SRT
Fire!
Not sweet, or alcoholic
Honeymead Hole is neither sweet nor inviting. It is a cave which is easy to access with fixed ladders, parking close by and few restrictions. The write up in MU5 is misleading in places as the equipment list is far too long but it is a pretty cave.
After the initial concrete pipe we dropped another shorter fixed ladder reaching the head of the first pitch. This is easily free claimable and the kit was left at the top. The 6m hand-line is useful but with good bridging could be managed without, this is followed by the first harder section. With Somervillle hall ticked the move over Keens pot is a key point. Initially we moved onto the balcony, again, no kit needed. Tim and Ben thrutched about as I headed along to Kate’s calamity and then stepped up into the Gods.
Whereas plenty of pretties abound there is no real,connections between any of these parts and you feel as though you are in an unconnected maze.
The real trip,is straight down Keens Pot, a lovely pitch initially ledgy but flailing out into a good chamber. Chalice well,is below this, but adds little, we headed to the Mud meanders. The name says it all, it has been a while since we got wet, muddy and squeezed flat out up hill. The obvious turning point were some cave pearls, small and insignificant.
This is a cave where the side passages were done for completeness and a better approach might have been a loop of the final roundabout and return via the meander. Return to the surface was quick, I found the head of the pitch awkward but the watershed could easily be rope free. Take this rope [5m] in the top of a tackle bag with 25ft ladder on a long sling and 30m of lifeline and head straight for the Mud meanders.
A pint at the George at Croscombe afterwards was much appreciated.
Photos from http://sasworldofadventure.blogspot.com/2012/03/caving-honeymead-hole.html
Little Crap
Nell Swallet swallows oxygen mainly such that the deeper you go, the faster you breathe. The Dickensian theme and impending Halloween sets a sober route towards Hades but as least deviation from this downwards trending skirmish is not necessary.
The hand line down speedwell (must look up that novel) is not needed and the Great Expectations are short lived; indeed Uriah Heap was something of a relief. Conversations this weekend had persuaded my buff back onto my bonce and a cooling was needed.
The potholed streamway is the piece de resistance and the tight test is doable and enjoyable. Most problematic was the relentless nature and head first drop offs. If in doubt, go feet first.
I stopped before the end as my migraine indicated CO poisoning was taking place. I sat still as the fitter pushed on for ten minutes but didn’t stop panting.
On return above the wallow suddenly oxygen returned; a great little cave, challenging but doable and thirst quenchingly dehydrating.
Tim made up for it in the George at Croscombe as we gorged on subterranean literature.
Pitch perfect Pinetree
Jason was up at the MCG with Miranda and unsure what to do suggested a dip down Pinetree. I drove up for the trip by which time numbers had swelled to 7. My role was as rigger and luckily I had brought a 20m 9mm and 34m float rope.
I had planned the first pitch and then to carry the end through to set up a traverse line. The main Y then started below this utilising the line for the third pitch too.
The way in was straightforward and whilst two went straight down to the stream I lurked around the pitch head. As the ladies returned the gents headed down to the wet and I squeezed up to the pretty chamber with M.
On the return the first out struggled over the block at the top of the main. The second lady lifted her line as she prussiked and asked for a hand holding this tight; mistake. The large boulder she then kicked off just missed him. Moral of the story. Stand away from pitch bottom.
The last chap out got to the slab and then got off at the ledge. Progression beyond this point was difficult for him and I had to jug up below and devise a makeshift footloop whilst others tugged from above, probably a direct ascent would have been more appropriate.
We got out as the evening faded and food and drink flowed at the MCG. Good to be underground again but mind focussing.
There were several learning points here for me:
Be assertive with safety.
Have a spare whistle in your bag for the second.
Practise Z rigs and hauls.
Your own knowledge and skills may be good but those around you need both watching and directing.
The bottle of Butt slipped down beautifully.
All fours in Welsh’s Green
Another unique experience, Welsh’s Green is recorded as probably the longest cave in Blue Lias globally. It is a great place.
