Cliefden Trip Reports
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Cliefden Caves Trip: Easter 1998 by Wal
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by Wendy Hird
Present: Wendy Hird, Bob Kershaw, Ron and Fran Poulton, Terry Quinn, Walter Waerner, Andrew Banner and members of Figtree Rover Crew Jason Bond, Lyndal McNiece, Andrew Clark, Chris Hide, Mick Barnier
Terry and I cadged a lift off Bob and we left about 5.30pm on Friday evening. After the discussion on the previous Wednesday meeting we went via Cowra to avoid the Blue Mountains and the Victoria Pass detour. It was a good trip and the extra time was worth the convenience of having little traffic with or against you. Walter's instructions left a little to be desired and also the hut was a different one to where Bob went previously (14 years ago) and so there was some confusion. We turned on all the lights and decided to check out our tents instead of using the camp facilities.
Walter and the Rovers turned up a bit later, they'd picked up Mick in Bathurst on the way through. They were happy that they had avoided the Gang Show rehearsal on the following Sunday even though I did explain that if they left early on Sunday they would make the rehearsal.
Most of the night was spent in contemplation of the clearest view of the Milky Way Bob, Terry or I had ever seen. The view was worth the trip in itself.
Next morning dawned bright and early, though this is only hearsay as none of us were up.. Lyndal stayed behind as the rest of us headed out to find Swansong and Gable, picking up Ron and Fran on the way as they were heading in as we were leaving. The morning was spent walking up and down the cliffs trying to find Swansong and it was finally found!!! - Good onya Andrew. The name says it all, most of the formations were dead, the cave was dusty and dirty and there wasn't much to see. We couldn't find Gable though we found one or two others and after finishing Swansong went back for lunch where upon I fell asleep and the rest headed out for a photo trip to Yarrawigah.
Editor's story to fill in this gap.
Walter took the young and adventurous (or foolish) to Yarrawigah and after spending 15 - 20 minutes in search of the opening had an enjoyable afternoon, exiting about 5.30 pm. In the meantime Walter sent Ron, Fran, Terry and Myself on another of his wild goose chases in search of another cave for future visits, But alas we didn't find it. We arrived at the base of Yarrawigah about 5.pm and waited for a head and Ron to appear on the horizon and say "It's Here"! Walter then led a second party through the cave. Ron and Fran didn't tackle the squeeze and stayed to set up some exit shots. Smile says Ron only to be flashed from two directions. Anyway the rear of the cave was very good. More photographs of formations and exited about 7.30pm and home to a hot shower, accompaniments and a nice warm room. Back to Wendy's Story.
Lyndal and I sat and chatted, Yes Terry, she did get a word in edgewise!, until Lyndal started to cook dinner. I think this is a concept that ISS have to take on board better. The Figtree Rovers were having pumpkin soup with roast chicken and baked vegies followed by apple pie and custard. While my pasta with everything followed by toasted mars bars was nice, it didn't quite compare.
Fran and Ron did give them a run for their money with their dinner setting, the goblets, candles, battery lit rose etc. but I think the personal cook allowed the rovers to take the prize.
The big news of the day was the strange fascination that cows have for Walter's Subaru. A cow had come up and licked his car while they were standing there, which was pretty strange as they had previously shied away from all contact, but when they came out of the cave, they were to find that more cows had come out, licked every inch of the car including the windows, rubbed up against it and in their licking frenzy and scratched all the duco and broke off the CB antenna.
The next day, in the cold and rain saw a trip into Cliefden Main. The blast of hot air from the entrance at the base of the Kurrajong tree was a nice surprise (and we didn't want to exit the cave later into the cold air). It was thought there was a thermal spring in the local area which made the cave so warm. My question ‑ if all the air was leaving the cave entrance ‑ where did it get in. Another one for Mulder and Scully which was raised at the time was why do Kurrajong trees grow over caves everywhere except apparently at Bendethera.
The whole group except Fran who had hurt her back squeezed into Main. The group split into 2, Rovers Mick, Jason, Chris and Andrew who went off exploring and the rest of us who made a photo trip. The cave system was large with lots of places to explore. Walter hadn't been there for a while but we searched out different passages. Some of the sections had large formations and seemed to be in the process of being cleaned. The "frozen waterfall" in one of the main chambers was pure white flowstone in the shape of a waterfall, 2m + high. Terry Bob and Ron should have got beaut photos.
