Aggy, Inner Circle 17th April 2022

Aggy, Inner Circle 17/4/2022 by Dai MacDonald


Dai MacDonald
Gareth Farr
Tom
Maxine

Gareth and I arrived at Whitewalls with a stubborn white fluffy dog laying in the middle of the road, even after Gareth got out to coax it out of the way, it just walked along the middle of the road. We parked up, eventually, and got changed, sent the call out message and were ready to leave when Tom and Maxine pulled up outside Whitewalls. We were both planning an Inner Circle trip, so decided to head in together. Tom and Maxine got ready quickly and we were on our way across the tram road.
Once in the cave we made quick progress through the entrance series into Baron’s Chamber, where we stopped momentarily to catch our breath and have a quick drink. In no time at all we were at the Second Choke, and into Keyhole Chamber. We each had turns in leading and all managed well, although I’m sure I suggested a wrong turn or two, but we were soon at North West Junction. From here we headed for Turkey Pool, but on the way through Turkey Streamway Maxine said she’d like to call it a day, she had been caving the day before and felt really tired. We parted ways, with Tom and Maxine saying they’d have a look at Beehive Chamber before they left, and Gareth and I heading for the Inner Circle. Soon we found ourselves at Turkey Pool, I managed to traverse it, only getting my legs wet, Gareth traversed it as well but got a bit wetter. The rest of the way was no problem, and soon we were at the rescue dump around the Inner Circle. We stopped here for a snack and a drink, then made our way around the inner circle clockwise…so we thought! Before we knew it we were in the Swiss Village, this threw us completely, and we both started looking at the survey and scratching our heads. We retraced our steps and made a few more wrong turns, then decided we would call it a day and start heading back out. For the best part we were okay, but we made a few wrong turns on the way out as well, mainly me I think, but soon we were in the entrance series, and then at the logbook. We checked for Tom and Maxine, they were both ticked out, so we signed ourselves out for 1805, and headed back to whitewalls to get changed just in time before the rain started. Overall a great trip, and worn out for a trip to OCAF the following day.

Dinas Silica Mines and Local Caves 10th April 2022

Dai MacDonald
Gareth Farr
Louise
Peter lamb

We wanted an easy day, so thought we’d check out the mines and wills hole, to the pitch head anyway. We met for 10am and got ready, and headed off after a cuppa. The mines were really interesting, but nothing compared to a cave, strange! We all commented on the steepness of them, then found ourselves in a shaft that went straight from the bottom to the surface, so we stopped for a snack and made our way onto the other mines. While walking the river we were stopping, looking at other bits of interest, and finding violets and wild garlic, but aiming to find Will’s Hole. Soon we found ourselves past both bouldering areas, and down past the lower caves, Ogof Bwa Maen Lower Cave, so doubled back and found Will’s Hole, which we all found disappointing because we could only go a few meters down into it. Ogof Bwa Maen caves on the other hand were quite an interesting, once I’d got past the spiders. We finished off looking down the rest of the river until we got to Ogof Pont Sychryd which we all enjoyed, but my highlight was finding a Morel Mushroom at the entrance, I’ve been looking for a while. After this we headed back to the cars, got changed and headed to the top of the Dinas Rock to enjoy the sun.

Morel Mushroom
Winch in Upper Dinas Silica Mine

Ogof Draenen Sunday 3rd April 2022

Dai MacDonald
Gareth Farr

We started our day full of beans ready for the round trip, and had decided we’d try some alternative routes to the usual ones.

We got in for around 11:05 and made steady progress through the entrance while getting good footage. We made it to Cairn Junction and headed for a bad decision, Beer Challenge! We just wanted to see for ourselves what it’s like, and I’m happy to take Wonderbra any other time now. After this the trip went great all the way through Lamb and Fox Chamber, Indiana Highway, Megadrive to St David’s hall, then the survey came out for Squirrel Rifts. This was another route we wanted to try, rather than Agent Blorenge II. Once at the two climbs, at the end of Squirrel Rifts, we got a little confused where the way on was, but soon found the climbs and made our way down them. The squeeze to get into Haggis Basher is surprisingly demanding and I struggled with my bag and bottle through there. We had a look along the passage, to the choke and then back on ourselves to head for far Agent Blorenge and Chocolate Blorenge, by this point the both of us were feeling quite fatigued after the crawling. We carried on towards the sewers, thinking we’d done the hardest bits, but soon found ourselves at a hole dropping down in a rift that I tried to pass through but felt it was too tight, we looked for an “eyehole” that’s shown on the map, but not even knowing what an eyehole is, and both being on our last battery, we decided to head back the way we’d come. Instantly I was filled with dread just thinking of the two climbs we faced to get out of Haggis Basher, as I’m not the most confident with heights. When we got to the squeeze out of Haggis Basher, we searched the survey for an alternative route to no avail, so pushed through to the climbs. I went first, both no problems with the first, but on the second the exposure got to me, and when I climbed it the first time I didn’t go high enough to climb out and convinced myself I couldn’t do it, but spotted a climb in the opposite end of the small rift, which I could then traverse across the top. I climbed up confidently and found myself on a small solid ledge so stopped to look where to go, panic set in rapidly and I felt extremely exposed, so I climbed to the top of the passage where there was a small dead end tube I could sit in. I shouted down to Gareth “I’m stuck, I can’t down climb from here and I can’t make that traverse”, he could see nothing from the bottom, so he decided to try the climb where I tried first. He climbed up, passed the opening confidently and easily into squirrel rifts, while I’d quietly been having a panic attack, thinking to myself “what’ve you done Dai, you idiot! This is cave rescue now”. Gareth started suggesting things while I told him “I’m stuck bro, I can’t go anywhere”, then I’m the next breath, “just let me calm down and I’ll get across the traverse now”, and continually switching between the two for about two minutes. I asked Gareth to turn his light down because it was blinding me, and by the time he looked back I was across the traverse. Once I’d calmed myself the traverse out was actually really easy. From here we headed for Agent Blorenge II to save on time as we were running out of it. The rest of the trip went fine and we were out before we knew it, making the long walk back to the car.

