tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84120856602166078562024-03-12T20:47:57.354+00:00Dudley Caving ClubAn irregular record of club activities
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<em>To find out more about caving or join us on a trip,
please visit <a href="http://www.dudleycavingclub.org.uk/">our club web site</a></em>Dudley Caving Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275790459788159362noreply@blogger.comBlogger853125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-7547363746601150092024-03-12T20:47:00.000+00:002024-03-12T20:47:23.664+00:00Mostly Mudlust<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk8-MF5pqunkdRDmBJidnLrCtlQqCG5E_M49KPq8KxJxwrU7Hvw87lQRJyBF_yI6I-sQGVWEjRsMzSlbqtBA4A2deicGxE0ifK9xUCa47yIK0H23hegRcVwcp5Zc3eu7Z1trbp_B8PqZRpEq8BcmNb6bXR5jxEtjsSO4GuRo5xdcjS6yV2_dS0Kg_Oe8/s1800/IMG-20240310-WA0000.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk8-MF5pqunkdRDmBJidnLrCtlQqCG5E_M49KPq8KxJxwrU7Hvw87lQRJyBF_yI6I-sQGVWEjRsMzSlbqtBA4A2deicGxE0ifK9xUCa47yIK0H23hegRcVwcp5Zc3eu7Z1trbp_B8PqZRpEq8BcmNb6bXR5jxEtjsSO4GuRo5xdcjS6yV2_dS0Kg_Oe8/s600/IMG-20240310-WA0000.jpg"/></a></div>
The Dudley were back at OFD, with their sights set on the Northern Lights (the subterranean version). Through the entrance series we went, into Gnome Passage where we picked up the start of Edward's Shortcut. Here Jonny went first, slithering down the polished climb with ease and aplomb, before I followed somewhat less gracefully. We made quick progress over the traversy bit before taking a detour into Frozen River, which has some very impressive formations, including a copper pillar - very beautiful.
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Having ooed and ahhed sufficiently, we made quick progress towards Cross Rift where we took Midnight Passage and followed it up to the Skyhook. Being new to this part of the cave (and having forgotten a copy of the survey), I guessed most of the key navigational decisions, and got them consistently wrong. I was consistently put right by Loz, however, and before long we had found the wet grovel followed by a vertical climb up through a boulder choke which leads to the start of Lavender Way.
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Having squeezed and crawled through this, we arrived at the tight squeeze through into the Vault. This was a bit of a struggle, as it was stepped upwards and had to be entered on one's side. Getting my hips over the steps necessitated pushing my torso up vertically; of course the passage got thinner the higher it got, making this somewhat of a challenge. Nonetheless, after 5 minutes or so, it was challenge met and I was through. Jonny was next; he too found the same problem as me and decided he wouldn’t defeat the squeeze. No bother: he and Loz went to find the bypass while Anne and I pushed on.
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The next obstacle was the chimney climb with handline. I had heard this was awkward, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was simply a case of easy (but thrutchy) chimneying, with a good sideways push off the wall to force my body weight over the top of the climb. We waited for a few minutes in Mudlust Hall for Loz and Jonny to catch us up, however we quickly began to feel cold and pushed on, figuring that they would catch us up sooner or later.
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The second section of Mudlust Hall has the most impressive moonmilk tide mark; this was definitely the highlight of the trip for me! Next we followed a crawl at the end of the chamber over some amusing slippy mud, to arrive at a sump. Back we tracked, and found the wet crawl that's the way on into the rest of Northern Lights. However, not wanting to get too far ahead, we went back to Mudlust Hall to see if Loz and Jonny had arrived.
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We found Loz, who said that Jonny was waiting for us back at the squeeze. They had found the bypass, but after some deft climbing had decided not to push on. I thought this wise: looking at the traverse from above the squeeze, it involved a big stretch over a big hole with a big drop but without big footholds! Not a great combination.
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Having all met back up, it was time to reverse our route, but this time at the Cross Rift we went out via Shatter Pillar and navigated the standard “tourist route” to the entrance. Having learnt this route recently with Caver Keith ( aka the Wily Cave Wizard), I'm pleased to report that Anne and I were able to follow it without error, and we all emerged after several hours underground.
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Overall, this was a great trip, and some of the best bits of Northern Lights still remain to be explored on a future trip!
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Cavers: Loz, Jonny, Anne & Dave
<br>Trip Report: Dave B
<br>Photos: Jonny B
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-70994405526686138982024-02-17T21:16:00.001+00:002024-02-21T09:18:44.876+00:00Peak Cavern Novice Trip
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For February's Dudley Caving Club trip, our destination was set to be Peak Cavern. With regular check-ins on the weather and water levels, it wasn't always a given, but we got the green light Friday evening and assembled at the TSG at 9am Saturday.
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There were four of us on the team today, Becky, Myself, Mike, and Mark Burkey - Super we might get some snazzy photos! 😃 This was Becky's second outing with the DCC, so the plan was to take it steady through Peak Cavern and see as many of the beautiful phreatic tubes as we could. Snapping some photos along the way.
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After kitting up at the TSG, we took the short walk up to the Peak Cavern entrance - and what an entrance. Britain's biggest according to the survey chart! We'd managed to beat a gaggle of Uni Student cavers bound for the same cave and steadily made our way through the show cave entrance. The trip started on a high, with the theme-park-style slide down to a lower level of the cave. After a short walk following the streamway, the roof starts to lower and the trip officially becomes my wettest cave trip yet. We wade through waist-deep water (Mucky Duck Choke), as Mark explains this area had been dug out by past cavers to extend the passage. At the same time, divers were looking at other routes to continue the cave. Once we get through this watery walk, we arrive at Surprise View. Apparently, this is where both the divers and cave diggers breakthrough into the same "new" section on the same day.
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If my memory recalls, the cave passage opens up a little more, into a mixture of winding paths, keyhole tunnels, and of course the awesome phreatic tubes. There were a few key areas Mark wanted to photograph, so we stopped and got a few shots. Not the first time I've been photographed in a cave, yet I still don't know what I'm meant to do with my face - 🥴. After trying my best to look "normal", photos are taken in this section, and we continue on through the passages.
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Throughout the journey, Mark points out various offshoots, and potential sump dives. As a budding cave diver, I'm loving the insight into all these potential dive locations. Even more so, given how crystal clear the water is! We made our way down a ladder into a really cool whirlpool room. The water flowed in and around the beautifully cylindrical room and then exhausted the other side. It's surprising how forceful the water gets when it's funneled into such a small opening.
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We took the phreatic tubes all the way along Lake Passage to Ink Sump. Once again, we were met with crystal waters and I felt an overwhelming urge to go diving. Although I'm sure I'd feel a little more exhausted if I'd had to carry all my dive gear in this far. We opted to take the dry muddy section to Ink Sump, versus the head-under-water shortcut, probably wise as some of the party were starting to get colder.
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As we made our way back through the tunnels, we stopped again for a photo at a small junction. Thankfully I was instructed to look away from the camera (should I be offended?) and Mike had his modelling turn.
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I've probably forgotten some details in this section, but eventually, we made it back to the ladder, and it was Becky's turn to model. Proving that the back of my head is more appealing than the front, I once again gave the background a sense of scale - desperately keen not to drop Mark's strobe in the flowing stream way.
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After we all safely ascended the ladder, it was a case of retracing our steps up and out of the cave system. One final stop at the (weir?) to have a little scrub and de-mud ourselves to walk back through the show cave. Heaven forbid the cave tourists find out there's mud inside the caves! 😱
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After a mixture of delight, shock, and bewilderment on the tour group's faces, we made our way back to the TSG. Everyone was safe, happy, and somewhat warm!
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Trip Report: Jon B
<br>Photos: Mark B
<br>Cavers: Mark, Mike, Rebecca & JonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-42971957816147170532024-02-12T20:37:00.001+00:002024-02-20T20:40:55.519+00:00How Not to Get Lost in OFD 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjud3mKkRCvhH67Min4eWteElvzz_ihkei4krkEmmD0H2FO8CBANqKTrZbH6nhWj5_zuCeoK4QzHutua_ioIubUKidgnF-v_RvcZCKM6DsiJZq4kZyzmquKyYqjtZCyoQYojdGdjODlCEno6df7wcfnBrTcK291lhwQmrMQvigyNLF8M0U0Jys7sN64tWI/s5156/IMG_3744.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3998" data-original-width="5156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjud3mKkRCvhH67Min4eWteElvzz_ihkei4krkEmmD0H2FO8CBANqKTrZbH6nhWj5_zuCeoK4QzHutua_ioIubUKidgnF-v_RvcZCKM6DsiJZq4kZyzmquKyYqjtZCyoQYojdGdjODlCEno6df7wcfnBrTcK291lhwQmrMQvigyNLF8M0U0Jys7sN64tWI/s400/IMG_3744.jpeg"/></a></div>
<br>The ever-welcoming staff in Luigi’s were surprised to see Caver Keith back again on Monday 12th February - the very next day! He had spent Sunday 11th leading a series of exploits in OFD with a very proficient caving team. This time he was back with a couple of cavers who really do need some supervision. Dave and Anne had asked Keith to teach them the trade routes around OFD 2. They were keen to learn the first lesson of successful caving: make sure you have a decent breakfast.
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The next lessons were much more complicated. After successfully locating Top Entrance, the pupils went exploring along the usual tourist trails, trying to remember which turn goes where and becoming thoroughly confused. They think they went through the Brickyard, into Gnome Passage, past the Wedding Cake, down the Corkscrew, along Salubrious to the Crossroads. They took a diversion down Maypole Inlet to see where the streamway connects for a possible future through trip. Back on the normal round trip, they went into Cross Rift and were dutifully shown the ways on into Moonlight and Midnight Chambers.
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After going to Selenite Tunnel via Shatter Pillar and hopping over President’s Leap, the pupils were then left in charge of finding the way back out. After much head scratching, and one correction from the Master Caver we’re mostly pleased to report that all three made it successfully back to daylight.
