1

BELFRY BULLETIN

Volume 35 Nos. 1 & 2

Numbers 393 and 394

January and February 1981

MONTHLY JOURNAL OF THE BRISTOL EXPLORATION CLUB

The Bristol Exploration Club, The Belfry, Wells Road, Priddy, Wells, Somerset .

Telephone: Wells (0749) 72126.

Editor: G. Wilton-Jones, , Buckinghamshire.

Telephone: Aylesbury (0296) xxxxxx.

CONTENTS: How would you like you Ostrich, Sir? Caving in South

Africa, at Cango.

Lifeline.

Rot – Decay – Twang. Belay Techniques for rappel.

Friday Night C.C. meets.

Diving to Swildons 12.

Back Door to White Scar.

Radio Location at Shepton Mallet.

Belfry Suspension.

Bi-monthly Notes.

Still more about Wigmore.

Letter from O.C.L.

More Notes.

p2

p 3

p 4/5

p 4

p 6

p 6/7

p 8

p 9

p 10

p 11/12

p 12

p 13

* * * * * *

Y O U D O N „ T DE S E R V E T H I S B. B.

(if you haven‟t paid your subs yet)

* * * * * *

Address Change: John and Sue Dukes

Shepton Mallet

Somerset

* * * * * *

Have you borrowed one of the Club's GB or Longwood keys? Believe it or are not, you are not the

only one who wants to go down these caves. We now have two GB keys and one August Longwood

key missing from the library. If you still have one of these please return it post haste.

* * * * * *

Welcome to the following NEW MENBERS:

977 Tony Callard

792 Ken James - back in the fold once again;

978 Shiela Furley

979 Richard Natthews

980 John Matthews

NEW ADDRESSES :

Harry Stanbury now at Bude, Cornwall. In his letter Harry invites any members who happen to be in

the area to drop in.

961 Nick Phimister now at, Inverness, Scotland. Nick gives us prior warning that he will be on

Mendip at Easter.

2

"How would you like your ostrich, Sir?"

During mid November the Africa Section both managed to wangle a week's holiday with intent to

visit the South African coast and the famous Cango Caves at Oudtshoorn, Cape Province. A letter from

the Town Clerk/ Cave Manager, Michael Schultz, had informed us that trips to the spectacularly well

decorated extensions of Canga 2 and 3 would not be possible but that we were welcome to drop in for a

chat.

On November 15th, suffering from the usual severe hangover, we left Naseru and drove for a day

and a half across the desert like plains of the Gretat Karoo to Oudtshoorn. Situated in an attractive,

fertile valley the town is sheltered by the Outeniquas and Swartberg mountain ranges. Apart from these

rugged, interminable peaks the scenery is almost English – with plenty well-stocked, green fields. The

major difference is that English fields have cows and those here have ostriches! These vicious and

enormous birds are bred and converted into feather dusters, bone meal, high quality leather, souvenirs

and ostrich steaks - which the B.E.C. tried and found to be superb - just like a good beef steak and more

tender. On a visit to an Ostrich show-farm we were shown how to ride the birds. To put an ostrich into

reverse gear you grab its neck and twist down and backwards, as in a car. The bird then hurtles along in

reverse!

On Monday 17th we visited Hr. Schultz, who is also a member of the African Spelaeological

Association and South Africa's representative for the I.U.S. He offered us a trip to Cango 2 on the

Wednesday (with a high court judge's party). Unfortunately we could not wait for this, but were given

complimentary admission tickets to the show cave instead.

Seen in Oudirshoorn Town Clerk‟s office. S.A.

We drove up to the cave which lies in a dolomite hill below the Swartberg range, about 16 km north

of the town. Feeling most important we joined a throng of weegies, presented our free pass to the guide

and spent the next couple of hours in one of the world's most beautiful show caves.

