30th August 2015 : A personal account of today’s trip.
With Nick Hawkes, Paul Brock and Tony Audsley at the surface.
My second visit to this cave. Today’s plan was to start opening up the slot beyond which can be glimpsed space and the sound of falling water can be heard. Usual struggle through narrow passages with the bags, just seem to have gotten out of the habit over the last few years, still it will come back. Down the 80 foot pitch using SRT and with bags dangling. It is a fine pitch although damper today. Nick took the drill bag along the crawl for me, Paul had gone ahead with a new skip and hauling rope, I followed with my second bag. The crawl was more squalid than last time and by the time we got to the end we were suitably coated with mud. While I took a little time to formulate a plan of action and clean mud from the rock surface, Nick and Paul set up the skip and cleared digging spoil to a chamber up beyond. I drilled 6no. holes and managed to keep my drill relatively clean and dry. Just as I completed my task the others returned and took my bags out through the crawl while I reversed out laying the wire as I progressed, there was just enough wire to get to the end of the crawl. The morning was brought to a very satisfying conclusion with a resounding and reverberating echo. Paul and Nick had made their way up the pitch and I followed soon after. At the surface de-kitted and a chinwag with others who had appeared before walking back to the van to change and then head off to the Queen Vic for refreshments – too late for the Hunter’s.
Paul Brock photographed by Tony Audsley after Sunday’s digging trip in Home Close Hole.
