dighalloween

Vince, Jake, Jon, and Nick

A smaller team assembled at the farm for today’s activities. The prepared skips/drag-trays were taken from the shed and carried up to the cave ready for use when required. One was put to use immediately on the haul from the top of the ledge to the bottom of the entrance. The taking and storing of all the ‘skips’ underground might not have been the greatest of ideas as the cave was permeated by the pervasive aroma of the plastic drums former content – a heady “peppermint-like” essence, which according to the, just noticed, labels was not good for fishes or trees, there was some uncertainty expressed of where ‘diggers’ might fit into this categorisation. Well at least it provided a talking point throughout the session.

 Two digging again – Jon, went to the far northeast reaches of Trick or Treat to continue work there. This was a [temporarily] solo effort, storing bags in situ until assistance arrived later to move the spoil accumulated. After a quick sampling of sediments (see image below), Jake opened Nick’s “Can of Worms” with Nick in close attendance removing the filled bags (and sporadic rocks), I was at the entrance hauling the spoil away and storing it in the available spaces ready for removal later in the morning/early afternoon. Later, Jake and Nick swapped places. Every now and then, the support staff went along the NE passage to clear away Jon’s pile of spoil.

It is surprising how quickly the time goes when everyone was busy, and we reached the point where digging activities were curtailed and clearance of the accumulated spoil commenced. A total of 105 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied plus a few skip-loads of rock added to the wall building pile. An extension wall to the west side of the spoil heap has been started and some of the sediment was disposed ready for use there. A very good session. Hunter’s for some refreshments before 6 Nations rugby kicks off.

Vince, Jake, Jon, and Tav

A small team assembled for the last digging trip of 2023. Spoil would be temporarily stacked at the bottom of the pot and removed to the surface later in the morning.

  Jake digging, Jon clearing away the filled bags across the chamber to the ‘hump’. A short drag-tray was installed over the ‘hump’ which proved to be quite efficient although a couple of bags of spoil were requisitioned to be used for hauling route improvements. A hole needed filling. I was on the other side of the ‘hump’ hauling the spoil and loading the next skip to be hauled away by Tav. Tav then lugged the bags along the NE passage to the pot. It was rather squalid although the dripping water in the cave was not as prominent as expected following the recent rain.

  There came a time when digging activity was curtailed and attention focused on clearing the accumulated bags from the pot to the surface where they were, eventually, emptied onto the spoil heap. Today’s count settled on a figure of about 80 bags filled, hauled, and emptied. It was noted that there were not many rocks within the fine sediment removed from the cave.

  All done, down the hill, changed, and to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshment.

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

Tav digging aided by Nick, Jake on the other side of the ‘hump’, Brockers moved the filled bags along the NE passage to the pot and hauled them up to Jon on the ledge. The bags transferred to the next drag-tray and hauled away by me to be unloaded and the sediment-filled bags stored, temporarily, at the bottom of the entrance. Later in the morning, I went up to the surface, Jon at the bottom of the entrance, between us the filled bags were hauled out of the cave ready to be emptied. Hauling the first twenty or so bags was okay, but as we progressed the hauling became increasingly difficult as the rope was impregnated with mud. The solution, a quick soak and wash in a bucket of water. The rope was easier to grip – the downside, was splashback of the now very wet rope, good job I was wearing glasses.

  About 120 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied. At the dig, Tav was loosening the sediment and Nick was filling the bags. The small space opened last session is now ‘hand’s and knee’s’ size apparently.

  Time to depart and make our way to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for the usual refreshments.

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

Down in the deep Soft South and along the NE passage to continue the effort to get under and beyond Trick or Treat. I was digging under the stal boss obstruction with Tav clearing the bags away. Nick was on the other side of the ‘hump’ on “easy” duties as he is still in recovery following a malfunction a couple of weeks ago – it did not stop him “tidying-up” a bit. A combination of Mike, Jake, and Jon moved the filled bags back along the NE passage, up the pot to the bottom of the entrance. As the morning progressed some of the bags found their way to the surface.  

  At the dig-face, eventually, managed to work underneath the stal boss but the space created needs developing (a job for the next session). Once we get beyond this section it will be interesting to find out what happens further on.

  Soon though it was time to get the rest of the spoil out of the cave and digging activity was ceased. We all moved back to get the job done. 70-bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied onto the spoil heap this session.

  Back to the farm, change, and up to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshment and discussion.

Vince, Jon, Tav, Jake, and Brockers

Following the recent rains our expectations of finding a ‘dry and dusty’ dig were not high. At least the bags left hanging up on the surface were well and truly rinsed.

