Post date: Oct 20, 2013 8:27:10 PM

Gaelan Elliffe & Stephen McCullagh

5 hours

Over the last few years Marble Arch cave has gained considerable length by connections to a number of nearby caves. Pollnagollum of the Boats is a 1.1 km cave that is known to be the main feeder of the Screen Hill 3 passage in Marble Arch. The two ends of the cave are very close and it has been a recent goal to connect the two caves.

Just prior to the end of the cave near the main entrance the passage loses a considerable amount of height just after the largest chamber and then takes a 90 degree dogleg to the left forming a long deep lake.

At the point where chamber is lost an aven rises up into what appeared to be a passageway. With thoughts that this may potentially lead to a connection to Marble Arch.

Over the last few years we have been experimenting on the best method to aven climb. Currently we are experimenting with 6-mm concrete screws. On first sight they look to be a little bit on the delicate side but all our own tests appear to show they work well and are safe (though we’re not recommending these to everyone). Using these has allowed us to down power our drills to 14-volt and using a rachet spanner for screwing them in, the process of aid placements is quick and easy and, because they are removable, they minimise environmental impact. Combining these aids with ertriers the whole process is nearly painless.

The aven is located fairly close to the entrance however to get to it required the passing of a long deep lake. Not wanting to spend our time bolting in cold wet gear both Gaelan and myself decided to ‘man up’ and removed our furry suits to swim across before rekitting for the aven bolting.

I drew the lucky straw and got first go. Bolting up the right hand, overhanging wall I soon made my way up to a small ledge 6 m up to a small ledge which I used as an aid to progress closer to the main aven. Four further screws allowed a better view of the crux of the climb. The crux was 4 m further up and consisted of a large overhanging edge covered in calcite. Deciding the best approach was to go vertical for 3 further bolts this enabled me to reach a small calcite covered ledge leading where further progress was barred by a 70-degree calcite U-shaped slope.

Evaluating the available options I figured the quickest approach was to free climb to a ledge 6 m higher up. A few ‘adventurous’ moves later the top was gained and I proceeded to rig a couple of permanent hangers for Gaelan to join me.

The ledge opened out into a small calcite covered passageway and through into a large chamber adorned with many formations. The chamber tapered off into a boulder filled rift. Following this rift past a couple of awkward squeezes the passage opened out into an impressively decorated lofted chamber, leading to a large hole (later traced to be a hidden aven just above the beginning of the main lake). That marked the end of exploration for the day.

On a return trip two weeks later the top of the large hole was traversed to check out the leads on the other side. One small crawl was pushed to a low chamber covered in calcite straws. Traversing further round several climbs were scaled to no success.

All leads have now been pushed and there appears to be no chance of connection to Marble Arch Cave from this area. All in all the aven was scaled for 16 m to gain 80 m of passage.