Upper Dinas Silica Mine – 3rd January 2022

Barry Burn
Andrew ‘Zeb’ Zerbino
Xavier Zerbino

This was to be my first trip underground in a very long time. This time last year, we had missed a lot of caving due to COVID restrictions and I was looking forward to the prospect of caving again in the New Year. I was unaware that in just three days time, I would be looking at a positive test result followed by several weeks in intensive care and a further few weeks on a renal ward before finally coming home in the latter part of March. It’s been a long haul since then and had taken me a long time to recover enough fitness to even think about getting underground again. I was now thinking that a nice easy trip would be achievable and Upper Dinas Silica mine with its large galleries and no crawling with minimal scrambling would fit the bill. Previously, access to the mine has been via either the very steep path up the rock from the car park or by following the river upstream and climbing up the waterfalls. Now though, an old right of way has been re-opened due to the efforts of Roy Fellowes, the owner of the mine and I thought this would be an easy way up.

The Monday was a bank holiday and Zeb and Xavier had said they fancied a trip and I picked them up at a nice reasonable time of about lunchtime and we managed to make reasonable time through the roadworks to the car park at Dinas Rock.

Dinas Rock is an imposing place and legend tells that this is the resting place of King Arthur and his Knights. It is also said that there are many fairies here and in British Goblins, Wirt Sykes wrote of the place’s bad reputation. More recently, the area has seen extensive mining for silica that was used for the production of fire bricks that were used extensively in the steel making industry throughout the world. Now, mining has ceased and the area is more likely to be infested with cavers, climbers and walkers.

There are a number of caves and mines here and we were to visit the largest, Upper Dinas Silica mine. The re-opened way to the mine is to come out of the car park and follow the road over the bridge and up a hill past some glamping pods on the right until a clear path is found leading off to the left. The path is well kept although muddy in places and takes you to the top of the gorge where some old structures that used to support the pylons for the aerial ropeway are to be found. The path takes you down a steep slope that ends at the bridge on the other side of the river from Upper Dinas by the entrance to the smaller mine opposite, Middle Dinas Silica Mine.

Base of Aerial Ropeway Pylon

Middle Dinas consists of three levels, the lower of which floods, the level of which depends on the river level outside. On previous visits, there has been a large, deep pool in the main passage but this time it was more or less dry and we were able to have a good look around. Zeb climbed an ascending passage that goes up to another passage and a higher entrance. After a look around, we crossed exited and crossed the bridge to enter Upper Dinas itself.

Looking out from Middle Dinas Silica Mine
Climbing Ascending Passage
Way Down to Lower Level

Upper Dinas is a massive, impressive place with the upper, unflooded section being effectively a massive chamber on a steep incline, interspersed with many pillars that support the roof.

Looking Back Towards Entrance

We did the usual thing which is to follow the big level just up from the flooded levels until near the end then drop down and continue to reach the furthest point east in the mine to find there had been some other idiots there before us.

Graffiti at Far End Of Mine

Retracing our steps, we climbed up to the remains of the winch which has a large ventilation shaft that slopes upwards to the side of the winch. Zeb went off to explore whilst Xavier and I were more sensible and hung around below taking photos until Zeb returned with a tuft of grass to prove he’d found the the exit to the surface above.

Xavier Posing with Winch
Ventilation Shaft

Heading back towards the entrance, we gradually climbed upwards as we went by climbing up a level, following on for a way and then climbing back up again. This way we made it to the top entrances and emerged into the open. A short scramble then to the path that took us back down to the car park.
It was great to get out and get underground again. It showed me that I still have a way to go as I found some of the scrambling and hills difficult. With time and effort though, I am confident that I will be able to get some way back to where I was before COVID. However, for my first trip back, I was thoroughly knackered but very chuffed to be back.