3

This lengthy phreatic system of roomy galleries was used as a pre-historic habitation site and the

entrance chamber contains Bushman paintings and other remains. In 1780 a herdsman discovered the

entrance and a local landowner, Van Zyl, organised the first explorations - exploring much of the

present show cave. This consists of a series of large halls, all filled with huge flowstone formations,

columns, palettes, helictites, etc. Despite their dryness and light coating of soot from early visitors

lamps these are very impressive. At 762m, the system ended in a draughting choke which was pushed

in 1972 by cave guides and S.A.S.A. members to reveal the incredibly beautiful 270m extension of

Cango 2 (Wonder Cave). Photographs section show it to contain superb helictites, crystal formations,

etc. A streamway at the end was pushed by S.A.S.A. in 1975 into Cango 3 - 1600m of cave with even

more extensions beyond which are still being explored. At present the whole system is over 4.5 km

long.

The tourist trip has its own South African peculiarities. There are set times for white and non-white

trips (imagine that in Goughs!) the guide gives his spiel in English, followed by Afrikaans, and at the

end of the walking section is an undeveloped round trip of tight crawls and chimneys for the more

adventurous. It is quite amazing how many standard weegies go through this area complete with high

heels, clean white skirts and no idea what they are in for! The British system of 'over safetyfying'

everything would not allow for this - a pity as it is good fun for all.

Our next few days were spent boozing in a wet and windy Cape Town, wine-tasting, sightseeing at

Cape of Good Hope, visiting the Sandloper caves on the coast at Storm River Mouth and driving along

the picturesque Garden Route for two days of festering and swimming in the Indian Ocean at Port

Elizabeth. It was here we came across a superb 'blue' folk/country/rock group who would go down well

in the Back Room!

Tony Jarratt and Colin Priddle.

* * * * * *

LIFELINE by Tim Large.

BROWNS FOLLY MINE: Under an agreement between the landowner and the Council of Southern

Caving Clubs this mine is now gated. There are two gates - one at either end of the system. All other

entrances have been blocked. The Club has a key and details of how to obtain it will be published soon.

It is important that parties lock themselves in when on a trip in order to prevent unauthorised access.

This agreement had to be made to ensure continued access, even if somewhat restricted, otherwise there

was a definite risk of the mine being closed.

WITHYHILL CAVE: Just before Christmas the gate on this cave was tampered with in a similar

manner to the previous occasion. The cave is at present closed while repairs are carried out. Any

information as to those responsible for the damage would be gratefully received.

EASTWATER: Recent digging by Tony Jarratt at al in Morton's Pot has revealed s silted beddinmg

plane which takes the stream. Prospects look good. Work continues.

Many of you will recall the fatal accident that occurred towards the end of last year during a rappel

trip trough part of the Easegill system. Many rumours were put about concerning the cause of the

accident and the true facts are only just coming to light. In actual fact no belay broke. A previous party

were rappelling through and their rope became jammed, and was therefore left in place temporarily.

The victim of the accident put her descending device onto the rope, assuming it to be a fixed rope,

whereupon the rope jerked free.

Rappel, or 'pull through' trips are now fairly commonplace in those Yorkshire systems where it is

possible to enter on the top of the hill and leave later by a lower entrance. The Principles of this method

are simple - take a rope twice the length of the longest pitch, abseil down the doubled line, and pull it

down after you. The same rope is used for every pitch and escape routes back upwards are removed -

you have to continue down.

The fact that the Yorkshire accident did not occur for the reasons originally rumoured in no way

negates the value of the following article, submitted by Stu Lindsey.

4

ROT - DECAY - TWANG.

The death of a fellow underground explorer, in pursuit of the fulfilment that voyages into the rocky

depths imparts, is never an easy thing to accept, although some may shrug their shoulders and mumble,

"It will never happen to me," You win a few, you lose a few," etc., etc. To this end, and prompted by

the death of a young girl in the Top Sink series of Easegill, I should like to remind aspiring Belfryites

intending to embark on the explorations of the Yorkshire 'pull through' systems to TAKE CARE, and

please take note of the following nine hints.

1. ) Primary belays should always be backed up by a secondary one.

2. ) Never use belay loops (tapes, ropes or cords) that have been left in the cave. The chances are

that the person responsible for leaving it there had deemed it of no further use after his trip.

Remove and take out of the cave these remnants and replace them with your own.

3. ) Use two tapes (belay loops (diagram C & D)) on the primary belay point (B). Make one

longer than the other, and place it over the shorter one. When the rope is placed through

both loops the weight is taken up on the slightly shorter one. Should this loop, but not the

bolt, fail then the weight is transferred to the second loop.

