Pegasus Caving Club
aka Pegasus Club Nottingham
6th October Burnley Crematorium
Ruth King & David Gough, Nigel Burns, Aileen & Cheg Chester
Paid our respects and said our fairwells to our good friend Barry Suddell.
Rest in Peace our Friend
11th October School House Sink, (B10d),(S.H.S), – Poulcloghaun, (B10f)
Calum McNamara, Niamh McNamara, PC
12:30. Cloud 100%: Wind SW, F2: Visibility 25Nm: Rain Gauge 0mm: Temp:18°C: Ground dry: The Plan: unexpected chance to be guided to these sinks Calum and Naimh. Records indicate Poulcloghaun and S.H.S. are within the dry river channel, that meanders west from Polldonough South, (B9a), an elevated area disrupts the valley’s initially, shallow, continuity. Further downstream multiple sites issue water after significant rain events, believed when Coolagh River Cave appears reach its capacity to pass the increased volume entering its three known entrances - Polldonough Main, North and South. CMcN remembers Poulcloghaun entrance, (shaft), covered by a flagstone, close to the ford - his last visit to this site, some ten years back, (then aged ≈10). Poulcloghaun is, undoubtedly, on Linnane land from which cavers are banned, since a flagstone, covering a cave, (unspecified), was not replaced, resulting in the loss of a cow. When recently approached Mr. Linnane was adamant the ban remained in place. Kindly ‘escorted’ across the Linnane field by his young neighbours, CMcN and NMcN - down a desperately muddy, steep ‘track’ that led to a revetted ford built across the, presently, dry channel. Immediately right, (upstream), through a mass of thick briars, the deepening dry stream channel appears stop, (ITM 511490 x 700680), seemingly passing beneath the revetted ford, which is not the case, as checked the downstream side - CMcN believes this site to be Poulcloghaun; (am unsure). Downstream the ford, the stream channel delimits ownership of Linnane and McNamara land. An attempt was made to force the briars, to reach a point some thirty metres downstream, here CMcN believes S.H.S. is located; he’d previously shinnied down the steep, 80% slope, behind his Father’s workshop to a known ‘hole’- this steep ‘slope’ may indeed be the ‘cliff’ described by Charlie in Co. Clare, (1980), p88. Contrary to one observation, the stream channel continues southwest for another 150 metres, to pass beneath the road at, ITM 511275 x 70020, heading toward Poulnageh, and the sinks beyond. Charlie’s collated data further describes, “ The valley ends at a cliff with a cave entrance at its foot. A steeply descending canyon passage is choked with mud within the daylight zone”. Optimism aside, the steep ‘cliff’ behind the Ballynalacken School House, and the hole remembered by CMcN, at its base, suggests S.H.S might be under McNamara land. Over tea and caca, EMcN eagerly gave permission to park in his yard, use the garage and facilities, create a path to the stream bed and dig. Bliss, after these six weeks of enforced recuperation, demanded by the surgeon - unable to trust the patient not to resume his addiction prematurely.
Reviewing the map references, entrance locations become questionable. The map ref taken on the 11th October, at a point where the stream channel is deep, perhaps three metres below the ford, is a contender for an entrance, quite what cave it is remains to be seen.
Pat Cronin
Aerial view of conflicting map references
12th October Derbyshire Mine (Name witheld by request)
Sam Garrad & Andy Walchester
Andy W and Sam G were fortunate to be invited to attend a winch meet to a mine with restricted access. The entrance shaft is circa 320 ft . The leader ( age 75) for the trip took us down the Manchester level with the intention of finding graffiti from the 1920s . The going is generally walking or stooping down a level that was pretty straight . After about 45 mins due to various stops to look at features and for Andy to catch his breath we arrived at the air pump junction. The graffiti on the tank is from modern ish explorers . Apparently TDF relates to a famous Geologist academic ( if you know you know). This junction leads through some breakdown sections which was a bit iffy into an area with variated sand chamber all a bit loose but an interesting feature. From there a short flat out crawl led to a more stable area where the impressive and poignant graffiti was located. After a pause soaking up this section we then returned to the air pump where we then sought our next objective some more graffiti of an old man. Alas we did not find this so returned to find the oxygen tanks in a side level. There were about 10 of these abandoned in a level some of which had been caught in a collapse. We had a lunch break here and then made our way back to the shaft. As there was a queue we went to look at the electric switching gear which was still there and in excellent condition. After that we got on the winch and 4mins later we were on the surface. Wish I could SRT that quick. A brilliant day out and we were very privileged to have visited this site with such a great and knowledgeable guide.
