Bungonia Contents
Trip Reports
Friday July 1, ‑ Monday July 4,
1994
by Ron Poulton
Present
Bob Kershaw, Ron Poulton, Ted Poulton, and Lynn Poulton
This was a special trip made at the request of Brian Richardson, Senior Ranger in charge at Bungonia SRA. The trip was to assess a possible collapse hazard in the Kings Cross Aven of B4‑5. Going underground were Bob Kershaw and Ron Poulton, whilst Ted Poulton and Lynn Poulton provided a surface party and transport.
Bob and I entered B4‑5 via the B4 entrance and negotiated the first two climbs easily. We then met a group of three coming up the third climb. Bob bypassed the climb by going down the corkscrew but being fat I waited for them to clear the pitch. This proved fortunate for the other people as Bob noticed that they had left a pack behind them and I was able to haul it up and pass it to them using the hand line we were carrying. Good point to remember if you are the last man out, check for gear before you leave! Both Bob and I noticed that in the next chamber there has been a marked increase in the "signature Graffiti". We copied down some of the more legible names trying to pick ones that looked new and passed them on to Brian who promised to take the appropriate action if possible. Interestingly we did find a correspondence of names and writing style when flipping through the activity register and pointed this out to Brian as well. Anyway, back inside B4 we had intended to go through the bottom crawl to Kings Cross but changed out minds when we found it full of water. Being old and feeble we then rigged an etrier to the five-foot drop and went up through the squeeze. Believe it or not, I felt it was bigger than it used to be even though I'm certainly bigger than I used to be.
On reaching Kings Cross, both of us commented on how eroded the B4 passage was becoming. This is apparently what people have been commenting on. The step from B5 to B4 across the Aven is now quite long (under 5ft 3in people do not attempt) and the floor is eroding quite rapidly. We placed two nails at selected locations, one with a reflective tag attached labelled ISS June 1994. From these tags we took a number of measurements that should allow long term monitoring of the amount of erosion taking place. After some discussion about the best way to bridge the gap we exited the cave via B4 again. We were delayed going through the squeeze by a party of seven headed for B5, a couple of whom smelt like they had consumed a whole brewery. All Bob and I had to say after they had left us was "Please Lord, not while I'm around". It is surprising how often you pass people in this condition underground at Bungonia and how infrequently they report accidents. The Lord cares for fools or they are too drunk to hurt themselves when they fall over.
A report has been made to NPWS with our recommendations, certainly I would suggest that anyone going to B4‑B5 take a hand line and belay across Kings Cross in future.
Friday July 1, ‑ Monday July 4, 1994
by Robert Robinson
Present
Bob Kershaw (Trip Leader),
Gerard Collins & Terry Collins
Robert Robinson & Jason Spaccavento
Michael Watts
Aims of the Weekend
The main aim of this trip was to take some novice cavers, and non‑members of the club on a trip of introduction to caving. While the number of interested novices dwindled from about 11 to 2, for various reasons, the trip was still enjoyed by all, and it was agreed that such a large party would have caused problems.
REPORT
Friday, July 1, 1994
I was picked up by Jason around 2:00pm and we headed to Westfield Figtree to stock up on snack supplies, before we wound our way up Macquarie Pass, a little behind time. Further delays were met along the way at the Golden Arches Restaurant on the Hume Highway.
On arrival at the ranger's office at Bungonia at about 4:45pm, we found Terry and Gerard patiently(?) waiting for us ‑ I had told them we would be there at 4:00. After heading to our predetermined campsite Jason and I pitched our tents, both new tents ‑ and both for the first time outside of our yards at home. After all teething problems had been overcome the tents stood proudly erect, with a frost quickly forming and becoming ice within the hour.
After waiting until 7:30 for the others to arrive, we headed to Marulan for tea, finding on our return that Bob and Michael had arrived.
The cold air forced us into our tents early, as we sought relief from its tenacity, some with more success than others.
