Wessex Weekend

[Tim Watts]

Full details to follow, but the Wessex are due to visit for the entire jubilee weekend,  friday 1st june through to tuesday 5th.

What this means? beer, camping, fun, and maybe even some trips underground.

More info will no doubt appear as plans are finalised.

Sent from my Galaxy S II via Tapatalk 2

[John Nicholson]

Does 'Wessex' mean Mendip?
And 'beer' mean Wadworths?

[mike leahy]

[quote="JohnNicholson" post=6466]Does 'Wessex' mean Mendip?
And 'beer' mean Wadworths?[/quote]

yes wessex does mean mendips
but beer = buttcomb or potholers

[Claire Brimson]

who's coming up from the Wessex??  Do you know??

[John Nicholson]

I would like to come with Bella if it works out with her half term.  We are not SRT proficient, but can manage electron ladders - if necessary with a belay if there are problems.  

Are there suitable caves in Mendip for non SRT cavers?

I don't want to inhibit others from doing some really dangerous trips.  We can always visit the pay caves at Cheddar, or see Glastonbury for an afternoon.

[mike leahy]

[quote="JohnNicholson" post=6471]I would like to come with Bella if it works out with her half term.  We are not SRT proficient, but can manage electron ladders - if necessary with a belay if there are problems.  

Are there suitable caves in Mendip for non SRT cavers?

I don't want to inhibit others from doing some really dangerous trips.  We can always visit the pay caves at Cheddar, or see Glastonbury for an afternoon.[/quote]

 get a grip john THEY ARE COMING TOO US. :S :S :S :S :S

[John Nicholson]

OH - Sorry!
What a blunder!
I understand now!

Thinking too much of Wadworths ...

[Claire Brimson]

Hei John

Yep, there are plenty of caves that are suitable for non-srt.  Not a problem, only if you are with me, then expect crawling and squeezing and well...... :lol: I teach it down there so know them well.

[John Nicholson]

Hello Claire,
Thanks for your reply.  Apologies for my misreading Tim's first message, and getting the plot all wrong!  

I used to live in Bristol long before Bella was thought of, but I have not explored the caves there.  Bella loves wriggly caves and does not mind getting wet.  But she is not ready for SRT stuff yet.  It will be great to meet you up here in a few weeks time.

[Tim Watts]

Not spoken to Les for over a week now - and its fast approaching - anyone heard any updates?

[Tim Watts]

As I understand it theres is an intention to open up the sumps in OHA for a trip to the far reaches.

As such I suspect that a couple of us will need to nip down to the sumps on Thursday night to set the siphon going. I'm due to land back in Manchester on thursday afternoon so should be ok for it.

I'll be around all weekend EXCEPT for Sunday when I'm playing a gig with the band in the afternoon & evening.

I may even camp over one night but might have to play that by ear a bit.

[Les Williams]

Hi Tim
There is intrest on doing Hesp Alyn to the bitter end (is neoprene advised?)
Your offer to siphon the sumps in advance is most welcome, many thanks...
Not sure what else though, it may be nice to take in a mine or two and perhaps a slate cavern...
I think a trip or two in the Alyn valley (Poachers, Hesp Alyn, Nadolig) may be in order and perhaps Rhyd Alyn as well.
Not sure about Minera this year but it's a possible...

Les

[Tim Watts]

well assuming i'm back into manchester on time on Thursday afternoon, i'll nip down and start the siphon. If not then I could go on Friday morning although that might have to be solo.

Neoprene - i'd say advised but not essential. You'll definitely get wet - but only in short bursts. Its likely however that there will be a wet stop of about 30mins waiting for the second sump to drain and you will get damn cold pretty quickly. You will be covered in wet mud for much of the time so little chance of ever getting properly dry for any length of time.

Other thing is to travel as light as possible - its that kinda trip where in some parts a bag becomes a massive pain in the butt.

Personally i'll be in caving wetsuit, full srt from that start (some opt to kit up just prior to the first pitch) and as small a bag as i can manage with some food and a limited amount of drink. There is a small trickle of water that i've drunk from about 1/3rd of the way in and also water from the alyn at the waterfall at the far end - I've drunk from both and not died (yet!).

A good food stop would be while waiting for the second sump to empty - and i think i left my bag here last time and pushed on without it.

Its a hard but very very rewarding (once out!) trip in my opinion. I love it!

Could I suggest that OHA be a Monday Trip? Friday it might not have drained, Saturday is not the best day for me for an all day outing (have other stuff to cram into the first weekend i'm home, I can't manage Sunday at all as i'm playing a gig with my band, - Monday is by far the best day for me.

Poachers and Nadolig could be done in one day quite nicely - maybe Friday if you are getting their earlyish? You can even turn poachers lower section into a mini round trip with an abseil into the lower series, then up the helter skelter, to the big boss and then back out again.

Rhyd Alyn would be nice as an all dayer - Nip into HDL to the far dig, then back a short way and down to the 'tunnel'. I've emailed Dewi today to get him to confirm the state of the collapse en-route to the 'tunnel'.... Pretty sure its clear now but without having seen it with my own eyes i thought i'd better check. - Mike and I are both keyholders/leaders.

So a suggestion would be:

Friday: Nadolig then Poachers (1 Electon for entrance + short <20m? rope optional)

Saturday: Rhyd Alyn - HDL and look in the 'tunnel' - or if you wanted a full push t the 'tunnel' i'd scrub the HDL leg coz getting to the good bits and back again would be enough for most people on its own

Sunday: something else - perhaps the Bog mine - or maybe the Bog mine through trip which i think is a cracking trip if you've not done it before?? - possibly an easyish/rest day?

Monday: OHA to the far end and back. I'd definitely like to do this one with you :-)

I'm free on Tuesday but i assume you'll be leaving in the afternoon???

My personal Availability:
Thursday night to siphon OHA (assuming flight are on time)
Friday - possibly not ALL day but for at least part of it
Saturday - as Friday really - could do a short/part day
Sunday - not at all :-(
Monday - All Day
Tuesday - All Day

Most importantly I WILL be at the Glan as many eves as possible and will probably camp over at least once!

[Les Williams]

Sounds a bit like a plan, it is good to keep it fluid though.
Not sure what time Friday but certainly in time for the pub...
I will probably be leaving Tuesday afternoon/evening, but may stay until Wendesday if I get a good offer...
One thought is perhaps to visit Cefn-y-gist at Minera, I still haven't done it yet...
I don't think I will bother NWCC about a winch this year as most people visited last time, NWCC need a break, it is clearly a lot of work for not much reward.
Bog Mine sounds like fun, also I have a further appointment with Moel Fferna...

Les

[Les Williams]

I just read the description of Wirral Caving Group's trip there last year :unsure:
http://www.wirralcavinggroup.org.uk/trips/cefnygist.html

Perhaps I won't go there, yet again... :whistle: