5 NOVEMBER 2006

Back to Diary Page

Pan Ling farmers thresh rice using an electric motor replacing the traditional wooden hand powered device

Bruce, Eddie, Tony, Zhanghai, Chen Lixin, Zeng Hua Jin (University of Nanchang Adventure Club) and "Bandana Man" headed for the 'doline' entrance which was hoped would connect with the new main passage extension beyond the showcave. After just 70m the dry passage drops down a short pitch which we bolted. A further short drop in the rift was descended into a small narrow streamway. A solitary bat was encountered below the first pitch which trembled as it began to warm up. Upstream the passage chocked after 50m and this area was home to a small colony of bats.

Bruce forged ahead along the unwelcoming passage as Tony descended. Eddie looked after the entourage after impressing them with his harness-free traditional abseil. The air was pungent with a familiar acrid/musty smell and before long two rats scuttled ahead up the passage. As Bruce approached they huddled on top of a rock at eye level and he cautiously slipped past them at very close quarters. Tony soon caught up and the pair forged ahead through an increasingly aquatic passage. The deep rift pools were cool and topped with organic flotsam and we frequently traversed through these clinging neck-deep to the walls before reaching the shallows again. Chen and Zheng filmed their own progress behind us but were not able to catch up. This turned out to be a good thing because they discovered a short but nicely decorated high level section above the stream whilst looking for us.

Meanwhile Bruce and Tony persevered along the ever desperate passage and passed an awkward climable waterfall followed by two ducks which required helmets to be removed. The second duck was short but located in a narrow swimming canal. Tony was persuaded to follow despite feeling increasingly cold and by now tired. Being a very determined character who doesn't like to let anyone down he pushed himself on until the very end. Our terminus was preceeded by a flowstone cascade close to the low ceiling which dropped into a small pool. A shingle crawl continued on but appeared to choke ahead. This was our return point. we surveyed out beyond the second duck in the streambed. We surveyed back and passed underneath Chen and Zheng who were quietly filming in their grotto, and so we left the cave before them. A return trip was made to check on their whereabouts.