Saturday, July 2, 1994
Human existence at our campsite was not obvious until 8:00am and the extent of it was not fully realised until 9:00. The cold had kept us in our tents and the fog overhead was like a blanket.
By 10:00 we (Bob, Terry, Robert, Jason and Michael) reached the Grill Cave, our first cave of the trip, the fog had become a thick blanket of clouds. Once in the cave Bob sent the novices trough loops and dead‑ends. Gradually we made our way to the Crystal Palace, and a little further beyond, taking the opportunity to crawl around and look at some of the small, but spectacular, speleothems remaining in the cave.
It was pleasing to note the distaste that was shown by the novices at the amount of graffiti and rubbish in the cave, rubbish that was of course removed where possible.
When we emerged from the cave at 12:30pm we were somewhat surprised to find the sky perfectly clear and the temperature at a very pleasant level (probably around 20C)
After lunch and collecting firewood, we headed down B4‑5 at about 1:30, through the B4 entrance. While the novices enjoyed and were intrigued by the ladder climb, their technique was questionable. Everyone enjoyed the physical challenge of the cave, and Bob was a patient guide and leader. I was surprised at how physically challenging this cave is, as it has been many years and kilos since I last went through it. Although I had proceeded through the cave without much trouble, my body was starting to react unfavourably to all the exertion.
After patiently waiting for the others to proceed up the chain in B5 I brought up the rear. During my efforts to get through the wall side of the column, where you follow the chain up on your back, I was reminded of a quote from the Bible ‑ "it is harder for a rich man to get to the kingdom of God than it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle." Here was a poor man trying to get through that same needle, without any luck, I don't envy rich men or camels. After much cursing and many references to Jenny Craig, it was decided to send a safety line down the ledge side of the column and for me to crawl up that way, hooking onto the chain, as soon as I was passed the column. After crawling up the slope without a problem, on my ample stomach, I was bewildered as to why the chain is on the wall side of the column.
After the obstacle was overcome, the trip out was uneventful, but late. As we emerged from the cave at 5:30, the last indications of day were fading from the sky.
While we had been gone, Terry, who had not gone into the caves, had done the yellow walk and started a good fire. Jason, Michael and myself headed for a shower, relieved to find that there was still hot water. On our return to camp Bob, who had been packing, headed for home.
Sunday, July 3, 1994
Everyone had crawled out of bed by 8:45, and enjoyed the pleasant weather that was continuing, much to our surprise and pleasure. Michael left camp about 10:00am.
Plans to walk down the gorge were altered due to a knee Jason had bashed in the Cement Bag in B5, and tired legs generally. Instead the four of us remaining took a casual walk along the yellow track to the lookouts, arriving back at camp in time for lunch.
Terry and Gerard left at about 1:30pm, after which Jason and I collected firewood, and a quiet afternoon was spent in the camp, while Jason rested his knee.
Monday, July 4, 1994
After a little lie in and a huge breakfast of bacon and eggs, Jason and I started packing to leave, our tents drying quickly in the warm weather. Before heading home we took the opportunity to have a gander over some of the lookouts overlooking the gorge, and the mine of course. We left Bungonia at about 1:00pm, and headed to Marulan for lunch.
Conclusions
1. Considering the trip was organised to try and attract people to caving, and the club, the small turnout was a bit disappointing, but the reactions of those who did attended were very positive, and another trip such as this one, for those who could not attend may be beneficial.
2. People with waistlines as excessive as mine should not be the last person to go up the chain in B5, someone below to push off would be a great help.
by Susan and Kevin McFadden
Present:
Ron Poulton, Bob Kershaw, Anthony Pezutto, Tony Wells and Kevin. (John, Anne and the boys Poulton and Lesley and Fabio Bertolla did a cave on the Saturday)
The group had arranged to meet at 9.00am in front of the Rangers Station at Bungonia Caves Reserve. Some of the party stayed near Goulburn on Friday night and others left early Saturday morning from their respective homes. Ron arrived a tad late due to the fog at Goulbourn. Tsk tsk! After some discussion we divided into 2 groups. One group headed to B4-5 and the other group headed to the top of the cliff above the entrance to B5 (Hogans Hole). While the first group tackled B4-5 we split into two smaller groups. Ron and Anthony began one on one advanced training and Bob took the rest of us (Kevin, Susan, Alan and Tony) in hand to introduce us to the art of S.R.T. from the basics of figure 8 knots and tape knots to the use of descender racks, whale tails and ascenders. We learnt the theory of their use then it was time to put this newfound knowledge into practice on the ropes we had set up and dangled over the 60ft cliff.
