, March 2002:

The Titan surface dig has received some attention over the last couple of months and is progressing well. The current depth is 32m with an estimated 9m to go.

On Saturday the 2nd of February Robbie Shone and a team went in to Titan to photograph the top section of the shaft. Paul Deakin's photograpgh of the bottom section of the shaft is now well known (the first photo below), having been published in many magazines and as a poster but only those who have been beyond the Event Horizon have seen the upper section of the shaft which is even bigger.

Two-way radios, loaned by Hitch n Hike (the Peak District caving shop), were used to co-ordinate the photography as verbal communication in the shaft is impossible due to it's size.

The "original" photograph of Titan as seen from the floor, looking up to the black hole of The Event Horizon. No one could have guessed at at what was beyond.

Photo: Paul Deakin 06/02/1999

zoom_in

The upper section of Titan seen fom the ledge above The Event Horizon.

Photo: Robbie Shone 02/02/2002

zoom_in

Looking across from the ledge above The Event Horizon, which can be seen bottom left.

Photo: Robbie Shone 02/02/2002

zoom_in

Looking up into the dome a the top of Titan from the ledge above The Event Horizon.

Photo: Robbie Shone 02/02/2002

zoom_in

Looking out into space from the 130m Passage, 130m from the floor of Titan.

Photo: Robbie Shone 02/02/2002

zoom_in

The upper section of Titan seen fom the ledge above The Event Horizon.

Photo: Robbie Shone 02/02/2002

zoom_in

previous related report 12/2001

Eco-anchors replaced, March 2002:

The Loose eco-anchors on Garland's Pot that were reported last month have been replaced by DCA and are ready for use as on noon on Thursday 7th.

previous related report 02/2002

Pilgrim's Way ladder dismantled, March 2002:

The old iron ladder that ascended to Pilgrim's Way from the West Antechamber has now been dismantled and replaced with an eco-anchor pull through system, installed by the DCA bolt installation team. What's left of the ladder will be removed from the cave altogether.

Report - DCA.

- eco-anchors loose

, March 2002.

There are now four loose eco-anchors reported in Oxlow including the ones on the 3rd Pitch Y-hang. All the loose bolts in Oxlow are from those put in very early on - before the intallation technique was fine tuned. Whilst it's very unlikely in their current state they would fail in normal use, it's probably a good idea for people to be extra aware rigging. It was intended to replace these at the same time as the ones in Giant's but there wasn't enough power left in the drill batteries. It is DCA'a intention to replace them soon.

Report - Matt Ryan.

- eco-anchors

, March 2002.

DCA now have permission from the relevant authorities to put more bolts in Suicide and in Old Tor Mine so these can be used as training / novice venues. It is hoped that this will reduce the load on Giants etc. The intallation is intended to take place sometime fairly soon.

Report - Matt Ryan.

Suicide Cave (Horseshoe Cave) at the bottom of Winnats Pass.

Photo: Shaun Puckering

zoom_in

- bad air?

, March 2002.

A party of cavers has reported bad / poluted air in the area around Rift Chamber. A bad smell was noticed and two members of the party felt ill. Any further reports can be sent to

.

- a SUSS dig

, March 2002.

Report from Tim Webber & Brendan Sloan - SUSS

There's been a partial result from the dig in Robin's Shaft Mine. After digging for 2-3m, 10m of new passage dropping down at about -10 degrees was found. The passage has a clean phreatic rock roof with an infilled mud floor of unknown depth. The passage ends in small chamber with a 1 inch gap at floor level which will continue the dig. The survey shows the passage heading down and away from everything else known in the system. It is rather squalid, unless you're one of the people we're going to rope into helping us, in which case its a good way to make your oversuit look used. If anyone really wants to go down into the new bit please wait for a few weeks. There is some undisturbed mud warrants a photo.

DCC survey with SUSS additions at

http://www.timwebber.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/robins_plan_complete_new.jpg