4. ) Loop the back up belay (A) through the two loops (C & D) and allow 2” - 3" (50 - 70 mm)

slack. This provides adequate cover should the primary hanger (B) fail. Use tape, cord or

rope with 'dynamic property'.

5. ) BEFORE each descent check the state of the belay - more so if tape, cord or rope is used in

direct contact with angular, metal hangers.

6. ) When the belay point is a „spar‟ wedged across the passage, make your descent from one of

its ends. A hang from the middle only encourages the law of physics to act against your

interests.

7. ) Descend as smoothly as possible. Avoid undue bouncing. Use a low stretch rope. Marlow

S.R.T. rope is ideal for this venture.

8. ) Be prepared to ascend - just because you are on an abseiling trip does not mean that you will

not have to reverse procedures. Carry ascending gear or cord suitable for prusik loops.

9. ) Finally enjoy yourself. Doing so makes others happy. Enjoyment is reflective of your

having done the job right, and reflections are what the rescue teams like to see as they sit at

home polishing their krabs…..waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting ........................

StuLindsey.

* * * * * *

Prew has asked if I would publish a list of the Friday Night C.C. meets for the year in the B.B. For

those not in the know, the Friday Niters consist of anyone who cares to go along, within reason. Usally

intending Friday Niters meet at the cave at 7.30pm.

Cotact B.E. Prewer. on Wells 73757 if you are interested in going along.

Feb.

Feb.

Mar.

Mar.

Apr.

Apr.

May

May

June

June

July

July

13th.

27th.

14th.

27th.

10th.

24th.

8th.

22nd.

12th.

26th.

10th.

24th

Tynings Barrows

St. Cuthbert‟s

South Wales

Lamb Leer

Fairy Cave Quarry, Shatter

Banwell Bone & Stalactite Caves

Eastwater

GB

Longwood

Burrington

Bleadon Cave

Cow Hole

Aug.

Aug.

Sept.

Sept.

Oct.

Oct.

Oct.

Nov.

Nov.

Dec.

7th

21st

4th

18th

2nd

16th

30th

14th

27th

11th

South Wales

Swildons

Stone Mines

Manor Farm

St. Cuthbert‟s

Rhino

Thrupe

South Wales

Longwood

Tynings Barrows

5

ROT - DECAY - TWANG, continued.

Primary belay arrangement.

(A) back up belay with a dynamic tape

property

(B) Angular belay hanger

(C) Primary belay loop under tension.

(D) Secondary belay loop, is long enough

when primary loop under tension just

touches it. Usually ½" longer when

folded flat.

(E) Doubled rope for abseiling - nylon,

terylene, polyester, but not

polypropylene.

Suggest ½” super blue tape for A, C and D.

* * * * * *

S U B S

HAVE YOU PAID YOUR SUBS FOR 1981?

IF NOT, THIS IS YOU LAST B.B.

NO MORE REMINDERS

IF YOUR SUB IS OVERDUE, PAY NOW.

USE THE FORM ON THE BACK OF THIS IF YOU WISH.

Send to: - Fiona Lewis, Wells, Somerset. Do you want me to lick the stamp?

6

SWILDONS – SUMP 12 29.12.80

Divers: Colin Houlden

Mike „Quackers‟ Duck

Porter: Jane Clarke

Aim: To reach Sump 12

A decision, one Wednesday evening, in the familiar environs of the Hunters, to go to 12 was really

forced on Quackers by me. We were already committed to go to 9 „sometime‟ by having been told that

12 was not much further, I decided to make it the aim. Quackers agreed.

We met at the shed (Belfry) at 1100hrs and were at the entrance by 1145. There was a distinct

people ruckle all the way to the 20‟ but a little polite shouting and barging with elbows assisted our

passage. We were separated, but met at Sump 1. Jane had to return, so we pressed on to the bucket of

lead by 2 to kit up.

I led to 9, and with the exception of the bypass of 7-8 all was uneventful. The bypass of 7-8 turned

out to be of doubtful parentage and caused us to de-kit. A carry to the chamber below the climb and we

kitted up to go to 9, and thence to 11 where we de-kitted went on to 12. After a glance up at Victoria

Aven and at (I think) 12b, and then a short rest, we returned.

