Waterfall Hole
This drains to SMMC, so definitely worth a look....
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- Written by: Fabian Ehlers
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“Who is this stranger… It’s been bloody ages since I’ve last seen you” exclaimed Chris as I entered his car to meet the crew for pre-session drinks.
“Thanks mate… Been busy, with like work and family stuff”… but it has been ages, hasn’t it? Little Waterfall Swallet was the last project I’ve helped out on. Since then, I kind of fizzled into the background risking the humiliating removal of your rights to call yourself a member of Team Awesome!
Having followed the reports over the last few months I knew that tonight would be a very special night and it was only right to be part of this and grab some glory.
After a little catch up we got dressed and headed to the entrance, only Rob sporting a wetsuit this time round as he was aiming to cap away from the far sump side whilst Chris and I would stay on the dry side.
This being my first time into Waterfall Hole I wasn’t sure what to expect, the entrance is something which was never discussed, but the low flat our crawl was actually quiet cool… Completely smooth and easy to manoeuvre through. Within less than a minute we reached the junction where the wet meets the dry and Rob didn’t bother hanging around before going headfirst into the sump, as soon as his face touched the water, he realised this was a stupid idea. But Rob being Rob, he went off and it was rather eerie hearing him literally 5m away through the rock.
Chris and I focused on the dry side and started capping our way towards the anticipated right tun whilst Rob and Jon came the other direction.
One thing I realised that Rob’s earmuffs attached to his helmet although looking absolutely manic would have actually come in very handy. Capping microwave sized boulders inches from your head with no ear protection adds another level of awesomeness… or stupidity?
A little bit of stuck capping rods, change of drills and especially replacing the little toy hammer Jon used on his side with a proper piece of metal to finally allow him to join the club of cappers.
Whilst Chris was at the dig face and me supporting at the rear by stacking broken boulders into every possible gap to ensure we have an easy access/egress, I frequently looked down into the sump pool and was toying with the idea of just going for a push through and meet the other guys to say Hi.
But then I heard Rob shout “Are you coming through then?”, wait what? They’ve done it?
I quickly abandoned the idea of going for a drunk and raced towards the dig face only to see Chris’s legs peeking around the corner and the rest of his body being contorted into some weird exorcist pose in order to make the dogleg bend. A few kicks against the wall and he managed to get himself to the other side. Cheering was heard echoing through the cave as if England has just won the World Cup (you wish!).
Shortly after I was beckoned through the section to join the team, on your left, bend yourself in half, kick the wall and push like a madman. And you are through! Entering the slightly bigger chamber I was impressed at how quickly the rocks changed from what I’ve seen so far, this area was very clean washed, a lot of water must go through here.
And then I felt it… this feeling of euphoria, that you’ve been part of achieving something amazing. Not everyone may appreciate the impact this has on further explorations in this cave by achieving a dry route and bypassing the sump. Now digs can happen every week despite the sump being closed.
That feeling of being a selfish glory grabbing wanker… Especially when you turn up on breakthrough night, can’t get any better than that!
I was quickly shown the way on into the deeper cave whilst the rest were packing up and started to head out. I followed through the amazing new dry section (having completely forgot the idea of the sump) and we exited into a lovely white coating of snow making this an extra special night.
Post-beers were enjoyed at the pub by the team, but I instead opted to make the long journey home, grinning to myself of what I have been part of… whilst still hearing the ringing in my ears and the smell of gun powder from the caps…
I shall update you on the next breakthrough in this cave when some glory is to be grabbed.
Fabian
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- Written by: Jon Pemberton
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Just Chris and I this week for some more rock removal fun! It had pissed it down with rain up until the event which left us cowering in the van until the very last second!
After a hasty pre beer we donned oversuits and walked down into the shake hole. The water was backed up as expected. As long as it wasn't flowing into the entrance, we would be ok.
Chris sorted gear above WW's whilst I took a look at the end and removed the rocks from the previous week. Chris made for the first shift, working at the face for about an hour before I took over. I started by removing a constriction slightly further back in the crawl to make dragging a bit easier. By this point the capping bar had zero extensions and the whole procedure was getting a little scary as I was becoming more and more deaf! After some time, I made work on the face and could visibly see the connection to the otherside.
