Huw Jones, Dai MacDonald, Gareth Farr – BCC
Helen Stewart, Kevin Munn – MCC
Tag Archives: Caving
Bridge Cave – Saturday 24th July 2021
Nick De-Gare Pitt, Pete Jones, Sam Jones, Louise Lucas
Porth yr Ogof – Saturday 17th July 2021
Nick De-Gare Pitt, Huw Jones, Gareth Farr, Dai MacDonald
Ogof Cnwc – Saturday 19th June 2021
Carl Barnes, Huw Jones, William Paxton
Ogof Clogwyn – Sunday 13th June 2021
Carl Barnes, Sian Barnes, Dai MacDonald, Gareth Farr
Bridge Cave, Cwm Pwll-y-Rhyd, Town Drain & White Lady Cave – Sunday 6th June 2021
Adam Knapp, Huw Jones, Gareth Farr
Pork Pies at The Lamb and Fox Chamber Draenen. Trig and Gareth Rex Jones – 5th August 2018
The original plan today was to do the Daren to Cnwc through trip but Tom had to drop out so a short trip into Draenen was planned instead.
The day started at the shop with a quick chat with Brent whilst I got the key and soon after I was meeting up with Gareth at Pwll Du who seemed to be doing his own ‘Car Pool Karaoke’ shortly after with a text from Barry begging him to stop.
We quickly (well Gareth did, I took ages) got ready and had a chat with some walkers (who were ex cavers from the Mendips) on the sheer size of Draenen. We plodded off to the entrance, emptied bladders and slipped into the fun of the entrance series stopping for pictures in the dug shafts and at the knotted climb.
Enjoying the cool breeze from the lungs of Draenen
We signed in and noticed there hadn’t been many visits as of late or people are opting to not sign in….
Next stop would be the Wonderbra Bypass and then on-wards to Tea Junction where a break, much-needed drink and a general marvel at the huge passage decorated with straws on just one part of the roof. I’ve taken enough pictures of this famous place before so I decided we should press on.
Next was White Arch passage, another massive (in size) passage of the cave with huge and slippy boulder break down everywhere but an impressive place. We proceeded at leisurely pace stopping often to notice other small passages high up and low down always triggering the exploration styled questions of ”has anyone been there and if they have, where does it go?” a cave still with lots of secrets to give up. We went underneath White Arch itself and stopped for a photo.
White Arch Passage
White Arch
Carrying on we arrived at the choke which leads into Lamb & Fox Chamber ”two pints of Butty Bach please” I shouted but no reply from the barman (can’t get the staff these days) we sat down and cracked open our packed lunch of pork pies which Gareth had the added extra of gummy bears and pepperami! We sat stuffing our faces just taking in the sheer size of some of the boulders which have just peeled off the wall, leading to more questions ”when?” and ”when again”
Before we left we decided to climb up a level into the muddy traverses of Indiana Highway and stopped short before the deep pitch to the left.
Lamb and Fox chamber
Indiana Highway
We exited the same way noticing on the way back how low the water levels were which prompted a quick trip down Beyond a Choke streamway to see just a mere trickle.
White Arch passage on our way out
Some ”hanging death”
Gareth opened the gate and instantly I could feel the heat shooting down to me further in the entrance such was the weather outside!
A good short trip to waste away a saturday, home for kebab and pizza.
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
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
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
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
Adam at End of Waterfall Series Traverse
Gareth and Terri in the 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
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 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
Group Pose – Photo by Gareth Williams
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.
Weekend trip up to the Dales with Trig, Tom Williams, Richard Gledhill and Lee T. 20th – 23rd July
The weekend started with Tom picking me up at 1500 and fighting our way through the Welsh Marches up to Chester and somehow through the torrential rain and traffic we managed to finally hit the M6, stopping only in Warrington for supplies where Tom couldn’t contain his excitement and started to chuck beer bottles around the Tesco store; ”clean up on aisle 15”.
