A rather later start to the day than anticipated, followed by a trail run down through Velvet Bottom with the dog and then washing yesterday’s caving kit, a change to plan’s to go to Whitcombes’ Hole. Went to the Hunter’s for lunchtime chinwag before heading over to Stockhill Woods, Mendips and the location of Snakepit (NGR ST 5482/5145). Snakepit is the site of an old dig I started with some BEC mates back in the 1990’s one of the “Far from the Maddening Crowd” series. It was obvious that nobody has entered the cave for years the lock was rotted and the key was useless so had to resort to the ‘universal’ key and will need to replace the now shattered lock. After clearing away the vegetation partially covering the lid I slid into the cave.
I wonder if this old hauling rope can now be classified as ‘cave archaeology?’
Or these remnants of rebar?
It might be worth another visit into Snakepit with some digging kit as there is an interesting partially mud filled tube that is worth further investigation. The cave is not really an ‘overall over pub clothes’ type of trip and I emerged rather on the damp and muddy side. Enjoyed it though!
