Mendips 17-19th August.

[Tim Watts]

Mendip 2012.

Going Friday night.......returning Sunday night.

My understanding at present is that there will NOT be any SRT. Thinki poachers and OHA with less mud

Team bus to seat 9 - first come first serve.

More details will follow so keep an eye on here.....

It would be nice to get on the road by about 6pm depending how early people can finish work. Bearing in mind we'll be heading towards wrexham, no sensible pickups are springing to mind along the route.

I've got space for about 5 or 6 cars at my house - or people could get dropped off/share lifts? Bank on it being a 4 hour road trip.

I'll be bringing the trailer (i think!) so plenty of space for gear.

Therefore as a rough plan:

Pickup 1) My House @ 18:00 on Friday 13th July. CH7 5EL
here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ch7+5el&hl=en&ll=53.171454,-3.208941&spn=0.001336,0.003484&sll=52.516221,-0.560303&sspn=5.556818,14.27124&t=h&hnear=Pantymwyn+CH7+5EL,+United+Kingdom&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.171337,-3.208871&panoid=14PtzYIXvIHXQ1ji4rxVkg&cbp=12,27.52,,0,0.76

1) Tim Watts
2) Boydy
3) Joel ??
4) Vikki-socks ??
5) Guy
6) Deano


Others who are meeting us there:

Les

Personal Equipment:

- Les recons Furry and oversuit is the best type of gear for these - lets say 'damp' rather than wet. Wetsuits'll be too hot.

- Sleeping bag

- SRT Kit if you want but we're not planning on doing any!

Team Equipment:

Can be finetuned nearer the time.

Tim:
1 x 50m Ropes, which we should need.
2 x electon ladders
few odd slings and biners.

[mike leahy]

i'm up for that . any date should be ok with me

[mike leahy]

what our the chances of doing otter hole whilst we are down that neck of the woods or forrest :lol: :lol:  if you know what i mean

[Claire Brimson]

[quote="mike leahy" post=5918]what our the chances of doing otter hole whilst we are down that neck of the woods or forrest :lol: :lol:  if you know what i mean[/quote]

Otter Hole

Access
The access for caving trips into Otter Hole is managed by the Royal Forest of Dean Caving Club on behalf of the landowner. The access agreement requires all visiting groups to be accompanied by a warden. This is due to the unusual effects of the tide and the local weather on the tidal sump in the cave and also as a measure to protect the formations. All people entering the cave must have public liability insurance.

Trips for 3-5 people can be arranged by contacting the Otter Hole Secretary (see contact details below)


General Information
Grid reference: ST 5258 9615

Trips are usually restricted to one group at each time in order to avoid delays in the constricted entrance series and to protect the formations. A minimum of 3, maximum of 5 people per group is allowed (excluding the guide) There are 2 types of trip, an overtide trip, or a shorter between tide trip.

With an overtide trip, the sump is passed just as it is closing, allowing approximately 9-15 hours of caving before the sump opens. Nine hours usually allows the average group to get to the end of the cave and back.

A between tide trip passes the sump as it opens, and the group has approximately 6 hours before it closes again. Missing this deadline will result in waiting another 6 hours before an exit can be made. The average group will get to see the formations in the Hall of the Thirty, and maybe a little further. It is not usually possible to get to the end and back in this time.

As a very rough guide the trip times from the carpark and back are about 8 hours for a between tide, and 12 hours for an overtide trip.

Visitors should not underestimate the trip, although there is nothing particularly difficult in the cave, it is fairly arduous and sustained. Come prepared with water, food, and a balaclava.

Groups may be asked to contribute to the conservation work in the cave in some way: cleaning formations, laying tape or removing rubbish, etc. If you do wish to help in this way, your assistance is greatly appreciated!

Otter Hole can only be safely accessed during the summer months when the river levels are at their lowest. During the summer months high rainfall, high winds and the tidal range will also affect access. High surface water levels cause the tidal sump to become unpredictable. To minimise the chances of groups getting stranded on the far side of the sump, trips may have to be cancelled at short notice. If this is the case we will try to re-arrange a trip in the same season, but please bear in mind that this may not always be possible.


Booking The Trip
A Warden's meeting is held before the first trips in the season in order to discuss conservation matters and allocate wardens for the forthcoming trips. Bookings should ideally be made before this meeting (usually held in March) to assist the planning of trips for the year. Please note that all the wardens are volunteers. We will try to accomodate trips at shorter notice but please try to book your trip at least 3 months in advance.

The Booking Calendar 2012 shows the available trips for the coming season. Please choose your preferred date and type of trip from the list, and send your request to the booking secretary. Also try to give alternative dates if possible, to make it easier to allocate a guide. Don't forget to give a contact tel. no. If you have not received a reply to your request within 2 weeks (we have holidays occasionally !), please resend your email or contact the secretary by telephone or post.

Otter Hole Secretary:
67 Templeway West,
Lydney,
Gloucestershire GL15 5JD
Tel: 01594 840481

:whistle: :whistle:

[Paul Boyd]

Put my name down please Tim for the weekend and the venga bus...
Cheers :silly:  

[Tim Watts]

Me, mike and boydy up to now.

 ANYONE ELSE?? Come on speak up. Will be a brill weekend! See 1st post for details.



Sent from my Galaxy S II via Tapatalk 2

[mike leahy]

HELLO CALLING ALL CAVERS

[Claire Brimson]

[quote="mike leahy" post=7024]HELLO CALLING ALL CAVERS[/quote]

Cavers?? :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:   Nah mate, they dont exist on here by the looks of it!

At this rate, people will be camping! :ohmy:  In the rain....:unsure:

[Tim Watts]

i think there will be one or two more yet - i don't mind camping in any rate, but theres no way i'm sharing with that Leahy character again...not after last time :-O

[mike leahy]

[quote="TimWatts" post=7040]i think there will be one or two more yet - i don't mind camping in any rate, but theres no way i'm sharing with that Leahy character again...not after last time :-O[/quote]

WHAT GOES ON IN THE TENT STAYS IN THE TENT
:whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

[Tim Watts]

Aug 11 / 12 gets my vote.

:-)

Sent from my Galaxy S II via Tapatalk 2

[mike leahy]

[quote="TimWatts" post=7454]Aug 11 / 12 gets my vote.

:-)

Sent from my Galaxy S II via Tapatalk 2[/quote]

that will do me to

not sent from my galaxy s 11 via tapatalk 2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :S :S :S :S :S :S

[Joel Colk]

august is okay for me to. will be coming from northwich.

Hoping to go to middle earth, so not up for that weekend.

Sent from my iphone mark 1234523412321312.112.12.12.1212.1

[Vikki Sestan]

I can only do these dates so i'd say do this trip without me x

August: 25/26/27

September: 8/9

[mike leahy]

[quote="cavefrog" post=7512]I can only do these dates so i'd say do this trip without me x

August: 25/26/27

September: 8/9[/quote]

 there are plenty of dates to choose from