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The final lesson of the day was how to get the heavy metal door to shut – it turns out you need some brute force…
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Cavers: Keith, Dave B, Anne B
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-18409876513005933212024-02-11T14:45:00.005+00:002024-02-21T17:36:50.965+00:00OFD 2 to The Trident and Judge<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2mIEWhkpyylfl4qH9HT3-6cZWLKORQRzhrc1spEF3XzwflTCIK0Z5_2_vCX5cUnaU4q8EjrX2T4kRzLtC2irTleVo3sleo1V5D4TtRXuuw1T8EUUdunXrc0sMyYQfX1RzUkEO7BteX4GiqAYDCGOfKMpmllS_AqHgPjqGvupyRvBRZ4ouYQiHhdBls9_/s5712/IMG_3736.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="3213" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2mIEWhkpyylfl4qH9HT3-6cZWLKORQRzhrc1spEF3XzwflTCIK0Z5_2_vCX5cUnaU4q8EjrX2T4kRzLtC2irTleVo3sleo1V5D4TtRXuuw1T8EUUdunXrc0sMyYQfX1RzUkEO7BteX4GiqAYDCGOfKMpmllS_AqHgPjqGvupyRvBRZ4ouYQiHhdBls9_/w225-h400/IMG_3736.jpeg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just inside the Labyrinth</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The day started at Luigi’s cafe at 9:00 there was a big breakfast to fill me up for the cave ahead. After we finished up for breakfast we drove an hour to the caving club here is where we were greeted by Asha, our caving companion to help us for the trip ahead. We got changed and geared up. The hardest part was up climbing the hill -this would be easy if it was not for the massive warm fluffy suit I was wearing. As we unlocked the door to the cave, light filled the dark gloomy passage as moths flew from out of it.</p><p>We entered the passage with our head torches on, as we walked further into the cave system we spotted the Wedding Cake, this is a beautiful rock formation, the sight of the cake gleamed at me in my torch light and made me hungry! The pot hole was up next, we got helped down this hole to what looked like a 30 metre drop down next to it. This was not a trip for the faint-hearted as we traversed, crawled and climbed, but it was all worth it to see The Judge. My torch light brought out colours I had never seen before. This was not some dirty old rock, this was beautiful. Pinks, purples and reds had been illuminated by my light. Next was The Trident, this was a huge stalactite with lots of pointy ends. Here is where we had are half way break. </p><p>The way out must be the easiest, but in fact it was the hardest. After resting your body aches and you cannot be bothered to go on yet you still persevere, you go on and as soon as you see the exit your eyes light up brighter than any torch glad of the fact of you didn’t get lost as the sun light filled my face my heart began to play a tune of resting and tiredness.</p><p>PS. This was so much fun. Please can you take me again. Finn your favourite grandson.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3682" data-original-width="2639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANUlQB9xQ94rs_COaQCnMr9G9BG1i4qHwEEENOPFOGfwubo0FHrZuuKw5FrIBBLwjjtcYtDvLyBIECHQm3KO2zMD8LyxrcRRyEVuwB4Pfa0FywUzN9sB7uOOVrC5iQnCj-UeGnn6OK6KbFtrrhNEh4x4qsRK3mjcfBBMLqDYQveGs44JemkUdRtEimCpU/w286-h400/IMG_3722.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="286" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trident</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyIkjOpvIm2e_KwBauAaNia6gG4ZZoXwWPdpzC4fB-nVQxTDygA3BQjob_8Hmd_qfSxq_GSxGE8DPMpvLr1_D5dYwaoUO51s61isl9wuitWnRFMS31JEZSJFgaslYmdDGxN35FDxYX-TVmJRNc9OfTJdmBNDP6fbdntMfiBjF8_0qTvOuMW0I1zCwFXiY/s3692/IMG_3713.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3692" data-original-width="2764" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyIkjOpvIm2e_KwBauAaNia6gG4ZZoXwWPdpzC4fB-nVQxTDygA3BQjob_8Hmd_qfSxq_GSxGE8DPMpvLr1_D5dYwaoUO51s61isl9wuitWnRFMS31JEZSJFgaslYmdDGxN35FDxYX-TVmJRNc9OfTJdmBNDP6fbdntMfiBjF8_0qTvOuMW0I1zCwFXiY/w300-h400/IMG_3713.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Judge</td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANUlQB9xQ94rs_COaQCnMr9G9BG1i4qHwEEENOPFOGfwubo0FHrZuuKw5FrIBBLwjjtcYtDvLyBIECHQm3KO2zMD8LyxrcRRyEVuwB4Pfa0FywUzN9sB7uOOVrC5iQnCj-UeGnn6OK6KbFtrrhNEh4x4qsRK3mjcfBBMLqDYQveGs44JemkUdRtEimCpU/s3682/IMG_3722.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPUPd0tYfZP4tbzxwVLUsf2bmbxD9Gc3SqWItKR8Cr9xUAZ7fETFe7uK18Inn0FT8QTZWY6jeBRA12ZIsBic0jRsm0KH4jLcErUgReKczM9iHoa1X4nPie_APb_vBxnRE_wAICR45XNqOYkh89USLKY-QGiUZ5I9WTvXPCcxf7mtl8CqaGPUSf1zPxboX/s5712/IMG_3724.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3213" data-original-width="5712" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPUPd0tYfZP4tbzxwVLUsf2bmbxD9Gc3SqWItKR8Cr9xUAZ7fETFe7uK18Inn0FT8QTZWY6jeBRA12ZIsBic0jRsm0KH4jLcErUgReKczM9iHoa1X4nPie_APb_vBxnRE_wAICR45XNqOYkh89USLKY-QGiUZ5I9WTvXPCcxf7mtl8CqaGPUSf1zPxboX/w400-h225/IMG_3724.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crystal pool in Salubrious Streamway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH3DftxKnDI5e9doJ7tWmhFr6q8LuYEb4VDvAi0CVkHnqV5pd0DZf_eLhZJ-Y8lySVthRx_7FPk_Xu3vAspXvTilurWiQXXa0JF0-MzXXOiMihXNyJhqgDykYUVdZ-Z2en1yVxOIzEzuFb18e7BHM3XxksfT4SvKDDbRh_M3Chm0EBqMTIE2t1OtShfPs/s4032/IMG_3727.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH3DftxKnDI5e9doJ7tWmhFr6q8LuYEb4VDvAi0CVkHnqV5pd0DZf_eLhZJ-Y8lySVthRx_7FPk_Xu3vAspXvTilurWiQXXa0JF0-MzXXOiMihXNyJhqgDykYUVdZ-Z2en1yVxOIzEzuFb18e7BHM3XxksfT4SvKDDbRh_M3Chm0EBqMTIE2t1OtShfPs/w400-h225/IMG_3727.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traversing in Salubrious</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yWa10xrVkvjhHCnZ5BPp59sCKrmK4o7XiBMPTF-4KPoKFKoHXxrKmpA62FwoqDrfqaCy-ZOp_HuN2YwM-qj6sIKidR161cdR3SscZVc6mTGljcvI7pP8pCf9XuUrNBcWOc57ng0WOrjFFSvvXDQHvTvUWijnKvDLp3vUUSBGriWS-ZHWq5-QPZp14pey/s4032/IMG_3731.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yWa10xrVkvjhHCnZ5BPp59sCKrmK4o7XiBMPTF-4KPoKFKoHXxrKmpA62FwoqDrfqaCy-ZOp_HuN2YwM-qj6sIKidR161cdR3SscZVc6mTGljcvI7pP8pCf9XuUrNBcWOc57ng0WOrjFFSvvXDQHvTvUWijnKvDLp3vUUSBGriWS-ZHWq5-QPZp14pey/w225-h400/IMG_3731.jpeg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traversing in Salubrious</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrrDaeIVCUp5d2TiLQeaVEBvfdO1FplE65TJn_2f8I7Ku0gRYV32SRfvFLP4JtFnjm4VglMzAglfjiF-oQZ5BAHhHenHxOHZq2cPvtRyUwZzyaLV9ZR5-JWL7H234jeUNkHesC1g6pVyuuAaGzXOCsVflGnGwchweelLBsWVr4G6RXF0zea2XhTKinYkZ/s4032/IMG_3740.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrrDaeIVCUp5d2TiLQeaVEBvfdO1FplE65TJn_2f8I7Ku0gRYV32SRfvFLP4JtFnjm4VglMzAglfjiF-oQZ5BAHhHenHxOHZq2cPvtRyUwZzyaLV9ZR5-JWL7H234jeUNkHesC1g6pVyuuAaGzXOCsVflGnGwchweelLBsWVr4G6RXF0zea2XhTKinYkZ/w400-h225/IMG_3740.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glad to be out</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9D1dWE9cksz45YloV4z_l3qUG1cg1hWZI2HapwxFEufcAUrtFvgzbfMbTDmUBPMoqYbvRQ1Lgw7JpxEjY5HMcduW7fHdMXWBmc5IRRyvR5pmbNzLgYanpukVDGnj188GrhGY5zEmbs-qxe9_UDt5igdtgMvXgSfKj3CmIxKaecGQJN6fzq2l3rvH9n5l/s4032/IMG_3739.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9D1dWE9cksz45YloV4z_l3qUG1cg1hWZI2HapwxFEufcAUrtFvgzbfMbTDmUBPMoqYbvRQ1Lgw7JpxEjY5HMcduW7fHdMXWBmc5IRRyvR5pmbNzLgYanpukVDGnj188GrhGY5zEmbs-qxe9_UDt5igdtgMvXgSfKj3CmIxKaecGQJN6fzq2l3rvH9n5l/w400-h225/IMG_3739.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let me out!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5FpJs9fOsSnKEyA0FFRiSb6tHOP53lox-emkiQ-DeAxJAZEdb0iJcYfBllCba8RHzaimpbLL20lnDMRA91XBMjhYK6JthAZ-gwh68nqjrHq65gFk8mwoSHmGNlEZ-gSkUImqOAYV8nZviOQWZAO0OR7_a1MYLWszgWbr6lwC_Kh2mrRQSU4d14G5_SSG/s4032/IMG_3742.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5FpJs9fOsSnKEyA0FFRiSb6tHOP53lox-emkiQ-DeAxJAZEdb0iJcYfBllCba8RHzaimpbLL20lnDMRA91XBMjhYK6JthAZ-gwh68nqjrHq65gFk8mwoSHmGNlEZ-gSkUImqOAYV8nZviOQWZAO0OR7_a1MYLWszgWbr6lwC_Kh2mrRQSU4d14G5_SSG/w400-h225/IMG_3742.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Team</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-6052389147263999112024-02-01T19:13:00.005+00:002024-02-04T21:09:59.868+00:00Ogof Pasg to Ogof Foel Fawr<p><span face="sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Kayleigh had recently completed this through trip with Natasha, Mark & Keith. Presumably without her camera as she decided to lead this return trip to rectify those missed photographic opportunities.</span></p><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We scrambled up through the quarry and into the cave entrance, rather a blessing to be out of a bitter wind blowing across the area.</div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Good progress was made until we reached the climbdown where upon a similar situation arose to that in March 2014 ie the safety line wasn't quite long enough. The big question is, had they lowered the floor or raised the roof? Magic was worked that would have made Paul Daniells proud, perhaps "Not a lot" as he used to say but we all made it safely down and on towards the canal.</div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">It was here that Kayleigh's Peli case was opened and flash guns placed. Some poor soul was now required to be the 'model' standing waist deep in cold water and who else did she chose, (perhaps in revenge for previous videos in cold water) none other than our very own videographer extraordinaire Mr Keith Edwards AKA Caver Keith. All went well with the photo session and fortunately the deep water masked Keith's now very blue legs.</div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">There is an interesting slide down a tube into water with a left turn at the bottom and then a roll to the right to squeeze up through a narrow opening and onwards towards the infamous "Slab".</div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Natasha went through with a question on exiting "What squeeze?" Others of us tried and found middle age had taken its toll and the alternative route beckoned. As many have found before alternative does not equal in any shape or form EASY but we all got through and continued the crawls amid a distinct draught so the end could not be far off. We emerged into light rain with that wind still present and made our way down to the parked cars to change into something dry and warm. All in all a good trip revisiting one of the classic routes.</div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW60cExk8GQAAy41FVqLRUheKajdQKJiDHpxt7SpDNX4PYNRXZmAY6p2aAlLT7ny9wR1tgmKeOz4vpIIGMVmcs5ABIIlMx2Yv8ShOdUiVXrQGU4BB_Di4bW8cr_00Pcwch-9VcSHZqXgGlcr0hMWC0az9YjXC-5AOpBXKiS2xfR8rQAm8IjN-cjyogzlY/s2048/370276195_3459997297551109_8995977068002102193_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="2048" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW60cExk8GQAAy41FVqLRUheKajdQKJiDHpxt7SpDNX4PYNRXZmAY6p2aAlLT7ny9wR1tgmKeOz4vpIIGMVmcs5ABIIlMx2Yv8ShOdUiVXrQGU4BB_Di4bW8cr_00Pcwch-9VcSHZqXgGlcr0hMWC0az9YjXC-5AOpBXKiS2xfR8rQAm8IjN-cjyogzlY/w640-h358/370276195_3459997297551109_8995977068002102193_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith in the Canal Freezing his N*** Off</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Present - Kayleith, Natasha, Keith, Mike & Ian.</div>MBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05530354067772193683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-51974096695453504772024-01-20T20:30:00.001+00:002024-01-25T20:42:45.586+00:00Agen Allwedd: The Music Room & Aven SeriesAfter a successful Pre-Christmas DCC trip into GB Cave, my second DCC outing was to be in South Wales, Aggy, or Agen Allwedd if it's in trouble. In the roster was Mel, Anne and Dave leading the cohort through the cave, left left left were the directions. After an uneventful walk to the cave (although there were plenty of ice patches and icicles), we wriggled into the entrance and negotiated our way through the entrance series.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64OriS1N5yh6gyePf2ucNGHQlbOydwu3AourfKWiejkrYTVxI951tluRbIpZB12fzlBDz-ftEM5aLdICgR8ugHycjGzIv9-LEkXXdtBQok3PkYPV-Hx2SHo2pDRKzNWi5yzQ7anK0FKBkvmZV6M6CWEAA8tkPo1cOKGH5nROO2OtM_xmWjbEZk0UVfU0/s4000/01.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64OriS1N5yh6gyePf2ucNGHQlbOydwu3AourfKWiejkrYTVxI951tluRbIpZB12fzlBDz-ftEM5aLdICgR8ugHycjGzIv9-LEkXXdtBQok3PkYPV-Hx2SHo2pDRKzNWi5yzQ7anK0FKBkvmZV6M6CWEAA8tkPo1cOKGH5nROO2OtM_xmWjbEZk0UVfU0/s600/01.jpg"/></a></div>
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We were treated to see several clumps (apparently colony is the collective noun, thanks google) of tiny bats littering the rooftops, which is always a treat.
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We made our way through a boulder choke, which I think was a first for me, and quite enjoyable apart from my cave bag catching things at every opportunity. After the narrower sections of boulder chokes, the cave eventually opens out into the Main Passage. A large tunnel, flanked with the remains of silt and mud from years gone by. Dried and cracked, with some sections sprinkled with selenite crystals (once again, thanks google).
