Trip report
| 2007-04-14 | NSW Caving Expedition at Mt Fairy - Wyanbene - Cooleman - Yarrangobilly |
| Trip report: | |
| Sat 14th Went for a walk to the Big Hole in the afternoon. It is very impressive and we will have to get a permit to abseil down it one day. Camped at Wyanbene caves, and prepared for WY-1 trip on the following day. The creek at the campsite was dry. A large caravan that had somehow got to the other side of the log fence also occupied the campsite. We assumed that they had jacked up the fence to drive through. Sun 15th Six of us members spent all day in Wyanbene Cave WY-1. The aim of the trip was to reach Lake Frustration and visit the Gun barrel Aven however we ended up not making it all the way. From the entrance we headed down the streamway and through the ‘Jail house’. We did not go to ‘Cleopatra’s Bath’. Went past the Helictite chamber with the intention of visiting it on our return journey. The ‘Wet stretch’ and in fact the entire stream way seemed to be flowing quite well. At one point where the water narrowed down to a small waterfall (10cm), where we calculated the water flow using a 600ml drink bottle and calculated the approximate flow to be 8.5 litres / minute. The water was quite cold for which we were prepared. We spent some time trying to find the correct route through the ‘Rockfall chamber’ into Far Caesars Hall. This wasted a little time and contributed to us not reaching the lake. We ended up making an unplanned trip to ‘Barking Dog Chamber’ and ‘the Meanders’, which most of our party had not seen before. Had a late lunch in Far Caesars Hall at the top of mud slopes. Proceeded on towards the Diarrhoea Pit that ended up being not very deep with mud compared to what it used to be. The next stretch involved some up and overs, first a 3 metre one ‘The Chamber Pot’ then a 5 metre one. We used our second ladder on the 5 m pitch not realising at the time that it was not ‘Andersons Wall’. By the time we reached this last 8m up and over our party was ready to turn back especially since extra time would be wasted to retrieve the ladder and handline from the previous pitch. We looked at visiting the Gun Barrel on our way home but abandoned it because of the risky pass that would be required given our parties reduced energy levels. We will attempt to use the lower route to the Gun Barrel Aven next time. We retraced our steps with some people avoiding the stream channel by taking the upper level. We made a short visit to the Helictite chamber. It was well worth the effort of a squeeze. The bread knife is always impressive and the chamber appeared to have no recent damage. Returned wet, tired and most importantly happy and safe after spending 9 1/2 hrs in this cave. Mon 16th We spent the morning above ground looking for WY-3 ‘Ridge Mine Pot’. On the way we located other caves WY-4, 6 ,7, 10 plus two other untagged holes. All caves were GPS referenced. Except for Clarkes Cave, none were entered. A successful trip around the hillside with time also being spent looking at the various old mine diggings. Left Wyanbene in afternoon. | |