Heading down to the deep Soft South, then from the bottom of the pot following the ‘northeast’ passage, under and [almost] beyond Trick or Treat, Jon took his turn upfront digging. Sediment loosened with the mattock was placed into bags and thrown behind along with infrequent rocks to be cleared away by me. The spoil was carried across the chamber, a newly formed ‘lake’ required wading through, and the bags tossed over the ‘hump’, through a ‘monsoon-scale’ dripping of water’ to Tav. The spoil loaded into a drag-tray to be hauled along by Brockers. Between them Jake and Brockers moved the spoil along the NE passage, up the pot to the bottom of the entrance. And so, the digging progressed until that moment when we decided it was time to clear out the cave and we repositioned ourselves so that objective could be fulfilled. By the session end, about 90 bags of spoil were emptied onto the spoil heap. And then, to the Hunter’s for refreshments.

Todays attempt at imagery were not great!

Vince, Brockers, Jon, Nick, and Tav

Little bit of a problem to start the session, the sub-zero temperatures of the last couple of days had resulted in a frozen lock. I spent quite a while fiddling with it to no avail, then Jon “dragon-breath” Riley had a go – almost immediately the lock was freed and the cave open and accessible.

Down at the dig, Brockers grasped the reins, forging ahead and filling bags aided by Jon. I was on the ‘other side’ of the hump, loading the skip to be hauled away by Nick, until he had a malfunction and Tav took over. Some of the filled bags made it to the bottom of the entrance, the rest were temporarily stored in the pot. Just before midday digging activities were curtailed and the filled bags were shifted out of the cave.

Eighty-three filled bags were hauled out and emptied onto the spoil heap. A productive session. It was still cold, and a low mist had settled into the valley. Time for the warmth of the pub to debrief and get some refreshments.

Back at home, kit to wash!

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

A good bright and frosty day, so much better than rain!

Down in the deep Soft South, Tav was beavering away filling bags aided by Brockers, on the other side of the hump, Jake was dispatching the filled bags along to Mike, who then transported them to the pot and hauled them up to Nick perched above on the ledge. The spoil was transferred to the next skip to be hauled away by me and stashed around the bottom of the entrance ready to be cleared later. When about 20 bags had accumulated at the entrance, Nick and I hauled them out to the surface then returned underground to clear the backlog of bags (about 30). These were then hauled out. Although it was dry on the surface today it was still wet underground, and the hauling rope soon became claggy and difficult to grip. Another backlog cleared, the time had passed midday, and it was not too long for the last filled bags to arrive. Everything up to the surface, about 80 bags emptied and hung up to dry, time to walk back down to the farm. All changed and up to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshments.

Vince, Tav, Jon, Brockers, and Jake

Down in the deep Soft South/Trick or Treat chamber I was digging, Tav clearing away the filled bags and sporadic rocks away, over the hump to Jon. The spoil loaded into the drag tray to be hauled away by Brockers/Jake, the spoil carried along the passage to be stored, temporarily, at the pot. Later in the session Brockers and Jake moved the spoil up to the bottom of the entrance ready to be cleared to the surface later.

The expansion of the deep Soft South/Trick or Treat chamber continues, worked away on the ‘east’ side, mostly removing the now exposed calcited layer of fractured, sometimes degraded speleothems and lumps of conglomerate that overlies the bedrock. Slower going today, about 70 bags (and rocks) were shifted through the cave. The filled bags were hauled out of the cave and emptied onto the spoil heap. Job done!

To the Hunter’s for refreshments.

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

A full complement of fit, able, and willing participants this weekend and all were ready to shift some spoil! From the farm we headed-up to the cave with some new hauling buckets I had made this morning and full of the usual enthusiasm.

Down in the deep Soft South/Trick or Treat area, Nick busily swung the mattock, loosening sediment, and filling bags, I was clearing away the filled bags and sporadic rocks and moving the spoil up and over to Tav. The spoil then loaded onto a drag tray to be hauled away by Jon where it was transported along the passage to be hauled up to the ledge by Brockers. Mike unloaded the bucked from the ledge transferring the spoil to the next skip to be hauled away by Jake where it was temporarily deposited at the base of the entrance. As the morning progressed  and the available space near the entrance began to fill, some of the team moved positions and the spoil hauled out to the surface ready to be redeposited onto the spoil heap.

