Leader: Alison Pickford

alison aaron

Alison Pickford organised a joint weekend with the Nelson Speleological Group. 4 NTCers, 2 visitors and 8 cavers gathered at the Rat Trap corner, Upper Takaka. Showery weather and report not good but the cavers insisted they had a dry cave. So off we went to a nearby farm road. We got togged up ( polypro, overalls, bash-hat, headlamp and gloves) and then walked up a steep hill into a small bush patch. And there we were at the 'Field' entrance to the Commentary Cave system.
Down we plunged led by NSG President Andrew Smith. And what an underground adventure we had for the next 4.5 hours: large caverns, waterfalls, short climbs, abrupt drops, narrow passages and 'squeezes' were successfully traversed with much grovelling and some rope-work.
Limestone features included stalactites, floral patterns, mini-tubes and shawls plus some glow-worms. All very beautiful and eery by lamp-light. The route was confusing with many twists and turns, plus side passages which Sam and Bridget, keen young cavers, thoroughly explored. Lunch was in a magnificent amphitheatre complete with a tongue of limestone exuding from an upper chamber.
After a final squeeze through a puddle we emerged wet and muddy into the last chamber (aptly named Monster Mouth) with daylight seeping in from the exit. We had completed a circuit of a few-100 metres underground and all not more than 50m from the surface!
Back to the vehicles and so to the caver's delightful club hut near the top of Takaka Hill for refreshments. About half the team stayed overnight including dinner and socialising.
Arising somewhat late after a night of continuous rain, we again togged up to do Summit, another shorter cave right near the start of the Takaka Hill Walkway. However, the stream was flooded so we settled for the walkway, accomplishing about an hours worth before heavy rain set in. Drying out and lunch back at the lovely warm hut and then we packed up for the return to Nelson, hours before the Takaka Hill was closed. An excellent weekend in weather that would have defeated a tramping trip.
Wombles were: Alison Pickford, Patrick Holland (scribe), Ray Salisbury, Alison Aaron (NTC); Denise, Ian (visitors); Many thanks to the NSG cavers for guidance and hospitality: Andrew, Dawn, Greg, Rose, Saskia, Peter, Sam & Bridget.