Cussey Pot
During Lockdown 2020 a new hole was spotted to draught bigger and stronger than any cave in the Peak. We dug it open and this is what happened....
Full description of the trip can be viewed here.
The current survey can be downloaded from here.
- Details
- Written by: Joe Buck
- Hits: 2028
Present: Jon P, Rob E, Jim and Joe B
After last week’s disappointing discovery that Loper was sumped and the ensuing swift exit to the pub with our tails between our legs, Rob and I vowed to return, putting our bravest faces on to swim through. We met Jim and Jon in the car park, who were due to look around some of the nicer parts of Cussey. Jon and Rob were busy putting a wager on whether Loper would actually be sumped - Jon bet Rob a quid it wouldn’t…
Rob and I arrived in Inglorious Bastards chamber giddy with excitement and ready to find whether Rob was £1 worse off. Loper has opened out slightly now with many a trip being made through the connection - regardless, it is still a bit of a squeeze to get through. We were dubious about heading through with any extra baggage to get caught while we were underwater, so Rob devised a plan to clip the Disto pelicase to a kneepad round his ankle as a kind of quick-release system. Rob headed first into Loper to check it out.
Moments later, I could hear cussing and cries of, “it’s drafting!” Bad luck, pal. It seemed as though the water had dropped a couple of inches in the week since our last trip, which left a small airspace. Unfortunately, by the time you’re lying in the water, this was no longer the case. Rob sloshed his way to the last airbell, calmed his breathing down, and took the plunge through the body-length squeeze. I sat there in quiet anticipation as I listened to Rob bubbling and thrashing his way through, and finally heard an excited yell from the other side.
Now it was my turn to head through. Rob managed to wedge himself in the restricted passage on the other side so that he could attempt to film me as I emerged. He called through to let me know he was ready. I lay in the muddy pool, slithered my way to the airbell, took a couple of deep breaths, wondered what I had done wrong to end up here, before ducking into the water. Unfortunately, at this point, I completely forgot what size the passage was and didn’t turn my head to fit, managing to wedge my helmet against the floor and roof - not ideal. Luckily it’s quite soft mud and after what seemed like an eternity, I managed to force my helmet to the side and drag myself through. The results of Rob’s filming efforts are absolutely hilarious.
Once we’d both managed to stop laughing, we carried on down the bendy ladder and headed towards the dig. The Wet West passage leading up to Vulgarious had been slowly filling up with the sludge we were dumping, but after a few weeks of rain it did seem to have cleared slightly, or at least got rid of the finer silt. In Vulgarious the primary objective was to get a decent survey so we could be a little clearer about where we were actually headed. I went first and lay in the slop and, for want of anything else vaguely solid, Rob used my feet as transient survey stations. I lay still while he wriggled towards me trying to keep the Disto dry. I was just glad to be of some use!
The recent rainfall had caused the walls to start collapsing into the passage as the water carved its way though. This had happened previously, so it was to be expected and we could still just about squeeze past. Once we were through to the newly-discovered chamber, at the current extent, we realised that in our excitement we’d forgotten to grab the hammer and crowbar from the Wet West on the way though. Rob continued to survey the chamber while I set off to go and collect them.
Once I’d returned, we started to clear the channel in the floor to further lower the water level in the low-level continuation. This was reasonably successful, and we managed to clear some of the smaller boulders out of the way and dig a slot for the water to travel in. Unfortunately, some of the boulders were much larger than we could realistically tackle with a hammer. In any case, we managed to lower the water about another couple of inches. This just about allowed you to lie flat out and start to clear some of the slop out, albeit with one eye in the water and trying desperately not to snort water up your nose - very pleasant. I managed to make about a foot of progress like this, which just about allowed a view onwards round the corner. By this point I was getting a bit exhausted and so Rob went for a quick poke. He managed to get a better view and see that the passage appeared to be ascending slightly, which is good news.
Rob was off on holiday the following week, so we decided it would probably be ideal if we had more rain to help clear it out, and then we could hopefully return when the water is lower (cue biblical flooding, thanks Eunice). Feeling slightly more optimistic than we had coming into the trip, we decided it was probably time we should make our way out.