There are some places to get back to on a separate trip. One chamber had multiple passages that looped back onto themselves. I went off exploring whilst the others set up candles had a snack and took a rest. They must have been there for about 15 minutes until I came back, and they pointed out the formations around the cave. 5 minutes after this someone mentioned the strangely circular holes in the roof and lo and behold the entire roof seemed to come into focus and they started noticing the rest of the cave and the masses of helictites that they hadn't seen before ... and the mezzanine chamber that no‑one had noticed in their look around the cave. This section needs to be looked at more closely next time but access may need to be by "scaffolding".
At this point we were joined by Mick, Jason, Andrew and Chris who'd been exploring and found a lake in the Sump. Walter, Lyndal, Andrew and I joined them in checking it again before leaving, as well as showing them the waterfall which they hadn't seen whilst Bob and Terry and Ron took more photos. The sump itself was a muddy hole and my shoe was sucked off by the mud monster for standing in one place for too long but the lake, say 2m in diameter, with calcite formations on the top was worth it. Also the trip to get to the sump passed by even better formations then we had previously seen ‑ except for the waterfall. Walter decided not to tell Bob and Ron, as we would have never got them out of the cave. We exited just on time for Fran to pick us up. Fran should stay behind more often (just kidding Fran) as instead of practising her musical scales like she meant to, she undertook all the cleaning in the cabin and it made the getaway very fast. Thank you Fran.
The Cleifden hut was great idea. Not too commercial or touristy, just enough facilities to make it comfortable and well worth the $6. There were even hot (!!!) showers, and though most of us just washed up and took straight off in the cars, it was great to have the option.
The cave system was well worth the trip and the sump and access to it were deserving of better inspection next time. The Figtree Rovers were experienced enough to be "left on their own" to explore and in most cases were keen enough to just leave us behind and the others were happy enough to hold flashes for Bob and Terry so the whole party jelled well.
All in all ‑ a great trip!
(PS. We missed the turn off to the Highway and ended up touring Canowindra on the way home. Ed.)
by The Dog's Best Friend
In attendance: ISS: Wal Wearner, Kevin and Sue McFadden, Wendy Hird, Gerrard Collins, Andrew Banner.
Figtree Rovers: Jason Bond, Andrew Harding, Chris Hine, Melanie Berry, Andrew Clarke, Michael Coates. Visitors: Michael Barnier, Aemon Larkin, Gary.
Cliefden caves are located around about 30km south of Orange. They are reached by travelling via Bathurst, Blayney and Mandurama. Alternatively driving in from the Goulburn, Crookwell, Mandurama side takes about the same length of time (4-5 hours). The caves are within 10km of Walli Caves and are on private property and are controlled by O.S.S., who also maintain the hut.
After meeting at Mt Keira to pick up some more Rovers we were able to head off at about 9pm, an hour later than expected. The drive up was uneventful, no wildlife was maimed or killed, nor Subarus dented. Of note, mobile phones work in Cliefden, very handy as a couple of our visitors missed turnoffs and ended up at the farmer’s house at 11.30pm. After a hurried phone call they managed to sneak away without waking anyone up! Eventually we arrived at the hut at about 1.30am to find various sleeping people. This was rectified quickly with everyone, except Wendy, who can really sleep, being woken up by the noise. Despite the late night, some of the foolhardy folk stayed up until about 4am (MC & AH).
Saturday morning kicked off at about 8.30am with hot breakfast. I headed off to get the keys we needed for the caves. Soon it was decided that we might as well go caving so we split into two groups, the first to visit Trapdoor and Yarrawigah, the second to wait a few hours, then come to the caves and do the same. As not everyone was caving (it was a nice day to relax) each group had about 6 people. As it had rained the previous night we left the cars at the silo and walked the remaining distance down the big hill, through the creek, and up the other side. We reached Trapdoor and proceeded to enter the cave. Trapdoor is a medium cave consisting of a sloping passageway down to a sump. There are a couple of side passages that leave from the sump chamber. The sump level was lower than the last time we visited this cave. Everyone had a good time exploring the side passages. After about an hour and a half we exited the cave and headed across to Yarrawigah. Yarrawigah's entrance blends well into the hillside but was quickly found. We entered the cave and, after negotiating the vertical squeeze, went through to the back end of the cave. The cave officially finishes at a curtain of formation, but continues on for a couple more metres. As there is risk of damage to the curtain from passing it, groups stop at that point. We turned around and headed out to look for the second group.