The current dig-face looking NE, over the calcite is the original point of entry to Trick or Treat

At the dig-face, Nick continued to fill bags, about 140 for today’s count plus numerous rocks and lumps of degraded calcite/flowstone. Currently, we are working underneath a false floor, removing fine (layered) sediment that overlies another calcited floor comprising flowstone, stalagmites (some detached), and calcited rock (cobble- and boulder-size) and finer sediments. This in turn, overlying solid rock (conglomerate). The prospects of what might (or might not) lie ahead was a constant topic of conversation throughout the session. Much consideration regarding deposition processes and speleogenesis was undertaken. There are many things to ponder as we dig.

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Tav

A bit of a smaller team after last weekend’s big turnout. No matter. After a brief discussion we decided that all go to the deep Soft South and down below the pot where the spoil would be temporarily stored. As expected, it was wet underground and there was evidence that a significant flow had run down the entrance. It would quickly become rather squalid.

Jake was upfront, busy with the mattock, loosening the sediment, and filling bags, aided by Nick. I was on the other side of the ‘stal’ obstruction taking the filled bags (and sporadic rocks) from Nick and loading into a skip to be hauled away by Tav, at the next stage along the NE passage. The skip unloaded and the spoil carried along to the pot by Jon. The filled bags and rocks moved along through the cave at a good, steady rate (there was not much time in between the bags/rocks). By the time digging came to an end there was a substantial pile in the pot. All moved back and re-positioned to move the spoil out to the surface. I was in the pot hauling the bags to Tav perched above on the ledge, the bags then transferred to the next skip and hauled away by Nick at the bottom of the entrance. Jake and Jon were on the surface hauling out and emptying the bags. There were some grumblings regarding skip failure from the surface duo, that might have been catastrophic for Nick (but weren’t!). at the end of the session all the bags made it out to the surface, although it took longer than planned and we finished a little later than usual. About 120 bags had been filled, hauled, and emptied. The rocks remained underground.

We still made it to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for our customary refreshments and debrief.

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

A strong team assembled at the farm, changed, and loaded up with a variety of new skips (thanks to John Cooper, Wessex CC) we made our way up to the cave. On arriving at the entrance, the drying (?) bags that were hanging up were packed away ready to be refilled, all headed off underground, except for Tav who had forgotten his caving hat and light, so he opted to be on the surface and hauling bags.

Jon set-off for the deep Soft South with Jake and Nick. Mike, initially, was hauling and shuttling along the passage to the pot. I was up on the ledge, Brockers at the bottom of the entrance. Replacement skips were installed where required and soon bags were moving through the cave at a relentless rate. When a sufficient number of bags (c.50-bags) had been hauled out of the cave, Brockers decided to go up and start emptying them, I moved back to the bottom of the entrance, Mike up on the ledge, Nick on the haul and shuttle. Jon kept on filling bags and Jake continued to clear the filled bags away. As the bags were being emptied digging was able to continue a bit longer (ceased about 12:30pm).

Final tally for the day = 130 bags filled, hauled, and emptied. All done, cave secured, back to the farm to change, then to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshments. Another fine session.   

The archaeological earthworks around Hallowe’en Rift and Wookey Hole, mostly lynchets (purple) and ridge and furrow (pale blue). © Crown Copyright and database right 2023. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900. Historic England Aerial Investigation Mapping Data Open Access, https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/news-events/he-aerial-mapping-oa/

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

On arrival at the cave, packed away the ‘not-so-dry’ bags that were on the line ready for refilling, and headed underground to our various positions. Down in the deep Soft South/Trick or Treat area Brockers was digging, filling bags to be cleared away by Jon, Tav was on the haul and shuttle to the pot, Jake on the ledge, and I was at the bottom of the entrance stashing the filled bags into any  and all available spaces. Nick, having arrived a little later, went to the deep Soft South to help Tav on the haul and shuttle before returning to the surface to start hauling out the spoil.

We seem to have reached a point where the digging is just a bit further on and requires that extra bit of effort to clear the spoil back. This prompted some more job sharing as Tav moved along to help Jon clear away the bags from the ‘dig-chamber’, where there is an ‘up-and-over’ obstacle to clear. There was a brief discussion regarding the removal of rocks but as the skips are a little ‘worse for wear’ it was decided to leave the rocks where they were, at least until we have a supply of drums so new skips can be made.

After the recent rain it was wet throughout the cave, the skip-runs well-lubricated, and standing water was abundant. It was impossible to stay clean and dry.

Total bag count for today, 100 bags filled, hauled, and emptied onto the spoil heap!

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

A better turnout this weekend, and a welcome return of Mike after his summer [working] break.

Down in the deep Soft South/Trick or Treat area it was my turn to dig, Brockers clearing away the filled bags and rocks to Nick and Mike on the haul and shuttle to the pot. Jon and Jake were occupying the ledge/entrance positions although I do not know who was where.