A swift escape out of Cussey and we reached the entrance pitch just in time to find Jon and Jim about to prussik out. They’d managed to make it to the top of NCA but the awkward squeeze barred any further progress. They’d then had a go at the other side through Coconut Airways, only to be once again halted by a tighter section, this time the Shattered Dreams squeeze. Jim was threatening to return with a hammer to see if he could force his way through. He also floated being lowered down head first because his “fish scales”(?!) would make it easier that way. Probably best not…
- Details
- Written by: Rob Eavis
- Hits: 1931
Team: JoeB, RobE
A mixture of work, bad backs, and general malaise meant it was just me and Soulless Joe this evening. We were really keen to get back into the new chamber, survey it, push the inlet above, and maybe have a little dig at the wet way on. Two people was fine for that task and we were keen.
To aid inserting myself into the inlet I chose to wear a furry. Not just any furry though; my brand new Misty Mountain one which I was really keen to try out. Joe, as always, sporting his wetsuit. Prebeers enjoyed and off we went. We had a bunch of sandbags to take in, as we figured this may help with building a wall to stack behind, but without a tackle bag I stuck them inside my oversuit, which along with my phone, survey gear, and other bits n bobs made me even more inelegant than normal.
We got to Inglorious and set off towards Loper Lust, Joe in front. I was wittering on about some random crap when I hear Joe say “It’s a bit wet”. My mind snaps into gear and realise there’s no draught. Shit, it’s sumped. The heavy downpour over the weekend has obviously left its mark on LL, even though the rest of the cave was in pretty normal conditions. Shit. Joe floats into the crawl to inspect whilst I wait at the pool at the start. After some spluttering he informs me he’s reached the last airbell and it’s totally sumped from there onwards. What to do…? Forwards from there is the tightest bit, but it’s only maybe 3m long, and it quickly slopes up beyond. We tentatively discuss the situation, each not wanting to play our cards too soon. It was pretty clear to me that Joe was keener than me. I blame that on my furry suit and mass of paraphernalia hanging off me, glasses included, but I’ve a feeling that ball size probably came into it too. We um’d and ar’d a bit longer, then Joe came back. We turned around and instantly regretted it. On the crawl we discuss that this is how all good adventures start, with an opportunity to flee but where the fearless continue. I point out that’s also how stupid people die. We feel marginally better…
Now not even 8pm I came up with a list of things we could waste some time doing. This started with ascending into the mined section at the far end of Inglorious to have a poke at some new bits, which Joe had never been up. We first dug into a small, natural bedding plane which lead to the left to a dead end, and right back into Inglorious. We then climb up above Inglorious into a nicely decorated chamber but with no possible ways on we retreat.
Smoke testing from Shattered Dreams rift into the higher levels
Next on the list (which I was hoping to do on the way out anyway) was a smoke bomb exercise, testing to see if the draught in some of the passages higher up in Cussey comes from the lower stuff or from somewhere else. The main hope was a crack in the back of Poetry Corner, which kinda points SW towards the new divers’ bit, so hot territory. Having allowed Joe ample time to make his way up I set off two big pellets at the far eastern end of the Shattered Dreams rift and follow him up. Heading up the pitch was fine, but when I got to the top smoke was pouring out of all the cracks like tendrils and by the time I was in the squeeze visibility was very low! I stumble my way to Joe and indeed Poetry Chamber was filling up nicely from all directions too, strongly suggesting that the draught is all from Shattered Dreams. Rubbish, but useful nonetheless.
Out by 21:15, we console ourselves with beer in the Moon and discuss the great adventure that we knowingly walked away from. Maybe next week....
- Details
- Written by: Joe Buck
- Hits: 2040
Kristian B, Rob M, Rob E and Joe B
Four of us met in the usual spot for another mid-week slop extravaganza in Vulgarious. Those of us who’d remembered the five Ps supped a beer as Rob 2 described how terrible diving is (I don’t think that was his intention), and we were soon headed over to the lid.
Up until this point the dig has managed to avoid too many corners and sharp protrusions, but after the last few sessions it had reached a dog leg which could mean a lot more work and bodies would be required. Rob elected to take a stint at the back to prove how easy the hauling was and that four was enough people. I took pole position at the face, with Kristian just behind me, and Rob 2 as a mid-point hauling rope changeover. My strategy was just to lie on my back with the tray on my front and just throw chunks over my head, trying not to fill my eyes with slop in the process. I’d then slide this down myself to my feet and worm my way back towards Kristian where, by the sounds of it, I would then cover him in filth as I kicked it towards him. This went well and we were managing to maintain a good rhythm with trays arriving just as required.
