Nice intro. I understand the "sense of adventure" thing. It has been a long time, Clan tomb was the one with lots of steps and a sort of egg shape right?bridgelords wrote: ↑22 Oct 2018, 8:36 pmHey!
I'm from Melbourne, VIctoria. Recently got into draining over the past year or so with a mate. If you understand my name, you might know the first drain I ever explored. Been exploring drains in the inner north, with the Clan Tomb being a favourite of mine. I enjoy the sense of adventure you get from exploring, especially when you're with a mate. I enjoy listening to stories of others because everyone has their own unique exploration story. Hope you have a great day!
Bridgelords
yep exactly, so i'm guessing it's pretty obvious what the first drain I ever explored was. It's decent up until after the manhole above a busy road. Just shrinks after that and turns after a long while.ironfistdoug wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 11:25 pmBridge Lords... Northcote High Darkies
The were students from the school in the late 80's.
I went up there that far once that I was so desperate to find a way out I ended up lying down and worming along. Eventually I came to a deadend & had to worm in reverse. Finally got back to a manhole shaft and stood up. I was so relieved that I could turn around, but as I took a few breaths through the manhole I felt rain on my face. Then a car went over the manhole. I was exhausted but I had to get the manhole off. I pretty much wrecked my shoulders and upper back for a few weeks but I got it off. I was at Penders Park.bridgelords wrote: ↑02 Nov 2018, 4:38 pmyep exactly, so i'm guessing it's pretty obvious what the first drain I ever explored was. It's decent up until after the manhole above a busy road. Just shrinks after that and turns after a long while.ironfistdoug wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 11:25 pmBridge Lords... Northcote High Darkies
The were students from the school in the late 80's.
Geez thats a lucky escape with the rain (I've seen you've had quite a few), must have been in there for quite a while. I've only ever been up the red brick section once and since I'm decently tall, it was pretty painful for my back so my mate and I decided to turn back. Does it open up again at all or does it stay low and painful?ironfistdoug wrote: ↑02 Nov 2018, 6:10 pmI went up there that far once that I was so desperate to find a way out I ended up lying down and worming along. Eventually I came to a deadend & had to worm in reverse. Finally got back to a manhole shaft and stood up. I was so relieved that I could turn around, but as I took a few breaths through the manhole I felt rain on my face. Then a car went over the manhole. I was exhausted but I had to get the manhole off. I pretty much wrecked my shoulders and upper back for a few weeks but I got it off. I was at Penders Park.bridgelords wrote: ↑02 Nov 2018, 4:38 pmyep exactly, so i'm guessing it's pretty obvious what the first drain I ever explored was. It's decent up until after the manhole above a busy road. Just shrinks after that and turns after a long while.ironfistdoug wrote: ↑29 Oct 2018, 11:25 pmBridge Lords... Northcote High Darkies
The were students from the school in the late 80's.
Yes, I agree, the drain is not much fun at all
Yeah I pretty much figured that after a while of backing bending pain. Had the same sorta experience with Banger's recently. Manhole's become a great relief just because you can stand up. In the grand scheme of things, I haven't done that many drains. Maybe 4-5. Only got into it around last spring/summer. Did the Clan Tomb which was quite fun and wasn't too bad on the back. Did pillars but it was forecast to rain and it was pretty damn cloudy so my mate and I didn't stick around too long. Did the Maze but again, we were quite rushed for time and didn't explore the whole system but for the first time, actually encountered other explorers. Looking to go pretty hard this summer and over the next few weekends. Might expand out horizons and head out a little further. Not like the drains are going anywhereironfistdoug wrote: ↑06 Nov 2018, 2:41 pmI'm 197cms so I'm hearing you
Nah, you've definitely seen the best of it.
I probably haven't had as many near misses as most if you consider the period of time. I've probably had 4 or 5 near misses since 1986... 1 every 8 years or there abouts.
Have you done many drains?
There is a good one not too far from the Bridge Lords one.
I think some maps show that it does but if it does that it must be via tiny pipes as I've been to the very end of GOD and way too far up Bangers.bridgelords wrote: ↑07 Nov 2018, 11:10 amHey! Any chance if you know that Banger's connects to God?
I think so.bridgelords wrote: ↑09 Nov 2018, 8:22 amThanks Doug! The ladder in GOD is pretty dodgy. Do people still use it?
window wrote: If somebody with sufficient legal prowess were to author that letter, it could actually work
Not even.
If all else fails, duct tape will fix itironfistdoug wrote: ↑10 Nov 2018, 9:48 amwindow wrote: If somebody with sufficient legal prowess were to author that letter, it could actually workNot even.
Well in the case of old school Cave Clan member Edgar who got a few things in drains fixed he simply contacted them with the details. Once a company gets notified of a health & safety issue they are taking a huge risk by ignoring it.
That's how he got the ladder installed in the Maze waterfall. He basically mentioned that if someone needed to get down the waterfall in an emergency, be it a child or a Melbourne Water employee, that they would be forced over the edge & probably die.
He also reported a blockage (a huge tree caught in a drain) so that may have helped too. The tree was removed & a ladder added within a couple of weeks.
I think I might send something off to MW and see how it goes.
It does need to be fixed though because however much I'd like to explore the full length of GOD, I don't wanna break my legs or back 100m in... Hopefully. They've responded.
Melbourne Water wrote:Dear Dougo
Thank you for contacting Melbourne Water.
May I please ask you to specify the location of the ladder in question. Please respond to replyservice@melbournewater.com.au ensuring reference **** is in the subject line.
Thank you very much.
Kind regards,
A dude phoned me today. It was weird as he said out of the blue "Cave Clan tell us about damaged in the drains too".bridgelords wrote: ↑23 Nov 2018, 7:48 pmI don't think they'd remove the ladder all together, especially after you raised your concerns. They'd be liable if something happened to one of their workers. If something happened, they'd be liable for not responding to safety and accessibility concerns, etc etc. They might do a bodge job though...