Chris had another quick go but my little kitten arms had just about given up the goose with all the smashing, so we retreated to the Mechanics for posties after a quick swim under the waterfall.
Note to team: there may be a few larger rocks in WW's. (Thanks Chris!)
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- Written by: Chris Hibberts
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Team: Chris H & Rob E
Driving to pick up Rob the snow on the A515 was making me glad I’d had the foresight to don my furry suit before I’d set out, saving the uncomfortable change at the Waterfall car park. I had mentioned earlier in the week about putting a ladder in just in case the sump was open, in my rush leaving I had totally forgotten to pick it up. Anyway, with the rain we’d had I was sure that Ward Wins Crawl would be sumped.
Rob collected we head to the carpark, and the snow had now stopped, still, I was glad I didn’t have to strip off to get my furry on and used the time to sort out the drill and batteries we also had Rob’s butter knife (longest crowbar in Derbyshire) to aid in tickling around. On the way down to the hole I decided to wager a pint on the sump being up, not sure whether Rob took the bet or not. Through the entrance crawl (hopefully only once this week) Rob reached the top of Ward Wins and I heard him shout up that the sump was open. I laughed thinking he was just after a free pint but no, it was open. It really is such a strange sump.
With no ladder our only option was to continue with the bypass but with the sump open it was a great opportunity to see if we could get some kind of voice connection on the other side. I set off with the drill to the dig face and Rob went through Ward wins. After a couple of minutes I was at the dig face and was sure I could hear Rob rustling around so gave him a shout sure enough we could hear each other however Rob though he could just hear me through the Sump. I wasn’t convinced as my body was blocking the way back to the sump and could clearly hear Rob from both the small right hand rift and less so in front.
After a bit of drilling and a bit more shouting Rob had figured out that there was a small tube/crack directly above the sump which must have connected to the small rift on my right but also a slightly larger crack on the same wall further up that gave connection to my straight ahead rift. We switched places and both confirmed the 2 different connections.
It was now obvious that we had a really feasible bypass and that capping could be done from both sides so with the sump being open, and only one set of gear, we opted to dig the other side and see how far we could get. Rob collected the capping gear and brought it all through and within a matter of minutes we were off. We started by taking off a large flake to make more room in the small rift which was obliterated with one lot of caps. Then after a mixture of capping the side walls, chiselling off flakes, prying out boulders and removing spoil the crack seemed to open a little more up ahead.
Chris putting in the first cap of many
Great success!
There was a large flake on the left had wall that if removed would give access into the more open rift but it would have been more advisable to remove some more of the left had wall to get it out. It got the better of me and Rob’s glory grabbing traits were rubbing off. So I capped it and yes as suspected it flew forward and blocked the way on. At this point I thought it was a good idea to swap with Rob and advised that some of the left had side needed taking out to get the huge flake out. Cheers Rob.
With the way on clear and with a bit more space created it was now possible to get in another body length. With time ticking on we thought it would be a good idea for one of us to head back round and see how good the voice connection was, so back through Ward Wins I went. Reaching the other side I could clearly hear Rob straight on not only that I was sure I could see his light. I switch my lamp off and a couple of seconds later, through the small rift, I could see Rob had taken his helmet off, put it on the ground and could now clearly see his light. There was around 1.5 - 2m between where we stopped capping and Robs light.
Both excited now knowing we were heading in the right direction and the previous trips were all worthwhile we couldn't wait to get back to the pub to tell the others who were there for the monthly meet.
In the pub and suitably refreshed, we discussed the previous weeks guess on where the bypass would come out and both Mark and Jon P were wrong, here’s a little diagram to set things straight…
WWC By-pass Predictions - Chris H
We reckon with a team on both sides (provided the sump is open) a few more trips should see the by-pass complete which guarantees access and allows the other projects in Waterfall Swallet to commence.
We’ll keep you posted over the next few weeks.
The dig after one session, great progress!
