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The Dig Log
Friday 3rd April to Sunday 5th
April
This was the first digging trip for over 18 months. The
last time the dig was operated was on 16th September 2007.
Water levels were fairly low - a couple of inches below the last section of
conveyer belt and although it rained on Friday night the water was only about an
inch higher when we began pumping on Saturday morning.
It took just over 2 hours to clear the water in spite of one of the pumps
malfunctioning. A new sump pool was then created to drain the water away
from the dig face. A the dig face a large section of loose and unsafe roof
was brought down and this was used as part of the lower dam.
While the water was being pumped out a short section of the left hand passage at
the cross rift was dug out to create more stacking space and some backfilling
was done to extend the conveyer-belted section. This will need finishing
to create a smooth ramp next time.
Over the weekend the dig was extended almost 3 metres in length and about a
metre in depth.
At the dig face we seem to have hit a solid wall in front (although digging down
may reveal a continuation of the passage), but there is definitely a passage on
the left. The roof has also disappeared and we will have to hope that the
infill above will collapse between now and the next visit.
As always seems to happen we have had to leave the dig in at an interesting
stage in the development of the cave system. Hopefully we will be able to
complete several digging weekends this year and return in the not too distant
future.
Unfortunately the dig truck having served faithfully now for 23 years is in need
of extensive refurbishment.
Del being rescued by Steve |
Heather - a sunstroke casualty |
The dig team: KeEd, BrMa, DeRo, HeSi, JoSm,
GrSm & StWa (Sat. only) + Roger as tea-maker
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