Ramsays Leap Trip Report
On Saturday the 19th of May, 2020 and inspection of Ramsays Leap and surrounding areas was made. The group consisted of Wesley Warren, Emmalene Warren (Junior member) and Elizabeth Roberts. Warren Dixon attended and represented Cessnock City Council.
Two areas were of focus in this trip and represented new areas recently described in a report written by Wendy Thorp. She described new walling features discovered at the base of the road descending from Mt Simpson. Wendy also described a cave discovered in a 2010 survey of the Ramsays Leap area.
Photos 1 and 2 show the new walling area. Images 2 and 3 are of a large bolder with extensive convict facing on one side. This rock must have been pushed down the hill from the road within the past 30 years or so. Images 5 and 6 show the discovered cave with a small hand cut entrance arch. The cave was large enough for Elizabeth to sit inside comfortably and had a dry floor. It is highly possible this cave would have been used as a gunpowder store during road construction. An archaeological examination of the cave should be made a priority so until then the exact location of the cave will not be published.
The smiling group on the top of Ramsays Leap walling next to the road is image 7. Recent work since January this year has removed lots of vegetation growing on and near the wall. Compare the similar views of the wall from February 3, 2020 in image 8 with this new photo.
Two areas were of focus in this trip and represented new areas recently described in a report written by Wendy Thorp. She described new walling features discovered at the base of the road descending from Mt Simpson. Wendy also described a cave discovered in a 2010 survey of the Ramsays Leap area.
Photos 1 and 2 show the new walling area. Images 2 and 3 are of a large bolder with extensive convict facing on one side. This rock must have been pushed down the hill from the road within the past 30 years or so. Images 5 and 6 show the discovered cave with a small hand cut entrance arch. The cave was large enough for Elizabeth to sit inside comfortably and had a dry floor. It is highly possible this cave would have been used as a gunpowder store during road construction. An archaeological examination of the cave should be made a priority so until then the exact location of the cave will not be published.
The smiling group on the top of Ramsays Leap walling next to the road is image 7. Recent work since January this year has removed lots of vegetation growing on and near the wall. Compare the similar views of the wall from February 3, 2020 in image 8 with this new photo.