The second group was already waiting for us at the flat below Trapdoor. They had brought with them vital supplies (salad rolls for my afternoon tea, caving is hard work!). We swapped over, the first group to trudge up the hill, the second to follow me into Trapdoor. The second group also explored both side passages. Of note, a Bentwing Bat was sighted in the chamber above the sump. We moved across to Yarrawigah. Andrew Clarke, a previous vertical squeeze victim, was in this group and determined to get through. After 15-20 minutes of exertion Andrew finally managed to get into the rest of Yarrawigah. By the time we got out the sun had well and truly set. The walk back up the hill was cold and dark; the cars a welcoming sight indeed.
Upon our return to the hut we found that the first group, plus those who chose to relax had been busy collecting firewood to keep the hut warm that night. The open fireplace provided the perfect backdrop for dinner (nachos: no roast chicken dinners this time, worse luck), followed by the traditional imbibing of various types of alcohol. A good night was had by all, except Michael C who fell asleep before the second group had even returned (lesson: don't stay up till 4am!). Survival stories relating to driving cars, especially Jason's car, abounded ("It began as a fine and sunny day....").
The next morning the plan was to once again split the groups and then go and visit Murder Cave. We set off to Murder Cave, leaving the cars at the silo once again. Ron's Silva GPS was programmed with coordinates I was able to get last time I was at Cliefden and led us to within about 6 metres of the cave entrance. I had also grabbed the wrong overalls which did not fit, consequently I ended up caving in shorts and T-shirt (much to the amusement of the group as I wrestled with the 3 sizes too small overalls).
After heading in, we made our way to the back of the cave to view the Blue Stalactite, a bluish tinged formation about 30cm long (probably copper traces). We then proceeded to the lower level of the cave to visit the Pope and the Pineapple (both are quite true to their names!). From the Pineapple there is a shortcut to get back into the main passageway and thus save some time, however we ended up losing more time trying to find the shortcut than if we'd just gone out the way we came in. As it went, the shortcut eluded capture completely, maybe next time...
We hiked back up to the cars and returned to the hut where the remainder of the group had been busy cleaning up. They had decided that it was too late to go for another trip into Murder as getting home seemed a better option. So, after lunch we packed up and left; though first I had to return cave keys and also walk all the way back to Murder Cave to collect my gear that I thought I'd need for the second trip! Finally got away at about 3.30pm for a 5-hour drive home (with stops).
by Walter Waerner
Present: Wal, Bob,
Andrew, and The Dog.
After meeting Andrew
at Yass the three of us drove up to Cleifden, arriving there late on Friday
night. The next morning Andrew realised
he had no dog food or food for himself, so he drove back to Cowra for supplies.
After his eventual return we got the keys for Malongulli Cave and drove down to
have a look. Spent a leisurely two and a half hours wandering the passages of Malongulli,
a relatively horizontal cave (except for the entrance which requires a ladder
or climbing). As Bob had brought his camera in, we hung around the sump for a
while taking experimental photos with a new slave flash unit Bob had acquired.
On the way back to the car we investigated CL-81, a mysterious hole in the
ground that ended up being a reasonable half hours caving. CL-81 also contained
a couple of bats. After lunch Andrew decided to sleep for the rest of the day.
Bob and I went to look for the legendary thermal pool after finding some
cryptic clues for its whereabouts in the Cliefden Journal. We headed off over
the hills travelling north-west. Surprisingly we did not find the pool, but
ended up having a good walk all over the Boonderoo property anyway! Of
interest, the supposedly polluted Belubula River seems to be recovering, on
three separate occasions we saw platypus swimming in the river. After returning
to the hut by following the creek back a relaxed evening was had by all.
The next morning was Taplow Maze morning. We set out early to find this
elusive cave. This involved much walking and crossing the river as well as
climbing the hill on the other side. Eventually we found the entrance to
Taplow, but alas, a ladder is required to pass the entrance pitch. Next Year!
On the way back we stopped at the gate (turnoff to river crossing track) for
lunch. We walked across to Wyreemba Hill to look for this cave. Unfortunately,
the hillside looked quite different to what I remember (I have photos to prove
this!). It took an hour before I found Wyreemba cave, by which time it was time
to go. We also found every other cave located in that hill (about 5 all up).
After dropping in
the keys to the Dunhill residence we returned to the hut to clean up and get
going. Overall, it ended up being a relaxing weekend with little caving
occurring.
Easter 1998
by Bob
Kershaw
Present: Walter Wearner, Trip Leader;
Bob
Kershaw, Fran and Ron Poulton, Anthony Pezzuto, Adam Peters, Gerrard Collins,
Kerin Knuckey, Andrew Banner, Jason Bond, Helen Roberts
Visitors: Anthony Jereley, Gail Coulter and
Doug Baxter
Cliefden
Easter - Good Friday in the Outback.