I had great difficulty going through the squeeze but otherwise the return to 2, where we de-kitted our

lead, hoods, valves and masks, went O.K. I was quite weary by now and carrying a 'taddy' did not help.

This became evident at the 20'. I tried to reach the eyebolt at the top of the ladder and discovered that

the mind was willing but the body decidedly weak! The floor below the 20‟ belted my right hip with

about 14 stone. It took about five minutes to recover from the shock (the fall did not hurt, just the

sudden stop) and then I attempted another ascent. Arms through the ladder, feet slipped out, backing,

help from Quackers – I made it! Porterage of my bag and the ladder by Ray and Adrian of Crawley

C.C. was gratefully received. My egress up the 6' was helped by Quackers' shoulder and we made our

way back to the shed and the Hunters.

Notes: 1: Vis was poor to nil all way in sumps;

2: No line in position through 10, a duck, so not important;

3: Total time 7¼ hours.

Colin Houlden

* * * * * *

7

COULD THIS BE A BACK DOOR INTO WHITE SCAR CAVE?

Due to its susceptibility to pirating and its location above, well, almost above a cave of controlled

access, the exact location of this dig is being kept secret. Tunnelling down through boulders for almost

12' has yielded a small chamber 8' x 4' x l' high. A large block 4' x 3' x 2' is at present taking most of

the room and making things difficult. The way on appears to follow the steeply descending roof

through the sandy spoil, this to dig sand being liberally sprinkled with fist-sized rocks. A profusion of

small straws and stalactites have made operations a little difficult, but every precaution has been taken

to protect them in our quest to link up with this difficult to get into 4 mile system.

Stu Lindsey.

NEW YEAR‟S DIG

Y.S.S.

Section A - a

Grade I

Drawn by

S. Lindsay

NEW YEAR‟S DIG

Y.S.S.

Section B - b

Grade I

Drawn by

S. Lindsay

8

RADIO LOCATION AT SHEPTON MALLET

A Cave in Shepton Mallet – well not quite!

For some time ~here had been increasing complaints of Cider and Perry aromas issuing from the

River Sheppey and irate citizens were continually calling the Wessex Water Authority who in turn were

threatening our well being. The problem, quite simply was how was Showerings and Coates Gaymer 's

trade effluent reaching the river.

Eventually two intrepid employees with no underground experience9 kitted out in one piece

waterproof suits and carrying hand lamps were dispatched up the tail race of an old mill under the

bottling hall from which we had found that the effluent was running into the river. They returned foul

smelling with a report that the effluent was getting in from drains supposed to be carrying surface

water. Beyond that point the tail race got small enough to deter the pair.

The decision was taken to locate the source of effluent into these drains if possible, to clean out the

tail race and to try to effect an entrance close to the problem area, the only present entrance being

through a manhole about 100 feet away. The problem was that we did not know where the tail race was

in relation to the surface because all the plans we had were long out of date and known to be inaccurate.

I was then even more of a novice caver than now but I had already heard of Prew and his wonderful

gadget. A phone call produced an instant response and in no time at all, a Wednesday evening planning

meeting was arranged. The following Wednesday the push was planned and with a perplexed

engineering staff looking on, members of the M.R.O., Fred Davies, Tim Large, Chris Bradshaw donned

wetsuits and entered the newly discovered chamber with radio call and telephone whilst Prew, Fiona

Lewis and I stayed in comfort above ground. Then gradually foot by foot the team made their way up

the tail race with Prew tracking them above ground. A bottling hall has a hundred tons of mild steel

machinery inconveniently placed in it and this caused some anxiety as to whether the radio waves

would bend.

After some time the push was made to the end of the tail race and two positions marked on the floor

to dig new manhole entrances. On their return to the open air – in the middle of a warehouse full of

Babycham – the valiant team covered in black, evil smelling deposits, plodded ignominiously to the

boiler house showers they showered fully dressed followed by the normal variety and emerged for a

well earned drink.