As a result of the torrential rain yesterday the dripping of water was noticeable throughout the cave and there was standing water along the cave passages, at least the skip runs would be well lubricated. A pool of water in the dig chamber was channelled away by Brockers.

The digging bit is relatively easy at present, standing up, mattock in hand, and loosening the sediment before putting into bags. The harder effort comes in relocating the spoil all the way to the surface. About 100 bags were filled, hauled, and emptied along with several skip loads of rocks. A jovial session with plenty of banter as usual. Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshments before going home to wash kit ready for the next digging session.

Vince and Jake

A much-depleted workforce for this session. No matter a chance to get some maintenance and tidying up done. Down in the deep Soft South I finished off the roof slab stabilisation work (another 20kg of mortar used).

While I was doing the building work, Jake was moving the pile of rocks stashed at the hauling spot (in the NE passage) back to the pot. Some rocks required size reduction; others were put aside for attention at a later date [when I have drill/plugs & feathers to hand]. Back on the surface, all the dry bags were bundled-up (in packs of 10) and deposited down the entrance to be filled next digging session (or most of them anyway).

To the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for some refreshments. It’s a pleasantly warm afternoon.  

Vince, Jon, Brockers, Nick, and Jake

Upfront digging was Jon, I was clearing the filled bag and occasional rocks away. Brockers on the haul and shuttle to the pot, Nick up on the ledge. Jake stacked the spoil at the bottom of the entrance.

It was, as ever, a productive session, 100+ bags were filled, hauled, and emptied; photos were taken; Nick found time to fill a few bags from elsewhere. In the deep Soft South, there was a surprisingly strong drip of water. We were all happy with our endeavours.

The Hunter’s Lodge Inn was visited for the usual rounds of refreshment. A good morning.

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Tav

After some discussion it was decided likely that, due to the recently imposed 20 MPH speed limit in Wales, Brockers was still driving back from north Wales!

Down at the far reaches of the deep Soft South, Jake was digging today (he hasn’t been to the end for quite a while due to a niggling knee problem). He was suitably enthused by the comfort and ease of digging. Jon was clearing back the filled bags and the occasional rock; it was my turn on the haul and shuttle, I was aided by Nick who came down from the ledge to carry bags along to the pot. Nick then returned to the ledge to empty the bucket and transfer the load to the next drag tray. Tav was at the bottom of the entrance hauling the spoil and temporarily stashing the filled bags all around in the available space, to be removed later.

Trick or Treat is now easily reached from the Soft South – it is almost a “walk-in”. the point is that due to logistical problems with spoil removal we never did a great deal of digging in this region, now is our opportunity.

As usual the digging ceased at about midday and the cave was cleared, bags emptied onto the spoil heap. All done, back to the farm, change, and up to the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for some refreshment and discussion.

This introduction contains some useful information regarding the Triassic timescale. Source: The Geological Society of London, Open Access.

Vince, Brockers, Jake, Jon, and Nick

A dash over to Portishead, where Hidden Earth 2023 was being held, to drop-off my entry to the Art Salon then back for digging. By the time I arrived at HR the rest of the team were already at it.

Quickly underground I settled down at the bottom of the entrance and started to haul back the supply of filled bags and stashed them all around me for removal later in the session. Brockers was busy on the ledge, Jake was going flat-out on the shuttle as Nick was in a digging frenzy, Jon working hard to clear the filled bags back to Jake.

As ever, digging activity was curtailed at midday to clear the accumulation of filled bags from the cave. After the recent rain the going up to the spoil disposal area was less than ideal. Today’s total was 95-bags hauled out and emptied.

To the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshments before returning to Hidden Earth (and Nick too).  

Vince, Jake, Jon, Nick, and Brockers

Down in the deep Soft South, Brockers was upfront digging and filling bags, aided and abetted by Nick, Jon was on the haul and shuttle, back and forth to the pot. I was perched on the ledge catching and emptying the bucket then transferring the filled bags to the skip hauled away by Jake where the bags were temporarily stored at the bottom of the entrance. When there was a sufficient accumulation of filled bags I moved back to the entrance and Jake climbed up to the surface and the accumulated bags were cleared away (to be emptied later). Then we returned to our original positions for the next lot…and so on.

About midday as usual the digging wound down, loose material had been cleared away, ant the remaining backlog of bags were cleared out of the cave to the surface and emptied onto the spoil heap. 95-bags filled, hauled, and emptied today.

There’s a late summer heatwave at present and it was getting warm on the surface, refreshments taken at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn quenched our thirsts.