We pulled up at the Northern Pennine Clubs hut Greenclose to discover we had the hut to ourselves for the weekend. A thoroughly amazing cottage which is very comfy and extremely well equipped for living! Just turn up with food, beer and a sleeping bag. The rest is good to go. We got the kit unloaded with Lee and whilst this was happening Richard pulled up aswell. Tom shot off for a curry whilst me and Lee had a liquid meal of Black Sheep ale and pondered over surveys. We all discussed plans for the weekend and decided the caves and routes. Saturday will be Swinstos to Valley Entrance pull through followed by Alum Pot. Sunday would be Bar Pot to Gaping Gill for a good poke around and then Monday would be Dowbergill Passage to Dow cave (a black book caving trip…not for the faint hearted). After a quick rope pack we settled down for the night.
Swinsto to Valley, pull through.
After an amazing kid free sleep (apart from Toms usual bed wetting issues) the bacon and coffee was soon on the go whilst kit was loaded into Toms car. After a hearty leisurely breakfast and more coffee we set off to Kingsdale.
We pulled up in the stunning setting and quickly got kitted up whilst another team of cavers also pulled up. We decided to go into Valley entrance and stooped/crawled our way to the pitch which would be our climb out of the system once we had completed the pull through (there is a rope in place but always worth checking it’s still there). Lee rigged our own exit rope to save using the pre-rigged. We turned round, stooped and crawled back out.
Kingsdale
Lee rigging the exit from Kingsdale Master cave into Valley Entrance
SRT kit loosened off we headed off up the hill to find the Swinstos entrance, after checking a couple of shakeholes we found the entrance which helpfully has a metal tag to identify it. Just as we are re-tightening our harnesses the other team of cavers turned up and they said they will give us 15 minute gap before they come down. Best get on the move then!
The entrance is near enough a crawl but was substantially dry today and is met fairly soon with the first pitch which is also permanently rigged just incase you get down and realise the water is too high. Me and Lee descended this and shouted up to Tom and Richard that we were going to shoot off to start rigging the next pitch.
First Pitch
Next up is the Swinsto Long Crawl, 200m of hands and knees which for a South Wales caver is nothing out the ordinary but it does seem to go on a bit! Whilst we were rigging the next pitch Tom and Richard emerged happy enough from the crawl and down the pitch. The rope pulled through nicely and we were on our way following the water.
Lee looking up the Second Pitch
Tom rigged the next pitch which was descended and pulled through yet again very nicely.
Tom rigging
Waiting my turn
The Split Pitch (my favourite bit) was met. Although very high it was very dry today compared to when I last here and you couldn’t hear anybody talking due to the huge waterfall you abseil down. At the bottom I unclipped my little admin pouch off for some water and food whilst the other guys descended and once they were down we headed off down the streamway, a sporting section with tight traverses and cascades to keep you occupied for 20 or so minutes. It’s once we had got to the end of here to Spout Pitch that I realised I had left my pouch at the bottom of Split Pitch and had to go round to retrieve! Hoping not to bump into the guys behind us to save embarrassment.
Rigging split pitch
The 2nd half of Split Pitch
I rigged Spout Pitch whilst everyone else had a bite to eat and then within no time at all we had pulled and packed the ropes away again and headed on down to the Cascades where at the end you are rewarded with a small pitch with Simpsons pot entering from the left and Swinsto Great Aven ahead of you! A huge aven which is worthy of a few moments of awe.
Now all that was left was to exit via the Kingsdale Master cave. Tom and Lee decided to go left through Philosphers Crawl, whilst me and Richard went the more gentlemanly route where we all met up in the main stream. We then headed on down stream to the exit pitch and upwards. I de-rigged whilst everyone else starting heading back out the way we had come a few hours previous!
Lee entering Philosphers
Lee and Tom waiting their turn
We got back to the car to find a rather nice camera from the other cavers which they had left on their bonnet! We took a selfie and then safely stashed their camera away from prying eyes but visible enough for the owner to spot. We didn’t bother getting changed as we still had unfinished business for the day. ”Alum Pot” please driver.
Alum Pot, Dolly Tubs.
