MENDIP WEEKEND
By Keith Mason
Not a very big turnout again for this years Mendip Weekend, shame really as those that did not go missed a brilliant weekend in the company of Bean and Co. After a steady and uneventful drive down on the Friday night…….not a single wheelie bin in sight, we arrived at the Hunters at around 10.15 ish and were promptly treated to a pint of their finest, courtesy of Bean. Now as the Hunters is not like the Helwith Bridge……they close at a more sensible hour (well depends on your opinion of sensible) but this meant we were in bed three pints later at about 12ish, having already planned for an early start on Saturday.
After a cup of tea at the Wessex it was off to the café at Shipham for a very nice breakfast, before driving back towards the Wessex to park up for our first cave of the day. Once changed we set of on a walk…..well not a walk like BU56, but a walk none the less. Soon we were stood at the entrance to Charterhouse Cave and after Mark had unlocked the door the four of us were off on our way, although only about 1hr15 for the trip it was very good with lots of variety e.g. tight crawls, big chambers and some pretties to boot!!!!! Once back on the surface we walked over to what was going to be our second cave of the day which was GB.
As we set off into the entrance series Bean took Stu and me via the Devils Elbow, whilst Mark did the alternative route to wait for us at the other end of the Devils Elbow. Once through this section, which was no more than a wetish thrutchy crawl, we found ourselves at the end of the passage, which was about 10 feet off the floor. The way on being a leap onto a large boulder 3or 4 feet away…..this had a red spot on it, not sure if this was the target to aim for or blood from a previous leapee!!!! Anyway leap of faith out the way; we carried on through the system which was very impressive, until we arrived at the ladder dig series, which had already been rigged by Simon.
Once up this it was a sporting section of passage including some tight bits and a duck, this then took us into Great Chamber and Bat Passage, with the later being very well decorated and well worth the effort to get there. All that remained then was to make our way back to the surface, bypassing the Devils Elbow on the way and then a short walk back to the car. Once changed it was back to the Wessex for afternoon tea and biscuits (very civilised this Mendip Caving) before setting off for our next two caves of the day, this involved a drive over to the disused Fairy Quarry where again once parked up and changed, we made our way over to Shatter Cave.
Once through the entrance pipe it was an easy going section that took us to some remarkable formations and pretties, it felt really strange seeing so much pretty stuff in such a short space without having to put in the effort of a hard trip. Next stop, back out and walk over to our last cave of the day Withyhill, although in the same quarry, once through the entrance pipe it was like being in a different area as the nature of the cave was so different to Shatter.Again lots of varied going, but well worth it just to get to the end and see Green Lake, after that all that was left was to make our exit, back to the cars, change and back for more tea and biscuits.
Then it was off for a steady walk down to the Hunters for some well earned grub and several beers, can’t say the walk back was as steady but we did pop in to the BEC hut for a look….hang on a minute, Wessex, YSS, BEC mmm! Not sure but does this not create a © issue. Whatever, who gives a s**t anyway, as we left we did leave one thing behind in the BEC hut though and that was Stu, when he finally left though he could not find his way home and spent most the night asleep in a ditch until rain woke him and he eventually found his pit after spending even more time walking around Priddy.Sunday morning was much the same as Saturday as in a quick drive over to Shipham for brekkie then back to the Wessex to get changed before walking over to do Eastwater Swallet, went in via the Woggle Press route and went down to the streamway, before making our way out via the thirteen pots route, once out it was back to the hut for a shower, change and more tea and biscuits before making the return drive home…. Wot no wheelie bins!!!!!
All things considered a brilliant weekend, and thanks to Bean, Mark and Simon for looking after us again. Cheers Boys!| < Prev | Next > |
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