Sam Garrad
26th October Poulacapple Pot
PC
14:00. Cloud 100%, base 800ft: Wind W, F6: Visibility 50m: Rain Gauge 2mm: Temp:12°C: Ground wet: The Plan: revisit site and assess. The visit of 24th December 2015, made with TB and NB, to inspect the effect of nine years of mothballing. Had decided to alter the pipework directing both streams straight down the main shaft – the idea being to hydraulically ‘mine’ the silt at the shaft base, the water able to drain down the side of the large boulder, forming the ‘roof’ of the sloping dig site. Reviewing the landscape today made easier with fading foliage: the previous number of observed depressions increasing by a factor of 2. Struggled down the depression, some briars present; at -5m below the moor dense willow and other prevented descent, at the point where a decent metre plus step once existed, and still does. Slash hook and loppers required, a ladder likewise. Improvement to the bog road means a car can reach the junction, and, in theory, park close to the depression. Over the previous three days, Carnane recorded 11mm of rainfall, the rumble of water clearly audible from the western edge of the depression – with a strong westerly wind. Intend to mothball Poulbruíon, secure the shaft, clear surface infrastructure and relocate assorted materials to Poulacapple, with the aim of following the main shaft down, the spoil used to backfill the lower part of the northern rift. Map reference taken today requires checking – ITM 518770 x 704090
Pat Cronin
31st October Poulacapple Pot
PC
11:00. Cloud 30%,: Wind W, F4: Visibility >10Nm: Rain Gauge 8mm: Temp:11°C: Ground wet: The Plan: begin clearing a path down into the depression. Took up the short timber ladder, to facilitate the metre ‘step’. Parked at the junction, (ITM 5187718 x 703895). Best place to cross the ditch is where a recent track drain has been made, keeping to its right, (southside). In the sunshine the size of the depression is impressive – likewise the other enticing sites. The working platform is obscured beneath the willow canopy. Cut down the slope, removing, a selection of willow, briar etc. exposed steps made by PMcG. Encountered some glass jars, not of our previous work here, though several off cuts of 4” pipe are, no idea of where a large sheet of blue plastic came from, but needs bagging to remove it. Managed to get to within three metres of the bottom, the platform just visible from today’s limit, the place tidy-ish, the volume of water loud. Unsure if its imagination but, have a feeling the northwest side of the depression has changed shape, or perhaps steepness. Headed west at the lower junction of the track, toward the lessor used Cullaun road, and for good reason. Noted, shallow depression, believe it a Cullaun, confirmed it the area of Cullaun (Zero One). Another interesting area encountered south of the road, near the Cullaun road junction. Total October rainfall recorded at Carnane was 217mm, therefore 2025 = 1402mm so far.
