This is a full-length feature, first shown publically in September 2019. All the 7 main caves in the quarry are described with histories and character, in most cases by some of the original discoverers.
I am glad that there exist people so passionate and caring about nature that they spend precious time and energy literally cleaning rocks out in the wild
fascinating, well constructed, high quality filming and graphics. So interesting to see the history of the quarry and its caves as well as all the stunning formations. I explored my first cave in the late 60's in the Mendips around the age of 12/13. I had a small Mendips cave guide book but I don't think the caves in this quarry were in it. Thanks for sharing this great video....
Fascinating stuff, I used to live on a farm less than a mile from here - we had a huge summer colony of lesser horseshoe bats in one of the outbuildings (our boiler room, so it was very warm!). I always wondered where they went to hibernate each winter - now I probably have the answer!
I was lucky enough to visit Withyhill in june of 1979. I'll never forget that. Just down the road is Stoke Lane Slocker, The second series of chambers are amazing and well decorated. But getting in is a bit of a slog.
Shoot. I hit send accidentally. Too early in the morning. Told you it bothered me. Anyway, maybe general public disinterest is a silver lining. No lines at the entrance. The closest thing I've ever done(and it's not even close) is the thousand foot crawlway entrance to Wayne cave outside Bloomington Indiana. Hands and knees and belly crawling with three squeezes thrown in. The last squeeze is called " why the H", where God maintains a small kiosk for bargaining with visitors on their continued existence. It's bedding plane, ten to twelve feet wide, but only about that many inches high. Sound is amplified in this section, but when at rest the caver can hear their own heart Poefully pounding beneath the floorboards. Just wanted to say, from half a world away, I appreciate what you do.
2:04 It is very clear that it's a structure of a woman theres a lot going on in this cave now but at one time this was some sort of building structure, you can see what it looks like they used to be ancient people in garments? What a beautiful place , full of untold ancient history..
great video reminds me of an idea i had a while back to translate a regional caving guide book to video format showing each cave with all its side passages and in visual format with the survey shown on screen. which passage leads were, how to pass this or that bolder chock properly and how to rig pitches as descriptions and surveys can at times be hard to follow if your visiting a cave for the first time and don't have someone who knows the place with you. i lack the skills, time and resources for such a massive project however so videos like this and others you have done recently are great.
