ll need to adjust the excavation strategy in light of the changing circumstances. That will be another day as I had other things to do this afternoon so packed kit away and exited the cave.

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Mike

An early start (underground before 09:00) to carry out some “rock-bothering” before the rest of the team arrive. Before starting on the boulders in Can of Worms continued on to AUD area to install a M6-size eyebolt above the location of the faunal remains (STN.1) so enabling a plumb-line to be used when measuring depths of layers, also might double up as a useful place to hang a lantern to improve illumination of excavation. Back to CoW, I was still reducing the boulders there when the team arrived. The boulders were being rather stubborn and not breaking easily apart, a mixture of calcite and conglomerate. Eventually though the ‘battle’ was won.

Nick headed off for AUD area to get on with digging closely followed by Jake, Jon, and Mike to retrieve the filled bags left there on Wednesday, and there were rocks to move (CoW). When I had completed my early task, packed away kit, and joined the spoil removal team. When about 30 filled bags had been stashed at the bottom of the entrance plus a pile of rocks, Jake went up to the surface to start hauling out, I was at the entrance loading the bucket. Just as we were about finished voices were heard, the next lot was on its way. Midday, Nick had ceased digging activity and it was time to clear the spoil from the cave. I went to the surface to help with spoil redistribution, rocks were added to the western extension wall, and the filled bags were emptied in the space created. Some bags were easier to empty than others; the last of the plastic bags (c.20no.) had been underground for a long time covering the area of faunal remains, it had been decided to get rid of them and bags could not possible be removed from the cave in an empty state! On the surface, the plastic bags had to be cut open to remove the contents – at least they can never be filled again!

It was warm, and there were biting flies requiring liberal application of repellent, nobody could really be bothered to count the bags, and we arrived at an agreed figure of about 80 bags and a dozen skip loads of rocks.

Due to the ‘Pilton Pop thingy’ our preferred hostelry was closed for the weekend there being no other suitable venue, we enjoyed our refreshments (brought our own) at the cave entrance.

Solo

Spent the morning at home pottering around getting a few things together ready for a ‘Bear hunt’. At the farm dithered a bit with ‘this and that’, chatted with the farmer, and so was a little later underground than anticipated, no matter!

Today’s objective (beyond Trick or Treat/AUD area) was to have a closer look at where we were with things and give the surface area where the faunal remains have been recovered a good clean with the trowel, preparing the ground for excavation now it’s dried out. During the cleaning process more faunal remains were recovered (including partial podials and phalanx, Ursus arctos). A couple of specimens were encased in calcite and required some gentle persuasion with small hammer and chisel to recover them.

The faunal remains were bagged and tagged, photographs were taken, and notes were made. The specimens were removed for cleaning, drying, ready to be identified and catalogued. Several bags (9 in total) were filled with sediment in about 3 hours – time passed so quickly.

Vince, Roz and Sara

Just for a change, a tourist trip into Hallowe’en Rift. Route from entrance via Merlin’s, Tuck Shop, An Emotional Journey to An Unexpected Development involves quite a lot of crawling. Dragged along a ladder and rope to descend the rift in AUD with Sara (Roz stayed at the top) followed by a tour of the rest of AUD then along towards Trick or Treat via the T-Junction (not going down Toil and Trouble) to the current dig in AUD area and location of faunal remains. Then back through to the Soft South therefore avoiding more crawling! A brief stop at Can of Worms to look at rocks that require size reduction and the results of Saturday’s ‘bulge’ removal which is impressive – it is now a spacious access to the ‘cross-rift’ and easier to load the skip at the current dig-face. Then a return to the surface, round trip completed, and a fine little trip it is too! Very enjoyable.

Vince, Jake, Jon, and Nick

As seems to be usual I arrived at the cave with time to spare so occupied myself fettling walls and packing bags until the team assembled. Jon has returned from injury although the story we had fabricated was more imaginative, Nick was [almost] recovered from a long bike ride, Lôn Las Cymru (NCN 8 mostly) completed this week.

A brief discussion regarding venue and strategy and we settled on Can of Worms with the task of removing the bulge of rock/calcite obstructing access to the cross-rift, this would be attacked from both sides. Jake from the ‘dig’ side with Nick on the approach side after retrieving some hefty bars from AUD area. Jon and me, were on spoil removal. It was pleasantly cool underground while on the surface it was very warm and humid.

The spoil was moved out to the surface, rock added to the western extension wall, and bags emptied in the space created. At the end of the session, 44 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied plus an unspecified quantity of rock hauled and placed on the wall. And the skip can now be loaded direct at the dig-face in CoW. There is one large boulder that requires some further attention to reduce its size to more manageable pieces.

Refreshment was very welcome at the Hunters’ it had been warm work today!