I would have taken some photographs but, earlier in the morning, when i opened the peli’ box to get my camera, the box was empty, my camera at home still on my desk!

With Tav, Jake, Nick, and Jon

Grinder packed ready for action.

In the deep Soft South, initially Tav filled a few bags while I trimmed the ‘studding’. That done I took over filling bags and Tav cleared the spoil away to Jake who shuttled it along to the pot. I think Nick was on the ledge and Jon at the bottom of the entrance, temporarily stacking the filled bags.

In the sizeable chamber digging sediment and filling bags is straightforward, moving the spoil through the cave requires considerable effort. At midday digging ceased, the cave needed clearing, and we moved back to get it done. Some of the bags were already on the surface but all required emptying. About 90 bags and a couple of large boulders that didn’t come from the end dig in the deep Soft South.

Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshments.

by Vince

Solo

17:00, after loading kit and stuff into the van, drove over to the farm, changed, and lugged all the stuff up to the HR (c. 40kg). Opened the cave and dragged the kit and stuff along to the deep Soft South, had to do it in stages. Once I was at the end, set about building a [roof] slab-retaining wall. Drilled holes into rocks and narrow rock-ledge, inserted ‘studding’ and cemented into place. Kept going until I ran out of cement. Packed everything away, bags were much lighter now, and made my way back to the farm. It was getting dark, 20:30.

With Jon, Tav, Brockers, Jake, Nick, and guest, Paul Agnew (Australia)

Took another hauling rope and pulley to the cave to be used on the pot hauling line. This will allow the in-situ rope/pulley to be cleaned. It is getting difficult to grip the rope when it becomes impregnated with mud.

Down in the deep Soft South, underneath the “pissing tree” Jon was digging, my task was to clear away the filled bags to Tav on the haul/shuttle/haul along to the pot. Brockers was on the ledge (he swapped over the rope/pulley on the pot), Jake was at the bottom of the entrance.

Took the opportunity to inspect the “rock of concern” in the roof above the approach to the ‘final’ chamber and, following some discussion, came up with a satisfactory remediation strategy.

Digging was well underway when we were joined by Nick with a friend, Paul (a colleague from Australia). Nick took Paul for a tour of the cave – but not through Trick or Treat – but did include a crawl along to An Unexpected Development.

As usual digging was ceased about midday and the spoil was cleared from the cave. About 80 filled bags were emptied onto the spoil heap.

Once changed, we all reconvened at the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshments.

With Jon, Jake, and Nick

Down to a team of four this weekend. No problem. Nick upfront digging, Jon clearing the filled bags away, Jake on the shuttle and haul along the NE passage, and I was up on the ledge unloading the skip and dragging the bags along to the bottom of the entrance.

Before the digging got underway in earnest, I went to have a quick look at where last weeks connection to Trick or Treat actually came in. That established, returned, and after a brief chat with Nick made my way back to assume my position on the ledge. It was a full-on session with a rapid succession of filled bags moving through the cave, some were stored at the base of the entrance, and a second temporary stockpile accrued in the pot as the flow of bags caused a backlog.

At around midday the digger(s) upfront ran out of empty bags and had to come back. The next task was to clear the filled bags from the cave and empty them onto the spoil heap. Today’s total = 85 bags.

To the Hunter’s Lodge Inn for refreshments.

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

A good turn-out today with Mike having a work-free weekend and deciding to come and lend a helping hand.

Down in the deep Soft South, I continued working in the righthand corner while Brockers, whose main objective was to clear away filled bags, dug on the left-side of the end chamber. Mike came up to the end to check on progress as he hasn’t seen it for a while, before going back to shuttle spoil along to the pot. Nick was in the pot hauling up rocks and filled bags whenever they were delivered. I think Jon was on the ledge, with Tav at the bottom of the entrance, and Jake on the surface hauling up the spoil. There was some swapping around of positions going on as Nick ended up shuttling along the passage to the pot, Mike shifting position to somewhere else.

The digging on the right-side of the end chamber is an ongoing task – layers of sediment overlying a calcite false floor which, in turn, overlies more sediment with some degrading calcification evident.

Meanwhile, to the left-side of the end chamber, Brockers dug another connection into Trick or Treat (not an unexpected outcome). This was, eventually, confirmed when Brockers negotiated the slippery climb and following wriggle into Trick or Treat and reporting back that he had seen the light! I could hear him through the small gap that was the connection. Time to clear-up the loose, last bag(s) dispatched, we left the dig for the surface (after a few photos, bit steamy with two working in the chamber).

All bags were empty when we arrived on the surface – c.90-bags and 50 skip-loads of rocks. Good session. Time for the Hunter’s!