We paid our fees to the farmer and then drove as close to Alum Pot as we could.
Quickly donned our SRT kit again and headed up to Long Churn entrance. A novice entrance but what a novice trip! It certainly beats Eglwys Faen. A nice active and sometimes very dangerous streamway passes through several easy obstacles, swirl pools and climb downs to meet Dolly Tubs pitch of 18m. It’s actually free climbable but it’s just on the limits for a qualified Cave Leader to take kids down on a ladder lifeline. Richard rigged for SRT on this occasion as we were only here to get to the famous viewing ledge and soak up one of the best views in the UK. We all got down and spent a good twenty minutes taking it all in. A view I have seen a fair few times before but still takes my breath away. Sadly the pictures didn’t come out great and the battery eventually died.
Yorkshire Limestone pavement
Tom and Lee at Long Churn
Weird tree growth
Alum Pot
On exit a few decided to go through the ”Cheese Press”….doesn’t take the brains of the arch bishop to work out how nice a squeeze that is. Back to the club hut for beer and cottage pie.
Bar Pot to Gaping Gill.
The original plan was to be an exchange trip with 2 of us rigging Dihedral and the other 2 rigging Bar Pot but we decided against this purely because we couldn’t be bothered carrying another 100m of rope halfway up Ingleborough. After some bacon sarnies we got changed at the cottage to save the poor village of Clapham having to see us getting changed. We parked up and was soon on our way up the hill. A very long sweaty walk in but stunning scenery and Trow Gill was alive with rock climbers giving us mere cavers confused looks.
We rested for 10 minutes in the Bar Pot shakehole and then got SRT kit on. Lee pushed forward to rig the entrance pitch and slid in to be next down. It soon became clear that me and my giraffe legs were going to have fun with this tight pitch on exit! Last time we came here I had used Small Mammal pot so never had the fun.
Lee in the entrance pitch
I clipped into the traverse and proceeded to thread my descender and then further proceeded to get wedged, much to Toms amusement with the camera. I got myself free and descended. Everyone else was soon after and we made our way down to the big pitch.
Trig…..wedged
Richard offered to rig so the rest of us relaxed and rehydrated and one by one made our way down this stunning pitch happy in the knowledge we would soon have to be jamming our way back out this way.
Richard rigging traverse to the pitch head
Pitch head
Richard on his way down
Tom on his way down
Lee nearly at the bottom
We shred the SRT kit at the bottom and made our way into the Gaping Gill system via the South East passage which is a mix of hands and knees crawling and some stooping for good caving measure. But soon the slog was worth it as you turn a corner and are rewarded with an immense wind followed by the noise of water crashing.
Gaping Gill main shaft/chamber never ceases to amaze me so what a perfect place to stop for lunch and have a good old mooch around taking in the mind-boggling size of the place.
Gaping Gill
Looking up
Lunch over we popped up and over the boulders into Old East to look at some formations which sadly have seen better days. Turning around we decided to make our way out via Sand Caverns which funnily enough look like Sand Caverns in Agen Allwedd back home! It’s in the hands & knees crawl of South East my wrist which I had twisted the day previous really decided to give me a fair amount of pain and throbbing. Wasn’t looking forward to having to jam back out but luck would have it that I managed to get up the big pitch without too much pain and was cheered up by the sound of Tom making his way up, effing and blinding as usual.
Sand Caverns
”SRT kit for sale”
Now the final pitch was a different matter, I got wedged again and couldn’t undo my chest jammer due to it being solidly against the wall. Luckily I wasn’t first up and Lee managed to squeeze his hand in and release me off the rope! Now to pass the squeeze and get off the traverse line with effectively one hand…..
We were soon all out and on our way towards Gaping Gill entrance just to have a look and take a picture.
Another good day!
Dowbergill Passage
Cancelled due to my wrist but will be the first trip when we return soon!
An epic weekend and plans are already afoot to return more often.
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.
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
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
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
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, 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
Gareth in NWI
Gareth in Deep Water
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.
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