Poll Gonzo 17/08/25

  

Clare Caving Club - Trip Log

Poll Gonzo

As always, do not visit caves without the permission of the landowner

Trip Overview

Location:

Poll Gonzo, Burren

Date:

August 17, 2025

Participants:

Jarek Banasiak, Tim O'Connell, Michau Pe, Paddy Griffin, Owen O'Connell, Rowena Sheen, 

Trip Leader:

Michau Pe

Trip Difficulty Level:

Technical, short cave

Weather Conditions:

Dry

Cave Description

Back in the early 2000's Gonzo the dog got lost while out hunting with his owner, Sean Shannon. Sean found Gonzo in an interesting hole in the ground. Sean told Colin, Colin went for a poke, assembled a team of diggers from the club, and rest is history. 

Entrance:



Route:

Entire cave!

Trip Description:

Everyone got to Marmite Passage and the Waterfall.
Rigging practice and SRT training following from the SRT Training the day previous



Equipment:

SRT kit. 9 Karabiners and a 55 meter rope for the entrance series of pitches, 5 karabiners and a 30 (not 20 metre:) metre rope for the waterfall pitch. All routes are bolted. 2 new placements (for Petzl Coeur anchors) placed at the base of 'gothic' passage in the recent ICRO practice - which could be used in the case of resuce or to protect the climb to gothic passage.

Notes/ Highlights:


Prepacking bags before entering the cave - with end of ropes tied to bags - so important! Foot ascenders to ease changeovers and speed on the SRT ascent! Excellent training ground for both Rigging and SRT - Jarek and Michau used the opportunity to practice rigging whilst Paddy and Owen practiced SRT, mentored by Rowena. Scope to place three additional bolts to facilitate rigging the entrance series and remove the non loadbearing / wearing 'tatty' rope at the mud slope to the entrance.


images


A satisfied rigging team

This tatty rope needs replacing

Team Gonzo 17 08 25 

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