Pat Cronin
9th November Poulacapple Pot – Gragen West One
PMcG, PC
11:00. Cloud 60%,: Wind SW, F4: Visibility 30Nm: Rain Gauge 10mm: Temp: 10°C: Ground wet: The Plan: Complete cutting the route to Poulacapple Pot. Parked PMcG’s motor at the crush. Reviewed visible depressions south of the townland boundary wall, estimated six. Into the depression - PMcG completed the final three metres; the pot entrance beneath a dense canopy of hazel, willow and briar, many resting on the surviving, original hauling spar. Stream audible from the moorland. Removed the surprizingly intact wooden pallet, which you wouldn’t stand on. Checked the timber shoring, all good, but, twenty years old – intend install a scaffold frame, backed with steel mesh tight up against the existing, aged timber shoring, ensuring future integrity. Previous weeks rain, recorded at Carnaun = 102mm, hence the stream volume - none of which was overflowing the original cement dam, nor the pipework in the east wall bedding. The issuing volume from the pipe was impressive, the last ten years of such flow hopefully having a clearing affect on the silt below, (as intended). 3 x 1.5m and 1 x 2m lengths of scaffold required, Hilti, Popeyes cutter, spanner and scaffold clips. Will return the builders ladder at Poulbruíon. As the sun illuminated the hollow the top of the concrete block shoring was visible, all seemed in good condition.
Exited Poulacapple Pot to check on the adjacent depressions, ranging from big to quite big, the exception an obscure, man sized hole, found en-route to an eastern depression. A two metre drop appears to descend further on the west side of its visible floor.
Used the Garmin GPSmap 64s, which had been on the previous hour, took numerous map ref’s – unsure of something, took/checked position of the gate, when applied to the digital system it is shown with an error of 1 metre west and 7 metres north, need to redo - likely when pushing the small hole, which will need a rope. Several of the depressions show promise.
Headed back to drop off the kit at the motor, then show PMcG the locations of some entrances to Gragen West One. Could not remember which of the several depressions was Top entrance (H1), nor Pigeon Hole, (H1a), found the small vertical rift that is ‘Main Entrance’, (H2), and Joyce’s Hole, (H2a). Heather walking a fine dose of exercise. A crackin’ day.
Pat Cronin
New sites adjacent to Poulacapple Pot
15th November Poulbruíon
PC
09:30: Cloud 100%, base 700ft: Wind NE, F6: Visibility 10 metres: Rain Gauge 6mm: Temp: 8°C: Ground sodden: The Plan: prepare to mothball site. Disassembled hauling frame, using some of the scaffolding to erect a ‘barrier’ across the southern end, same on the east side, doubling as a support brace, if cattle ever used the protruding tube ends as scratching posts. Descended the shaft, large stream flowing, much of the shaft well washed: cleaned. Recovered and cleaned all tools, sorted same and materials, scaffold clips etc. packing into tackle sacs, containers and buckets: nine scaffold tubes available for Poulacapple Pot. Cleared north end of surface rift of un-natural debris; reflected that if a team of say three/four were available the north end of the dig for three days, this end of the rift could be cleared to present depth, negating the need for the promising side of the rift to be shored, making for swifter excavation. The estimated volume to present depth, only ten tonnes. First sherpa trip conveyed one very heavy tackle sac and three 1.5m scaffold tubes to the Drover’s Road. Returning for the next, visibility fell to three metres; got lost, turned north-ish, found townland wall, headed south-ish, where wall descends to the wide gulley; found dig. Next trip, took three more 1.5m scaffold tubes, twenty scaffold clips, tools and PMcG’s sledge hammer. Visibility worsened to a metre; found Drover’s Road, retrieved previously dropped kit. Back, ankle and knee took a vote to strike, with immediate effect. Waddled off to get the motor loaded, headed home. Need recover the builders ladder, railway, remaining scaffold tubes, winch drum, railway dram, rope and ancillary odds and sods. Need organize a trailer for the railway lengths, (ladders).
