United Cavers Exploration Team

Cave and Mine Exploring => Trips and Events => Topic started by: evan john on May 01, 2011, 04:24 PM

Title: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: evan john on May 01, 2011, 04:24 PM
Proposed:

Trip: New Shaft

Trip type: Removal of lock as agreed with NWCC and replace. Potential through trip to Bog Mine also time permitting.

Meet time: 18.30

Meet point: Llanferres lay-by

Notes: The lock is not easy to get to so might be difficult to remove. We will need cutting gear and possibly mobile welding equipment. If the through trip in on you will need your SRT kit  - approx. 150ft abseil?

Dougie - have you any suitable gear  - you can drive right up to the lid in a van.
Mike - Does the club have a lock to put on or do we need to buy one?
Mike -  Can we also take some club ropes incase we need to rig it?
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Doug Thompson on May 01, 2011, 06:45 PM
[quote="evan" post=1140]Proposed:

Trip: New Shaft




Dougie - have you any suitable gear  - you can drive right up to the lid in a van.

Right, how about poping up there beforehand to check out what is required.:unsure:
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Tim Watts on May 01, 2011, 07:18 PM
I'll be there on Thursday.

Only get home on Wed night so could do a pre-mooch sometime on thursday if u fancy it Doug?

From what Mike said he remembers about it sounds like we need to cut an access hole in the top of the lid to allow access to the padlock as it located up and under some other steel meaning it can't be reached directly with bolt croppers etc.

I would think that a small grinder & genny (or maybe a petrol sthil saw?) and a pair of croppers might do the job. Then something to tack piece we cut out back into place. If its a hassle bringing mobile welding gear in, i've got some Belzona kicking about that could be used to 'glue' on a patch.

If you can make an early start doug, perhaps we could get the hatch opened a bit sooner in the day on thursday and leave more time for the descent later on? I'm free all day on Thursday if its any good to you?

If we're planning a through trip we should probably take a piece of rope in with us to repair the traverse line after we go down (what will be the first going in that direction) long ladder. Where the fall has come down on the rope.

Tim
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: mike leahy on May 01, 2011, 09:09 PM
spoke to marC today , he and mike kilowski had a good go at taking the lock off last wed night and almost got it off so he is thinking of going back there mon sometime to have another go at it, if that works out we could be on for the through trip on thurs . will keep you posted, if any one wonts to give marC a hand let him know
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Tim Watts on May 01, 2011, 09:16 PM
Brill! I'm excited already!

It it worth taking a drill to investigate (bolt) any of the unexplored on the way through?? And the bolt holding that long ladder i mentioned above looks like its a bit dodgy too.
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Doug Thompson on May 01, 2011, 10:34 PM
I am available anytime thurs if required, or could help monday, though not in the morning, let me know wat I can do.:unsure:
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Doug Thompson on May 03, 2011, 11:03 PM
The lock has now been changed on new shaft so the trip on thursday is possible.:woohoo:
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Tim Watts on May 04, 2011, 02:07 AM
Woop Woop! Well done Doug!

I'll be there!

I'll chuck 2x 50m ropes in the car. (NB: one is a skinny 'fast' rope so probably not best for the shaft - but do we want to explorer / temporary rig anything when down there? There were lots of tempting places to look at.



I've got hangers & bolts but nothing to drill with - mike??

Speaking of which, what are the anchors we've been using? are they Raumer Rainox
http://www.starlessriver.com/shop/rigging_and_bolting/raumer_rainox_anchor

Tony does them for £1.20 each.
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: mike leahy on May 04, 2011, 08:00 AM
[quote="timwatts" post=1180]
Speaking of which, what are the anchors we've been using? are they Raumer Rainox
http://www.starlessriver.com/shop/rigging_and_bolting/raumer_rainox_anchor

Tony does them for £1.20 each.[/quote] HOW MUCH ive got plenty of spits and petzl hangers
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Tim Watts on May 04, 2011, 01:46 PM
spits as in self drilling type? so where/how much do u get em from/for??

so are you gonna bring your drill so we can rig somewhere new?
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: mike leahy on May 04, 2011, 05:33 PM
[quote="timwatts" post=1187]spits as in self drilling type? so where/how much do u get em from/for?? bought a box of 100 for a ten pound note a couple of years ago

so are you gonna bring your drill so we can rig somewhere new?[/quote]
might do depends if you ask me nicely:whistle: :whistle: :whistle:
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Claire Brimson on May 05, 2011, 05:27 PM
as your coming out (bog way from going down new shaft), about ladder 2 or 3, there is a small hole going down to the left of the ladder as you're about to go up it.  When I was there, I heard running water, I was on the way down to it but got ousted back (ggrrrr with BIG huge frowns!!!). When asked where it went, was told no-one had been down it so he didnt know.  Please check it out!  You may need a tad of rope as there seemed to be a smallish drop, a body anchor would be ok for it.  Have fun guys :):
Title: Re: Trip Thurs 5th May
Post by: Tim Watts on May 05, 2011, 06:22 PM
cheers claire - pretty sure 'someones' been down - we'll have a look tonight - along with - hopefully - lots of other new places :-)

By the way, fantastic photos you've recently been posting :-)