Robin

Surveys of the mines can be found in Caves and Mines of The Sychryd Gorge.

Information on access to this mine and others can be found at the website of Cambrian Mines

The Cambrian Mines site contains a lot of interesting information such as the History of Mining and links to a collection of historical photos from when it was a working mine.

Nedd Fechan Valley – 30th March 2019

Trip Report Nedd Fechan Gorge 30/03/19 by Patricia Hughes

Bridge Cave
Cwm Pwyll y Rhyd
White Lady Cave
Town Drain

Patricia Hughes
Adam Knapp

The plan for today was to visit Agen Allwedd. However due to the key not being available we had to make a late change to the destination. We decided to visit the Nedd Fechan Gorge. We met up at the respectable time of 10:30 at The Angel pub car park in Pontneddfechan. The laybys were already mostly full with day trippers to the four waterfalls walk, and if that was not enough, there was also a coach trip parked up in one of the laybys. Great for the local tourism to be so busy in March. Furthermore, the only public toilet in the village open at this time proving popular with a queue of about 10 people long, I decided therefore to cross my legs and not join the back of the queue of day trippers. We headed off up the hill in our vehicles and up onto the open land admiring some new born lambs at the side of the road, as the trees gave way to open moorland. Following the long no through road with the final part being on a steep left-hand bend with about a quarter of the road missing. I edged my car gently around the corner and parked in the area just by Bridge Cave entrance. There were a couple of fellow cavers getting changed in the parking area. They were heading off for some diving. Adam and I were just there to have a mooch around the gorge and explore some of the variety of caves in this tight little cluster.

Our first objective was Bridge Cave.

The entrance crawl had quite a strong smell of sheep. I assume that it was from the muck dotted around that had washed into the cave entrance. Putting the smell out of my mind, I continued crawling down the passage. It is always nice to experience something new in a cave. For me it was the joy of crawling over large pebbles or maybe they were rounded rocks, I don’t really know when a pebble becomes a rounded stone and when that becomes a rounded rock. Not that any of this mattered to me as whatever their label, they had a habit of repelling my knees, hands and feet into the gaps. After a little more crawling along the downward pebbly slope, we came to the boulder choke. Threading through what to me was the cave’s most awkward bit. Heading towards the ever-increasing sound of the stream way, we dropped down into the water and followed the fast-flowing stream towards the main passage. I was surprised at how large this passage was in this little cave. As we headed down to sump 1 at the end of the main passage. We passed some pretty flowstone and other formations. I am sure that these would have been even prettier at some point, as many were broken. There was however a good collection of pretty features. Walking back up to the main passage looking up at the bridge, which looked too straight and perfect to be natural. Viewed from underneath, the bridge looked like it was formed from steel joists. We climbed up the side wall and along the ledge to reach the bridge but chose not to attempt to walk on it. A quick mooch up a short crawl along a passage at this upper level. Some nice pools up here to see. We climbed down and gradually made our way up, checking to see if the waterfall was flowing before leaving the main passage, it wasn’t. The boulder choke on the way out showing the somewhat dodgy looking piece of wood that seemed to be propping it up. Best not to dwell too much on the need for that bit of wood, or indeed for its remaining strength.  Adam and then myself carefully and gingerly edged under the choke, feet first. We made our way out up the sloping crawl. I was regretting putting my neoprene jacket on, finding myself uncomfortably hot in this cave. It was nice to get out for two reasons, to pass through and out of the entrance passage with its smell of sheep and more importantly, for me at least, to get out into the cooler air. We turned left, passing the sink, which was swallowing up what little water was left in the river by this point. Following the now dry river bed until we reached the top of the canyon or is it a gorge or is it a valley? Who knows? The pebbles on the river bed gave way to exposed rock and the top or the dry cascade into Cwm Pwyll y Rhyd. Here we climbed onto the shelf about a metre below, admiring the deep and incredibly clear pool about another 2 metres below us. Finding the handline to the right-hand edge, we went down into the cave entrance. I did not wade too far into the deep pool, electing to keep my boots from getting wet inside, as we did not venture into the cave as the passages above the water level were behind many dead branches and other debris that had been driven in there under great force during a much wetter period. We exited again, by climbing up the dry waterfall, Adam taking the wet route through the pool, myself climbing up the handline as I was still keeping my boots dry inside. The way on was by means of retracing our steps slightly and passing up and over the ridge to the immediate left of Cwm Pwyll y Rhyd. Next on our list, down the gorge was White Lady Cave. This involved re-joining the dry stream and continuing down the gorge, climbing down some dry cascades, until the large entrance to White Lady Cave was met, on the right-hand side. All plans of remaining dry socked soon were thrown out as this cave involved a shall I just say bracing wade through the water, which was rather deep in places. We pushed on through the water, crossing the cave a couple of times until we reached the sump marking the end of our journey into this cave. The walls of this cave had a distinctive light grey colour to them and had fine examples of scalloping. I resisted the strong temptation to swim out and followed the route that we took into the cave, but in reverse. The gorge continued downhill to the right.  We crossed many fine gour pools and some lovely yet slippery features. It was here that my brain became slightly muddled up. Had I been in hiking gear, I would have been a great deal more careful footed and been very conscious of the incredibly slippery algae covered rocks. However due to my body being encased in a caving over suit and my now wet feet being in my caving wellies, my brain overruled my feet. I was so used to walking in caves in this clobber that I forgot about slippery rocks, and before I could say green slime, my legs slipped from under me, losing their grip and my backside was heading straight down for a hard collision with the rock beneath it. Natural reflex reaction kicked in and my hands went out behind me to break the fall. I had avoided a bruised coccyx, but sacrificed my wrist and shoulder, jarring both, leading to the aching pain that I am still experiencing in my wrist as I type this log some 30 hours later. A few more climb downs led us to the entrance of Town Drain on the left had side of the Gorge. There was a low fence a couple of metres away from the entrance which was there to prevent debris from being washed into the cave at time of flood. Also present were many bright white sand bags full of rocks from a dig within the Town Drain cave. Ah another hands and knees crawl into another Nedd Fechan cave. I can see why the name was given, at least I think that I know why the name was given. The cave was like crawling and walking in a drain. After a short while it opened out enabling us to stand up and pass through a couple of squeezes in the rift, with water up to our knees before the cave tightened up to a hands and knees crawl again. It continued though a couple of right angle turns then seems to drop down a tighter muddier tube. We decided not to descend further and turned around rather than dropping into the muddier parts of the cave. Chat on the way out of Town Drain was centred on how scary and dangerous this cave could be after heavy rain and that it would be a frightening place to be if it were to flood. After exiting Town Drain, we turned back up the gorge and did some more dry canyoning by means of the same route that we had taken on the way down. We walked straight past the cars in order for Adam to show me the entrance to Little River Neath Cave. About 5 minutes upstream from the parking area a man-made dam can be seen on the opposite side of the river, beneath a small rock outcrop. This was the entrance that we were looking for. Taking it in turns to get on our bellies and look down into the entrance crawl. I look forward to doing a trip into this cave soon. But that would have to wait for another day as we had not planned, nor prepared to enter this cave, so we did not venture beyond a look in from the river. There were a couple of families camping in the field on the bend of the river. A lovely spot for camping, I am sure. It seemed a shame to be getting in my car and heading home, rather than enjoying a night under canvas in such an idyllic spot.