Eager participants took to the ropes in our seat belt harnesses, which were remarkably comfortable considering their simplicity. After mastering basic abseiling we moved on to prussiking. After we prussiked to the top of the cliff it was time to call it a day. Saturday night Bob, Ron, Tony, Kevin, Susan and Anthony stayed at Falconry Scout Camp as we were to carry on with more training on Sunday. The others went home. We arrived at the Scout Camp at approximately 5.30pm and set up housekeeping. After meals were consumed we discussed Sunday foray deciding to go to the Grill Cave B44.
We arrived at the Grill Cave car park about 10.30am kitted up and headed to the Daylight Hole B 118. Anthony abseiled down the Daylight Hole first followed by the rest of us. While we were descending the first pitch a second rope was rigged at he top of the waterfall which we descended. While Ron, Anthony and Tony rigged a rope through a crevice then over a drop to the large chamber at the horizontal ladder level. Bob, Susan and Kevin rigged the 4th rope at the horizontal ladder level. During all this about 3 large groups of "Cavers" passed by. After the 4th rope was set we rejoined Ron and co to tackle the 3rd rope which was festooned with re-belay points made up of Ron's "friends" etc.
We descended to the large chamber at the horizontal ladder. The less experienced of us having minimal trouble coping with all the re-belay points. After having a quick bite to eat it was decided that time had beat us so the 4th descent was abandoned. To save time we prussiked the 3rd and 2nd ropes as two separate groups and after retrieving all the gear we arrived at the surface at about 4pm. We checked and sorted the gear at the cars and left for home just in time to be held up by the not so random breath testing conducted by the local constabulary.
We would like to thank both Bob and Ron for organising and running a very enjoyable and informative weekend.
by Anthony Pezzutto
On the morning of Saturday, 13th April, a group consisting of Bob Kershaw (our instructor and trip leader), Gerrard Collins, Wendy Hird, two non-members, Dean Pezzutto and Gavin Young and myself, met at the B4/B5 carpark at Bungonia State Recreation Area. We had gathered for a weekend of training in S.R.T. (single rope technique). Half of the group had had some previous experience with ropework.
We spent approximately 45 minutes getting Dean, Gavin and Wendy set up with personal gear for the days abseiling and prussiking. After a short walk we arrived at the top of the cliff above B5, Hogan's Hole. A quick analysis of the site was made to find the best anchor points and paths for the ropes. We set up two ropes and were careful to use rope protectors and empty packs to protect any vegetation that the rope put any weight on, as well as protecting the rope itself.
While we were setting up, a group from the Navy arrived to learn and practice some abseiling and prussiking. Their presence was also useful in allowing us to observe some of the finer points of how not to abseil, prussik and handle ropes.
A double check of harnesses, prussik gear, descenders and ropes and carabineers proceeded the first abseils, which, incidentally, went without a hitch. Each of us trainees had two or three abseils some of which included tie-offs in mid-descent. It was at this time that Bob decided that we were having it too easy, and so the fun started. We set up for prussiking. Gear was swapped and changed, adjusted and readjusted to try and get the right fit for each person. This behaviour continued in a contest-like fashion to see who could make the most adjustments. The contest then moved to the rope to determine the slowest possible ascent and descent of a rope using prussik loops. (It was at this point that really began to appreciate my $200 investment in "Jumar"-style mechanical ascenders and easily adjustable footloops.)