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRocKg-YNMkQLfL54tL1CrVGU3tNoBifxn87VKZNpGh8ObCw1yxId2LSuW_glMwxUenwLySulBfOEsIANnioNal5RyijB35Ee9GyEHTDbharx0KVCD7UzpQRWFbF2yRrRkgjsL8CHNZLmDr2z3lvhm0NwCFdDYUkXf6VUJ4nbgD8yL1AtepF4Vecs-TK4/s4000/unnamed.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRocKg-YNMkQLfL54tL1CrVGU3tNoBifxn87VKZNpGh8ObCw1yxId2LSuW_glMwxUenwLySulBfOEsIANnioNal5RyijB35Ee9GyEHTDbharx0KVCD7UzpQRWFbF2yRrRkgjsL8CHNZLmDr2z3lvhm0NwCFdDYUkXf6VUJ4nbgD8yL1AtepF4Vecs-TK4/s600/unnamed.jpg"/></a></div>
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At this point Mel and Anne had shot off ahead, so myself and Dave meandered down the Main Passage, with the music room our destination. At some point, we met back up with Mel & Anne, they'd been off somewhere else that escapes my mind (Erse Passage perhaps?).
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVfilHbyG5rsivFtBP_An-qtvOGmXrYvF6datM-P56fNfUczNiT7RZLypcr6J5SSPzMI5MEhtuh5UycK678A5oSAR-V5-dpWQpNYRgUInlt1yBjNHzO4oOya6vpCkKxE8BwKUL-doM3fkyHIKRm-Pobiq64wi8hhSgEIEh7DNmVJZITNxzOb4qDN-oWY/s4000/unnamed%20%281%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVfilHbyG5rsivFtBP_An-qtvOGmXrYvF6datM-P56fNfUczNiT7RZLypcr6J5SSPzMI5MEhtuh5UycK678A5oSAR-V5-dpWQpNYRgUInlt1yBjNHzO4oOya6vpCkKxE8BwKUL-doM3fkyHIKRm-Pobiq64wi8hhSgEIEh7DNmVJZITNxzOb4qDN-oWY/s600/unnamed%20%281%29.jpg"/></a></div>
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After a while we hit the Music Room, complete with a music stand and sheet music to a well known classic. Who knows who felt motivated to bring that with them, especially through the boulder choke!
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd-YNrd396_7b2lmb8CgJ1kX8hVm2Cowyk4gMZyETl_V94BIYoYVvwJLgXLxs0LE556swWcHj0dwqTwNN6kCEsvmsEDDxj63wt2P4crWrPOu0JbIS63sgdNBwLKQI3lq7KJroEbQCstG0FtxhB31t60HdGQA8Pl3KqcYXYP5v31iJi05Kd9XDirrJVOk/s4000/unnamed%20%283%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd-YNrd396_7b2lmb8CgJ1kX8hVm2Cowyk4gMZyETl_V94BIYoYVvwJLgXLxs0LE556swWcHj0dwqTwNN6kCEsvmsEDDxj63wt2P4crWrPOu0JbIS63sgdNBwLKQI3lq7KJroEbQCstG0FtxhB31t60HdGQA8Pl3KqcYXYP5v31iJi05Kd9XDirrJVOk/s600/unnamed%20%283%29.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYnGjnLEc5-nFDh3bIXDdHNypnIaFDkaTsqYHzaTkk-Zr6EY_tiJZHnYA1ke159fi_FUeVotRPALXmrnY-gFHof5GiH9_suEjEA44iIDUzheoD7ZkbbPtNwy7yckpIfjoqHVdVqVpuNbVtT49mOtJle7SRPvx36qzcJi0fKjAjePgm3f43taFabfE19M/s4000/unnamed%20%282%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="2252" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYnGjnLEc5-nFDh3bIXDdHNypnIaFDkaTsqYHzaTkk-Zr6EY_tiJZHnYA1ke159fi_FUeVotRPALXmrnY-gFHof5GiH9_suEjEA44iIDUzheoD7ZkbbPtNwy7yckpIfjoqHVdVqVpuNbVtT49mOtJle7SRPvx36qzcJi0fKjAjePgm3f43taFabfE19M/s600/unnamed%20%282%29.jpg"/></a></div>
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We stayed here for a while, choosing to take on some food and drink and I was equally happy & surprised to see my steak bake had survived the pounding, almost too well.
<br><br>
From here we headed onwards, with the Aven Series our next port of call. In one section we found some little mud figurines, showing the cavers who came before us are not just musical, but also talented artists. My particular favourite was a mushroom, which was just next to a mobile number, with each number modelled in the clay-like mud. I resisted the urge to shuffle the numbers around, although I doubt there's much signal down there to call :D
<br><br>
We retreated a little from the figurine tunnel, and found another offshoot which was to be my tightest squeeze yet. A walk in the park for most cavers I'm sure, but for a novice like me, it was a little testing. With no room to progress forward with my arms, it was a case of small ankle movements to creep along the mud tube through to the next area. With Dave assuring me "it's not that bad", I shuffled swiftly, trying to convince myself small spaces are fun. In this next room, Dave found an onwards route, but after a cursory inspection I decided I'd reached my wriggle limit and chose to hang back whilst the trio carried on.
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It's always difficult to understand time in a cave, especially when you're exploring a new area you've not been in before. That's for Mel, Anne and Dave. For me, I'm sat with my own thoughts in the dark "I wonder if they're coming back?", "how long has it been?", "how far do I dare walk around before losing where I am?". I chose to stay fairly close to the bag drop location, marked nicely by a large pile of rocks, and checked out the crystalline walls for a while.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByjzdFkYGwjDnQbJyWe6cTF476_t0LNlo5NxjTQ5N7V3i0YdojTRBlNnjitKapm0jaDffgaBssylwyokAV-UV2kOvAYvy7o9e5M0h16WrfoDXd3d_oM2vREscMfMt1hRe_qQObEwNHMCmLwTc5QJQfy6b80Ifhs8IfIFhXow8tmvAso_jfw3msbQe4KM/s4000/unnamed%20%284%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByjzdFkYGwjDnQbJyWe6cTF476_t0LNlo5NxjTQ5N7V3i0YdojTRBlNnjitKapm0jaDffgaBssylwyokAV-UV2kOvAYvy7o9e5M0h16WrfoDXd3d_oM2vREscMfMt1hRe_qQObEwNHMCmLwTc5QJQfy6b80Ifhs8IfIFhXow8tmvAso_jfw3msbQe4KM/s600/unnamed%20%284%29.jpg"/></a></div>
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After seemingly an eternity, just before I lost my mind, I heard the comforting sounds of cavers shuffling through tight spaces. It was probably only 20mins or so haha. The gang was reunited once again, but this time our destination was home. Just in time really, as I was starting to get cold after my solo sit in. The trio had actually found a little loop, and "surfaced" further up the section we were in, but thankfully had returned the way they came, to collect their belongings, and me :D
<br><br>
Trip Report and Photos by: Jonathon Bellman
<br>Cavers: Jon, Mel, Dave and AnneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-88093153369216711202023-12-11T21:29:00.001+00:002023-12-12T21:36:26.788+00:00The Brickworks Dig<p>If you've become a member of Dudley Caving Club in the last 6 or 7 or perhaps 8 years you will probably not know that your Club has a dig. It's located very near to the SWCC hut.</p><p>Digging began in 1986 and from then until the mid 2010s it was visited and dug several times a year. The length of the cave is around 160 feet.</p><p>The reason it was abandoned was because when it rains, it floods. This meant that in order to dig it, a few members needed to travel down to SWCC on a Friday evening and set up the pumping system. This meant that we could get in two days digging on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately the pumps we have block too easily.</p><p>During dry weather the water in the dig gradually drains away.</p><p>A few of us would like to see if it's possible to resurrect the dig. We would have to investigate a new pumping solution first, but there is no point in beginning work until the spring.</p><p>I visited the dig on 11th December and took these two photos. In spite of the very wet weather the water level was quite low. Just covering the bottom of the railway track - about 40 feet from the entrance.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTb7SLY_6qzf70pwTwQb0x8rp2c54zbgwqlbmlzPldcig15WS6j8N4bYfyjfI1Y-WwLLgPbMs54MAsBanOXI01oKRkrMO0xQ2wrdj8V1pg_QyBc0XjtcQpRjp9gRF49JWOPY8KEIOXtHiHrw40bTwGqUgZcq98ZWzLa-mo2TjAIeNlg1Zoo33yOrogEj1/s5712/IMG_3526.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3213" data-original-width="5712" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTb7SLY_6qzf70pwTwQb0x8rp2c54zbgwqlbmlzPldcig15WS6j8N4bYfyjfI1Y-WwLLgPbMs54MAsBanOXI01oKRkrMO0xQ2wrdj8V1pg_QyBc0XjtcQpRjp9gRF49JWOPY8KEIOXtHiHrw40bTwGqUgZcq98ZWzLa-mo2TjAIeNlg1Zoo33yOrogEj1/w640-h360/IMG_3526.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Entrance. Underneath the grass is a railway track.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19wxFoENd5-_EFW15afK6RXdszmHwDFBu8EatwkaKjoYzNia5t_9_LtYST0dzeZtALF9QTBUC-iuQ49kXpKY2PFTCA7yXckJbv0HuR6zzxd7gDqAkS_cOq9wBeoFfgHNU-LyXKAB6ObuiwQ_jeiwdP9ySaMes1PLk1TehUA13mfGB-cEXTrU4xal81fn3/s5712/IMG_3527.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3213" data-original-width="5712" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19wxFoENd5-_EFW15afK6RXdszmHwDFBu8EatwkaKjoYzNia5t_9_LtYST0dzeZtALF9QTBUC-iuQ49kXpKY2PFTCA7yXckJbv0HuR6zzxd7gDqAkS_cOq9wBeoFfgHNU-LyXKAB6ObuiwQ_jeiwdP9ySaMes1PLk1TehUA13mfGB-cEXTrU4xal81fn3/w640-h360/IMG_3527.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Entrance Passage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Here's a short video from 2013 showing how the dig was operated.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4i_o89fgjgc" width="320" youtube-src-id="4i_o89fgjgc"></iframe></div><p>For those who might be interested please talk to one of the longer serving members when you next visit the windmill.</p>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-13890642189908051812023-12-11T17:48:00.001+00:002023-12-12T18:07:58.326+00:00Into the Labyrinth<p>Loz requested a route-finding trip in OFD 2. She wanted to explore the passages on the far side of Big Chamber, so that's what we did.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVNFqXl12x9p-II_pDNzO7-b-YI9ug_AFREThDWijjUDU2OnBj5tNmfJT58asCxKSM4c47xP4e6-dHfdJNc3ho28XUO4B0ZCI6TrjX1Qv5qk-ZwOYU4JEpVv14GejTz4MlX90hBNE00qdO3msXts6FwZyC7gnYhBZXzbLAfgOAveS3UNQ57kf74FjtF-k/s4227/IMG_3516.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4227" data-original-width="3170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVNFqXl12x9p-II_pDNzO7-b-YI9ug_AFREThDWijjUDU2OnBj5tNmfJT58asCxKSM4c47xP4e6-dHfdJNc3ho28XUO4B0ZCI6TrjX1Qv5qk-ZwOYU4JEpVv14GejTz4MlX90hBNE00qdO3msXts6FwZyC7gnYhBZXzbLAfgOAveS3UNQ57kf74FjtF-k/w480-h640/IMG_3516.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OFD 2 - The Labyrinth Area</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>From Big Chamber we followed the traverses and then turned left to make for Cairn Chamber. From here we found our way to the Columns Gate.</p><p>It was then time to explore the Labyrinth! After a couple of wrong turns we found our way to the bottom of Arete Chamber. It was then back into the Labyrinth to find the route to Salubrious Streamway which we did with only one wrong turning.</p><p>Loz then requested that we visit White Arch Chamber. From Gnome Passage we headed for Speedy Caver and then into White Arch Chamber.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTppNgcO8XX_r3SaFLudSDPQMd0zVcFw8w4bd6LdkQcPVqjKiVHPYlz7FZ42fvtymhlaYmxiOQb0CH33Sjs2sTfTlGhCXqVVXf290DpHd-IdxzFW96nyKRNX4K1MyPrT8sRj57gbOolUustRWooLKSLV9YPA2BA6BxkYkHn9_nveb55OO9eYmZvzFbiyi/s4032/IMG_3519.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTppNgcO8XX_r3SaFLudSDPQMd0zVcFw8w4bd6LdkQcPVqjKiVHPYlz7FZ42fvtymhlaYmxiOQb0CH33Sjs2sTfTlGhCXqVVXf290DpHd-IdxzFW96nyKRNX4K1MyPrT8sRj57gbOolUustRWooLKSLV9YPA2BA6BxkYkHn9_nveb55OO9eYmZvzFbiyi/w640-h360/IMG_3519.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loz and Mel in White Arch Chamber</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>From here we took the exit to White Arch and then back out.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkD8KNbw-MeUAIJkLKNSDfazUw4S5wBzixGqEhkdxdG3CdeXHwjehK3Zs4uVvhxcfiT2Rcq1ySFWgPNjOYS8xsoIlMVZuzg31Qj_XGTP9ZTT4tWrfmOMNoFyoeQvafRShVDZbq7aMZM57Aq8ntPe85VDUdcD8pyiSgZnqf4kGB_bo9uSyyyw9lmk47OWL/s4032/IMG_3520.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkD8KNbw-MeUAIJkLKNSDfazUw4S5wBzixGqEhkdxdG3CdeXHwjehK3Zs4uVvhxcfiT2Rcq1ySFWgPNjOYS8xsoIlMVZuzg31Qj_XGTP9ZTT4tWrfmOMNoFyoeQvafRShVDZbq7aMZM57Aq8ntPe85VDUdcD8pyiSgZnqf4kGB_bo9uSyyyw9lmk47OWL/w640-h360/IMG_3520.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Entrance Passage<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Cavers: Keith, Loz & Mel</p><p>Trip report: Keith</p><p>Photos: Keith</p>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-47598921582336944542023-12-09T16:44:00.000+00:002023-12-10T17:07:41.420+00:00Dudley Christmas Trip: GB<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglymwU9SdLbNVwR3Lljb1TyX3Az16uOEaSUqVJgtHIGMYDcrGO_DApwuh_laiThOXYGn19_-B9Op9pzm7YcCimtff488WJqslGy0TmN_MJupj7sG7XXNXnzdch4WxwEy1KWcfOUQ0OHJ8G8d7U4cER31XZjF7lJoP44tnZgkti9Vx_0JDCb6XCAAr7p20/s4898/2G8A9647.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="4898" data-original-width="3265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglymwU9SdLbNVwR3Lljb1TyX3Az16uOEaSUqVJgtHIGMYDcrGO_DApwuh_laiThOXYGn19_-B9Op9pzm7YcCimtff488WJqslGy0TmN_MJupj7sG7XXNXnzdch4WxwEy1KWcfOUQ0OHJ8G8d7U4cER31XZjF7lJoP44tnZgkti9Vx_0JDCb6XCAAr7p20/s600/2G8A9647.jpg"/></a></div>
<i>To the tune of 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas'</i>
<br>
<br>We were dreaming of a white Christmas:
<br>But snow was nowhere to be found.