Back to the cars to change, chat and drink a warming cup of tea before heading home.

 

Initially I was disappointed about not being able to visit Aggy, a cave that I have not been to yet. It would have been a great walk in and out to the entrance in this fine weather too. But sometimes things happen for the best. We decided to go on a different trip and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time. It was a good few hours spent in great company. It had a child like sense of exploring this hidden gem in the southern Brecons. I know that I will be returning here to enjoy the delights of Nedd Fechan Gorge, both above and underground it really is a place of beauty and tranquillity.

Nedd Fechan Gorge

Nedd Fechan Gorge

White Lady Cave

White Lady Cave

 

 

 

OFD2 – 10th March 2019

Trip Report by Patricia Hughes
Photos by Barry Burn

Group 1: Round Trip

Adrian Brown
David Gledhill
Richard Gledhill

Group 2: The Nave and Swamp Creek

Patricia Hughes
Barry Burn
Adam Knapp
Rhydian

Group 3: Maypole Inlet

Nick De-Gare Pitt
Clinton Small
Mark Harding

Sunday morning and we met up and travelled in groups from our various houses in Wales. Our plan was to meet at South Wales Caving Club HQ and confirm the routes according to the actual attendees on the morning. I had the opportunity to join the round trip, but as a novice, albeit apparently with good beginner confidence, stamina and technique I opted to improve my technique and confidence a little more with a more straightforward trip. I was anxious that had I lost my confidence in my ability during an exposed traverse, it would put my colleagues in a difficult situation. I therefore chose to cave with with group 2, heading to salubrious passage and swamp creek. We had two prospective members with us, Mark and Rhydian. Always nice to welcome new potential cavers.

We registered our trips, collected the keys and after changing, headed up towards the entrance. One benefit of the very strong wind that was signalling the arrival of Storm Gareth was that it was a tail wind. A quick stop to allow Rhydian to sort out his wellington boots, which would not fit over his under suit and socks. He sorted this wardrobe malfunction out, taking about 4 attempts with various options until he found the right combination for his wellies to sit tidily. One thick pair of under socks removed and threaded around his belt and we stopped for a quick group selfie before splitting up and heading off on our own separate routes.