I arrived
to a spotless hut, a reasonable quantity of water in the drinking water tank,
and despite El nino's effect on the countryside, water in the adjacent creek.
Thor did a
lot of banging on the anvil, to the east, in the heavens as a cloud cover built
up. However, the noise and effort did not produce any sweat from the Gods to
saturate the parched earth below at Cliefden. But wait! Some Gods must have taken pity because heavy
drops began to fall earthwards and settle the dust and cause a trickle in the
gutters of the caver's hut.
Later,
while marking year 12 exams in the peaceful surrounds, while waiting for other
ISS members to arrive at the Caver's Hut, the wind blew strongly, and the birds
disappeared as an approaching thunderstorm approached and I watched the storm
clouds build and rise to great heights in the atmosphere.
Small
hailstones began to appear on the ground, only adding to the cold-hearted
nature of the Gods and covering the ground as if a snowfall had just occurred.
But then a steady soaking rain brought instant relief to the cracked brown
earth - you could hear the cockies and galahs rejoicing. More hail fell as its
weight could not be held in the updraughts in the atmosphere above -heavier
rain now - a soaking rain.
Now shoes
off when you enter the hut!
Small
rivulets formed across the ground, into small streams to fill the creeks. Oh
what a beautiful sight!
Not too
heavy now lest the much needed topsoil from this ancient land is eroded.
The
farmers, children, sheep, cattle and dogs are singing in the rain, washing
months of dust from their skins. The galahs bathe on the limbs of trees, the
frogs croak their encouragement and approval, the crickets spring to life. The
trees take on a new lustre - new life is born on the land once more!
Better get
back to marking these essays!
To heck
with them, watch the beautiful sight on rain falling on the barren land!
Cheers to
the Gods!
(Sydney had
floods in the City and Suburbs the previous night and the local farmer was knee
deep in water as the rain fell in Sydney at China Town that Thursday night
wondering if rain had reached his property on which we stay.)
Cliefden Caves Trip: Easter 1998
by Walter Waerner
As part of
the Illawarra Speleos trip to
Cliefden over Easter (10th to 13th of April) this year I planned to conduct
water quality testing on samples from both the caves and the Belubula River. I
am in my final year of studies at the University of Wollongong undertaking a
Science degree (Geosciences). One recent subject introduced me to water quality
testing using Streamwatch kits. These kits provide a variety of tests useful in
determining water quality. The kits are also highly portable.
My aim for the Easter trip was to try and identify
which components of the Streamwatch kit would provide good results for
comparison of cave waters. Results of the tests used would be recorded and
repeated at later intervals to see if any changes can be detected. On this trip
the sump in Malongulli Cave was to be sampled. In the future both Malongulli
and Trapdoor caves would seem to be the most obvious sources to sample. The
plan to test the Belubula River stems from a sighting of 3 platypus in the
river on my previous visit to the area. I had thought that the river was
polluted, but these sightings seemed to suggest otherwise.
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Tests provided with each kit include Phosphorus,
nitrates, Oxygen content, turbidity, pH, temperature, and Total Dissolved
Solids (TDS). The first three of these tests require time, chemicals and
relatively numerous amounts of equipment. As a result, they were not used. The
last four tests require minimal equipment, little time and may be conducted in
the cave environment. I planned to concentrate on these.
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Results: Only one sample site was tested. Samples are
collected using a 100cm extension pole. This allows samples to be collected out
of sumps while minimising damage to calcite rafts and slopes leading into the
sumps. The sump in Malongulli provided the following results: pH = 7, temp =
14(C). TDS was not recorded due to problems with the meter. The sump level was
also measured from the highest water level mark at û134cm. Calcite rafts were
present, up to 10cm in diameter. Some damage to the sump was observed during
sampling, a bootprint about 30cm above the current water line. This will be
worth watching to see in the future if the damage is removed when the sump next
rises.
No sampling of the Belubula River was done due to time
limitations (my 8.75 month pregnant wife wanted me home as soon as possible).
The river seemed to be flowing well despite the lack of rain in the area.
