System News

Whirlpool Rising Looking downstream in low and high water. © John Gunn 

Update: Nov 2023 - A further dive has been made into the extension at Whirlpool Rising by the diving pair of Rob and Luke. Keeping high at the end, they followed a continution before descending down a pot to a depth of -41 m before returning due to air reserves. They will return at their first opportunity they get.

Between July 2022 and August 2023, Rob Middleton and Luke Brock have made ten dives bettwen them in Whirlpool Rising, with a view to extending the sump. On the 21/08/2023, Rob passed the  constriction at the bottom of the pot, managing to extend the sump, adding 30 m onto the length of the sump, and down to a depth of -28 m.

On the 22nd of August 2023, Rob made a further dive beyond the squeeze, the sump was pushed to -34 m depth and apporximately 50 m from the squeeze. The bottom was silted up but they feel, the way on may be at the top. Rob returned to dive base and Luke went for a dive to the end. A return is planned.

Reference:

Middleton, R. 2023. Cave Diving Group Newsletter 229. Page 10 to 12.
Brock, L. 2023. Descent 294. Stalactite Publishing. Page 10.