Post date: Mar 17, 2019 9:42:18 PM

Cavers: Eoghan, Petie, Al, Jock

Trip time: 2 hours

Progress: -1m

Hailed, once again, as *the* breakthrough trip, and held on St Paddy's Day, I suckered Eoghan and Petie along to assist with capping the last few boulders out.

Sadly, the long layoff had given the cave ideas of its own, and some slumping of large boulders had occurred. The wet rift (where the water enters) was looking a bit grim too, and it seems like the collapsed boulders in the bottom of the pot are holding a fair amount of stuff in the wet rift up. A change of tack was required, and after a bit of consideration we decided to tackle once and for all the stabilisation of the stream entry. Interestingly, despite the wet weather the stream had cut back somewhat and was no longer splashing into the dig (one bonus).

Digging from the surface, then prodding boulders and clay down into the pit for clearing out made things somewhat brighter. Petie was of the opinion that we should excavate back to the car park to ensure it couldn't run in, but I think another good session in this area would be enough, assuming we can get some decent shoring in below. Jock showed up, and after changing into his new lightweight caving gear, took a look too. Thereafter he went to collect timbers for shoring.

The trip was rounded off by placing timbers in the bottom of the pot, to try and keep the bigger rocks out of the 'entrance' while the clearing goes on above.

All in all, good to get back at it, but it truly seems like a longer term dig. Regular digging trips should help.

Rumours abound of a coffee shop being established in the Burren, which if true will surely make this the most desirable place to be…

Al.