Pat Cronin
16th November Poulbruíon
PC
10:00: Cloud 100%, base 500ft: Rain: Wind NE, F2: Visibility 50 metres: Rain Gauge 1mm: Temp: 6°C: Ground wet: The Plan: continue mothballing site. Trailer unavailable today. 12:00, bright sunshine. Searched surrounding heather for stray odds and sods. Packed remaining ironmongery; ten scaffold clips, chain, krabs etc. into two tackle sacs – three trips brought down the winch, three more scaffold lengths, two tackle sacs – no loose items remain. Several kibbles left up there, along with a bag of rope lengths, the railway and the dram, which with assistance could be stripped, and brought to the trailer in three hours. Left ankle the only issue today. Believe there is an argument for leaving the railway in situ for a while…
Pat Cronin
Scaffold tube barrier protecting the south and east sides
22nd November Poulacapple Pot
PC
15:00: Cloud 100%, base 700ft: Wind SW, F3/4: Visibility 100 metres: Rain Gauge 12mm: Temp: 7°C: Ground wet: The Plan: deliver materials. Took over two sections of mesh, 3 x 1.5metres and 1 x 2metre, galvanized scaffold tube, only three putlock clips, and 20 metres of rope. Had expected a lessening of the stream, however, the 12mm yesterday knackered the chance of reconnecting the 4 inch pipework. Stream discharge from pipework similar to previous. Reviewed how to reconnect the pipe to descend and check possible hydraulic washing of the silt choke: the entire volume plummets down the shaft - breathing descending the torrent will be a challenge. Studied the old shoring, and how best install the new supporting framework. Will fit belays in the right hand wall, use an electron ladder and self-line on the rope. To reach the pipework may need the builders ladder, it’ll need recovery from Poulbruíon.
Pat Cronin
29th November Poulacapple Pot
PMcG, PC
10:40. Sunset 16:26: Cloud 40%: Wind N, F3/4 Visibility 30Nm: Temp 7°C: Gauge 5mm: Ground wet: The Plan, begin sorting the top of the shaft. Call from PMcG, advising he’s back in Clare, for the moment. Picked him up on route. Carried in Hilti, ‘Popeye’s’ cutter, bolts, hammer, spanner etc. Small amount of water draining down the path, adding to the stream issuing from existing shoring. Large stream, 25mm over the previous four days. Installed stainless hanger, low down on the east, (right), wall, 0.5m above old shoring level. Removed elderly bits of waterlogged timber, that once supported the platform pallet. Integrity of extant timber suspect, so deployed the short timber ladder, descended same. From the position on the concrete block shoring, could see the timber shoring’s construction; lower half horizontal pieces, between the solid walls, upper half, vertical pieces with one large horizontal at the tops: sturdy – elderly, but seemingly solid… Climbed on down, using a jammer on the rope, reached the stream pipework. Attempted reconnect the six metre horizontal pipe, to the vertical, the 107° bend couldn’t be removed - drenched. Inbetween balancing and holding the pipe joint together briefly glimpsed the bottom of the shaft; believed could see a water surface. Second attempt unfortunately dislodged the upper section of vertical 4 inch pipe, with 2 x 45 °bends, pipe being 58 inches, – its entire weight curiously suspicious. Passed it up to PMcG, patiently supporting this task. Working here, or below, in these conditions, will want a waterproof suit, with hood, and a hat – the “west wall” given to conducting part of today’s stream volumes along a small bedding, to discharge above the actual shaft. Began installing galvanized scaffold, tight in front of existing timber, barely enough space to fit the mesh inbetween them. Installed lowest stemple first, during this noted CC had packed a number of small to medium boulders onto a 120mm galvanized steel angle, with some timber supports; this part some 0.6m - above the topmost concrete block shoring. Convenient stance on the low stemple permitted swift installation of the upper. Found two of the scaffold clips could not be used due to rusted nuts… Examined the pipework, a 2/3mm deposit of iron has formed, adhering itself to the smooth bore plastic tube. Very cold, headed, swiftly, for the motor, enjoyed the heated seats. Will need 4 x putlock clips or similar, several short lengths of scaffold tube, 58” length of 4” pipe, Popeye’s cutter, Hilti, bolts, lubrication grease, support to suspend pipework connection. The addition of a one metre length of scaffold tube to the new shoring would permit its use as a ‘ladder’. A very fine, chill, session - all thanks to PMcG. 5 Hours.
