MANOR  FARM SWALLET TRIP REPORT
Sunday  10th October 04
Robin,  Andy, Chris, Ken, Will, John, Adrian and Max.
 
The  arranged meeting time was 10:40am - the weather was dull and dreary, ideal for a caving trip  and no heavy rain was forecast. The layby at Manor Farm was enlivened somewhat  by the installation of a Renault 5 in the fencing and hedgerow adjoining the  muddy swamp... the remains of last night's professional driving by an  over-cocky youth no doubt.
 
The  rigging was soon sorted at the entrance and the group arrived to admire the hole into  which we were all due to descend; a moment of realisation for some, even after  having already mentioned this was the second deepest cave on Mendip. 
 

Adrian,  Max, Will, John and Ken prepare themselves for the onslaught.

 
An  uneventful descent and abseil soon found us heading towards the second pitch, September Rift;  again the rigging was done while the group were approaching and this sped things  up and made for smooth and quick progress into the depths of this challenging  little cavern. Once down September Rift we discard our harnesses and continue  down the rocky slope and short big step until we emerge in Broken Curtain Chamber  where the formations begin - although Manor Farm isn't listed as one of  Mendip's "pretty caves" there are some fine formations well worth spending time  admiring.
 

John's  borrowed Petzl Explorer (lent by Robin) gives a superb effect.      

 

Ken has a rest while waiting.

 
Chris  gives Max, Adrian, John and Will directions to take in order that they may descend to the  streamway while avoiding the third climb - the interesting and quite thrilling  short sequence of tubes underneath the calcite flows of Broken Curtain  Chamber. While they make their own way exploring Andy, Robin, Ken and Chris climb down  to the streamway using a belayed rope; within moments both groups meet up and  Andy gives a short explanation of the history of the digging and discovery of  natural cave passage here. (1973 was the breakthrough year). Continuing  downstream we descend the fine fluted calcite climbs which brings us to Albert's Eye -  a short squeeze through the smelly grovelling puddle and the passage opens up  again to a sequence of narrow rifts and then to the suspended floors; then we  negotiate the 12' climb down with a handline for assistance and another short sequence  of suspended calcite floors and we open up into the main streamway. 
 
 

Robin  descending the 12' cascade using the handline

 
Andy took  the younger group members upstream to admire the cowsh inlet while Ken, Robin and  Chris continue down past the impressive beehive flowstone and make their way  down to the pretty calcite formations at the sharp right/left corner - used to  stow the bag as onward progress gets narrower.
 
Once Andy  and his gang meet up with us they lead the way and Chris gets a shot of John's light  making a glorious effect on the smooth wet calcite walls.
 

 

As we  descend towards the deepest part of the cave, the walls  become narrower and the going gets more cosy. 
This  picture evokes the spirit of caving well.

 
 
Again we  regroup; just below the rift climb up into NHASA Gallery - before continuing we notice  that the air in the cave has deteriorated such that our breathing has become  laboured and the CO2 levels are probably to blame - this cave is renowned for  poor air. However, it is not very poor and so onward progress is  still an option - the climb up into NHASA Gallery is completed and we open into  the largest chamber of the cave. Descent to the bottom and returning up is  hard going due to the air conditions but we soon begin to make our way back  towards the surface.
 
Each turn  and climb brings us fresher air and we soon regain our prime performance; the uneventful  return goes as smoothly as the descent as each obstacle is deftly passed. The  trip takes a grand total of around three hours - over an hour quicker than  was expected!
 
Everyone  makes it up the entrance shaft without any assistance being required and the chaps all  have a go at lifelining under Andy's tutelage.
 

 

Robin  ascends the 50' ladder pitch while Will operates the lifeline.

Andy is  overseeing the process - notice his hands on right wall.

 
So, all's  well that ends well; a fine Sunday afternoon trip followed by a pleasant packed lunch.
 
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Manor Farm  Swallet. Length 1,060m. Depth 156m.
Grade 3-4 (VDC).