Nick And Clinton Heading Up The Hill

Nick And Clinton Heading Up The Hill

Our group headed off towards Big Chamber Near The Entrance then and then made our way over very slippery boulders to The Brickyard. Barry helpfully reminding me to remember to look back every now and again, particularly at junctions to improve my route-finding skills. Helpful reminders and I did see the route out with more familiarity than the blind ignorance I have possibly had on my previous trips.

We walked through Gnome Passage. And yes, in my mind, those gnomes did seem to have their own personality. A brief look at the wedding cake, which maybe has melted sometime before my visit. Adam then asked if we wanted to see the Ribcracker Pinnacle, this was at the near end of Edwards Shortcut and is where a club member had a rib-cracking moment whilst going over the top. Back up to the junction at the top of Gnome Passage. At the junction at the top of the corkscrew, we met a group on their way out. This provided a good opportunity to stop for a short rest and a chat, whilst we waiting for the departing group to clear through. A careful descent into the top of The Corkscrew. I was a little too careful, As I did not notice which way Adam went through. I could see a more direct slot through, but was not sure whether I would fit through it. Fortunately, Adam was on the other side to provide guidance on the route down, ah so it is the right-hand side threading around the boulder at the top of the large staggered drop. Well that focused the mind.

Down Through The Corkscrew

Down Through The Corkscrew

The corkscrew completed by all and it was down to the streamway. Very different here to the streamway in OFD1 with enough parts to ensure that the feet could get a good soaking with the deeper parts allowing for water to overflow the boots. Leaving the streamway to see the impressive Trident formation. We took our time here setting up various pictures with different people from different angles. A great excuse to hang around and admire the beauty of the formation hanging down from above. Round to the judge, in some ways, just like the gnomes, seemingly having a personality of its own, when viewed from the corner of my eye…

Patricia At Trident

Patricia At Trident

Then we pressed on, passing the 3 Brynmawr Caving Club members from Group one, on their round-trip in the passage before the crossing of swamp creek and over to the top of the nave. Looking down into what seemed to be a bottomless pit.

Round Trip Trio

Round Trip Trio

Back to the crossing of the stream and we climbed down and turned right to go into Swamp Creek. After a couple of bends, I could hear the distinctive sound of a deep-water alarm. The unmistakable sound of male voices going up an octave or two when the water reaches a certain height up their body. The reward around the corner was a very beautiful formation above and to the right. It was now 14:30 and time to turn around and make our way out in order to get back to the cottages in good time. Upon leaving the water for the last time, a quick snack and a chance for all to relieve themselves of the additional weight of water in their wellington boots, before climbing up into the corkscrew. The double back on the climb up adding a little more of a challenge to what I found to be an enjoyable scramble up. This also ensured that any chill from the water was soon driven away from within. Some of the climbs over the boulders around the area of the brickyard were made rather tricky due to the rather slippery nature of the surfaces. The shower entering the chamber near the entrance being a great opportunity to add a little extra to some final photos inside the cave before crawling out of the entrance. Out of the entrance into the icy blast of strong damp wind making the arrival of Storm Gareth. We headed down to the headquarters without hanging around as there was heavy rain visible on the other side of the valley and it was heading our way. The sleet starting just as we entered the cottages to get changed, signing out and heading down to the Ancient Briton for a warming drink before heading off on our differing routes home.

 

Patricia Hughes.

OFD1 – 22nd July 2018

Barry Burn
Nick de Gare-Pitt
Adam Knapp
Gareth Williams
Terri
Lloyd Rielly

All photos by Barry Burn, (apart from Gareth’s one)

A trip was needed, but a knackered knee, a dodgy ankle and recent overindulgence meant that it would have to be a nice gentle trip. With the recent long, dry spell, we also wanted to see what this translated to in a cave that is normally known for a streamway. Thus we settled on a nice easy trip into OFD1.

This was to be a first time into OFD for Terri and Lloyd and I always think that the Bottom Entrance for a pootle upstream with some diversions into the side series that can be found on the  way is an ideal introduction.

We met at Penwyllt at the reasonable time of 10:30 and after filling the a trip card, getting a key and a bit of a gossip we drove down the hill to the convenient layby to change.

Being in the middle of the hottest heatwave for over 40 years meant that the walk to the cave, although relatively short, was a sweaty affair. Opening the gate triggered a blast of cooling air that howled out of the cave and each of us took time to pause and enjoy the draft as we entered.

It was soon evident, as we headed up the passage, just how dry the cave was going to be as the artificial pools and steams were completely dry.

Before heading to the streamway, I decided to take everyone up Pearl Passage to Skeleton Chamber to tell the tale of the itinerant castrator and a quick look at Pearl Chamber at the end.