Pat Cronin
Main Stream
PC fitting stemple
30th November Souterrain CL016-052003, Roughan
PC
11:00. Sunset 16:25: Cloud 99%: Wind E, F2/3: Visibility 20Nm: Temp 5°C: Gauge 3mm: Ground damp: The Plan, photograph the passage. The plan and section survey does not truly replicate the extant coursed stonework. Passage dimensions inhibit taking good photographs, owing to width and height. However, attempted to record the stonework for closer study, as there does seem fundamental differences between east and west walls. The west wall seeming more purposefully lain than the eastern wall. The roof lintels were lain with some thought toward overlapping the edges of several, irregular shaped lintels: perhaps for mutual support? From the present entrance, between the 1st and 2nd lintels, another has been lain on top of them bridging/sealing the small gap. The gap is some 100mm wide, no wider than others in the souterrain. It may be the present opening is the original entrance, secreted within a building up against the inner rampart face? The extra lintel perhaps fitted to provide a more substantial roof to the souterrain, on which to construct a low wall of a house? Reduced ground cover presented a better view of the = surrounding landscape, offering a clearer idea of localized quarrying for stone to build the host cashel, (CL016-052001). Bitter cold; hooray for heated seats. No reply from MK to either text.
Pat Cronin
West wall stonework
East wall stonework
15th December Poulacapple area – Poulacapple Pot
PMcG, PC
11:00. Sunset 16:21: Cloud 60%: Wind SW, F2/3: Visibility 30Nm: Temp 7°C: Gauge 9mm: Ground damp: The Plan, examine adjacent depressions. Picked up PMcG, parked at track junction, ITM 518713 x 703893, inaccessible for normal ground clearance motors. Headed to Hole 1, 0.5m deep among heather and mosses, (often deeper): no depression – all but level with the moor. Used a 0.6m nail bar to belay the ladder, pushed into soft, yielding peat, whilst PMcG climbed PC stood on the bar. PMcG descended the 2.5m deep hole, the previously witnessed, descending passage, to the southwest healed up, bog material sealing much of the stream route, the hole formed by collapse, the obvious water channel in the limestone eroded the heavy clay overburden. Here limestone is estimated as 2.5m below average moor level – photos taken, and new GPS locations recorded. Hole 2, a depression, 10 metres east-south-east, some 4 metres deep, by 15 metres diameter, two holes exist, one a developing collapse into the stream route below, the obvious opening some two metres deep, to limestone, and partially blocked water route, the unstable bog material would warrant cautious digging, the flow from here heading toward another large, as yet unchecked, depression, Hole 6? Struggled across to Hole 3, a stream course aligned toward Poulacapple Pot. Close to the track, wanted to reconcile an opening CC found around 2006/7. Hole 4 – a narrow depression/channel gave only inaccessible, vertical gaps, limestone here 7 metres below the moor. Some 8 metres from the southern end of Hole 5, another long depression – channel, PMcG found CC’s opening, a 0.6m high passage, some 0.250m wide, in limestone: caping may offer progress. Moved to Poulacapple Pot to assess the next task, spent half an hour reviewing methods to install the new pipework, and complete the upper shoring. Quite a cascade in the shaft: breathing would be an issue. A Grand Day Out.
Pat Cronin
Poulacapple Pot area map
Hole 1 viewed west
Chegs Hole
20th December LancasterHole / Wretched Rabbit / Cow Pot
Team Lancaster to Wretched Rabbit: Aaron & Jack
Team Cow to Lancaster: Matt, Andy, TC, Dave, Ade, James & Dave
Team Lancaster to Cow: Lukas & Paul
Aaron was keen to do a through trip with his friend Jack. He had said to meet at the hut at 09:00 or Bull Pot Farm at 09:40. In the event it was about 10:30 by the time we got there! Lukas & Andy had been waiting for us for quite a while.
The rest of the gang wanted an easier trip and planned a Cow Pow/Lancaster Hole exchange. Having never managed to get down Cow Pot, I was happy with this plan.
With the knowledge that Cow Pot is easier to descend than to ascend, most of the team opted for the Cow Pot to Lancaster Hole option. Leaving only Paul & Lukas to do the trip in the opposite direction.
