Author: mendipgeoarch

Vince, Nick, Jake, Tav and Mike,

Working from home today so made it to the Thursday evening digging session. The usual warm trip up from Wookey 20 to Land of Hope & Glory. Straight into the digging continuing the enlargement process, this will facilitate a more comfortable approach to forward progress. The enlargement process at this stage requires the removal of a considerable quantity of sediment, mostly consisting stiff dry friable light yellow brown sandy silt overlying light red to red brown sandy silt, with some laminated layers. At the lowest section of the passage appears to be a band of degraded (?) calcite. It was noted that, considering we were ‘hard at it’ all evening the air quality did not diminish, I even thought the merest waft of air movement could be sensed.

Later in the evening when I inquired if anyone had counted the buckets, Mike replied “there were four of them!”   

Report by Tav:

“Mike, Tav, Nick, Dunc, Jake

A larger team tonight and all were gainfully employed. Some rocks were moved from the approach slope to add to the spoil retaining wall in the pit while Dunc surveyed the previously unsurveyed passages in this part of the cave. Digging commenced with Mike burrowing his way up the slope beyond the U-Bend and kicking the spoil down to Tav who filled the buckets. These were passed to Nick in the narrow rift who manhandled them down the line to Dunc and Jake. Another solid night’s work with the usual 20-25 buckets worth of spoil removed. There’s a lot more room to manoeuvre now and as anticipated Mike reported that the digging was getting easier as digging progressed. Positions 2 and 3 remain particularly hot and sweaty. No draught to speak of tonight, anywhere. Out for another well-earned beer in the ravine.”

Report by Tav:

“Mike, Nick, Tav

Operation Continuing Enlargement
Arrived at the show cave to find a film crew in situ, where security directed us to park in the upper car park.Dragging Nick away from the make up and costume vans parked by the archway we proceeded to the dig in an orderly fashion. Suitable tooled up (new spafe and small crowbar), Nick dug, Mike shuttled and shuffled and Tav clambered up and down the pot to dispose of the spoil. Another 20-25 buckets were removed and by the close of play the passage had been satisfactorily enlarged. Nick confirmed cool air movement in the dig – despite there being no draught in Fuzzy Wuzzy. All very hot and sweaty work and realistically on the limit of what 3 diggers can achieve. As the next phase of operation requires someone digging on the far side of the U-Bend we ideally need 5 and even 6 or 7 can be gainfully employed moving rocks and disposing of spoil on the steep approach slope. A survey would be handy too, to establish its relationship (if any) with the foot of the big rift chamber. A useful night’s work and beer well earned.”

Unfortunately, work commitments have prevented me from attending some following digging sessions. Work has started along the small passage downslope of ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy’ in LoH&G. The initial few trips were to open up access and make the spoil removal process a bit more efficient, it is not easy but workable. At present, there is a positive attitude.

Vince, Jake, Nick, Tav, Duncan and Mike.

First trip of 2021 due to UK Government imposed lockdown, a reaction to the global covid pandemic.

Not so much of a digging trip but a ‘bimble’ just to get back into the swing of it. We had a look at a few potential dig-sites for future attention and stood around chatting about things relevant and not so relevant. As Jake commented “3 months is a long time without the opportunity to talk bollocks!”

It did not look as if anyone had been to ‘Land of Hope Glory’ since our last trip in 2020 pre-lockdown. It is still a warm trip up and down ‘20’ and, immensely enjoyable!

It has been a while since the last visit to Wookey Hole for a variety of reasons including work and pandemic restrictions. There were two objectives for this late afternoon/evening trip: firstly, a chance for Roz and Tav to see the Wookey 24 streamway and, secondly, to rig a ladder up and over a dry route to bypass a swimming section streamway to reach Wookey 24 “camp”. This will enable easier access to more passages and opportunities for exploration beyond.

After recent persistent rain, the water levels in the streamway were much higher than our previous visit (29/10/20) and several metres above our heads the “bubble” ring was evidence that the water had been very much higher. There was plenty of wading and lots of steam generated (photos are a bit ‘blurry’).

Mark Burkey’s wonderful portfolio of images taken 27th September 2020.