The exploration of Blackmoor Valley, and
history of Upper Flood Swallet 1954-2008 (part 6)

1995 - Upper Flood Swallet 2

When the survey was drawn up it was realised that the top of Rip-off Aven in Black Shale Rift was only a few metres below the surface. If a connection could be made from the surface, then it would be possible to reach the Red Room without traversing Midnight Streamway, thus conserving the decorations in this part of the cave.

Digging UFS2, 1995. Photo JP Burch

Blackmoor Valley is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and permission had to be sought from the Secretary of State before digging could commence. Digging (including an archaeological excavation, installation of the pipes and a lockable lid) was limited to 10 weeks commencing April 1995.

The location of Rip-Off Aven was confirmed by radiolocation and digging commenced. Despite digging 2 shafts 4m and 5.5m deep, the connection could not be made in the time allowed and the surface dig was closed down. A locked lid and pipe were left in place so the connection could still be attempted from the cave outwards!

Unable to find a way beyond the Red Room and Andrew's Grotto boulder chokes, the diggers moved on to other projects. A leader system was introduced to protect the formations in Midnight Streamway and a period of conservation and cleaning of formations began. In addition, fixed-point photography was introduced so that any deterioration of the cave could be monitored.

Extracts from Upper Flood Swallet conservation plan, 1998

Fixed point photography (in progress, and results). Photos L Hawkswell and Marcus Ward

2004 - Golden Chamber

The boulder choke at the back of the Red Room had proved to be an extremely stubborn obstacle since 1987. Just above the old dig face was a very small, mud filled crack that headed over the dig and on 06/10/01 a team lead by Tim Francis started a new dig. They were rewarded on 29/08/04 when Peat Bennett and Tim Francis forced a way through the choke to enter a new chamber. This is extremely well decorated. The roof is covered in fine straws and there is a flowstone cascade. A small ledge is completely covered with calcite crystals. The extension was named "Golden Chamber" for the MCG's 50th anniversary year.

Golden Chamber; Photos B Cooper

2006 - Streamway Regained

In October 2005 a dig was started in the floor of Golden Chamber and by February 2006 a stream could be heard. The way on was ridiculously tight but a 36v Bosch drill with lithium-ion batteries soon proved its worth. By April it seemed that a major breakthrough was imminent.

Sadly, on the next trip Malcolm Cotter suffered fatal heart failure in the canal on the way out. Malcolm had seen the way on beyond the rift and knew there were good things ahead for the cave that he loved. We were sure Malcolm would have wanted us to continue, so a week later on 07/05/06 after 3 more double Hiltis, Peat Bennett and Tim Francis broke through to Streamway Regained. 2 more Hiltis from the inside and the larger members of the team, Doug Harris and Mike Richardson, joined them. A walking-size passage with a floor of boulders and rocks terminated at a jumble of boulders but we could hear the stream below. A few rocks were ripped out and we could spy a tight continuation in the floor.

Streamway Regained. Photos T Francis

1968-1985 - progress made in Upper Flood Swallet

During this period the cave was explored from the entrance to Midnight Chamber:

1985-2006 - progress made in Upper Flood Swallet

During this period the cave was explored to Streamway Regained:

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