Matt rigged the entrance pitch and we all went down, he then went straight over to the tight hole and dropped a rope down and disappeared after it.
I had a go at the hole with my SRT kit on, came out and had another go without my SRT kit, but I clearly was not in thin mode. The others managed to fit down the hole with various amounts of SRT kit removed. I put my SRT kit back on & headed out of the cave.
On the way back to Bull Pot Farm, I had a chat with someone who was hauling spoil out of Gale Garth, which sounds like an interesting short trip.
About an hour later the teams from Lancaster Hole & Cow Pot started to appear, just in time to exchange money for toys from Tony before heading back to the YSS.
Aaron Smith
Lancaster t Wretched Rabbit
The night before the expedition, Aaron and I made the trip down from Carlisle to the clubhouse at Helwith bridge. On the next morning, we set off from the clubhouse around 10:00 for Lancaster hole. I had no idea what to expect about the trip, but I felt confident because of the training Id had from Aaron and Paul previously. The descent down Lancaster hole was tough for me, but because of the help from Lukas, Paul and Aaron near the entrance to the hole, I got over the fear and made it down, despite some issues with the gear (dead battery in headlamp). At the bottom of Lancaster I set off, following Aaron. From Lancaster until Cow pot was mostly walking with a few short descents and free climbs. At Cow pot we met briefly with the other team who were abseiling down from the ceiling, before splitting off again. The route we were on was physically challenging. There were a few memorable landmarks like a nice collum, the multicoloured curtain stalagtite and the minarettes. The character of the cave changed a lot through the trip. There were wide open caverns, crawls and climbs. Throughout it all it wasnt too wet except Towards the end at wretched rabbit when the cave became more like a tight canyon. We followed the channel of water upwards into a tall underground ravine with some rope climbs and then surfaced through a drainage pipe to a nice pool in a stream. The trip took 4 hours in total.
Jack ?
21st December Poulnagollum
PMcG, PC
10:45. Sunset 16:23: Cloud 90%: Wind E, F2/3: Visibility 10Nm: Temp 6°C: Gauge 3mm: Ground wet: The Longest Night. The Plan, fun. Low water at the bridge. Small cascade from Upper Poulnagollum. Laddered main entrance, took the streamway to main junction, en-route PMcG tried out his swanky camera - using PC as a model to make the passage look even bigger. Initial idea of visiting the bottom of Poul Eilbhe abandoned due to taking too much time playing, and generally enjoying the place: memories arose the of 1985 trip - with Steve Milner, Mark Lumley and Mike McDonald, doing 11 kilometres of cave in 3 trips in 3 days. Headed to Branch Passage Galley pitch, and cascade: at main junction encountered far more flow issuing from Branch Passage than main stream - estimated four times the volume. Continued beyond Branch Passage Gallery pitch and cascade, inadvertent cold dip in the cascade pool. Just beyond the cascade ascended the climb, (first obstacle?), only to find, memory failed here: the far side needs a ladder to get down the vertical wall, also, unsure quite where high and low roads are. More pictures taken by both during exit. Fitness not quite as bad as suspected. Plan to visit the Silvermines over the Christmas period. A crackin’ trip in fine company, back at Carnaun, fed tea, buns and medals by the fair Pauline.