Pearl Chamber

Pearl Chamber

We were then soon back on the trade route with me pointing out places that usually have small waterfalls that were now completely dry. Approaching the climb up into Column Passage, it became apparent that this was a very different cave.

OFD1 Trade Route

OFD1 Trade Route

Normally the Main Streamway makes itself known well in advance by the gentle roaring that can be heard. Today, though there was silence. Dropping down from The Step, this was more of a Main Trickleway than the usual exciting streamway that is the norm.

The biggest surprise was the potholes that are passed by scaffold pole bridges. Usually the scaffold tubes are just above or under the water, but now they were a good foot or more above water. The water in them was also very still and clear, allowing you to see to the bottom of the potholes. Most surprising was the first pothole. Most usually assume that if you fall in, that you will be up to your neck. This time though, it could be seen that it is a good 20 feet or more deep.

Lloyd Crossing Pot

Lloyd Crossing Pot

First Pothole

First Pothole

First Pothole

First Pothole

The plan was to head up to Boulder Chamber and then head back. We took our time heading upstream having a quick look around and pausing to have a good look at various features. The sump was particularly low with an airspace to be seen although we didn’t fancy getting too wet for a closer look. At Boulder Chamber, we spent some time for a quick break with a nose around and some tales of how long it took for a dry connection to be made.

The Sump

The Sump

Adam at End of Waterfall Series Traverse

Adam at End of Waterfall Series Traverse

Gareth and Terri in the Choke

Gareth and Terri in the Choke

Gareth in Choke

Gareth in Choke

Heading back downstream, a quick look at the traverse up to the Waterfall Series

Adam at End of Waterfall Series Traverse

Adam at End of Waterfall Series Traverse

with a promise to come back to that another day and then we climbed up into Low’s Passage. Gareth was convinced that he could see further leads high in the roof but I explained how Pete Harvey, one of the original discoverers, had spent a lot of time maypoling up to such suggestions only to be disappointed each time. The drop back down Low’s Chain (now Low’s Ladder) was accomplished with varying degrees of finesse before we headed of downstream again with the intention of looking into the Railton-Wild Series. However, we managed to stomp right past the way into this series, so again, it shall have to wait for another day. climb up the Maypole Chain for a look and then we went straight past The Step for the initiation ceremony that is Pluto’s Bath. Before heading up from the Streamway to it though, I nipped down to have a look at what the downstream end was looking like.

Terri Looking at a Missing Sump

Terri Looking at a Missing Sump

Terri and Gareth followed on and it was surprising to see that there was very little water now and a definite absence of a sump. A couple of photos and we headed back to join the others that were waiting for us the other side of Pluto’s Bath. After the correct amount of laughing at Terri trying to cross the pot and Gareth, who’d been chuffed to traverse over it, getting pushed back into it, we popped into the Fault Series that is one of those little visited gems that are to be found in OFD. Again, this had me confused as the climb up into it is always a lot higher than I remember.

Sniggering at a Formation

Sniggering at a Formation

Group Pose - Photo by Gareth Williams

Group Pose – Photo by Gareth Williams

Descending from The Fault Series

Descending from The Fault Series

We were soon back out into the sunshine and heat, pausing on the way to rescue a small frog. We decided that he may be trying to escape the scorching heat but was unlikely to survive for long so Lloyd was the hero that carried him up into the outside air to hop free.

I do wish that I’d thought of having a quick look at Gothic Sump before we headed out, it would have been interesting to see how low it has gone in the drought conditions. I also wonder if anyone has undertaken to document the system in these conditions. It may happen again next year, but chances are we won’t see such low water for another few decades and perhaps we should be more proactive in taking some measurements and recording observations.

After changing, dropping the key off and a good gossip with the DO who was intrigued with our descriptions and some of the photos, we did what should be done after a good trip into OFD, a pint in the Ancient.

Ogof Craig a Ffynnon – North West Inlet – 14th June 2018

James had shown himself to be more than capable with his first trips and so Gareth and I decided to show him something different with a trip into North West Inlet in Craig a Ffynnon.

We arrived at the layby and quickly changed, as the midges were out in force and caver was definitely a favoured treat for them, and made our way to the entrance. The lock gave some minor problems as the bar refused to come through the small hole it rests in but this was soon sorted and we were in.

 

James entering Craig a Fynnon

James entering Craig a Fynnon.

We were soon scrambling through the entrance series and James was suitably impressed. This was the first well decorated cave he’d visited and the formations that can be seen so soon after entering are had him in awe on several occasions. It’s easy to forget what these places are like when you first see them.

