Sunday 31st May 2026

John Cooper, Trevor Hughes, Mike Kousiounis and Lee Venning. Spoil clearing session, started around 2pm. Trevor started by sorting out some pipe for use with his extractor fan. Meanwhile Kushy was at the bottom loading, John hauling and Lee emptying. After 30 loads Lee went down with his breaker and Trevor took over emptying the buckets. At 56 loads hauled out Mike and Lee took a break. They reported loads more to come out. John then left. John.

Bottom, looking South. Photo MK.

Today's haul. Photo LV.

After a break we measured the depth at 13.7m (we haven't cleared the floor in weeks). A small ladder was lowered and 5 holes drilled to trim the wall in various places. All 10mm holes, 3 x 1m and 2 x 500mm. The objective was to give better ladder placement and fewer places for the bucket to snag when raising and lowering. Task completed and finally the extractor fan was tested with a successful result. Supervised setup for LV, cold and draughty for MK supervising. Finished just after 6pm. Mike.

Lee drilling. Photo MK.

Fumes being extracted. Video MK.

Monday 25th May 2026

John Cooper, Mike Kousiounis and Lee Venning. 10am start but it was was already hot and sunny, 25°C and increasing. Kushy to the bottom with John hauling and Lee emptying. Stopped at 58 loads removed to reach 100 for the last bang. Mike came out for lunch break at 12.30. Lee’s new counter was used and it agreed with the rock abacus. John left to go and drill in Frog Pot. John.

(Mike mentioned that it was very cool and draughty down below. Same set up as previous, loud noise made).

Lee's new counter. Photo LV.

End of clearance - looking South. Photo MK.

PM session. MK and LV drill and bang.

Ready for next clearance session. Photo LV.

Thursday 21st May 2026

Harley Bennett, John Cooper and Hollie London. Warm sunny evening. Hollie down for a before photo and the first session. Harley took over for the second session and finally John did the third. Hollie down at the end for an after photo. 42 loads hauled out this evening. Still more loose debris to come out. 2½ hours. John.

Before Clearing. Video HL.

After clearing. Video HL.

Looking North. Photo HL.

Looking South. Photo HL.

Harley hauling. Photo HL.

Sunday 17th May 2026

Mike Kushy and Lee Venning. LV down the hole with the breaker to start, 11 loads cleared. MK then went down with LV winching, 32 buckets cleared in total. 5 holes @ 30x450mm drilled, noise made. 4.5 hours. Mike.

Tuesday 12th May 2026

John Cooper, Mike Kousiounis and Lee Venning. Kushy down the hole with John hauling for the first hour then Lee arrived and helped with emptying. Lee then went to repair the generator connector. Kushy came out after 48 loads and John went down. Total of 60 loads for the session. More can be removed, especially with a breaker. The floor is 3m below the bottom of the ladder! Finally cemented in the top scaffold bar. 3 hours. John.

Cemented bar. Photo MK.

Sunday 10th May 2026

Mike Kushy, Lee Venning and Sam Hill. Sunny warm morning. MK got started with the breaker around 1030 with SH and LV hauling, 20 buckets cleared. Loads more breaker work could have been done. Drilled 5 holes and loud noise made around 1300. After the initial charge the fumes were draughting out really well. John Cooper came to site around 1400 (the clouds had gathered a lot by now) and took some photos. Mike.

Fumes sinking back down the hole. Photo JC.

Wednesday 6th May 2026

Mike Kushy and Sam Hill. SH down the bottom and MK winching, 16 buckets cleared. Breaker work needed. 1 hour. Mike.

After clearing, looking down and facing South. Photo SH.

Tuesday 5th May 2026

John Cooper, Mike Kousiounis and Lee Venning. John down the hole with 2 buckets at 15.50. Still a bit smelly from Sunday. Kushy arrived at 16.00 and we hauled 19 good loads out before Lee arrived about 17.00. John then came out and Kushy went down with breaker. Another 11 loads out making 30 for the session. Breaker out and drill in for 3 x 30mm diameter holes (Lee’s SDS Max Hilti 110V). Spoil created. Fumes settled. 2½ hours. John.

Fumes. Photo LV.

Sunday 3rd May 2026

Mike Kushy and Lee Venning, we met for 1030. MK went down the hole with LV winching. 45 loads cleared, 3 of which being in rock nets. Good draught at the bottom coming from the obvious hole. Holes drilled and noise made. Back at the cars for 1400. Depth measured at 13.0m. Mike.

All photo's by MK.

Before clearing, looking North.

Before clearing, looking South.

After clearing, looking South.

Spoil stack no.2.

Largest rock that came out today.

Spoil stack no.1 in the background.