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Conclusions: I am currently pricing new testing
equipment as the kit I borrowed was unsuitable, either lacking accuracy, or not
working at all. It was disappointing not to get a TDS reading as this would
probably provide great comparative results for varying water samples. The level
measurement of the sump depends too much on me remembering which mark was used
as the baseline, a more obvious starting point needs to be found to measure
from. In the future I also hope to test for Oxygen content, another variable
that may indicate water movement or rate of exchange. The Belubula will have to
wait until next time as well.
by Wal Waerner
Present:
Wal Waerner, Bob Kershaw, John Kemister, Jason Bond,
Gerrard Collins, Paul Armstrong, Greg Pearce, Wendy Hird.
Visitors: Kerry Sanders, Bruce and Felicity McNeice,
and members of Figtree Rover Crew: Anthea Storey, Andrew Clark, Lyndell
McNeice, Ernest Jackson, Carmen, Brad Gibson.
Saturday morning dawned on a packed Cliefden
hut and a sprinkling of tents around the campsite. A large group had turned up
for this weekend, obviously lured by the promises of fine formation, an open
fire, and Bob’s Nullarbor slide show. Once organised and suited and a party
headed over to Main Cave for some caving.
The remainder staying for a relaxing day in the country. Splitting into
two groups to cut down on clutter I headed in with the ‘fast’ group, while Bob
led the ‘photographers’. We all ended up in roughly the same bits of cave
anyway but much wandering, cave appreciation and climbing was had by all. Our
journey took us through the Laurel Room, the Boot Room and as far as Helictite
Wall chamber. After about 4 hours underground we emerged back into the
sunlight.
A quick bit of lunch back at the hut and then
we were off again. A group of six headed over to Yarrawigah cave, the trusty
little Subaru tackling the river and associated four wheel driving with ease.
Actually, the property was quite dry, the river fairly low, but the fields
still green. After the usual searching of the hillside we found the entrance to
the cave and went in. The vertical squeeze claimed only one victim this time
who returned to the cars to catch up on sleep and fight off any cows that
should try to break into the Subaru. The rest of us wandered through the cave
to the final chamber where a bit of time was spent taking photos for Greg’s
Scouting log books. After a couple of hours we exited the cave and returned to
the hut.
Meanwhile, Bob’s group went to Mollangulli to
check the water level in the cave as a continuation of my scientific experiment
in the cave. They returned not long
afterwards we had returned to the hut.
Dinnertime saw the hut crowded with hungry
cavers jostling for space around the two stove tops. After dinner, Bob produced
the projector and screen and treated all present to a Nullarbor slide show.
This was very much enjoyed by everyone. I ended up going to bed after this but
no doubt the remainder of the evening was spent sitting around chatting in the
hut by those who could stay awake after a long days caving.
Enthusiasm levels on Sunday morning were a
their usual level for this time of the weekend, that is fairly low. Bob and
Wendy headed out to Canowindra to view the “Age of Fishes Museum”, others left
for home, some sat around the hut playing cards. A group of hardened caving
thrill seekers headed out to Island Cave for a look around while I caught up on
some more relaxation back a the hut. After a few hours it seemed to be getting
late so I headed up to the farmers house to return the keys and then went
looking for the ‘lost’ cavers. They were just about to get back into the cars
after a couple of hours exploring Island hillside looking for all of the
entrances, as well as exploring the inside of the hill itself. The surface
party also found the “it’s only a fox hole, doesn’t go anywhere” back entrance
to the system that
Gerrard, Paul, and Greg emerged out of a few
minutes later! A dusty, but satisfying end to the weekend.
We all returned to the hut for lunch. The
non-cavers had been busy cleaning up so that the hut now was spotless. We departed Cliefden just as the first drops
of rain started to fall.
Cliefden Caves Trip
By Greg Pearce
Present: Wal Waerner (TL), Bob Kershaw, Greg Pearce,
Paul Armstrong, Gerrard Collins, John Kemister, Jason Bond, Wendy Hird.
Visitors were 1st Figtree Rovers and Kerry Sanders.
Everyone arrived safely at Cliefden on Friday
night; only a few people got misplaced on the way (the Rovers). Saturday
morning was quite hectic, 19 people in a small Shearer’s house can be quite
cosy, especially when everyone is trying to cook breakfast at once.
The first cave a party did for the weekend was CL1, Main Cave. A lot of people stayed at the hut to relax. The cave is reasonably large, and very warm, as well as quite windy. At the first large chamber we split into two groups, photographers and non-photographers. We down-climbed a side passage, and came to an extremely muddy passage. It was so muddy that it was hard to walk due to the large amount of mud stuck to everyone’s shoes. The mud had affected a lot of the formation in this area. Even the large frozen waterfall was muddy.