<br>The weather was raining
<br>(Bringing much complaining)
<br>So the Dudley sought for solace underground.
<br>
<br>Mourning the muddying of our white Christmas
<br>The Dudley went down deep into GB.
<br>The streamway was gushing
<br>Through the Gorge, a’rushing -
<br>And o’er stals were twinkling merrily.
<br>
<br>Not really looking for a white Christmas,
<br>When what should we chance to find?
<br>But a passage iced in white
<br>A wondrous festive sight
<br>A frosted scene quite perfectly defined!
<br>
<br>This subterranean white Christmas,
<br>Was not made of glistening snow:
<br>The sparkling whiteness
<br>Of pristine brightness
<br>Was formed of the finest calcite flow
<br>
<br>Cheered by discovering our white Christmas
<br>GB gave us one more treat:
<br>The sump was draining
<br>With foam flurries remaining
<br>Up the walls to a height of nine feet.
<br>
<br>So if you’re searching for a white Christmas
<br>Underground you should convene:
<br>For snow is overrated,
<br>Too cold and rather dated:
<br>Calcite makes the better yuletide scene.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn9tVYpNBrTXHFsPBlo-OdCzDFkSoNkMIa0yvDdEjQKJYwNkzWCQPS3lqlYZQRrS4qO3yr1qc6UyClyCHa0m_RHlK8p1iDwANHyaj3g1WK-oN34ZSVgWQ90LgivcUpyqzdCDQTspaEHTJb5hrWlc6Ze6H0zEZI9KnN78Aew8xm_6D_8aIm4R70nwamf0/s4898/2G8A9663.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn9tVYpNBrTXHFsPBlo-OdCzDFkSoNkMIa0yvDdEjQKJYwNkzWCQPS3lqlYZQRrS4qO3yr1qc6UyClyCHa0m_RHlK8p1iDwANHyaj3g1WK-oN34ZSVgWQ90LgivcUpyqzdCDQTspaEHTJb5hrWlc6Ze6H0zEZI9KnN78Aew8xm_6D_8aIm4R70nwamf0/s600/2G8A9663.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS8p_pAibGuz5ouREgE7tg5sXA1aRhzahBbj9mjx4yq9OpA67LyhkyLmc2ZpzvMxDYlbJe02wIRcc46qp6dHhnP_3H-kGBh6hNDEaBvtCmluqrzW5YukgT4GXCLo_yOldo__rAX_o4k8-wrExsjF93iuMZ4fUM91IjP7I5lelLJkas6urpQAAyLoJ6SY/s4898/2G8A9682.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS8p_pAibGuz5ouREgE7tg5sXA1aRhzahBbj9mjx4yq9OpA67LyhkyLmc2ZpzvMxDYlbJe02wIRcc46qp6dHhnP_3H-kGBh6hNDEaBvtCmluqrzW5YukgT4GXCLo_yOldo__rAX_o4k8-wrExsjF93iuMZ4fUM91IjP7I5lelLJkas6urpQAAyLoJ6SY/s600/2G8A9682.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXhmiSwoZP8qY_wvPeXLnHBT0PuuzOKu-LryqE94-clJOn7fyQ3y2EWUl3oi3LlBtWJdXLiRLT19epTanK6yESI1EMAvYA7sr6epw2nV8NEW939U9qwkdDfSVHY5wxvTOmLGgyT_ctVNdfcB9_aJ6e1Gf-fBNAML03EmDOCGCxGws6qimBSNqI3St804/s4898/2G8A9719.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXhmiSwoZP8qY_wvPeXLnHBT0PuuzOKu-LryqE94-clJOn7fyQ3y2EWUl3oi3LlBtWJdXLiRLT19epTanK6yESI1EMAvYA7sr6epw2nV8NEW939U9qwkdDfSVHY5wxvTOmLGgyT_ctVNdfcB9_aJ6e1Gf-fBNAML03EmDOCGCxGws6qimBSNqI3St804/s600/2G8A9719.jpg"/></a></div>
<br><i>Trip Report by: Anne Bell
<br>Photos by: Bartek Biela
<br>Cavers: Ian, Bartek, Firas, Dave B, Anne, Jon & Nick
<br></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-81839562607710224762023-11-18T21:57:00.003+00:002023-11-18T22:00:26.928+00:00Wet, wet, and more wet: a trip to Giant's HoleMel, Dave and I had planned an easy trip down Giant’s Hole to the East Canal, so the SRT newbies amongst us could practice abseiling and climbing both Garland’s Pot and Geology Pot. The weather forecast was for heavy rain in the hours up to the trip, with it stopping in the morning before we went in. The heavy rain certainly arrived! Base camp chamber was full of water coming out of Sump 1, water was thundering down into Garland’s, and Comic Act Cascade had ceased to be a cascade: instead of falling downwards, the water shot sideways and hit the cave wall, like someone had turned on a fire hose. However, I always enjoy wet trips; in fact, the wetter the better (for me, at least!). Having abseiled Garland’s, we set off down the crab walk, before popping up into the Eating House and making our way to the traverses that led to Geology Pot. After making rapid progress down Geology, we rejoined the streamway and quickly came to the top of a 4m cascade. Again, the stream here was like a fire hydrant; neither Mel nor myself were that keen on tackling it and at this point Dave reminded us that our objective had been Geology Pot, giving us the perfect excuse to head back.
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On getting back to the Eating House, the 3m climb up that eventually leads to the Giant’s Windpipe was pouring with water. We decided that it wasn’t even worth checking to see if the windpipe was sumped or not; there was no way it couldn’t have been. So back up the Crabwalk we went, though this time carrying ropes and SRT kit against the current of the stream. This was somewhat arduous, however we all helped each other out, with Mel helping me shift one of the bags through the tight spaces, and Dave taking over part way along the Crabwalk. Comic act cascade quickly arrived; ironically the bottom half of the ladder was the driest place to stand; the top half less so and the best tactic was just to put your head down and climb up through the horizontal blast of water. Eventually we arrived back at Garland’s Pot, where we ended up queuing to climb out (another group had been daft enough to do Giant’s Hole today, too). After Garland’s, an easy plod out led back to the car and a quick stop off for a drink on the way home.
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All in all, an absolutely fantastic trip: wet and vertical; what more could you want?
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Club members: Dave J, Mel B, Dave B
<br>Trip report by Dave BUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-43946099029468930952023-11-18T21:55:00.007+00:002023-12-03T22:01:50.866+00:00OFD: My first ever caving trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyzhz0IvxfIoJSkbyYdhyGQhRtxcfedYcd-CepMC7dQj7Z6G_n38-x58v8pXSHDT5VwwJYkv616qnY0wJBKOCgVoryu1ZrCPP2IxBEYMW1Dt0Ewl6BHM9_zGrdiFpD9emlHtbxKqTKHoQAqLOGsdbyFs6PP1TTIYpPofGIFAY26xXe7ZZzBC0CycgqpQ/s4032/IMG_4773.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyzhz0IvxfIoJSkbyYdhyGQhRtxcfedYcd-CepMC7dQj7Z6G_n38-x58v8pXSHDT5VwwJYkv616qnY0wJBKOCgVoryu1ZrCPP2IxBEYMW1Dt0Ewl6BHM9_zGrdiFpD9emlHtbxKqTKHoQAqLOGsdbyFs6PP1TTIYpPofGIFAY26xXe7ZZzBC0CycgqpQ/s400/IMG_4773.jpeg"/></a></div>
So my name is Rebecca and I signed up to Dudley Caving club, after having visited some show caves for the first time in the summer. I'd never thought about the activity before, and after a discussion with the team at Ingleborough, I thought i would love to give it a try for real. And OMG what a fantastic experience. Mark, Keith, Ian & Jes were all so welcoming and encouraging of me as a newbie on my first trip and i left that evening feeling "Did I actually do that". I didn’t feel any fear being down there, it was quite calming actually, like why haven’t I always done this. There were so many beautiful sights down there, the waterfall was my favourite. Not without its challenges though, facing a deep drop has taken some processing mentally. I can't wait to get back to it though it was so much fun.
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Trip report & photos: Rebecca GuyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-31880129223987647252023-10-27T20:08:00.001+01:002023-10-27T20:36:20.285+01:00Ogof Draenen: Out of the Blue (Saturday 21st October 2023)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONEVTj4tZCZgbENmh3Cxj-gxjO28lk2ZPTrg3_ynjyADBo2EsFExoDM-g4CjF1310j17ayJcLEbuCdH7ma6x3q_PAZWgh7kpqSvub1mhZb1OSeta0bOTe21sq3Ucjkw4MQxSYtEdIqzAAsgQA9l5mtozhnGttwgZr00nYuEMNXCn0cCAo5TqzSV3pN2M/s4000/20231021_155645.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONEVTj4tZCZgbENmh3Cxj-gxjO28lk2ZPTrg3_ynjyADBo2EsFExoDM-g4CjF1310j17ayJcLEbuCdH7ma6x3q_PAZWgh7kpqSvub1mhZb1OSeta0bOTe21sq3Ucjkw4MQxSYtEdIqzAAsgQA9l5mtozhnGttwgZr00nYuEMNXCn0cCAo5TqzSV3pN2M/s400/20231021_155645.jpg"/></a></div>
The original plan had been to carry dive kit into Wet Sink for George, however days of rain – and an unsettled forecast – led to some umming and ahhing about whether this was still possible. In the end, the decision was made to abandon Wet Sink for today (very wisely, in my opinion!), and to visit Ogof Draenen instead. Mark, Joel and George viewed it as a chance to tick of part of the cave they hadn’t visited before: Out of the Blue.
