Ariel Cave

The Confluence to Vortex Passage

The Confluence to Squeezy Rift

Having entered The Confluence from the Grand Canyon and Ariel Tunnel, continue straight ahead through a small tunnel which forms a flat out crawl. After approx. 10 m you drop out of this oxbow into a very unstable area. Much care is required - don't touch anything as you progress ahead. It's probably best to avoid looking too hard as well! Beyond, a choss free tunnel is regained which is crawled along passing a couple of constrictions between boulders. A wide rift must then be traversed over (care is required to avoid dropping tackle sacks as retrieval would be near impossible). The passage then continues past two areas containing excellent clusters of straws. Care must be taken to remain low to avoid damaging these. The passage then increases in size to the point it is possible to walk for a short distance, eventually arriving in a small chamber. Straight ahead is the way into Squeezy Rift however down and to the left behind a large boulder is the route into a large (for Portland) chamber, Brownsea Island.

Trip time for the round trip plus detour to brownsea island: 2 h 30.

Squeezy Rift to Sandy Hole

Squeezy Rift is a serious undertaking and only passable by the thin. A good head for heights and experience at traversing rifts is required. Upon entering the rift, traverse straight ahead for 2m and then climb up approx. 1 m onto wedged boulders. Continue straight ahead on top of these wedge boulders which form a false floor, dropping 2m onto a lower level after a short distance. Leave the false floor and traverse at this level high up in the rift above a flowstone boss. Beyond, work your way down the rift passing a tight squeeze 2 m above the floor. Having reached floor level, you are rewarded by entering a small chamber (Vortex Chamber) down and to the right containing a very large (for Portland) stalactite. Take care not to damage this part of the cave. Back below the rift, a low tunnel can be found which leads to an awkward drop between boulders, another crawl and then a 1.5 m drop. You now arrive in Vortex Passage a wide but low bedding chamber with an impressive fossilised roof. Unfortunately the floor is less impressive - loads of deep sticky mud. Follow the well trodden route through the mud to arrive at a 2m climb up into a rift which contains some fine flowstone coated boulders. Drop out of this rift down one of two holes in the floor into the terminal rift chamber in Sandy Hole. To exit from Sandy Hole continue with the description on the Sandy Hole page.

Trip time: through trip to Sandy Hole entrance 3 h 30.