After about 3 or 4 m progress, the tantalising sound of trickling water and a bit of an echo could be heard ahead. The passage started to rise and open out to the point that I could start to progress just by ploughing my hands into the mud and making room as I went. After another few meters of this it popped out into a small chamber around 3m high and similar widths. At this point Kristian had started to grow concerned after I hadn’t replied for a while and he started to head through with the others hot on his tail. After pats on the back from my comrades to celebrate my first proper(ish) find, we began to look around for ways on.
We immediately spied the continuation of the passage at floor level which was an eye-hole with about an inch air space above the water and was generally uninviting. We inspected the roof, desperate not to have to investigate the previously spotted misery eye-hole. Mostly the roof is choked with no obvious way on, however, there was a small rift which could be accessed. Not wanting to trash any more neoprene we focussed on floor level. Rob had a quick dunk in the continuation, and concluded that whilst not ideal, it was drafting and therefore not sumped. It was floated (sorry) that if we could lower the water level then it may be possible to dig. The Robs set about shifting rocks in the chamber to clear a channel, whilst Kristian was lowering the floor in Vulgarious so the water would have somewhere to flow. The Robs were having an ordeal removing the rocks, to which Rob 1 suggested I have a go as “he’s really strong”. Much like every time I’m asked to open a jar, Rob 2 and I fumbled and slipped on it and left royally defeated. It was slightly disappointing the way on only looked to be getting more vulgar, however we vowed to return with a hammer and crowbar to tackle these next time and hopefully get the water running through more easily. There is plenty of stacking space, but it would probably benefit from the sand bags to contain the slop.
In the interest of determining what else to bring next time, Rob inspected up into the rift to see what may be required. We cowered at the side as he began to start kicking rocks down. It tightened significantly, however Rob suggested there was a vadose inlet at the side which is worth further investigation - maybe with an oversuit. Time was ticking on, so we made a hasty retreat through the now very spacious Vulgarious and back to the cars for beers and medals. From my perspective, I was ecstatic to add a minor contribution to the cave and excited to continue, even if this isn’t the way on. Same time next week?
- Details
- Written by: Kristian Brook
- Hits: 2155
Everyone bailed. I met Rob in the dogging park at the agreed time, expecting a 'proper' cussy digging trip where he informed me that Luke had bailed due to catching covid and Jon had some other urgent business. This would mean the digging would be postponed and we would survey up to a boulder choke that Rob think is heading toward the Stoney Master Cave. Beers consummed we changed into wetsuits and headed down. This would be my first time down Inglorious Bastards and through Loperamide Lust and it did not disappoint. Lovely slick mid made for easy progress in a wetsuit and I must thank the diggers for finding such a lovely bit of cave.
Rob Calibrating, photo by Kristian
After reaching the base ladder below Doom, Rob Calibrated the disto and we set off for the main mine levels surveying as we went. We arrived at the large mine level where I had a piss and we shot many splays all over the shop as rob enjoys data. We headed down a side passage which name I cannot remember and passed though a very pretty bit of breezeblock construction to entered 'the wet bit' where my willy got wet and I will never forgive Rob. A bit of hip height wetness was surveyed and we managed to work our way through a lower section (thank god) and we were at this boulder choke.
Ladder below Doom (Can't be bothered to rotate it), photo by Kristian
No evidence of miners however there is a lot of dramatic sheering in the rock as well as natural development. These were all Rob's observations as I did not care. I just wanted to see his lead. It turned out to be a small hole at the end of a rift with quite a sizable echo beyond it. The constriction requires you to leave the floor at the end of this rifty section of choke. The hole is a slit to your right and is in typical fashion just small enough to allow for a little wiggle room if your fully exhaled but the constriction is just long enough that you might run out of breath whilst still in it. Rob's thinking of going back with some bang for it. The echo suggests about 15m of space to me leading upwards so where it goes we don't know but it could be caverns measureless to man. Rob had a look at another lead in the choke but it did not look as promising.
Record time out with no drama besides a nose dive by myself with a side of whiplash into the loper duck. We got out, got washed, and had a quick pint in the Moon before heading home to our respective duties.