James in Straw Chamber

James in Straw Chamber

It is easy to become blasé and forget how special a lot of our caves are, it is only when you take someone who has not been exposed to what can be seen underground that you remember what it is that you are speeding past on your way to whatever objective you have for that trip. It is occasions like this that you get the opportunity to slow down and look around again and often it is with a renewed sense of wonder as you see things that you’ve missed before or re-see those things you always knew were there but for some reason have forgotten.

Philosophical musings aside, we made our way leisurely through the entrance series, up the ladder at the First Choke.

Gareth and James Explore Chamber above First Choke

Gareth and James Explore Chamber above First Choke

Here, in the first big chamber reached in the cave, James was keen to explore further so Gareth took him up the boulders to the further reaches of the chamber for a look.

It was then into the crawl in Gasoline Alley. Water levels were very low after the the recent dry spell and the pool at the end was passed with hardly a shudder.

Arriving at the entrance to NWI, the clear water looked very inviting but we first nipped up to show James the small attractive sump pool and the way on further into the cave with a promise that he’d be heading that way soon. It was then back to the blasted tunnel and into NWI.

James in NWI Deep Water

James in NWI

The water was as cold as ever, in fact I’m not sure that it really gets any warmer. Perhaps the perceived temperature is a relative thing. On a warm day, you will enter the cave already warmed up and will warm up more than usual if you enter on a cold day, and so, the water will feel colder than it really is. Whatever the temperature, I love this bit of passage. It always feels like this is more like the sort of caving that non-cavers think we experience all the time. Gareth was now enjoying himself even more and decided that the warm balmy waters were great for a swim so paddled up and down while I took a photo or two of James.

James in NWI Admiring Formation

James in NWI Admiring Formation, Gareth Doggy Paddling

All good things come to an end though and we were soon getting stuck in the short section of sticky mud. And then more wonderment from Gareth and James at the increasing passage dimensions and the formations. James had been asking (tongue in cheek) when we’d see the plastic dinosaurs so it was a great surprise when he clambered over the boulder to be confronted with the Dragon formation. This needed a photo.

 

 

James With Dragon

James With Dragon

Gareth in NWI

Gareth in NWI

Gareth in Deep Water

Gareth in Deep Water

Gareth Creature Impression

We’d soon seen all that NWI had to offer and, as we’d spent longer sightseeing than usual, we moved quite quickly back through the way we’d come and were soon back at the cars. Here the midges descended in great clouds on us, forcing us to change as quickly as possible, curtailing the usual chat about the trip.

 

 

 

OFD1 Round Trip – 13th May 2018

Barry Burn, Gareth Jones, Huw Durban, Freya Durban, Dave Gledhill

By: Barry Burn
Photos: Barry Burn

Gareth and Freya had not so far visited OFD and so a trip to do a roundtrip in OFD1 was planned as an introduction for them and the Sunday saw us meeting up nice and early to pick up a key and fill in our trip card before parking up in the layby to change and the short walk to the cave.

The plan was to do the classic round trip, up Main Streamway to Low’s Chain and Low’s Passage then the climb up to Roundabout Chamber and the Shale Crawl into the Rawl Series. Then along to Pi Chamber and down via Bolt Passage to the Bolt Traverse. We decided against continuing to Airy Fairy or finishing the loop via the Dugout but to drop down back into the Main Streamway via the Maypole Chain.

We were soon changed and ready to set off and a quick selfie was taken that show’s Gareth’s very basic mistake if you look close enough. We were then soon walking through brilliant sunshine up to the entrance. where we quickly sorted ourselves out and climbed down the ladder into the cave.

Selfie

Selfie

We headed off towards The Cathedral, pausing at the start of Pearl Passage for a quick tale about the skeleton in Skeleton Chamber and then along the trade route to the start of column passage.

The Toast Rack

The Toast Rack

At Column Passage we pushed dave up the climb to rig a handline before we all followed him up. The column is a very impressive formation that I always like to see and Gareth and Freya were suitable awed. Dave and Gareth nipped through the duck to visit the Eagle’s Nest whilst we more sensible three stayed dry and took a couple of photos.

It was then back along Column Passage and back down the handline.

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Climbing Down from Cloumn Passage

Before climbing down at The Step and heading upstream.

We passed Low’s Chain on the right and continued to Boulder Chamber to show Freya and Gareth the way on through the mountain and stopped for a pasty before heading back to Low’s Chain. Here, the awkward climb is now considerably easier as a short section of ladder has appeared. This made the climb up a breeze and we were all soon up and we headed off up the lofty Low’s Passage. I explained as we went how the early explorers thought that they could see high level passages here and spent some time scaling the passage with maypoles only to be dissapointed as each lead turned out to be shadows or alcoves. At the end, the passage closes down and you climb up through boulders until a choice of left or right is found. We had a quick look left to see what was there (more boulders) before continuing the steep climb up to reach Roundabout Chamber and it’s fine grotto, The Bee’s Knees.