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When we eventually reached this kilometre of streamway, Mark pronounced it to be one of the best decorated streamways in the country. Although it finally ended in a big boulder choke, getting there involved passing a beautiful profusion of straws, stalactites and helictites. This made the treacherously slippery streambed (which couldn’t be seen as the water was peat-stained) worthwhile, although after losing my balance for the umpteenth time, I may only feel that way in retrospect! Overall, a great trip, and a cave that I will definitely have to return to and explore more.
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<i>Cavers Present: Mark Burkey, George Linnane, Joel Foyster, Dave & Anne Bell
<br>Trip Report by Dave Bell
<br>Photos by Joel Foyster</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-64110746358681857432023-10-16T22:32:00.002+01:002023-10-27T20:08:33.267+01:00Maskhill-Oxlow Through Trip (Saturday 14th October 2023)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHggdzulr_FlljHweuARLJFGH7d2b0g1q71kJlK-nxtyzOUSD85BcdJzQOnFBTfWFNzEsA8HChFt5OQt8_dSkgZ4yOgTynacXtex-375LFIaGxKGRmHCVO9jWialAaPsN69vHpgE9xccbhHxS0I_OQPPzL9qMvLPtXrioTQnsFebtyDKTzg99pbXWUTTA/s4032/IMG_0001.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHggdzulr_FlljHweuARLJFGH7d2b0g1q71kJlK-nxtyzOUSD85BcdJzQOnFBTfWFNzEsA8HChFt5OQt8_dSkgZ4yOgTynacXtex-375LFIaGxKGRmHCVO9jWialAaPsN69vHpgE9xccbhHxS0I_OQPPzL9qMvLPtXrioTQnsFebtyDKTzg99pbXWUTTA/s320/IMG_0001.HEIC"/></a></div>
Given the success of the club's recent weekend at Heightworks, what better way could there be to put newly acquired (or perfectly honed) SRT skills into practice, other than a trip into Maskhill and Oxlow mines? Seven of us embarked on the trip, with two "new hands" (including myself), being experly supervised by five "old hands". After meeting and kitting up in a blustery Peak District layby, we split into two teams, with Graham, Dave and Paulina heading off to Oxlow, and Firas, Bartek, Jas and myself heading up to Maskhill. Firas was first down the shaft, leaving the rest of us to stand in the biting wind. Fortunately, it had dropped a little, and it wasn’t raining. In fact, it was a beautiful sunny day, but I think all of us were pleased to get out of the sun into the warmth of the mine. We were soon dropping down pitch after pitch, with Firas ably rigging the first half, and Bartek the second. Each time I lowered myself off the head of a pitch onto my cowstails, I relished looking down into the gloomy darkness, imagining what was beneath. It didn’t take much imagination, as it was invariably rocks and mud, but going deeper and deeper into the mine brought a real enjoyment and excitement. Before long we arrived at the top of the Waterfall Pitch, where a fixed tyrolean helped us to abseil across the top of a very deep, very dark hole. Once safely on the other side, one pitch remained until we met up with Graham, Dave and Paulina. It was then time for pizza and sweets (great energy food!) before setting off, and up out of Oxlow. (I note that while people sniggered at me bringing pizza on a caving (mining?) trip, their mirth didn't stop them from eating it...leaving me with one slice of pizza rather than four. Nevermind!)
At this point, I was very grateful for the energy, as Prussiking up the ropes was much harder work than I remembered from practising at Heightworks / the mill. The tackle sack clipped to my harness didn’t help, of course; it seemed to pull me down with every upward movement, and reaching an awkward deviation was a real pain. Some words of advice from Bartek sorted me out, and it was with some embarrassment that I realised that no-one else seemed to struggle with the tackle sacks or deviation. So we’ll put it down to me having rubbish technique. Of course, that just means more practice is necessary, which means more caving trips…so rubbish technique does have some advantages. After dumping the bag on Jas (not literally, although I was tempted when I saw him looking up from the bottom of the pitch), Prussiking became much easier, and it felt like no time before we all popped out of the top of the shaft, where we saw Paulina and Dave coming across the field to meet us. There was time for the obligatory selfie (although Firas had the right idea, and walked off before this happened), before heading back to the car. Overall, a fantastic trip, and (for me) the first of (hopefully) very many SRT adventures underground.
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Group members:
Bartek Biela
Paulina Biela
Graham Smith
Jas Sahota
Firas Fayad
Dave Williams
Dave Bell
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He discovered the impressive 40 metre high Aquamole Aven.</p><p>Geoff retired from cave diving in 1997.</p><p>Aquamole Aven was finally connected to the surface in June 2002.</p><p>A trip beginning by descending Aquamole Pot, as it is now named, to exit at Valley Entrance is now a classic through trip for cave divers and is considered to be a somewhat of a right of passage for the new generation of underwater cave explorers. In spite of his underground discoveries in Kingsdale Valley it was a trip that Geoff Yeadon had never been able to do. </p><p>However, on Sunday the 6th August 2023, Geoff supported by a team of over 20 cavers and cave divers, was persuaded out of retirement to complete for the first time this classic descent and cave dive.</p><p>This video is a taster for a forthcoming video showing what happened on the day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IG5_c3hpzlQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="IG5_c3hpzlQ"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-76753664756206516152023-10-01T10:32:00.001+01:002023-10-16T10:34:51.143+01:00Dudley Caving Club SRT Training at Heightworks<p>With grateful thanks to Heightworks, Wolverhampton for allowing us to use their fantastic rope playground.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MOYlFWUmyk8" width="320" youtube-src-id="MOYlFWUmyk8"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-11280304062906476902023-05-01T09:29:00.014+01:002023-05-08T09:38:19.253+01:00Ogof Ffynnon Ddu 1 to Cwm Dwr through trip<p>In Celtic tradition, the 1st of May marked the festival of Beltane, when Celts changed from the dark season to the light season. What a better way to celebrate the return of light than to spend the day underground!</p><p>Jess and Mark led us on a trip from OFD 1 to Cwm Dwr, through streamways, boulder chokes, and crawls. We saw numerous calcite formations along the way – straws, drapes (‘bacon strips’?) and helictites; enjoyed the sections through the Letter Box and down the Diver’s Pitch; and luckily no one got stuck in the concrete pipes out to the Cwm Dwr entrance!</p><p>Cavers: Jess (leader), Mark (leader’s assistant), Jas, Arjun, Alex, Stirling, Eloise</p><p><i>Trip Report: Eloise Cambier</i></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o93EFH1s99L-SNBfY1_kDCumquAxjMDmoQTKr0xgaun-FGIx1rzZp0XyOTWvbUGz8igg9v3PhwzCAZ9TpRnN7yUEUVnFyTj4wuVFVeLTmZ2R3cfXey_RKhR6Fvmlk9FQtJFBqUg9m4c1oyVbgxtYHIyNCyVI97qi0IwEXklYrypfelgetjTmnhOgOA/s4032/PXL_20230501_104229474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o93EFH1s99L-SNBfY1_kDCumquAxjMDmoQTKr0xgaun-FGIx1rzZp0XyOTWvbUGz8igg9v3PhwzCAZ9TpRnN7yUEUVnFyTj4wuVFVeLTmZ2R3cfXey_RKhR6Fvmlk9FQtJFBqUg9m4c1oyVbgxtYHIyNCyVI97qi0IwEXklYrypfelgetjTmnhOgOA/w400-h300/PXL_20230501_104229474.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulder Chamber</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgDTy58ZLqnxsXyeWM27OLVS0KqXUgKvETcT29FMIpzvlUno2UoOo5eqtOj9QOlWxCZM8DHzBXw6lqQM53raVTzsty1zdYdELqAYMYdTKUu1Hj24Ww4_cg7wSASAytr4HQgnOMp-Qnq67m3MdHXgEBas8cqXad_FxozMZ2O6A0V9slJwF8J6GIyEp0w/s4032/PXL_20230501_114013469.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgDTy58ZLqnxsXyeWM27OLVS0KqXUgKvETcT29FMIpzvlUno2UoOo5eqtOj9QOlWxCZM8DHzBXw6lqQM53raVTzsty1zdYdELqAYMYdTKUu1Hj24Ww4_cg7wSASAytr4HQgnOMp-Qnq67m3MdHXgEBas8cqXad_FxozMZ2O6A0V9slJwF8J6GIyEp0w/w300-h400/PXL_20230501_114013469.MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSYdzEe9LKv1O8fAo_rQg_U64_FY7wrWJdaYC_61akO4uSK8ulIHZEbxyhbTYA6q2KA3xwjJO5bSigfdKXiJZLx_hLZxvzNsBixY-TOqAvoXPjDK1zr1T9SFUjVwAv9Op8m3s3X2MEBrA2ecnD6shn0F-xfoj7-q8rpXAaU3thhl38YGiXC7u0yhyZw/s4032/PXL_20230501_114757612.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSYdzEe9LKv1O8fAo_rQg_U64_FY7wrWJdaYC_61akO4uSK8ulIHZEbxyhbTYA6q2KA3xwjJO5bSigfdKXiJZLx_hLZxvzNsBixY-TOqAvoXPjDK1zr1T9SFUjVwAv9Op8m3s3X2MEBrA2ecnD6shn0F-xfoj7-q8rpXAaU3thhl38YGiXC7u0yhyZw/w400-h300/PXL_20230501_114757612.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4PkD_8ny7HX1Mgr-A_y6B91jlqQPgGa_Z3T__wtKKcq0hhyxQ-lEMBAE_rFsE3d9HUPVX0TLBFo5Ln7FF7jOd0LP-UFjKxWj9NpyRSeayg0WrJVsR0iXUlOvl2-notug2wF7ZgtAL5TqTQBWWdnDqV1KQqCugqpHWZxbRPjFvEuAdNdfV7wEIs06AQ/s4032/PXL_20230501_121230297.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4PkD_8ny7HX1Mgr-A_y6B91jlqQPgGa_Z3T__wtKKcq0hhyxQ-lEMBAE_rFsE3d9HUPVX0TLBFo5Ln7FF7jOd0LP-UFjKxWj9NpyRSeayg0WrJVsR0iXUlOvl2-notug2wF7ZgtAL5TqTQBWWdnDqV1KQqCugqpHWZxbRPjFvEuAdNdfV7wEIs06AQ/w300-h400/PXL_20230501_121230297.MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diver's Pitch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj9majOXPX-ifBEF9ZfxB-xx_4N7ZjgaX3a0RQ6zZdYKCtekMeN9sO3RVRTUxj0jidIPqCnRqkgx-ZIRok4N6jJ9aQ0RUUjC7ijXe5GeuhFIPpDHoy0106Sov9lDnoH81ogbsC2nFX-2bJy_zhBbfFNt7ohWjv6TfoUfMEt2jHdT7a0hKX3AGHhWnDA/s4032/PXL_20230501_121332161.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj9majOXPX-ifBEF9ZfxB-xx_4N7ZjgaX3a0RQ6zZdYKCtekMeN9sO3RVRTUxj0jidIPqCnRqkgx-ZIRok4N6jJ9aQ0RUUjC7ijXe5GeuhFIPpDHoy0106Sov9lDnoH81ogbsC2nFX-2bJy_zhBbfFNt7ohWjv6TfoUfMEt2jHdT7a0hKX3AGHhWnDA/w300-h400/PXL_20230501_121332161.MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A_On6M6A4bz9Mhtz40eNtQKJgQ_SDLGbkXrW6vzied8I6qD-v3LnsA0KbrHxxl-V3trkz2FYUYKehutP55vlqs3fuHQoY0AMjCvt1Ul1eC8Emq7lWibyEVb5kZIaWu3rd80w9CG9d7FHoxDipRuiMRI7g4Jv9ukl_B8YiFPeDz6E2WCHfBgdqk4-2w/s4032/PXL_20230501_121534437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A_On6M6A4bz9Mhtz40eNtQKJgQ_SDLGbkXrW6vzied8I6qD-v3LnsA0KbrHxxl-V3trkz2FYUYKehutP55vlqs3fuHQoY0AMjCvt1Ul1eC8Emq7lWibyEVb5kZIaWu3rd80w9CG9d7FHoxDipRuiMRI7g4Jv9ukl_B8YiFPeDz6E2WCHfBgdqk4-2w/w300-h400/PXL_20230501_121534437.