By 3:30pm we decided to call it a day, derigged the rope, sorted out gear, packed up, checked that nothing had been left behind and made the short walk back to the carpark. While recovering from the afternoon of prussiking (which was particularly strenuous for our wiley instructor) we all decided that the day had been a valuable experience to enhance our levels of knowledge and skill, and fun to boot.
When all the gear was loaded into the cars and the snacking was over, five of us made our way to the camping area, Wendy had to return home to fulfil prior commitments. After selecting a suitable site set up the Taj Mahal, a tent with the capacity for five, to be used solely for myself, Maharaja Antonio. It was a veritable palace if I do say so myself, the only things missing were the servants (but of course I gave them the weekend off). After separate, almost antisocial dinners we sat around the campfire talking about life, the universe and caving then retired for the night after seeing strange lights in the sky (the flashing lights of aeroplanes illuminating the thin layers of cloud around them).
On Sunday morning we headed back to B4/B5 carpark and down to Fossil Cave (B4) to put Saturdays training into practice. Following a much quicker set up of personal gear than the previous day we climbed into the confined entrance area to set up the rope at the first pitch, approximately 8 metres. We abseiled in, prussiked out, derigged, packed up, walked over the ridge to Hogan's Hole (B5) and did it all again. One thing we did find however, was that it may be easy on a simple cliff, but in the confines of a cave it is another matter particularly with the awkward angles, narrow slots and the dark.
Once in Hogan's Hole the rope was rigged on the pitch just inside the entrance to the right of the passage through to Fossil Cave. We again checked our personal gear before descending the 20 odd metres to the bottom. I went first, abseiling out of the pack (the rope is coiled in a pack hanging from my waist harness and pulls out as I descend). This method is used when there are obstacles that may tangle or snag the rope if it is lowered or thrown down the hole or off the cliff. Upon safely arriving at my destination, the bottom of the pitch, I looked after the lower end of the rope while Bob valiantly made sure that the top of the rope did not go anywhere. I guess that I should also point out that he also made sure that everyone was hooked on properly before their descent. He also gave instruction to all of us when we had trouble going down or coming up the rope while he was perched precariously on the edge of the drop. He was of course firmly attached to a safety line.
So there we were, four of us, at the bottom of a hole with a rope dangling in front of us,... well we guessed that there was only one thing to do, get Bob to haul us up. Or hook on our ascending gear and prussik back up the rope, some of us were almost as slow as on Saturday. With Gavin, Dean, Gerrard and Bob safely at the top of the pitch I desperately scrambled over the boulder at the top suffering from a slight case of acrophobia. We all proceeded to derig the rope pack it away, exit the cave and struggle up the hill from the entrance and back to the carpark.
The five of us discussed the weekend’s activities while we ate, drank and sorted out the gear. We all had fun, learnt a lot and expended a lot of energy. We were also very thankful to Bob for spending his weekend with us to be our instructor. Within half an hour everyone went home,... except me.
I returned to the campsite and spent a very pleasant half hour dismantling the Taj Mahal in the late Bungonia afternoon. There was a gentle breeze blowing and dimming light shining over the beautiful bush surroundings as the fading sounds of the day mingled with the growing evening chatter. I couldn't think of a better way to break camp after an informative and enjoyable weekend
Live long, prosper and enjoy your caving.
Present: Ron Poulton and friends, Jason Selman, Steven, Anthony Pezzuto, Gerrard Collins, Kevin McFadden (Macca), and Wendy Hird.
At around 9.00am on Saturday we were to meet at the car park of the Ranger's Station at Bungonia Caves, I arrived to find Wendy having a car boot breakfast while reading the morning paper. Soon after, Gerrard arrived followed by Jason & Steven in "the Beast", a rather large Toyota Troop Carrier complete with a Mack dog on the bonnet. By the time the boys had looked over the Troopy in typical male camaraderie e.g. is she a diesel ? yeah, bweudy, the bustard `ll run for ever, ripper, she's in good nick no rust, bweudy, ripper, yeah, belch .....the others had arrived.