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- Written by: Ben Shannon and Chris Hibberts
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Bring Warm Socks; Bloody Wet Squeeze; Battered, Wet, Satisfied; Beers With Stories.
I had not been to BWS before, so I was excited to hear a torrent of a waterfall raging not too far away as I donned my furry. “Chris I bought some ear plugs. Reckon I’ll need them?” I asked as I prepped for my first ever capping trip.
I have wanted to blow some rocks up for a long time and this trip really got me excited. “you can wear them but you probably wont need them. Be reyt mate” came the reply.
We treaded carefully down the muddy slope, the waterfall getting louder and louder. We have had a lot of rain recently and the pool was full. To nights plan was to try and make progress on the bypass for the sump.
I stepped over the log, and got on my stomach and watch Chris slide off into the distance. Pushing the heavy bag I followed in to a low flat out crawl, head to the side as I couldn’t lift it up it was that low. I love these types of crawls. Arms over head I pushed the bag around a corner and then found a groove in the floor to gain more room. (By more room I mean that I could turn my head) I could see Chris’ light facing me and suddenly this heavy bag was pulled out of my way and I popped up into a small chamber with a pool at the bottom.
Chris climbed down into the pool. “yep its sumped still” I had a look at the way on and yep, no air space at all. We climbed back up for Chris to point out a small passage high up.
“This is the route to get over the top of the sump we reckon. Go and have a look”
*Chris in the passage at the dig face
F*$king B*%tard Rock!
I clambered over the worlds most awkward rock, then had to lie on my left hand side with my bottom arm extended overhead. I posted myself into the vertical slot that ran a few metres forwards. My light showed that it curved to the right, and I could just about get then but it was tight.
Returning was a strange sequence of thrutches. Why cant I get out of this? I wondered, unable to move my head fully, then I realised that stupid boulder had pinned my ankle. Eventually I freed myself and returned to Chris.
“Reyt Ben” Chris said as he was laying out the drill and various bars and hammers. I got the low down on capping and was allowed to have a go. First job, make that stupid boulder smaller.
I drilled a long hole, carefully placed 2 caps in and like a gentleman, I used my rod to ease the caps into gently down to the end. Wrapped the tackle sack around the rod and started the gentle tappity tap until I felt some resistance. Looked at Chris and got the nod of approval. Safety squints engaged I gave the bar a hard blow and “BANG!”
I removed the tackle sack to see a very satisfying pile of rocks. I had taken the annoying boulder down by a third. Another go capping and some chiselling got it to a point where it was easy to get over and bring the equipment with us.
The Team Awesome playlist filled the chamber as Chris set to widening the corner of the passage. A few more bangs later and I was starting to think I should have put my ear plugs in as they were ringing away.
I slid in to have a go on the right hand side. This was harder because I was lying flat out with both arms over head. I drilled my hole, but it was laboured. Maybe the battery is on its way out. It was taking some time. Chris passed me a new battery, I swapped out but it wasn’t much better. Maybe he forgot to charge them the silly sausage.
I reached forwards to poke my caps in. felt around on the floor without being able to see properly for my bar and then got to the ol’ pokey pokey, gently gently. Wrapped the bag as best as I could around the bar.
Now, swinging a lump hammer with your left arm overhead when you are on your left hand side, with not much room to bring it back for a full attack is surprising taxing. I was working hard hitting the bar as hard as I could to no avail. I was advised to use the T bar to rotate the rod to put the firing pins in a better position. Another swing, nothing. I was started to get annoyed now, I had taken my safety squints off and wasn’t even holding the bar properly as I swung pathetically as this rod. “BANG” came an almighty boom as the rod shot back towards me. Safe to say neither of us was expecting it and made us jump. I removed the bag however to see the most beautiful sight. I had taken a large chunk off the right hand side wall, so I collected my spoils to pass to Chris for stacking.
Not wanting to hog all of the fun, I let Chris do the next bit. Man that drill sounds shit. “pass us the other battery” came the call, I grabbed the third and final battery. Shortly later.....silence.
