I co-led a youthful group of 5 into Babylon Cave. Although I would have preferred to go somewhere I have not been before, I thought this a good opportunity to check some leads I had in the back of the cave. The cave has an impressive trunk passage that ends at a enormous rockfall with a fortunate hole that leads down into the continuation of the cave. We climbed up Ray's Reach, an exposed climb/traverse leading to the decorated upper level, much less scary now that new bolts and a traverse line have been installed. The group then de-booted and de-suited and went for a stroll through the very pretty Naked Lady Series. Then we went back down Ray's Reach to probe a way through the terminal breakdown pile. We systematically ruled out over a dozen different possibilities and I checked out some further holes in the floor to no great advancement. Ditching packs, we crawled/stooped our way down the impressively muddy Shady Lane. We all had a great appreciation for the slurping sound effects. I went quite a distance down this passage to where water nearly reached the ceiling- I was not so keen in this instance, especially with my headlamp with loose wiring. Although leads still remain, particularly in the upper levels, I am much less optimistic about finding a back entrance. It was a good trip anyway.
Ray's Reach
In the Naked Lady Series
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