The next step was to call in Luke Devenish who had two attempts to make a quick entrance but three

generations of reinforced concrete floor in-filled with gravel contained all safe charges so we had to

revert to traditional pneumatic drills. The entrance complete there then ensued an altercation between

Prew and Luke about the depth of the tail race; Luke‟s drill being 3ft. shorter than Prew‟s measurement.

Eventually it was realised that Prew had been holding his surface coil 3 ft. above the ground. This

resolved, the radio location system proved to be within 3” in depth projection and slap bang in the

middle of the tail race.

So for the first time it had been possible to measure physically the depth of the radio-location coil

and prove that it was where it ought to be. This, coupled with the fact that we had a brand new survey

of the tail race, a new manhole that enable sludge gulpers and high powered jetting equipment to be

lowered to the polluted spot so that rubbish could be removed following the repairs in the drains, meant

that the venture was highly successful and who were involved were pleased with the results.

J. Henley

9

10

yet again (sorry) - BI-MONTHLY NOTES

LANCASTER HOLE: A short but constricted sump has recently been passed in this cave leading to

427 metres of passage. There are a number of junctions which still have to be explored and the passage

size indicates something big. The exact location of the sump has not been revealed.

KINGSDALE MASTER CAVE/ROWTEN POT: The three free-divable sumps linking these caves

have been found to become one continuous sump after moderate rain and free divers are warned to be

extremely careful.

SOUTH WALES, EASTER: Once again the club, plus various other friends from the N.C.C., Eldon

P.C., Pegasus, C.D.G., etc., will be descending on Chrickhowell for the Easter holiday. A number of

trips are planned, including Pant Mawr, OFD II, Agen Allwedd, Tooth and Llethrid Caves. If anyone

has any suggestions for other trips please contact Martin Grass a.s.a.p. so that these can be arranged. A

trip into GOYDEN and NEW GOYDEN POTS is planned for the Sunday for those who are sober

enough.

P.U. To celebrate Geoff Crossley's 21st birthday anyone who knows him is invited to join in the

celebrations at the Queens Arms at Littondale, Yorkshire on February 28th. As this is the last weekend

of the Lakes trip many of us will be finishing the week off here.

MISS PIGGY: Christine Villis would like it to be made known that she is not to be refreed to as

Miss Piggy, but Christine.

GAPING GHYLL WINCH MEET: For, the fourth year running Club members will be going to the

Bradford Pothole Club‟s winch meet at Gaping Ghyll. As usual we will be ordering our beer in

advance, so we have the minimum to carry “up t‟ill”. We will camp at the Ghyll and the B.P.C. very

kindly lend us any tackle we require. Apart from a trip into G.G. various other caves in the area will be

descended. Anyone requiring more information or wishing to order beer, should contact Martin Grass

or Graham Wilton-Jones.

S.W.C.C. CONTROLLED CAVES: Members wishing to visit any of the caves under the control of

the South Wales Caving Club should take note of the following statement made by the club

We regret that, due to the contamination many caves with carbide, a new rule has had to be made

prohibiting the use of carbide lamps in all the caves under the control of the South Wales caving Club.

Formerly it was permitted to carry carbide lamps for emergency only, but unfortunately this lead to

visitors entering caves with unserviceable or only partly charged electric lamps and then frequently

having to fall back on their carbide lamps. Please bring additional electric cells for emergency use.

Caves covered by this rule are Dan Yr Ogof, Ogof Ffynnon Ddu (1, 2 and 3), Pant Mawr Pot, Tunnel

Cave, Llethrid Cave and Tooth Cave.

OGOF Y CI: It appears that the local farmer decided to dump some sheep carcases in Ogaf y Ci,

and cavers who found these reported the incident. As a result the farmer was prosecuted for polluting

the water has taken revenge, however, by blocking the cave. Since the cave had three entrances

presumably he has blocked all three.

LAMB LEER: The winch scaffolding has been inspected and it is recommended that no more than

four people go on it at anyone time.

G.B.: Yet another part of our underworld is falling apart - the Bridge in GB looks in immanent

danger of breaking away. Take care in this region.

CAR THEFT: Thefts of various items left inside caver‟s cars on Mendip are still continuing. Cars

left in the areas around GB, Cuckoo Cleeves, Burrington have been either broken into or else unlocked

and then locked up again. It is probably that the thieves are fully aware that caver‟s cars are left for

several hours at a time.