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Nick, and Tav

A mindful gathering to celebrate Global Wellness Day!

An early start for me to replace a couple of skips (thanks to John Cooper and Wessex for supply of drums) before returning to surface, where I was joined by Brockers, we packed bags until the team arrived.

A slight change of order for whatever reason resulted in me digging. My choice of venue was the AUD area. Had a quick look and poke through the ‘hole in the floor’ Jake also had a look but that was abandoned in favour of digging over the top of the ‘false floor.’ As I filled bags, Jake cleared them away, Brockers and Tav moved the spoil along towards the cave entrance while Nick filled a few bags from Can of Worms, before joining the clearance effort. And so, the morning progressed.

At midday digging ceased and all attended to clearing the cave of spoil. About 70 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus a few token stones.

Refreshments at the Hunters’

Vince, Jake, Nick, and Tav

Another earlier arrival at the cave packing bags until the rest of the team turned up. When all were assembled the small team deployed to Can of Worms where Nick was upfront digging. While Jake cleared away the filled bags I went on to AUD to retrieve the strips of polyurethane (industrial door flaps) to be reused on the skip run at CoW. Tav remained on the surface.

On my return to CoW the strips were quickly put in place and then the task of clearing the accumulation of spoil could start in earnest. The strips proved to be a big improvement when hauling along the passage. The first batch of bags cleared out to the surface and while they were being emptied by Tav, Jake and I went back for the next lot. And so, the morning progressed – 100 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus about a skip load of stones. Thankfully the heavy showers and thunderstorms forecast held off although Tav reported some lighter showers had passed over.

Later, while sat in the comfort of the Hunters’ enjoying our refreshments, the sky opened, torrential rain! We had timed our activities to perfection.

Vince, Jake, Nick, and Tav

An earlier start for me as I wanted to continue preparing the ground ready for extending the spoil heap wall on the western side. That done got on with packing bags just as the others arrived.

A smaller team assembled today so the digger, Tav, chose to excavate in Can of Worms. While Tav started to fill some bags the rest of us went to AUD area to clear the pile of rocks from there. The rocks (and the first batch of bags from CoW) were hauled out to the surface. On surface duties today after digging last weekend, I added the rocks to the wall extension and started to empty some bags, then the next batch of bags was ready to be hauled out, and so it continues for the morning. It was very warm and humid but, thankfully there were no annoying flies (although I had sprayed myself with some insect repellent!)

Today’s total = 85 bags filled, hauled, and emptied plus 10 full skip loads of rock hauled out and added to the wall. It was time to secure the cave, down to the farm and change, then up to the Hunters’ for the usual refreshments. An excellent mornings activity!

Solo

What better place could I be on a rainy day forecast than underground in HR carrying out some “rock-bothering”. Spent a couple of hours or so reducing the collection of conglomerate boulders put to one side on Saturday into more manageable pieces ideal material for wall-building. The rocks broken up, kit packed away, the debris was moved along to the bottom of the slope awaiting removal on the weekend. Raining when I arrived at the surface.

Vince, Tav, Nick, Jake, Brockers

Got up to the cave early with a variety of tools to clear the ground of brambles and other vegetation so another section of spoil heap wall can be added. When that was completed started to pack bags ready for refilling later.

The rest of the team arrived, bags were packed, all underground. I headed off to the dig in the AUD area followed by Tav. Jake, Brockers, and Nick filled a few bags (10no.) in Can of Worms before starting to clear the accumulated filled bags and rocks.

I continued digging through the ‘hole in the floor’, while Tav filled a few bags from the area above the ‘false’ floor and created a bit more space. I managed to expose some more substantial boulders and moved them to a place where they could be dealt with at a later date (I’ll break them up midweek). Once the boulders were out of the way the sandy matrix could be loosened and bagged. Towards the end of digging some lumps of calcite (floor) were removed making the end a bit roomier. Cleared up the loose and that was the digging done for today, time to get the cave cleared!

About 60 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied with 10 skip loads of rock used to start the next section of spoil heap wall. Cave secured, it was time to get changed and up to the Hunters’ for some refreshments.

Solo

Spent a pleasant couple of hours or so “rock-bothering” in the AUD area. Moved the resulting pile of debris along to the skip ready for removal at a later date.

While I was underground and had some time took a closer look in Can of Worms. The current dig is in a circa north/northwest to south/southeast aligned cross-rift, there are potential ’leads’ in several directions. At present most of the effort has been on the northernmost side back towards an area where other digs have trended; to the southern side it is equally viable but there is a rather large lump of conglomerate to be dealt with; and straight ahead, southwest, there is a possibility but a reduction in floor level would be required. Generally, the area could do with a good tidy up to fully determine options.