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diver's Pitch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELHYmixkVzP5BOFnj0-jj6tF7joJNCM3SdbhQBUagv-Ew4ZC4uqK5VER8mf0wuNm-0kvQy_h7_xEoCS44Ct7gEm6F541ousMnOwxn19DyoUve4A7R_n46AD8WXcZrWFea6B2dubbEtOvxyinHu_P-PPXlkMGeFQOiQRImY19OimO5DSQl5RtDnDopwg/s4032/PXL_20230501_122343718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELHYmixkVzP5BOFnj0-jj6tF7joJNCM3SdbhQBUagv-Ew4ZC4uqK5VER8mf0wuNm-0kvQy_h7_xEoCS44Ct7gEm6F541ousMnOwxn19DyoUve4A7R_n46AD8WXcZrWFea6B2dubbEtOvxyinHu_P-PPXlkMGeFQOiQRImY19OimO5DSQl5RtDnDopwg/w300-h400/PXL_20230501_122343718.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diver's Pitch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i><br /></i><p></p>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-22335353052326003222023-05-01T09:19:00.000+01:002023-05-09T10:32:18.249+01:00A Caving Slipper<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0C6_ZpXmdnxrlnwW42ZM0c0fTbhe76BBwdwSyQ2ZTqkOfMOPg446b2tmbjQFsrJ3Pr0baDMSZd06pqiS5Z6fiveYsWsYTopJSNAayl-11Gs9TVKHFtgXLhCFPGzijxopjZTrQjwTzwrY5dGvFFp5Q6AKqiEq2VlR9tWsl2NkNYjlgGWlssZaZQP1_g/s816/BF7456DDC782477B84B0A85141D4468E.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="577" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0C6_ZpXmdnxrlnwW42ZM0c0fTbhe76BBwdwSyQ2ZTqkOfMOPg446b2tmbjQFsrJ3Pr0baDMSZd06pqiS5Z6fiveYsWsYTopJSNAayl-11Gs9TVKHFtgXLhCFPGzijxopjZTrQjwTzwrY5dGvFFp5Q6AKqiEq2VlR9tWsl2NkNYjlgGWlssZaZQP1_g/w452-h640/BF7456DDC782477B84B0A85141D4468E.png" width="452" /></a></div><br />An excerpt from a well-known fashion magazine:<p></p><p>“The first piece in our Emergency Couture Collection is the Caving Slipper from the House of Biela. </p><p> It was conceived in Dan Yr Ogof; the magnificent show cave of Wales. A group of cavers had just finished a photo shoot in the ephemeral Cloud Chamber and planned to complete the classic round trip by crossing the Green Canal. This 100m long watercourse is stunning to look at – and also stunning to cross as it is dangerously cold, and those who try to swim through it risk hypothermia and drowning through exhaustion. To avoid this cave explorers make use of sleek circular inflatables to help them maintain buoyancy across the canal. However in this party, one of the cavers became so cold that her left wellington boot slipped off and was lost in the deepest section of the crossing. </p><p>Thankfully, acclaimed designer Bartek Biela was present. He wasted no time in reclaiming discarded pieces of diving equipment and transformed them into this multi-layered, insulated caving slipper. It demonstrates a beautiful harmony between functionality, comfort and style, with the delicately sculpted toe piece referencing the crakow – a tribute to House of Biela’s Polish heritage. </p><p>The casualty, Anne Bell, told our reporter “It was a real privilege to be the first to wear this amazing creation. It was definitely worth losing a welly for.”</p><p>Aided by the caving slipper the party were able to make a swift return to the surface, avoiding any need to summon a rescue team. We hope to see it becoming an essential part of all cave rescue training soon.” </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m3LCO-GcZdqWgXo334VKttT8hfcPHM31fwTKGpS0J2mlihA-fzau75HtxABqM2uZHQ48e3jELrHXY38zrIXvMbtzYx25wI8lSZwb4ZPHDN87cfv8zLBhvTrTDocIChtssbkE301SyuxqC3yXTCB_0VQuQBnkE5SrTB-Vm42uo-4Hx1HkHCO77Totkw/s3648/52868524039_d054431970_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="3648" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m3LCO-GcZdqWgXo334VKttT8hfcPHM31fwTKGpS0J2mlihA-fzau75HtxABqM2uZHQ48e3jELrHXY38zrIXvMbtzYx25wI8lSZwb4ZPHDN87cfv8zLBhvTrTDocIChtssbkE301SyuxqC3yXTCB_0VQuQBnkE5SrTB-Vm42uo-4Hx1HkHCO77Totkw/w400-h266/52868524039_d054431970_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Caving Slipper</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmW9KXIg5vl8NIf4_llb9yeRvzTX5Bxqpf57r4YDePFSBvMofv4JSZXOsbW7kdCMi6cjcpLCtmy2Zoe63BS2r370OZQIoJtEbTtvgL2SxkW6nYZZ1J35LLnKxFZpwxgliP9X9Map8Pq3ZdgR_B6ikVFq9D5eydaFxmmgKPCTkdY0_RRU7INldUrn9Mw/s4710/52868524174_70e29030b4_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3140" data-original-width="4710" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmW9KXIg5vl8NIf4_llb9yeRvzTX5Bxqpf57r4YDePFSBvMofv4JSZXOsbW7kdCMi6cjcpLCtmy2Zoe63BS2r370OZQIoJtEbTtvgL2SxkW6nYZZ1J35LLnKxFZpwxgliP9X9Map8Pq3ZdgR_B6ikVFq9D5eydaFxmmgKPCTkdY0_RRU7INldUrn9Mw/w400-h266/52868524174_70e29030b4_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud Chamber</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFsQrkMvVH6wQIxZ5gWkYVWkvhoDT2LU__CEUhRjw4ER072qe0UePw9EVC6_8zWE21lYtTuo-WgiINIws3MKDk_ylAPH3iNqbIlpnnZb4WGNjKm3UENb_rpCuS9Ytvmrv_F54anQJpp8gTmGjQp_BGKvSGRdX06dP119WlGtoiccho3FdcJkE32MdIA/s4826/52868796753_accfd6d177_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3217" data-original-width="4826" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFsQrkMvVH6wQIxZ5gWkYVWkvhoDT2LU__CEUhRjw4ER072qe0UePw9EVC6_8zWE21lYtTuo-WgiINIws3MKDk_ylAPH3iNqbIlpnnZb4WGNjKm3UENb_rpCuS9Ytvmrv_F54anQJpp8gTmGjQp_BGKvSGRdX06dP119WlGtoiccho3FdcJkE32MdIA/w400-h266/52868796753_accfd6d177_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flabbergasm and the Crystal Pool</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><i>Trip Report: Anne Bell</i><div><i>Photos: Bartek Biela</i><br /> <p></p></div>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-15223538690822363242023-04-15T16:42:00.001+01:002023-04-23T16:43:54.542+01:00 OFD, The Trident, The Judge and much, much more!<p>On Saturday 15th April Mr Edwards and myself continued the indoctrination of two young potential DCC members (in years to come) namely Abigail & Finn. Indoctrination is probably an incorrect description as having had several caving experiences before, they are already well versed in the rituals surrounding a trip, such as breakfast at Luigi's in Abergavenny and tea and cakes afterwards.</p><p>Having completed the first of the onerous rituals i.e. breakfast, on a beautiful sunny morning we set off from SWCC at around 11.00 heading for OFD top entrance. Finn was master of the keys and let us in and we progressed at a steady pace towards our objectives. From very recent experience Keith advised that the route through the 'Brickyard' was well polished and potentially rather slippery so we continued ahead via White Arch and the passage below Speedy Caver, and here began caving proper, hands and knees stuff.</p><p>We soon arrived at 'Gnome Passage’. Some videoing took place here aided by tow of Keiths super bright torches. The next stop was the 'Wedding Cake’, a notable landmark on anyone's route.</p><p>We made our way down to the infamous 'Corkscrew' and for safety reasons used a lifeline to lower Finn & Abigail through the small hole to avoid following to more hazardous usual route which the rest of us had to take. </p><p>Onwards and downwards to reach the water of Salubrious, squeals from Abigail as cold water flowed over and into her wellingtons, Finn was more properly equipped with wet socks, a pair of which Abigail will have shortly. </p><p>Something new for Finn and Abigail, Traverses, but the confidence of the youngsters was clear to be seen, led by Keith and with Asher placed below in the water to catch anyone should a slip occur Finn was off first followed by Abigail. We continued along Salubrious before turning left to reach the 'Trident' and round the corner the 'Judge' made all the more impressive by Keith's lighting whilst more videoing took place. Time was still on our side so after a quick chocolate break Keith added a short extra to the route. We took the alternative route back to Salubrious which passes below Pete’s Pretty Passage - Keith. Abigail and Finn both enjoyed this extra bit as they had no trouble negotiation a squeeze just before arriving back at Salubrious to once again tackle the traverses with even more confidence from the youngsters, again with the same safety precautions in place of having a 'catcher'.</p><p>With Keith's amazing knowledge of OFD we took a different route up form the waterway to emerge at the rope previously used to lower the children but this time to assist them in the climb up with Finn going first, and then we all tackled the steep climb up. The children led the way out and successfully took us past the ‘Wedding Cake’ and into ‘Gnome Passage’. We exited via the Brickyard and back in the entrance passage there was an opportunity for some more video work.</p><p>At this point we met two guys who were undertaking a challenging trip through to Cwm Dwr, challenging we thought because they were working from a description and had not been in OFD before, we wished them well.</p><p>Abigail and Finn moved on well ahead of us and got to the entrance with Finn opening it up with daylight streaming in, only for it to slam shut just before we arrived, were the intrepid pair trying to tell us something? We opened the door again to step out into the glorious day that we had left behind earlier. Pausing for a moment to take it all in we were joined by Mr Mark Burkey 'photographer extraordinaire' and some of his photographic group who were about to enter and were just waiting for Jess and a couple of other to join them which they soon did, so a good natter ensued.</p><p>On the way down to SWCC we met Sue and at the cottages soon changed for the journey home via Greggs on the A40 for tea and cakes.</p><p>Ian Millward.</p><p>Caving party, Keith, Ian, Asher, Abigail & Finn.</p><p>Along for the ride, Sue.</p>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-25188777859443118642023-04-10T08:24:00.010+01:002023-04-17T08:26:59.661+01:00The Ballad of the Crystal Pool<div> <span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Twas a mizzling drizzling Easter morning<br /></i><i>(The Met Office had issued weather warnings)<br /></i><i>When five intrepid explorers prepared to set off<br /></i><i>For adventures deep within Dan yr Ogof. <br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>Now cavers are canny, and while brave beyond doubt<br /></i><i>They tend to choose caves that will let them back out:<br /></i><i>So with thunderstorms threatening the waters to rise<br /></i><i>They refocused their sights on a different prize.<br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>Nearby in the kingdom of Ogof Ffynnon Ddu<br /></i><i>They had heard of the magical Waterfall Series:<br /></i><i>A pool filled with crystals, a black calcite chamber - <br /></i><i>But the journey would be filled with unparalleled danger!<br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>Yet our cavers were armed with more than just courage<br /></i><i>They had brought with them Keith - a fountain of knowledge<br /></i><i>And that wily cave wizard was ably assisted<br /></i><i>By the valiant Loz, so on they persisted.