20th June 2015: A personal account of the trip.
With Alan Gray, Nick Harding and Doug Harris (all Axbridge Caving Group members).
The ACG team were already underground when I arrived at 10:00 although AG appeared to carry some kit to the T Junction for me. The wire was also at the junction so that saved me having to go and get it. I took two bags of kit up into Upper Glebe to open the Barn Door while the others went digging in the lower end. I didn’t particularly rush as it is a bit awkward in places especially up through the blasted slot. I arrived at my place of work where there was room to lay out all the kit and quickly set about drilling five holes – 2 each into the slabs either side of the Barn Door and one in the nose of the keystone itself – used the 400mm drill bit to extend the holes on either side and fully discharged the batteries. Holes charged and wire laid out to the downside of the blasted slot I went down to the team in Lower Glebe. After a bit of scratching around there AG and myself went back to Upper Glebe, DH and NH remained at the junction. After the bang a satisfying rumble of falling rock and I suspect the Barn Door is now open. We all exited the cave and I think a return will be made on Thursday to look at the results. I even made it to the Hunter’s to meet up with the Hallowe’en team – marvellous!