Good trip. Going again Wednesday.
Your Author post Loper, photo by Rob
- Details
- Written by: Rob Eavis
- Hits: 2755
Warning
Many parts of the cave are tight and loose and a return trip from Doom is a strenuous undertaking, especially with tackle bags. Rescue from anywhere beyond the entrance rift in either direction would prove difficult.
Entrance
The entrance is located in a small tree-lined enclosure opposite the entrance to Eyam Hall car park on the opposite side of the New Close Road and to the west of Delph Close. The lid requires a large Derbyshire key (requires a 90 degree turn/marked on lid in marker pen) and must be closed when underground which can be done from inside. The entrance pitch is a 12m hading rift with scaffolding at the top.
Time Warp and Rocky Horror
Once on the floor east leads to a squeeze along the left wall at floor level into a small ante-chamber roofed by a large boulder. A hole in the corner leads to Nomenca Rift, a 6m down climb to a small chamber with stacked rocks from the dig. A 6m down climb through a scaffold boulder choke (Nomenca Choke) leads to a squeeze at floor level which quickly opens out to where you can regather yourself at the top of NCA Pitch. The pitch starts as a tight rift, a sideways thrutch on good ledges leads to a 5m down climb to a gulley which can be followed down to the pitch head. Here the shaft opens up and a 10m abseil leads to the start of Time Warp, a large rift passage 15m long which ends in a large chamber floored with boulders. Only one route down can be descended at present a tight rift (Tight’un) which ends too tight in shatter rock. Straight ahead in Time Warp a climb up and over the choke leads to Black Rift which is a choked, clean washed pothole. A roped traverse over the top leads to Walsernice which continues for a further 20m, all ways on are choked except for a rift in the floor at the entrance which can be descended for 8m until too tight. Time Warp Aven stretches up for 20m to a choke at the top.
The main route to Rocky Horror is via a short down climb between boulders next to Black Rift. This leads to the Movie Room, a small chamber between boulders. Various routes head off but all are choked except for one in the far corner, a short climb up and down leads to a descending passage. At the far end a duck through boulders leads to the head of Rocky Horror Pitch (15m) through large boulders following a solid back wall. The pitch ends in a large chamber with evidence of T’owd Man. A squeeze down at the base of the pitch followed by a squeeze under a boulder leads to several unstable chambers/voids (The Gloom Room) which heads close to Diceman in Glebe. Back at the top of the Rocky Horror pitch, a squeeze between boulders (not obvious) leads down to a muddy chamber. Halfway down the climb a flat out crawl on the right leads to further chambers and rifts which also come close to Diceman in Glebe.
Shattered Dreams and Inglorious Bastards
Back at the base of the entrance pitch, west leads along a large rift choked with boulders at floor level. A traverse line takes the best route across on ledges and at the far end a tight rift aided with wooden stemples (Coconut Airways) drops for 4m to a further squeeze to a small chamber lined with boulders. A route up the boulders leads to a pretty chamber (Poetry Corner), which is a dead-end. The way on is down between boulders in the floor to a further squeeze which leads to a 3m down climb on flowstone to the top of Shattered Dreams Choke. A crawl can be followed to a too tight rift but following the choke down a further 4m (beware loose boulders) leads to the very tight Shattered Dreams Squeeze (aided with hand-line). Beyond the squeeze is a 4m climb down (careful of straws) which leads to the pitch proper (12m). At the base of the pitch a climb up and over boulders to the East leads to Pick Axe Rift, 8m deep and choked at the bottom. Heading west at the bottom of the pitch various holes head off but all are choked except for one at the far western end which is the start of Inglorious Bastards (careful of straws and loose boulders). The pitch (18m) starts as a funnel of boulders and mud which soon opens to the main shaft of impressive proportions. At the base of the pitch a bedding crawl (Black Draught) can be followed for 10m to a choke, whilst a rope up in the far corner leads up to T’owd Man workings and a further blind climbing shaft and internal shaft. At the eastern end of the chamber a crawl through mud leads to a squeeze down against a boulder which is Loperamide Lust. This can be followed as a crawl which is flat out in places for 20m to the Connection with Doom and the Wet West Caverns. This connection can become impassable in very wet weather.
Survey available here.