<br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>The first challenge was the streamway: it was gushing a torrent<br /></i><i>Those swept away would meet with a fate most abhorrent.<br /></i><i>But Keith was not fazed – he knew the most secret paths<br /></i><i>To avoid the black stream and it’s inevitable baths.<br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>They went down the Dugout, through slithering crawls<br /></i><i>Over terrifying traverses (risking neck-breaking falls).<br /></i><i>Through the airy hall of Pie Chamber and rolling back down<br /></i><i>To the dazzling passages where selenite abound. <br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>They scaled Lowe’s Chain back down into the stream<br /></i><i>And had a look at the sump (water levels to glean)<br /></i><i>It was safe to proceed so they ventured onwards again<br /></i><i>Up past the waterfall into the series it names.<br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>So close to their treasure - and yet they must remain bold<br /></i><i>For they still need to scale a rift that is lacking in holds.<br /></i><i>They udged and grudged up; the rift thinner and thinner<br /></i><i>The cavers each wished they had forgone their dinner.<br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>Until, at last, out! The long sought treasure they see!<br /></i><i>The most beautiful corner of Ogof Ffynnon Ddu?<br /></i><i>The pool it did sparkle, with crystalline whirls<br /></i><i>Reflecting the o’erhanging stalagmite twirls.<br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>Down a tunnel to the right, by using athletic gyrations<br /></i><i>The cavers reached a room with black calcite formations.<br /></i><i>(Only the smallest made it to this final display<br /></i><i>The others vowed to diet and try again some day).<br /></i><i> <br /></i><i>They took only photos and tales to be told<br /></i><i>With beers around fires to ward off the cold.<br /></i><i>And maybe these tales will inspire others to seek<br /></i><i>The yet undiscovered wonders that wait in the deep.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trip report by Anne Bell</span></div>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-84465151027499505282023-04-08T16:11:00.002+01:002023-04-11T16:13:26.020+01:00Corkscrew Chamber<p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white;">Destination: Corkscrew Chamber (Aggy)</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white;">Cavers: Loz (leader), Anne and Dave</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white;">I’d wanted to go to Corkscrew Chamber ever since I’d seen photos of the Courtesan, so when Loz offered Anne and myself a trip there, we jumped at the opportunity. After arriving at Whitewalls and chatting to a few of the (very friendly) members, the three of us started the plod along the old tramroad to the entrance of Aggy. We made quick work of the entrance series and the first boulder choke, and were soon walking along Main Passage to the start of Southern Streamway. This passage always seems like very civilised caving – a wide, open passage which you can stride along, with only a couple of points where you need to stoop.</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white;">Loz led us to the start of Southern Streamway, and there the striding stopped, to be replaced by a mixture of stooping, hands-and-knees crawling and shuffling. Although it wasn’t Main Passage, it certainly wasn’t as bad as the horror stories I’d heard. We made quick progress to the second inlet where we stopped for a quick drink, and then continued down towards Waterfall Chamber. This section was definitely the crawliest part of the streamway, but being fresh it didn’t phase us. Before long, we’d reached the rope up out of the streamway that leads to the start of Priory Road. After a fair bit of crawling, we eventually reached the start of the final passage to Corkscrew Chamber. This involved some fun, tight s-bends, which Loz guided us through, and before long we reached a short climb up and a polished entrance to a tube that looked too tiny to fit a ferret into.</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white;">What do you do when there’s a rather unnerving tight section to be navigated? Answer: send your wife first, of course. After a few minutes of udging and grunting, Anne got to the end of the tube and reported that it closed down. I breathed a sigh of relief, as I really didn’t fancy trying the crawl. My relief was short-lived, however, as Anne suddenly announced “I’m stuck!” Fortunately, after a few (anxious on my part) minutes of back-and-forth, she managed to find a way out and popped out of the tube. (Anne later reported that getting stuck had been great fun; as I’d been waiting helplessly unable to see her, that’s not quite how I remember the event).</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white;">A few minutes later, and Loz had ably located the entrance to Corkscrew Chamber. In she went, followed rather inelegantly by myself (I got stuck with my body half-in, half-out of the squeeze like a half-birthed walrus) and finally Anne. The formations in the chamber really are breath-taking: pure white, intricately twisting and beautifully delicate. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: white;">After taking the decorations in for a while, we started the long journey back. We were pushing it for time, so when we got to the streamway, Loz went ahead to cancel the call out, while Anne and myself made our way (rather more slowly) out of the cave. Here the horror stories about Southern Streamway began to make sense. It seemed to go on forever and ever, and the crawling, shuffling and stooping seemed a lot harder than on the way in. Eventually we reached the second inlet, and not too long after that, the first inlet. All of a sudden, we emerged into the connection with Main Passage. It was a great relief to be able to stand up and stretch out, and the walk along Main Passage was a real pleasure. Making swift progress through the first boulder choke, we hopped, skipped and jumped through the entrance series, emerging nine hours after we first went in. All in all, a great trip which was well worth doing. Our thanks to Loz for being our (patient and capable) leader.</span></p>MBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05530354067772193683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-57015059269497814192023-04-04T20:39:00.001+01:002023-04-04T20:39:59.787+01:00<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Alderley Edge Copper Mine Trip<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sunday 2<sup>nd</sup> April 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It must be getting on for 10 years since Dudley Caving Club
last visited Alderley Edge Copper Mine, a leader led trip courtesy of
Derbyshire Caving Club who look after the mine. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7lIinOSgWGPRhj6qr57-C7_BvfQJHiH2t2eiObNejvI5NCbVYXQv2ZAe-GJVHgUUtuNIStJzqmMJREr6_hr-SntDGYhL32MUl4vEtVXd5DBcawW_-vk9f6zGmSRvwEcbdps6gkneq-VIMtaVX0yrz_h09e4gkDaj_XGJto04qcxDKHSM-339aynSIQ/s1280/2G8A3404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7lIinOSgWGPRhj6qr57-C7_BvfQJHiH2t2eiObNejvI5NCbVYXQv2ZAe-GJVHgUUtuNIStJzqmMJREr6_hr-SntDGYhL32MUl4vEtVXd5DBcawW_-vk9f6zGmSRvwEcbdps6gkneq-VIMtaVX0yrz_h09e4gkDaj_XGJto04qcxDKHSM-339aynSIQ/s320/2G8A3404.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sadly our numbers were depleted on the day by a variety of
unforeseen circumstances but what we lacked in numbers was made up by
enthusiasm from the seven of us.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_hPsxGOC1Xl_mvJ7NzdbROJybc_66IUsZGFduvtjUwDpJcoYUncqj2yt5BBhbbG3ILPzZnSB_BUk_HSR2KLSxwVLs5W83iaJAmagrQXH2xXmr3mlC_rOJXknA05MtbXP8uiU8TdW3wiWfJ8FTPkSCcY2gMunMqakl9zDzCDH4v2WH6BJxCBoaTRBuw/s1280/2G8A3483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_hPsxGOC1Xl_mvJ7NzdbROJybc_66IUsZGFduvtjUwDpJcoYUncqj2yt5BBhbbG3ILPzZnSB_BUk_HSR2KLSxwVLs5W83iaJAmagrQXH2xXmr3mlC_rOJXknA05MtbXP8uiU8TdW3wiWfJ8FTPkSCcY2gMunMqakl9zDzCDH4v2WH6BJxCBoaTRBuw/s320/2G8A3483.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">We met Nigel our leader in the National Trust Car Park as
arranged and after the formalities we set off heading for the West Mine. Nigel
is a most affable fellow with a sense of humour akin to ours, could this be
common throughout the caving community? His knowledge of the geography of the
mine was amazing it seems that if you were to blindfold and stand him anywhere,
remove the blindfold and he would know exactly where he was and the way on.
Likewise his knowledge of the history of the mine and its workings and the
appalling conditions that probably mostly men worked in brought the whole trip
to life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tY_5HNiXMDzXoI7B1W-p5Dt2D_xnVKoqyHd3zgVgoA_kFufELuEFrcoSHqhrdM9j63WVKUH9sy0AJS2hf5-xhxF3-xDfROHCCgI10jFyn-I1gJmB6CSL7OZmMkfhJUrUYciNN6cZNF53qQH5dz3VsGFP46spKnVMjpGnEY7xbx2nz797anzONhs7cg/s1280/2G8A3419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tY_5HNiXMDzXoI7B1W-p5Dt2D_xnVKoqyHd3zgVgoA_kFufELuEFrcoSHqhrdM9j63WVKUH9sy0AJS2hf5-xhxF3-xDfROHCCgI10jFyn-I1gJmB6CSL7OZmMkfhJUrUYciNN6cZNF53qQH5dz3VsGFP46spKnVMjpGnEY7xbx2nz797anzONhs7cg/s320/2G8A3419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK55K0kRCHetNejhhOS2VqBxUBgpWYTZzeNYiKMxw517Bw-L1EZbkYzEENQOifQNemaaYabjdbX8_hby6jdGwBOB-8nazeVrj-oRvqMLO7gjJMKIanhyiw1oHfIk1F750m9kGDYgK6g5EIFe2yJk18cM5GmwS4WjQk_jb1cstJcSV2aO8wPbIOV32Jw/s1280/2G8A3410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK55K0kRCHetNejhhOS2VqBxUBgpWYTZzeNYiKMxw517Bw-L1EZbkYzEENQOifQNemaaYabjdbX8_hby6jdGwBOB-8nazeVrj-oRvqMLO7gjJMKIanhyiw1oHfIk1F750m9kGDYgK6g5EIFe2yJk18cM5GmwS4WjQk_jb1cstJcSV2aO8wPbIOV32Jw/s320/2G8A3410.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsp9AkRUdtgfPJgPFsYi_lAC2eEAKLP93XBgApG1tMWiNamJ4aQuXS4YkqvP3beLxf2EXh-LIibwNoAx5NpShHqsaDHA7yl6PDRS3dfDocSxxDHCnebP_2881oZ3qPRRBDwxyAj4KntgazHB7tOZGq1oxaNTL-xEtwZV01YBdXJpsxXrLPduhShnk_g/s1280/2G8A3434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsp9AkRUdtgfPJgPFsYi_lAC2eEAKLP93XBgApG1tMWiNamJ4aQuXS4YkqvP3beLxf2EXh-LIibwNoAx5NpShHqsaDHA7yl6PDRS3dfDocSxxDHCnebP_2881oZ3qPRRBDwxyAj4KntgazHB7tOZGq1oxaNTL-xEtwZV01YBdXJpsxXrLPduhShnk_g/s320/2G8A3434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Our party of 7 contained with one exception, me,
well-seasoned experienced cavers so in theory something of a walk about for
them, but in reality, what the mine lacked in challenges it more than made up for
with spectacular colouring and awe-inspiring human effort in excavation.
