Council of Southern Caving Clubs - CSCC
Colour-coded sketch of the Swildons
Hole entrance series (courtesy Mark
Wilton-Jones)
WARNING: Entrance to Spar Pot, East Twin Swallet (Posted 11 Dec 2000)
The SBSS diggers in East Twin Swallet report that as a result of water action, the boulders above the connection to Spar Pot (beyond the entrance chamber in East Twin) are increasingly unstable. Shoring may be required.In the meantime, visitors to East Twin are asked to take care. A sign is in place in the cave.
WARNING: RHAL Passage, Longwood Swallet (Posted 11 Dec 2000)
A recent SBSS conservation survey trip to RHAL Passage in Longwood Swallet noted that what Mendip Underground calls the "unstable boulder slope", above the waterfall climb, was particularly loose. Please take care if visiting this part of the cave.
INFORMATION: Rhino Rift (Posted 25 Nov 1999)
The two ageing plate hangers in the floor at the lip of the Second Pitch on the Direct (lefthand) Route have been removed as they no longer served any useful purpose.
UPDATE: Longwood Swallet / August Hole (Posted 22 Jul 1999)
A substantial rock reinforcement of the left bank of the valley stream in the area of the blockhouse is now in place, and earlier problems with its periodic demolition by persons unknown appear to have subsided. The entrance rift is currently dry (though it will be interesting to see what happens over the Autumn/Winter). The CCC (controlling access), MCG (the cave's "foster parents") and SBSS (responsible for the cave's conservation survey) would like to hear of any changes in the status of the river bank around the blockhouse.
INFORMATION: Rhino Rift (Posted 24 Mar 1999)
The Direct Route in Rhino Rift was ECO-bolted on Sat 20 Feb. For further details see Andy Sparrow's Mendip News Page (link above).
WARNING: Longwood Swallet / August Hole (Posted 18 Jan 1999)
The dangers of flooding in August Hole and the downstream section of Longwood Swallet are well documented. However recent changes, some natural and some man-made, above ground in the vicinity of the entrance blockhouse mean that extra care is now needed in the entrance rift. Since November 1998 water has been flowing down the entrance rift (it sinks just before the blockhouse and enters the cave just below the old trapdoor). As things stand the entrance rift will be wet if there is any kind of stream flowing. If there is any substantial ponding around the blockhouse descent of the cave should only be attempted by experienced and well-equiped cavers as entry and exit in particular will be most unpleasant.
These are all taken by the author unless otherwise stated.
Caver on the Bridge over the
Gorge (222 kB)
Another view of a caver on the Bridge
over the Gorge (271 kB) - Picture: Ian
Wilton-Jones
Caver on the climb to the Ladder Dig
Extensions (222 kB) - Picture: Ian
Wilton-Jones
Stal formations in Great Chamber
(208 kB)
Caver in Great Chamber (265
kB)
Flowstone in Great Chamber
(298 kB) - Picture: Ian Wilton-Jones
More flowstone in Great Chamber
(139 kB) - Picture: Ian Wilton-Jones
Stalactites in Great Chamber
(234 kB) - Picture: Ian Wilton-Jones
Cavers in Bat Passage (266
kB) - Picture: Ian Wilton-Jones
Other cavers in Bat Passage (240
kB) - Picture: Ian Wilton-Jones
Formations at the entrance to Bat
Passage (168 kB) - Picture: Ian Wilton-Jones
The Vee (141 kB)
SRT-ing the Direct & Far Right Pitches (135 kB)
Albert`s Eye (174 kB)
A nice curtain ! (114 kB)
Another view of the curtain (227 kB)
Curtain in Curtain Chamber (159
kB)
A handsome caver in the Bypass Passge
(128 kB)
Another nice curtain ! (117 kB)
A flowstone bank (191 kB)
Sheep`s Jaw (111 kB)
Last updated: 15-March-2005 by Steve King, s.m.king@rl.ac.uk