“Drills fucked”
I sat there feeling quite sad, we had only been underground 30 mins or so and it was already over. Chris also looked pissed off, but then, like a cartoon I saw a lightbulb go off in his brain. “Eavies has a drill”
*New drill = Happy Ben
One small cap for man, One giant bang for mankind
Exactly 30 mins later we had a fresh drill and were ploughing on. Chris cleared the left hand wall and so now, with both left and right widened you could comfortably turnaround the corner and see straight ahead.
There were two large boulders in front and one in the floor in some kind of cross rift. We could see roots in the ceiling ahead so we knew we were near the surface, but couldn’t workout if the draft was surface draft, or from below as the route on seems to head in front and down.
Chris unofficially called this passage litter picker passage as we were finding old glass bottles, old tins that had been washed through the boulder choke.
I spent some time blowing up more rocks ahead and really enjoying myself as we made progress. But I still kept getting caught on that bloody boulder on the way out each time. As Chris was working I tried to sit near to pass the caps, but once again my brain wouldn’t shut up about this rock. If only it wasn’t here!! I retreated back past the needs more lube stone to carefully place our glass bottles and trapped my over confident probe.
I had had enough so I chiselled away, making small progress. Time eventually told us that Jon would be at the pub and we should call it a night, although I could have happily stayed working away until we ran out of caps.
Chris was about to pack everything away when I asked if I could do one more bang. I drilled deep into the heart of this nutcracker of a rock. This time I had ample room to swing a hammer and my goodness did I swing it. One final bang occurred, that sweet smell filled the chamber and I pulled the bag away like a formula one team revealing their new car for the season. It had been blown into smithereens. We moved the rock and stacked it up to find we now had a nice space to sit in.
*The end of the Dig currently, a small crossrift
I headed out first along the flat out crawl. I could hear alot of grunting or noise from behind as Chris struggled with the heavy bag, I got to the turn and span around so that I could reach through and pull it out.
We retreated from the cave happy and content, ready for a well-earned cider.
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- Written by: Rob Eavis
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My first caving trip of the year due to working away, and probably last one for a few weeks, so i was keen to progress with my main project at the moment. With being sumped out the last two attempts i was very sad for it to rain for 48 solid before the trip. I nipped over in the afternoon in my civi’s and confirmed the entrance was sumped. Big sad.
However Chris was super keen to go digging anyways so we hatched a plan to start digging a sump bypass. If successful it could mean unlimited access to BWS which would be positive for my mental health.
Pre-beers in the car were great but listening to the rain made us think Jim probs had the best idea to not bother. However we bucked up and headed into the cave. There's a flatout entrance crawl, only about 10m long, which soon drops a couple metres into Ward Wins Crawl, which is the currently sumped gate. However straight on the passage continues, to the left totally flatout and too low after only a few metres, but to the right the passage has a good trench and allows for a couple body lengths of a small, enthusiastic explorer. This is our target, and seemingly quite exciting tonight with a good strong draught coming out. There is also lots of flood debris pushed into the crack at the end suggesting that it take quite a flow in big flood.
I head in first while Chris sets up a nice base camp ready to pass me gear. My first cap was poorly placed and the mat got stuck on a protrusion. Thankfully Chris had a second capping set so i could cap the protrusion off allowing the first cap to then fire successfully. Lucky! I passed the spare set back to him and he was able to have a blast at an annoying boulder behind me making it much more comfortable for me to dig ahead. The next cap I did was surprisingly powerful and had a different scent, possibly of camomile and vanilla, at which point Chris owned up to passing me his extra sparky caps instead of mine. They are certainly better, if not a lot scary. A few more caps ahead and we swapped.
The base camp is indeed very comfortable. It is precariously perched directly above the sump but there’s plenty of ledges and even a vintage tractor style seat to perch on. Chris made light work of the road ahead, widening the trench to a comfortable crawl. It’s probably 1.5m now to the far end, which will probably be reached in a couple trips. TBH it doesn’t look really exciting, but until we get there and pull out the flood debris it’s impossible to say. We were still quite keen to dig but the pub was calling, more specifically the agreed time to meet Jon and Jim, so we headed out. It was a really good little social too, glad the guys came to join us.
