OFD2 - Up Swamp Creek Without A Paddle

This was a trip planned to introduce Becca and Paul to caving with Dudley Caving Club with a circular trip around OFD Top Entrance. Our plan was nearly foiled before we got underground after it took two people to unfreeze the lock to gain access to the cave.
We first headed to Big Chamber Near The Entrance then across and along to Bagpipe Chamber. From here we headed to the top of Arete Chamber where some photos were taken and then on to the Corkscrew Climb via the Wedding Cake. We took the sandy crawls at the bottom of the Corkscrew Climb to lead us to Swamp Creek, where Mark and Keith tried out the traverses upstream and Brendan took some photos with the rest of the party.

Paul in the sandy passages near Swamp Creek.

Becca in the sandy passages near Swamp Creek.

Paul at the formations in Swamp Creek.

From Swamp Creek we headed past the Judge and Trident to the follow Salubrious Passage to Maypole Inlet. Once across Maypole Inlet we had a look at the climb down and then headed to Cross Rift. With time on our side we then headed to Midnight Passage so Keith could take Mark along the first section of the Midnight Traverses.

The team in the chamber in Midnight Passage

The return leg of the journey took us to Shatter Pillar and Selenite Tunnel and across President's Leap. Once at the Crossroads we headed up Salubrious Passage to make a standard exit via White Arch.

Jessica crossing President's Leap.

Paul on the short traverse in Salubrious Passage.

Present: Keith Edwards, Mark Burkey, Jessica Harding, Paul Hayes, Becca Rawlinson and Brendan Marris