Witnessed by the many Ooh’s and Ahars. Although easy walking compared to a
normal cave the rest of the interior was very cave like in its shaping compared
to many other mines. Oh and everyone had a go at ‘using’ the ‘Toilet Seat’ and
if you want to know what that means, do the trip!<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pjwDQr5vs0_-V6zPTGU72RmwpxfMXVxoRHHfspeXbodEZkTcEqYMvKpoamN0-nJjmdchM9INfo0r2NmJPqP2zMfr1u_siQK0g_u1Iag0D6OSyKhFG7_9sOOrS-8uTv4B8obXXNHCYJKW2In9n0SddraUIgf3hfPiV8FmbKlBRdiCENE931SEu1BBXA/s1280/2G8A3460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pjwDQr5vs0_-V6zPTGU72RmwpxfMXVxoRHHfspeXbodEZkTcEqYMvKpoamN0-nJjmdchM9INfo0r2NmJPqP2zMfr1u_siQK0g_u1Iag0D6OSyKhFG7_9sOOrS-8uTv4B8obXXNHCYJKW2In9n0SddraUIgf3hfPiV8FmbKlBRdiCENE931SEu1BBXA/s320/2G8A3460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FgzyOii5hUw-iIg4dmkv_mVx8xv0U43Q6dBSwWkT0MvnEEBjbWHysaKNqKFjuQGe9bIdFFkfsQyOztpkLFnpPa4nvga-5cxcGq7gIgenEVpyv6Dt3TGFH3MidLUnZQEI9JSHZuNoBZHTqeeTrhqvjLvk3vPBfNxlHY6Ft-oeWqc_Gj_fjvOc7g7trA/s1280/2G8A3477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FgzyOii5hUw-iIg4dmkv_mVx8xv0U43Q6dBSwWkT0MvnEEBjbWHysaKNqKFjuQGe9bIdFFkfsQyOztpkLFnpPa4nvga-5cxcGq7gIgenEVpyv6Dt3TGFH3MidLUnZQEI9JSHZuNoBZHTqeeTrhqvjLvk3vPBfNxlHY6Ft-oeWqc_Gj_fjvOc7g7trA/s320/2G8A3477.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>The West Mine is entered down a ladder via a hole in the
middle of a field, in reality it is a lot more sophisticated than that but the
ladder and hole are correct.<o:p></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKxUcxa7cqZ1-TRsbsgRUOg_4dD4ynYx23goKhpRAbnraRdfqVK5cPyBKaKI7h1j3Klwzd-8_ur97oaPA-djKMGGqSigRuaHC6k36RKowh4K22f7S9VyEXFORJk9S8eHFQIx_-zxaTmatymJEprZQ9csOD76Wy3oBwwM2lFb8Bj2LQzuaZPQVlY1f8w/s1280/2G8A3449-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKxUcxa7cqZ1-TRsbsgRUOg_4dD4ynYx23goKhpRAbnraRdfqVK5cPyBKaKI7h1j3Klwzd-8_ur97oaPA-djKMGGqSigRuaHC6k36RKowh4K22f7S9VyEXFORJk9S8eHFQIx_-zxaTmatymJEprZQ9csOD76Wy3oBwwM2lFb8Bj2LQzuaZPQVlY1f8w/s320/2G8A3449-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nigel gave us a thorough tour which lasted considerably
longer than expected, for several reasons, he made it so interesting that there
were lots of questions at numerous points, plus being cavers as opposed to the
Public tours, he gave us the full work out and of course we had a Photographer
amongst us, well worth it when you see the pictures.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7QFB3U-FcZH12ik9SJ6790_oaz0AgK5iPGM-4LAnkMSIS0CkfeZhIbuYhQN646idlT0RreHuwIXr_xzZcpRbJrR2pdnAzZdBfkzt7QJcvRUP8s9VI7jQmSKZIlXj1g711EkmHEUXPa1q2hOAps83NbnA-_H3_3NDA8Zv3L5rNEvXGeMl015k0SKSaQ/s320/2G8A3480.jpg" width="320" /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That full work out included the Engine House Mine a separate
but shorter trip but with a big impact on everyone especially our photographer
who could have played for hours. There was talk of a tasty through trip for
another occasion. All in all a satisfying experience and exceptionally clean
caving kit to come out with.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigulWXi23cR84qD7dKWG2GjWyas7Mr8Ib7tz6PmROkfRUb1gGlwxNSDG-FKt3MgMrjtksSI2zLFoR1Uw6FT2bTTqdRYHwaBD-PLEHUehGN94UksxAor2CZ8JEl8Q3b_g3zqszyqYCNOpK0oLptZHC4-32o7j0PrjljeFfie7t86gjNA7Vom1NjB99LFQ/s1280/2G8A3439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigulWXi23cR84qD7dKWG2GjWyas7Mr8Ib7tz6PmROkfRUb1gGlwxNSDG-FKt3MgMrjtksSI2zLFoR1Uw6FT2bTTqdRYHwaBD-PLEHUehGN94UksxAor2CZ8JEl8Q3b_g3zqszyqYCNOpK0oLptZHC4-32o7j0PrjljeFfie7t86gjNA7Vom1NjB99LFQ/s320/2G8A3439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our thanks to Nigel for leading us so well and to Derbyshire
Caving Club for looking after the mine. As some actor once said “We’ll be back”
well almost that and we won’t leave it so long next time.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeLk8liyTnwLA9aJf26aooGjIa7dFnvZbsupWe2VqlWRMwJ3RPzunUaB6nJ68uWhi1hO3yj3ecBQXTUCdgFT19q2BsPSdic-lQpMlWdhugNOKQyrEUk_QV4JiT-tW3V8TWMrEVOhkI1IEokV7eRQeAN3DJdgFjpC_DOxaQ7EQmmEd9Dm9PJqdP8hb4Q/s1280/2G8A3497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeLk8liyTnwLA9aJf26aooGjIa7dFnvZbsupWe2VqlWRMwJ3RPzunUaB6nJ68uWhi1hO3yj3ecBQXTUCdgFT19q2BsPSdic-lQpMlWdhugNOKQyrEUk_QV4JiT-tW3V8TWMrEVOhkI1IEokV7eRQeAN3DJdgFjpC_DOxaQ7EQmmEd9Dm9PJqdP8hb4Q/s320/2G8A3497.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Trip members. Mike & Lucy, Bartek & Paulina, Firas
& Zeina and me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ian Millward <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>Bartekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05019523042480159761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-36881147349427005852023-02-25T18:47:00.000+00:002023-02-28T17:47:08.620+00:00Stoke lane stocker the return<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Present:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Mark, George, Loz and Jas</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">As Some may know, my caving partner in crime, George, took a bit of a tumble a couple of years ago, and so we have been doing regular trips getting him back up to full strength. Whilst discussing what to do this weekend he mentioned that he wouldn’t mind going in to Stoke Lane as he fancies diving in there in the future. It’s been 9 years since I last took a camera in there, in fact that trip was one of my first blog posts on UKC, so I agreed to play guide if he agreed to put up with photos….so our plan was made. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">I emailed out to ‘The Dudley’ to see if I could recruit a couple of others and we were joined by Jas and Loz.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">We had all decided on wetsuits under our caving suits and were glad we did when we reached the entrance to find the water tumbling down over the lip. George had been to take a look a couple of weeks ago and said that levels had been a lot lower then, but I assured the group that I had previously done the trip at much higher levels and the weather had been settled the day before and no rain was forecast.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">On the way in the going was straight forward and the heavy camera box floated gently beside me for much of the entrance series, and through to the Nutmeg grater. After squeezing through the short contortion, we reached the duck before the sump. The water levels, as expected, were up and the duck itself required a short splutter of water over the face to pass. I headed through first, followed by George, Loz and Jaz. The sump pool looked as uninviting as ever and we nearly lost Loz when she saw the muck floating on the surface. I had brought a mask so went through first, then passed the mask back and was followed by a spluttering Loz, then George and finally Jas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">There ensued a couple of hours of photography in the stunning Bone, C.B, Main chamber and throne room before heading for an uneventful, though arduous against the water, exit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52712949960_72910a6830_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="416" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52712949960_72910a6830_b.jpg" width="674" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif">C.B Chamber<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52713011933_6371168aa0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="450" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52713011933_6371168aa0_b.jpg" width="662" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"> Main Chamber</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52712951150_d274dd4588_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="800" height="495" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52712951150_d274dd4588_b.jpg" width="658" /></a></div><o:p> </o:p>The Throne Room<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52713013203_54c0332787_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52713013203_54c0332787_b.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"> Stoke 2 Main Stream Way<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52712954080_c42e1bec66_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52712954080_c42e1bec66_b.jpg" width="534" /></a></div> Entrance to Bone Chamber<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52712954550_200aff1dd7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="526" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52712954550_200aff1dd7_b.jpg" width="671" /></a></div> Bone Chamber<o:p></o:p><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br />MBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05530354067772193683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-17317507066974115422023-02-16T17:47:00.013+00:002023-02-28T17:50:59.329+00:00Finding All Bran in OFD<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Having found myself with an unexpected day off, I decided to join Mark and Mr. Edwards on one of their jaunts into OFD for some route finding. The destination was the Nynth Bran Series, which has a lot of passages, but is slightly off the beaten track and rarely visited. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;">We squirrelled up and down passages, trying to make sense of the survey and trying to dissuade Mark from disappearing into the tighter, more dodgy sections, until we ran out of time. We came very close to the Prokoviev series, which brought back a few memories! (See blog from ages ago). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;">We left a large section of the Nynth Bran series to explore another day, and headed back via the Labyrinth (hint - it wasn't the shortcut I thought it was) to exit the cave into sunlight.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UWx7lVlv2LU8p8ztsglWOcFJC7EBV8EyKa_He8ww1U4aJ9Xskv-4az3kPH2hnjoLdPjCqo9s_UruTRRYGWH6TzzisVlVy2rnK4TJdoWG-CqjE3q8WA7V5g9o_luPPDQ6A7FzTB49MpDKsjd1hlN2IqVZXw-RgRWSDO5JHgSIaDn1H-HcQSjCzI8o2A/s2178/Screenshot_20230227_203136_Facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2178" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UWx7lVlv2LU8p8ztsglWOcFJC7EBV8EyKa_He8ww1U4aJ9Xskv-4az3kPH2hnjoLdPjCqo9s_UruTRRYGWH6TzzisVlVy2rnK4TJdoWG-CqjE3q8WA7V5g9o_luPPDQ6A7FzTB49MpDKsjd1hlN2IqVZXw-RgRWSDO5JHgSIaDn1H-HcQSjCzI8o2A/w335-h320/Screenshot_20230227_203136_Facebook.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV1eflMVM8Nd_4Y4Yn_yxatNMy9LNpHrzeOAa_S8EuQA-FsmJwN3ilUxcqS43R_Rr4-BefmS3ri1leK0-JzULXbpB_IQPzNpKqCosBjynqeDoBTrL2M0r9X8EkjSBL4noTvLmPsih3u3anu8qe_fGslT3UWnS-35ar2yaAK1as4HEv7cnOIgaFLLWjg/s1079/Screenshot_20230227_203157_Facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1079" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV1eflMVM8Nd_4Y4Yn_yxatNMy9LNpHrzeOAa_S8EuQA-FsmJwN3ilUxcqS43R_Rr4-BefmS3ri1leK0-JzULXbpB_IQPzNpKqCosBjynqeDoBTrL2M0r9X8EkjSBL4noTvLmPsih3u3anu8qe_fGslT3UWnS-35ar2yaAK1as4HEv7cnOIgaFLLWjg/w389-h286/Screenshot_20230227_203157_Facebook.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trip report Jess</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Present: Mark, Keith and Jess</div><br /><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div>MBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05530354067772193683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-17413868621279955822023-02-11T16:35:00.008+00:002023-02-13T16:37:31.085+00:00 Craig a Ffynnon<p>A trip into Craig a Ffynnon was to be our next trip this year. The plan being to reach the Hall of Mountain Kings. After meeting for breakfast at Luigi’s, we headed in and enjoyed the decorated ceilings that greet you early on near the entrance. We continued our way through to the bottom of the ladder where we rigged a simple lifeline to assist our progress up to the bottom of the corkscrew. Alex made good work of leading us up and out into the main chamber, which at this point it was a slip and slide all the way to the hall. After staring at the magnificent formations for a while, Alex and I crawled our way into the next section for an explore, until turning back to meet back up with Lucy who we’d left having a picnic back in the hall of mountain kings. On our return to the corkscrew, we passed several members of the ‘Caver Keith’ fan club that had travelled up from Cardiff Uni for the day. We stopped and chatted for a while then went our separate ways. On our return to the entrance, and as water levels were looking favourable, we also ventured into the Northwest Inlet for the first time too. This was another successful trip that resulted in a post trip debrief with Ronald at the golden arches! </p><p>Trip Report: <b>Mike Bonner</b></p><p>Photo: <b>Alex Hayes</b></p><p>Present: <b>Alex H, Lucy, Mike Bonner</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV3wc1eAhCJkGbx-nXkYujKM7iLDLrV262DPGV7P6HK7aGtPin_uLSNDrr5vrZlKnFcw6DTyLo-6ml04Kx6OWYApwtggcfDN0eMK2QT97PpZcxc13k9CyI68ltSwckL8Te11DAtwqlmLTAI3DBddrtJ_brR9jR74OBCnzGOQONPtfyffjA2F1CD5qTw/s1600/Craig%20A%20Ffynnon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV3wc1eAhCJkGbx-nXkYujKM7iLDLrV262DPGV7P6HK7aGtPin_uLSNDrr5vrZlKnFcw6DTyLo-6ml04Kx6OWYApwtggcfDN0eMK2QT97PpZcxc13k9CyI68ltSwckL8Te11DAtwqlmLTAI3DBddrtJ_brR9jR74OBCnzGOQONPtfyffjA2F1CD5qTw/w300-h400/Craig%20A%20Ffynnon.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8412085660216607856.post-38799236537630353882023-02-01T16:47:00.002+00:002023-02-05T16:35:59.853+00:00Caver Keith Tackles the Birth Canal in Cwm Dwr Quarry Cave<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Another mid-week trip with the usual team of Keith, Mark and Loz.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Loz, "When shall we three meet again? </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">In passage, chamber, Keith's a pain?"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mark, "When shenanigans are done, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">When all hope is lost and gone."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Keith, "That will be ere the set of sun."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Loz, "Where the place?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mark, "Birth Canal Series."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Keith, "There to shake hands with death."</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">apologies to William Shakespeare.</span></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This time our plan was to go into the Cwm Dwr entrance of OFD to explore the Sand Banks area and as much of the Birth Canal Series as possible. All objectives were met and we even had time to make a short video.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PmiJIbx-DDfVlHlEOV91QbERPC3AwbdF_B42hQgHhLh3N9I2X8-sO3_jrseG_Yh-PJLrDCGTa3SzYnR1sv-EW-uOEfdOmYZsGMpkyJ1werURLrEOQjga0rs6flhVcWWbVq7XA7tiGTb0QH6iovInVpUqa1hxz_ul-GWes3Xj0uDlhmCR7h1YPJMKqg/s4032/IMG_2480.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PmiJIbx-DDfVlHlEOV91QbERPC3AwbdF_B42hQgHhLh3N9I2X8-sO3_jrseG_Yh-PJLrDCGTa3SzYnR1sv-EW-uOEfdOmYZsGMpkyJ1werURLrEOQjga0rs6flhVcWWbVq7XA7tiGTb0QH6iovInVpUqa1hxz_ul-GWes3Xj0uDlhmCR7h1YPJMKqg/w360-h640/IMG_2480.jpeg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith exiting the Birth Canal<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And here a short teaser for the upcoming video.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gGnNBGnAGUk" width="320" youtube-src-id="gGnNBGnAGUk"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here's the completed video.<br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p0WwZzEPiXE" width="320" youtube-src-id="p0WwZzEPiXE"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Keith Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684152871673218803noreply@blogger.com1