After signing in, we headed for the top of the cliff above the entrance to Hogans Hole, where under Ron's watchful eye we set three ropes, running from anchor points from trees etc to the bottom of the cliff. We then donned our S & M equipment, I mean our S.R.T. equipment and were about ready to abseil, except for a few things like the absence of helmets on our heads, odd looking alpine butterfly knots and other small anomalies, the things you forget between training weekends. Once on the ropes we descended to the bottom of the cliff where we reattached our ascenders. For some, namely me, a bit of fine-tuning on our rigs was needed, well actually a lot of fine tuning, but that's the reason we were there. So by the afternoon we had crossed knots and rope protectors, switched from ascenders to descenders and visa versa.
So as the last of the sun's warm golden rays bathed our faces (how poetic) we packed up and returned to the cars were Ron and Co headed for the camping area with Anthony while Wendy had a cuppa and split for Goulburn to visit family.
Jason, Steven, Gerrard and myself decided a night caving trip was in order, it’s a bit like swimming in rain you know. After quiet a lengthy search for the entrance (its a lot easier to find a two foot round hole in the ground during day light I might add) we descended into the limestone of Blow Fly cave. The warm air in the cave was a welcome respite from the cold night air out side. Once we were at the bottom of the roped sections of the cave we discarded our belts etc and proceeded on foot, knees, hands and what ever else was needed. We arrived at the "dragons teeth" section which consists of a 45o slope of polished limestone and the best way to get to the bottom is to lay on your stomach and paddle your way grommet style (a grommet is a young surfer) to the bottom. We arrived at the next pitch were we decided to head back. Getting to the top of the "Dragons Teeth" is basically just the reverse of coming down except it's more like paddling up a waterfall. Once back at the surface we headed back to the vehicles, loaded Gerrard's Rover with wood and headed for camp.
Our three large and noisy fourwheel drives descended on the quiet and peaceful campsite like German Blitz Krieg. Soon all was quiet again accept for a furious pumping sound coming from Jason's tent, we saw no more of Jason that night. The rest of us prepared our evening meals, Spag Bol, Pepper Steak and pasta, red Wine etc, no plebeian rubbish for us cavers. The rest of the evening was spent chewing the fat, warming one's bot near the fire and ringing the misses. Yes, using a hand held mobile phone at Bungonia is quiet a neat trick. First you climb up on the roof of the nearest Land Rover, hold the phone at precisely 30o, extend your right arm for balance, point your left foot towards Mecca and repeat the words "hello, hello can you hear me, your breaking up", yes there's nothing like modern technology.
After rising to greet the morning on Sunday, we had breakfast then Jason, Steven, a friend of Jason's arrived, Anthony, Gerrard and myself decided to take on Hollands Hole and College Cave. We entered Hollands Hole and made our way to the hip hugger section and after a bit of groaning and grunting most of us emerged on the other side. After reaching the end we turned around and made our way back through the Hip Hugger (more grunting and groaning) and back to the surface. After a quick bite to eat we entered College, first sliding down the vertical squeeze, then after setting a rope one by one we dropped through the connecting pitches to a large chamber at the bottom of the rope. The roof of this chamber has very long hair-like roots hanging from it, tree roots we assumed. From here we entered the section of the cave were foul air is normally encountered but not this time, perhaps the large amount of water in the last section of the cave has brought in some fresh air, even the duck under had about 10 inches of very cold water in it. After a bit of debating whether to get wet or not we thought f--k it and went for it, the dig at the end was a quagmire. We didn't hang around too long despite the reasonable air and we were soon back at bottom of the rope waiting in turn to ascend the rope. It was while standing there waiting my turn in cold soaking wet overalls that I realised the decision to go for it and get wet was not the best one I've ever made. Finally I poked my head out into the daylight and fresh air and before too long I was under one of the hot showers at the camping area. But this is what sets us Spelunker's apart from the saner members of society. Finally on behalf of the rest of the group I would like to thank Ron for his time and effort during our SRT training.