Pat Cronin
24th December Poulacapple Pot
PC
12:00. Sunset 16:24: Cloud 10%: Wind E, F2/3: Visibility 30Nm: Temp 5°C: Gauge 0mm: Ground wet: The Plan: attempt secure vertical stream pipe. PMcG in Dublin – FR unavailable. Backed up along the track to recent, decent stone surface - seventy metres from the depression. Carried in rope, harness etc. Stream volume significantly reduced, 5mm of rain over the previous 5 days, a clear view down the shaft still obscured. Used the Petzl rig to descend backed up by a hand jammer. A lot of phaffing about trying to maintain position and line up the horizontal and vertical joint, climbed back up several times for bits and pieces, and an offcut of scaffold to use as a desperate hammer, fixed pipework, secured from above with a rope, it requires two metres of ¾ Galv-band to permanently fix. Clear view to base of shaft, down iron stained walls, can see a rib of rock, estimated some three metres below the pipe installed along the rift to the northern series – don’t remember the rock, just a mud floor????? Too much to hope? Identified a fine location for anchors, offering a free hang – intend set two anchors ≈150mm apart, so can also accommodate a ladder. Some erosion noted to concrete block edges, unsure if from water or previous footfall. Whilst on the rope secured the lower ends of the scaffold shoring, these project 150mm above exist timber shoring. The tightness of the new shoring leaves little room to insert mesh between it and the timber shoring. Minor housekeeping to the lower areas of shoring required. However, for the moment all looks safe enough to descend and check the shaft bottom status. Brought back some old pieces of uPVC pipe, more crap to clear from the shaft top area. An awkward task, but shaft ready for descent.
Pat Cronin
Old wooden shoring with new steel support
Lower horing, shaft and secured pipework
25th December Poulacapple Pot - Cullaun II
PC
10:00. Sunset 16:25: Cloud 5%: Wind E, F3: Visibility >30Nm: Temp 1°C: Gauge 0mm: Ground frozen: The Plan, install anchors. Reached the track, where the forestry is being felled, lots of thick ice in the puddles. At the northern junction, a mile south of the dig, could not get any traction on the normal greasy stone surface, with additional ice covering. No decent coat to deal with the biting wind, so headed to Pool Chamber, Cullaun II, for some exercise.
Pat Cronin
27th December Poulacapple Pot
PC
13:00. Sunset 16:27: Cloud 10%: Wind E, F4/5: Visibility >30Nm: Temp +2°C - less the wind chill: Gauge 0mm: Ground firm: (believe could see Silvermine Mountain). No rain these past five days. The Plan, fit anchors. Waited until midday, for the hard frost to thaw. Bit of a circus handling tools, partly suspended in the shaft. Used the rope to centre, align, and avoid rub points, maintaining distance from the lower, concrete block shoring. The intended location to fit parallel anchors, to facilitate ‘C’ links on a ladder, was found too narrow in width - 140mm centres. Changed plan, set an anchor in this original location, East wall, 2 metres below the top of the shoring, the second anchor on the north wall, left of the stream pipe, this drops the rope centrally down the shaft using a medium length ‘Y’ hang. Requiring a spreader, a ladder will also avoid the lower shoring. These positionings require protecting the ‘loose’ boulder debris just above the concrete blocks - two stemples should sort this, backed with steel mesh and pvc board, the stemple providing a secure stance, rather than disturbing the boulders.
Pat Cronin
30th December Tony, ‘Popeye’, Boycott, interred with his parents
31st December Fraggle Rock
PC
10:00. Sunset 16:30: Cloud 100%: Wind SE, F2: Visibility 20Nm: Temp 6°C: Gauge 0mm: Ground damp. The Plan, Last trip of the year. PMcG called away urgently to Dublin. FR family commitments. No rain these nine days. Did not want to descend Poulacapple without PMcG sharing in the fun. With Popeye in mind, decided to visit Fraggle Rock - long time since visiting the place. Evidence of significant coastal erosion, the wide, elevated limestone bench in front of Lackglass Cave noticeably changed: many of the huge limestone chunks gone. Quite a collection of scattered cobbles and seaweed along Fraggle main passage, and into the ‘Loading Bay’, the stench of dead sea creatures overpowering. Surprized at the stream size in the low bedding leading to ‘Anvil Chamber’, and numerous cobbles washed in by the sea. Got a fine soaking. Struggled to get up to the ‘Freezer’, the penultimate squeeze well obstructed with debris, and the ever present long, chill, deep puddle. This winter’s storms may well put paid to accessing this distant, forlorn part of Fraggle Rock. Into McDermott’s for soup, tea and a warm up – presented with hot whiskey – to fend off the cold while waiting: nice, very welcome.
Pat Cronin