Avoid leaving anything, especially valuables, in your unattended car.

11

STILL MORE ABOUT WIGMORE.

In his article Wigmore revisited, B.B. 391/392, Trev incorrectly states that the travel time for water from

Wigmore to reach the resurgence at Cheddar Risings is 11 hours. (p10, para 4). Sorry, Trev. You got it a bit

wrong. Travel time is 42 hours, the distance to Cheddar being approximately 11 miles.

Trevor told me this just before his article went to press and unfortunately it could not be corrected intime.

The dye test commenced at 1715hrs. on March 3rd 1978, when 250ml of RWT 20% solution dye was

placed in the stream. Flow was estimated at approximately 10gpm. A further 250ml of RWT 20% solution

was added at 2200hrs.

Sampling began at Cheddar, Line of Works, Sherbourne Spring, Rodney Stoke, Wookey Hole and

Rickford Rising. Sampling was at six hourly intervals: 0700, 1300, 1900, 0100.

First arrival of the dye at Cheddar was at approximately 0700hrs on March 5th, a travel time of

approximately 42 hours. All other sites sampled were negative. Sampling continued until approximately

1600hrs on March 6th.

As far as I am aware this is the only dye test done on Wigmore to date. These results must drastically

modify Trev's theory.

I must lend some support to a theory that a line of drainage could exist in the form of cavernous

development, Fed from Tor Hole, Red Quar, Fairmans Folly, Castle Farm and Bowery Corner. Wigmore's

development in Triassic Conglomerate is evidence that large cavities can develop in this area but it remains

to be seen what form this development takes when the limestone contact is made.

Thanks are due to W.I. Stanton for conducting the dye test and supplying information on the results.

Chris Batstone.

Map showing principal sites of interest and proven feeders.

12

Input: March 3rd 1715hrs, 250ml RWT 20% solution into Wigmore Swallet. Flow c10gpm.

Input: March 3rd 2200hrs, 250ml RWT 20% solution into Wigmore Swallet. Flow c10gpm

Time to first arrival of dye at Cheddar – approx. 42 hours.

All other sites sampled were negative.

* * * * * *

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Withey House,

Withey Close West,

Bristol.

Dear Bassett,

Ref. B.B. 34 (11 & 12), 7.

I'm sorry not to have written up my trip down St. Cuthbert's in the log. I'm afraid we were in rather a

hurry to get to the Hunters. I'll do it next time I'm at the Belfry.

It was like visiting an old friend/enemy that you haven't seen for years. All the handholds were still

exactly where you expected to find them, and the teasing bits were just the same. I cut the trip rather

short, because things were going very well and I didn't want to spoil it by getting overtired. So after

admiring the Angel's Wings we turned back. I found I really was a bit tired climbing the Arête Pitch,

and so, as I didn't want to make a mess of the Entrance Pitch, I sent out one of the lads to put in the

dam.

I don't think I need have worried. The technique all came back to me and I climbed it with no

trouble at all; only a slight excess of puff.

Ever Yours, Oliver.

13

A FEW MORE NOTES.

ONE PIECE GIBBS. Rich Websall brought an interesting ascending device into the Hunters the

other day. It was made in Czechoslovakia and he picked it up while in Europe over New Year. It can

best be described as a one piece Gibbs. As all its users will know, the only thing wrong with Gibbs

ascenders is the way they have to be dismantled to put them on or take them off the rope. With this

new device the cam rotates on a fixed bolt instead of a removable pin. The fixed bolt is attached only to

one cheek. The other cheek is cut away to leave just enough room to feed in the rope.

I'll try and produce a picture of it for the next B.B. and I'll also make up some notes on what it is like

to use.

POSTCARDS: Wig's catalogue is about to be printed, so if you want to upset him, just find a card

that he has never seen, and you can put his publication out of date even as it is produced.

Didn't we manage that with Mendip Underground, Wig?

Bassett.

* * * * * *

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B. E. C. Subscription 1981 Junior £ 6.00

Full £ 8.00

Joint £12.00

NAME / S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

MEMBERSHIP

NUMBER _______________________

ADDRESS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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You don't have to use this it's just to encourage you to pay up!