Team Frolics 26/04/12

[Ali Wiseman]

[quote="TimWatts" post=6232]yer, but the point is, to remotely power and control the pump from outside. ok, so a pack could be taken in and a smaller sized cable used as a switching wire via a relay. but even lipo's don't sit well holding charged state for prolonged periods.... I.e. months on end. Also, cable has dual use as coms in case of rescue etc. the existing cable that was put in for coms  is not in a great condition...... I.e. lots and lots of breaks.[/quote]

I didn't realise there was a cable in-situ already. 1KM of cable, 12v 1A load, and 2 core for Comms? Will Co-axial type cable do?

I *may* be able to do something about that for not much money... let me have an ask.

[Frank Hill]

[quote="TimWatts" post=6235][quote="JohnNicholson" post=6225]Do you need SRT to get to the canals?  I do have a wet suit but don't mind getting wet in normal old clothes.[/quote]

john, no. theres an initial electon ladder at the entrance, then a knotted rope to decend, then a rather dodgy rope assisted free climb, but we can fit a ladder here prior to u getting there to make this easier. All of these will be lifelined on this trip so a harness or belt would be.an advantage.[/quote]

Tim regarding dodgy rope, does this mean the rope is crap, I've got some here if you want to swap it? I can meet you in the car park before you set off

[Ian A]

The rope is fine for climbing - it's dodgy because it is a freeclimb which requires good stamina.

There are several tourist trips that do not require an ascent up that rope in any event. Having got down the ladder it is possible to fester in different parts of the cave without any additional SRT or canal dipping. There is, however, another short knotted roper descent/ascent which is easy enough.

John ... the reason I say it is shitty is because you will get wet and cacked up almost immediately when you go in and you will be cold. If you avoid further wet and cack inside (which is hard) you get it again on your way out and it is unavoidable. The cave itself is very impressive.

I will, however, be elsewhere in the country on Thursday evening and regret I will miss the excitement

Ian

[Joel Colk]

[quote="Ian" post=6240]

I will, however, be elsewhere in the country on Thursday evening and regret I will miss the excitement

Ian[/quote]

Are you really going elsewhere in the country to avoid going down OHA? :lol:

[Ian A]

Yes and Yes  :silly:

[Tim Watts]

no, the existing cable is bell wire - not for current carrying. just for emergency coms. But its well ripped apart after many years of being crawled all over.

i was considering options for a remotely triggered system to pull a vacume on the siphon tube in sump one - its a hell of a trip to get to it to use a manual pump to start the siphon (as we do now) and then back out again, wait a few days for the siphon to empty the sump and then back in again to get through the (now dry) sump.

[Frank Hill]

How much is OHA affected by the river? At the moment the Alyn is absolutely tanking water down probably not relenting for a couple of days looking at the forecast.

For those interested

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34681.aspx?area=101FWFWN212

[Joel Colk]

Quick answer: it's not. Al least not untill well after the canals. And even then, I'm not sure if it is.

[Tim Watts]

not true joel. its filled right to the entrance in the past. i'll nip down and check it later though. think it'll be fine.

[Joel Colk]

I thought that it either floods or it doesn't. Water levels are not affected down there when the cave is not in flood? In other words, there is no variable water level such as there is in the milwr tunnel?

Maybe I've never been down in wet times then

Edit: out of interest, in the past when it has been in flood, does the river overflow and enter the system via the lid, or does it enter via a sinkhole lower down in the system?

[Tom Howard]

May I join you on this one? Sounds a good trip from what i hear.

I've only ever seen the river in dry conditions so it'll be good to see it in its current condition too

TLH.

[Joel Colk]

Tom. It's by far the best system in the area

Ask Ian. :p

[Tom Howard]

I've read through everybody's comments and yes, it sounds it. OHA is one i'd like to do as is poachers (didnt get down to the watery bits..)


TLH

[Ian A]

Tom - yes you are always welcome to come along

Joel - I have never seen it flood "in" by the entrance. I don't know the source of the water inside but it has flooded in (from somewhere) up to the first short rope descent after the long crawl.

Additionally, the long crawl receives water through the rock above and when the ground oustide is saturated (and I believe it is) then the crawl takes on water and makes the trek along it awful. It can also result in a duck half way along.

If the weather stays wet I would except an extremely wet and muddy crawl.

Can't say I'll miss the old girl when I am away tommorrow evening

Ian

[VickiCampbell]

In Manchester... Actually gutted
OHA is awesome. Have fun everyone xxx