In December 2018, Grove Cliff Fissure was connected to Skittle Alley Rift creating a longer, more challenging through trip which experienced parties may prefer. A number of side passages shown in italics below can be explored on route to add to the fun. Prior to the connection, Grove Cliff Fissure was seldom visited and hence despite extensive gardening, some loose rock remains.
Enter the cave through Allotment dig (also known as Railway entrance) which starts as a crawl along rail tracks. After a short distance a rift is met.
To the right the rift can be traversed at a high level above an abandoned dig for a few metres to a mud bank. Passing over the top leads to an awkward, greasy downwards slither (extremely arduous upon return) to emerge high up in Allotment rift which was broken into during Sept 2019 (not shown on the survey). Allotment rift is approx. 10 m long, 7 m deep and best negotiated by traversing on reasonable holds to reach some wedged boulders at the far end. From here, a descent to the bottom of the rift is straight forward.
Returning to the end of Allotment Dig tunnel where the rift was first met, the route ahead is down and to the left. A short crawl through an awkward section leads to a narrow 3 m climb down (which has recently had some unnecessary staples added) followed by a short section in narrow rift to emerge in the larger Guano rift.
The recently discovered (Nov 2018) Attic which is approx. 6 m long can be entered by climbing up to roof level directly above the junction, taking the obvious upwards slope over very loose scree (anyone stood at the junction below is in the direct firing line) and then heading a metre to the right over a flake to gain a 5 m long section of rift heading back to your left.
Back at floor level, continue straight ahead into the narrow Link Rift.
The window on your right gives access to Letter Box Rift. Descend to floor level and then continue along the rift until it is necessary to climb up through gaps in a boulder choke. Proceed at a higher level for a short distance before dropping back down to the rift floor. The impressively sized rift then quickly ends at a hole in the floor amongst the next boulder choke.
Take the Letter Box Bypass to your left and then follow the passage down slope to Concrete Corner - the 'artificial flow stone' gives a clue to its name. Take the tighter option straight ahead into Tibet. Please note the connecting rift into Tibet is 'snug' and requires both effort and some thought to find the widest parts to progress.
Larger members of the group may prefer to continue along Flagpole Rift to find the high level connection to Skittle Alley on the right a few metres before Flagpole Rift entrance.
Having arrived in Tibet the passage significantly increases in size. To the right, a choke in a very wide rift is soon met, however left leads via a recently dug, short but loose connection into Skittle Alley Rift. After a short distance, what appears from floor level to be a choked rift to the left, marks the connection to Flagpole rift. Continue straight ahead until the passage splits. Up and to the left is the route out to Skittle Alley entrance. To continue, take the recently (Dec 2018) dug connection to Grove Cliff Fissure down to your right. After a couple of metres you arrive in a larger rift which is followed until a left hand turning is found. This is Rumble Alley Junction.
Straight ahead leads to the connection to Rumble Chasm (see Rumble Chasm through trip below).
Take the left turn and follow the rift, which is best traversed a couple of metres above the floor, until it is necessary to squeeze up through a narrower section. As with the tight rift into Tibet, larger cavers may struggle with this. From the far side of the squeeze, there are two options; the normal choice is to climb up approx. 3 m from the wedged boulders on which you are stood, to a false floor. The rift is followed at this level taking care not to fall down the holes in the 'floor' until it is necessary to clamber down over some boulders.
The other possibility is to descend the rift and follow at floor level until it is necessary to undertake a strenuous climb which leads up through the above mentioned boulders to rejoin the higher level.
From here, continue to follow the widening rift to daylight. A pair of bolts can be found on the right hand side to arrange an abseil exit (8 m). A 20 m rope is required for a pull through.
Trip time approx. 1 h 30.