The hardest part of the cave was a climb. Jason had a tape on him; so many people used this to get up, although there seemed to be a direct relationship between needing the tape and being a Figtree Rover, as well as not needing the tape and being a member of ISS. There is a message here! Some people (the Rovers) were quite confused when we did a loop, and came back to a place where we had already been. The cave did have many formations, was quite large and therefore fun to explore. We spent a total of 5 hours underground exploring this cave.
Following lunch we split up into three groups. A group of people who no longer wanted to cave, a group that Wal would lead into Yarrawigga, and a group that Bob would lead into Molongoli. I went with Wal into Yarrawiggah(CL13). We arrived at the side of the hill and Wal said, "The entrance is somewhere on the side of the hill, near a tree and under a pile of rocks." With this as encouragement, we started walking up the hill, in search of a pile of rocks near a tree. Gerrard, Paul and I all headed for the top, and worked our way down. John, Kerry, and Wal all looked further down the hill. After about 15 minutes Wal yelled, "I got it!" So we all headed to where Wal was. When I got there he had already removed the pile of rocks, and taken off the gate.
We were soon underground, making our way through what was obviously a man-made entrance. There was a tricky section known as the Back Crawl, but this posed no real difficulties. We continued down until we reached a chamber full of dead formation. It seemed to be a dead end, but Wal showed us the way through, a climb/squeeze. Everyone got up no problems, although some of the bigger, older blokes had a harder time than Paul, Gerrard and I. Once through, we climbed up the side of another large chamber. Here we saw the first good formations of the weekend. A couple of photos later and we were headed down again, with Kerry muttering in the background, "You do realise that we have to climb back up this, with no tape?!"
In the last cavern we saw some magnificent formations, there were not many of them, but what was there was high quality. Stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, flowstone, it was all there in pristine condition! I took some photos of the formations, only to find out later that it doesn’t like close-up photography at all, another important lesson learned. Everyone was, however, amazed at the glow that the flash left in the crystal, it was magnificent. We spent a lot of time looking in this brilliant chamber, long enough for Wal to catch up on some much needed sleep. It was then back through the cave to the entrance, which we locked up and covered with rocks, another cave conquered after 2.5 hours of fun.
Back at the house we cooked dinner, sat around and talked. Just when most people had gone to bed, Bob and Gerrard decided to play 'Speleo Sports.' This involves putting your body through significant amounts of pain in order to see who is the most agile, flexible, skinny and crazy. Fitting through a coat hanger was no problem for me, but when it came to Jason, Gerrard and Bob they kept mumbling about their 'Younger days.' (It was a lot easier taking your clothes off)
Sunday morning only a few people wanted to go caving, surprise surprise, Paul, Gerrard and Myself were the keenest of all. We convinced John, Kerry and some Rovers to accompany us through Island Cave (CL 6,55,57,58), although they came none of them ended up underground. Island Cave is more like a maze than a cave, with four marked entrances and one unmarked. We found all five entrances, so took one and entered to have fun. It was extremely dusty, so much so that Gerrard donned a dust mask, and Paul and I took note to later obtain some. We spent 1.5 hours coming in one entrance, and going out others. I got lost numerous times, but luckily Gerrard always seemed to know the way, he told us that he merely followed the wind, and if there was none just guessed. How reassuring. There were a lot of dead formations in the cave, as well as 2 live formations. We used three of the entrances. The last entrance we came out was very, very tight. I have since found out it is known as the 'fox hole.' I hardly believed it when Gerrard, then Paul fitted out. I took off my helmet, pushed it through, and still I barely fitted through the hole.
Present: Gerrard Collins and Bob Kershaw and a few from other clubs - NUCC,
BMSC, OSS, SUSS, HIGHLANDS
Before any
club can cave at Cliefden, the prospective leaders have to have been to the
area a couple of times and undertake an orientation weekend in the area and do
a bit of caving with the OSS guides.
So Gerrard
and Myself ventured to Cliefden for a weekend of bliss.
Saturday
morning and we had a brief discussion about the why and wherefores of the area.
Later we
did a bit of walk, had lunch, a brief walk and cave in Swansong and Gable then
a brief excursion to Yarrawigah and a drive to Mallongulli.
Sunday and
we had 2 major trips today. Into Murder and Main! Squish in the mud and gasp at
the formations and a wash in the hot shower before we left.
Thanks to Denis Marsh and Bruce Howlett of OSS for conducting the weekend and Now ISS has 3 members able to lead trips in the area.