Ogof Draenen

After finding myself with a free day, I sent out a message to The Dudley to see if anyone was available for a caving trip. Loz "the machine" Appleby replied that she was, and after discounting the Far North in DYO (for reasons of time and less familiar nav) we opted for a trip in Draenen. This was great, as I've been wanting to learn the nav from the Main Entrance to Elliptic Passage, for a future trip to the Geryon and Circus Maximus.

We didn't actually use the main entrance, however, and opted for the newly-dug entrance (Ogof Tarddiad Pwll Du) instead. Despite Loz telling me to fill in the sign-in book that was on the right just on the way in, I managed to miss this totally, and carried on caving through the entrance. (Incidentally, this involved passing through a very civilised plastic tunnel put in to stop water trickling over you in a tight crawl; I was most impressed). A few minutes later, Loz joined me in a little chamber and asked me why I hadn't signed the book and why I was so daft. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of a convincing or realistic answer, so I just told her to brace herself for a trying trip caving with a wally.

This came in the form of the song “Daddy Cool” by Boney M. Now that Clara has arrived, I have become that loathsome creature - the smitten father - who for unfathomable reasons thinks it's a good idea to sing to his daughter, particularly while changing her. As I do this exactly 437 times a day, this song tends to come out whether I intend it to or not, although the lyrics have somehow morphed into “Daddy, I did a poo”. (As Loz said, I should probably be mindful of where I sing that). Anyway, after humming it for the umpteenth time, Loz understandably threw a (verbal) rock at my head, and that shut me up.

In terms of caving, from the new entrance we quickly arrived at Cairn Junction before heading through Wonderbra bypass into White Arch Passage and Lamb and Fox Chamber. After this, we followed Indiana Highway, with its traverse over the 22m pitch into Destiny adding a bit of spice. We then spent the next hour and a half getting confused and trying to find the way to Megadrive. We explored Canyon East and other tight bits of passage before eventually realising we needed to climb up a pile of boulders and crawl along a ledge above a deep trench. Problem solved, we stomped along Megadrive to the Nunnery, where we picked up Perseverance 1.

This was a pleasant sandy crawl, which before long terminated at an abrupt drop down into passage below. There was a steep hole bypassing the precipice, however, and shimmying down this, Loz found where we were on the survey. Before long we had picked up Elliptic Passage, so it was mission accomplished, and all that remained was caving out to daylight. Hopefully Loz enjoyed the trip and company as much as I did. All in all, it was a great day's caving

Cavers: Loz and Dave
Trip report: Dave