The large trunk passages described on this page were originally accessed by descending Mordor pitch from the Country for Old Men level in 2011. In 2012, this area was accessed and explored from Steinbrückenhöhle via the Far from Support traverses from the bottom of Fat Cat. The southern extremity (Runnel Stone area) is very close to Chicken Flied Nice, so in the future it may prove easier to access these passages via an as yet undiscovered connection in this area, thereby bypassing the Tyrolean traverse at Strange Acrossfall.
Mordor is a small, very windy (blowing up) pitch at the northern end of Sudetenland (accessed from Country for Old Men) that is rigged from roof. After the initial 10m drop, it is possible to climb a further 10m down to a second hang from a thread then a roof bolt where pitch opens out. A deviation ~7m down on a spike avoids a rub at a rebelay (huge thread) to drop nicely to near floor. A 60m rope is recommended (this pitch was left rigged in 2011). At the bottom is a chamber is about 15m high. To the west is a north-south trending rift leading to large pitch at S end. [FIXME: where is this pitch on the survey? Presumably the pitch is a QM – what grade? There are two candidates. Also 3 C-grade QMs marked on survey]. East leads to March of the Ents.
The large passage of March of the Ents heads eastwards from the chamber at the base of Mordor pitch 4m higher up, reached via an easy traverse out. There is a strong draught from east to west (into the chamber). After 18m, a t-junction is reached with a much less windy passage to the right (south), Rivendell, that is the main route to the south. Straight ahead (east) the main passage continues uphill then turns northeast. 30m beyond the Rivendell junction, climbing up to the left in a complex area reaches the head of No Sign of Sauron pitch. Most of the draught appears to coming from the area around this pitch. Immediately beyond is a passage on the left (bearing on 252°) [C2011-161-XX B] [FIXME: is this the C lead on the survey? Bearing doesn't fit- 352 better]. The phreatic passage zig-zags for another 30m . At the corner is a high (12m) solution area in the roof [C2011-161-XX C] [FIXME: where is this on the survey?]. Ahead the passage becomes a very high hading rift with a short drop. Traversing across the rift leads to Bored of the Rings.
Bored of the Rings can be accessed either by descending a short pitch and climbing up the far side, or (preferred) by traversing along the right-hand wall of the hading rift (bolts placed for a traverse line). [FIXME: the survey shows two C leads at the bottom of the rift, and a B lead at the top, also a p5 – is this a QM?] At the far end of the traverse is a junction. Ahead leads after 10m to a pitch [C2011-161-XX B]. A passage to the right here connects heads back to overlook the hading rift.
The main way on at the junction is to the left (north). The passage continues for 55m, past a pool (traversed on the left) to a rift in the floor (undescended [C2011-161-XX B]). Left here leads to [FIXME: 2 QMs on survey, B and a C – descriptions? Also, c2 to the east of the passage – is there a QM there?]. Stepping over the rift (traverse line advisable) leads to a breakdown chamber with lots of holes in the floor. [FIXME: extension to west near survey station 'a' leads to 2 B grade QMs – description?] Keeping right passes a small passage on the right [C2011-161-XX C]. Clambering among the boulders leads to a short climb down near the right-hand wall (handline useful) to reach a drippy pitch (undescended). [C2011-161-XX B]. The Far From Support traverses head off along the right-hand wall of this pitch (left rigged in 2012) and is the connection route to Steinbrückenhöhle, emerging in Cirque du Soleil. A tube heading up on the right immediately before the start of the traverse links back to overlook the pitch and also a possible continuation east [C2011-161-XX C].
No Sign of Sauron pitch is accessed by heading north and uphill from March of the Ents into the wind to a rock pillar at the pitch head. The pitch is rigged by traversing along the left hand wall to a rock bridge overlooking a second, connected hole that is the descent route. An aven above the pitch on the left at this point appears to be main source of the draught [C2012-161-XX X]. It would be relatively easy to continue the traverse to an apparent passage on the far side of the pitch [C2012-161-XX B] - it is unclear whether or not this passage continues.
The pitch is a fine circular shaft, 5m round and 32m, and is descended via a deviation 4m down and a y-hang rebelay approximately halfway down. At the base of the pitch, a rift passage heads south, accessed by climbing down through boulders. The passage was followed for 15m, via a 2m down climb, and continues to the south, tight but passable [C2012-161-XX B]. There is little discernible draught.
Large passage to R off March of the Ents in more phreas arrives in a chamber. A hole in the floor is approx p10 with a pool at bottom (QMA). There is possible passage to N. Way on is downhill, arriving at a large T-junction with horizontal passage. This is very windy again (E to W). Left is the large passage of the Shires, right is towards the Stables.
Turning L (S) at
T-junction enters huge phreatic passage 5m across trending gently downhill, 'The Shires'. This reaches a pitch edge after 50m looking out into large chamber/area (QMA). Drop is about 10m then another 10m in further hole. A small passage continues ahead for ~7m to look out over another drop, probably the same space (QMB). Halfway along the Shires a small rift passage goes off (QMC).
17m to R (w) it opens out at a small streamway. Passage continues ahead up small climb (QMA). Another goes downhill to L. The stream sinks in too-tight passage.