Some photos using some very overused poses were taken before heading off and then to the Shale Crawl. A short section of flat out crawling that soon opens up again.

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The passage now assumes very large proportions as you enter the Rawl Series. For me, one of the most imppressive passages in the OFD system with a few fine formations.

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The Rawl Series

The Rawl Series

At the end of the Rawl Sereis, Pi Chamber is found and the entrance to Helter Skelter is found that leads via Boulder Passage and a fun little slide down a tube to the start of the Bolt Traverse.

Climb Down to the Start of The Bolt Traverse

Climb Down to the Start of The Bolt Traverse

We were all quickly along the traverse and into the small passage at the end.

Dave at the end of Bolt Traverse

Dave at the end of Bolt Traverse

And then the short section to the Maypole Chain and back into the Main Streamway.

We ambled back downstream, past The Step and a quick look into Loopways before getting back to the Toastrack via Pluto’s Bath. Here Gareth either forgot about the big hole in the floor of the pool that we showed him on the way in or some Gollum-like creature tried to drag him down to its watery lair.

Beware ye who pass by here

Beware ye who pass by here

From here, we were soon back out in the sunshine. We’d taken longer than usual on this trip but we were taking our time and enjoying the sights as well as taking a few deviations to explore off the route. All in all a really good trip that we all enjoyed.

Pwll Dwfn – 7th April 2018

Tom Williams
Huw Jones
Dave Gledhill

Report by Tom Williams

After booking a Yorkshire trip for later in the year, we decided it would be a good idea to brush up on our SRT and what better place to do it than Pwll Dwfn? You can practice on indoor training walls all you like, but you aren’t SRT proficient until you have used your skills in a real world cave.

The date was set – 7th April 2018. Morning broke with some heavy rain, and me thinking ‘Do I really want to trudge up the hill in this weather?’. Despite frantic pleas to my caving colleagues for a Daren Cilau trip, Pwll Dwfn was still on the cards for the day, regardless of the weather.

Meeting at the DYO car park, Huw and I had a quick coffee before Dave turned up around 1030. We were soon changed and on our way up the hill, stopping for the occasional photograph.

Tom Williams - The Entrance

Tom Williams – The Entrance

We were soon at the cave entrance, and kitted up. One last photo before we wave goodbye to daylight for a few hours. Huw was down first, to rig the first pitch, Dave and I followed with the rest of the rope bags. We found the cave already rigged with mostly 9mm static rope of a suspect vintage, we elected it would be best practice to shadow rig our own ropes alongside. The in-situ ropes were a nightmare when it came to rebelays and deviations, forever tangling around our fresh ropes. We had to be mindful we were clipping into the correct ropes at the various pitches and obstacles, although our nice clean ropes were easily contrasted against the muddy, worn, in-situ ropes.

We were making good time down to the bottom of the pot, gravity is a wonderful thing! My favourite was the 35m 4th pitch, with a deviation part way down.  It wasn’t far from my mind that for every metre we descended, we would have to climb back up. Gravity isn’t so wonderful after all.

While descending the last pitch, the rope below me got tangled in the in-situ rope, blocking my safe descent. Locking off my descender, I was held on the rope, under the waterfall which was apparently carrying more flow than normal. All while my caving chums were 15m below me, leisurely taking photos of my descent. No matter how loud I shouted, they couldn’t hear me over the roar of the waterfall. Eventually they heard my pleas and untangled the ropes to allow my final descent. By the time I got off the rope, and regained my sense of humour, I was soaked through to the skin.

From the base of the fifth pitch, it is a long walk to the final sump, all of about 5m. Some serious effort has gone into making the sump a diver’s paradise, which has apparently been dye traced to the washing machine in DYO. A quick natter and some photos, we were off back up the pitches and out of the cave. Huw J led the way, then I followed, with Dave bringing up the rear.

Many profanities and a vow to list my SRT on eBay as soon as I got home, we were nearing the top of the pot. On the second pitch I had just about got my prussiking technique efficient enough to not be aching all over by the time I got to the top of the pitch.

The hardest part of the pot was still to come, the 3m climb out of the entrance over an awkward, greasy and polished slab. Using some moves that would make a contortionist jealous, along with an ample amount of profanities and I was back to the daylight. Followed soon after by Dave, accompanied with some more profanities and three bags of tackle. Finally, Huw soon joined us in the late afternoon haze.

We were back to the cars and changed before we knew it. Ready to head our respective ways.

That night, I was unable to sleep. My whole body was still throbbing from the exertion. My mind was still racing with adrenaline, replaying every abseil, rebelay and deviation over and over all night.

I’d finally done it, a cave I had once sworn I would never, ever go into. I’d been to the bottom and out, and lived to tell the tale. I can’t wait to go back, and I certainly won’t be listing a ‘Full SRT kit, moderate usage’ on eBay. Not just yet, anyway…