Meeting at Beechbarrow we collected plastic bags for a muddy return. Parking is peculiar but there is space at the upper reservoir. The walk in is straightforward but we initially selected the wrong hole. The cave has block-work and a metal grille.
This is a cave of two half’s with a good pitch, blasted passage with right angled bend and second pitch with more blasting. This can be awkward in places but essentially it is a hand and knees crawl.
The drop into the stream passage is small but vertical and then the character changes.
Part 2 is a muddy crawl on all fours following a very horizontal passage as it meanders through narrow banks. There are distractions involving gherkins, beavers and compost and avens pop up all over the place but the stream passage holds the key.
We searched for selenites and eventually found some downstream and both chambers are worth a visit for different formations.
Beyond the shored up section it gets tighter. You can get your arms through and a v-shaped indentation direct is the place for you chest but your sternum needs compressing to get through. Whilst this is momentary, combined with the need to breathe Ben declined and we returned.
As ever the return was psychologically shorter but the double pitches on different ladder spacing made life harder.
We emerged to a balmy garlic laden evening, recuperating over a cauliflower cheese.
Colouring in Burrington
Occasionally, very occasionally the planets align and the examination classes you have been teaching are all on the same day. Today was the day and so after a cheeky little cover I headed to MCG and onto Burrington Coombe. The deal was a simple one; I would accompany Jay into the Dexion series and he would assist me on the Lobster Pot.
Sidcot was the final piece of the jigsaw having last completed it as a BCSS member. I had contemplated it solo but the pot has a bit of a reputation.
In Goatchurch, we set up a return rope for the Coal Shute before heading down Bloody Tight. Playing in the Boulder Chamber revealed Badgers Hole and another tight rift down into the water chamber. I knew another way existed but both looked tight. From below, the way against the wall was the Vee but only in rereading the guide did I realise that both go down.
I had a good crack at Hellish tight; one day …
At the Dexion dig I briefed Jay and we did the three point turn on the return. This was a good achievement for him and new territory.
Back on the surface we changed sides of the valley quickly immersed in the spider fest that is Sidcot. The Tie press was great. I was tempted but the stal slide down to the Water Chamber but we were here for the Lobster Pot, armed with sling.
Sliding down was easy and after following some polished boulders we arrived at the Garden of Eden sump. 
Return was steady. The pot is doable and initially I had a go without the sling. The trick is to emerge with the largest boss on your left, this is counter intuitive. This way around there are three hand holes in front of you and a elbow sized scoop ahead. Climb as high as you can with your feet and then know a further foothold is six inches above. A straight pull forward will give you the lift to move up your left foot; the right heads opposite.
Sadly my puff had all gone and so I used the sling, determined to do it clean. The emergent route is well worn.
It was a great day out with Jay; new ground was covered and we had a great craic. After the obligatory beer I headed home at a reasonable hour and coloured in the final cave. With the Black Down five also complete it will probably be a while until we return – although the OS map has some peculiar additions … mainly involving a toad and elephant.
Wet in Waterwheel
Discussing possibilities for trips it wasn’t immediately apparent that Waterwheel is really wet. Fortunately Mark and Jay had joined forces with Frome to secure the key and were waiting when Ben and I arrived.
We struggled initially to find the entrance, largely as we were following our noses rather than the instructions in Mendip Underground.
From the stapled pipes three series of stepped passage lead down past old workings. Black and white formation and manganese washed formations line the walls.
The old sumps were dug open by Stanton and dams now retain the water, leaving the perfect of wet short trips. This tube is the best of tonics for a hot summer evening when a cool swim is needed.
Beyond the old sumps the pitch is now P bolted and has an in situ line, relieving the rusty bolt and chain. The ladder hangs into the 2.5m swimming pool and although a traverse line keeps you dry the swim on the return was a must.
Beyond this a false floor leads into the final sump; I probed hard but with little more to offer return was inevitable.
This is a fascinating place and the story of the Waterwheel recounted elsewhere is an interesting one too. I will return to Velvet bottom soon.
Cave, Canyon, Canoe ... 