The Late, Late Breakfast Show at Dan Y Lleuad Wen

The plan was to return with additional photo gear and lighting to photograph the larger passages in Ogof Dan Y Lleuad Wen and also explore the Lon Drury extensions below the entrance pitch. The planned rendez-vous for breakfast in Llandovery went a little pear-shaped with only Chloe managing to be at the cafe at the appointed hour of 9am. Twenty minutes later Mark, Jess and Brendan wandered in and we then tucked into a hearty breakfast, Chloe was provided with marshmallows on top of her hot chocolate - the sure sign of a classy establishment. A text from the late Loz Appleby indicated that she was a little behind schedule, only to arrive over an hour late. This was somewhat better than Rob though, who forgot to set his alarm and was still in bed as we tucked into brekky, so missed the days caving.
Once all assembled and fed we headed to Herbert's Quarry, where we changed and headed off to walk across the mountain on a fine, but blustery day. We were soon at the entrance where we entered the cave, stashed walking gear and then rigged the entrance pitch. We first explored the Upper Series and took photos of the Canyon and the fine rock bridge at the far end of it. This was a slightly risky operation as the top of the bridge is covered in a pile of boulders and sludgy sand which made it risky for Chloe at the top and for the people standing below while the photos were taken.

Loz and Chloe at the Rock Bridge - Dan Y Lleuad Wen (Photo by Mark Burkey)

Jess and Chloe in the Canyon - Dan Y Lleuad Wen (Photo by Brendan Marris)

Much time was taken in the Upper Series, before we headed to the rift climb down and short pitch into A Day at the Beach in the Lower Series. Again we explored and took photos in a couple of locations before we made our way back towards the entrance.

Jess and Chloe at the climb down to the Lower Series - Dan Y Lleuad Wen (Photo by Mark Burkey)

Chloe - A Day at the Beach - Dan Y Lleuad Wen (Photo by Mark Burkey)

The final objective of the day was to have a look at the Lon Drury extensions that lie down a 13m deep rift climb below the boulders that lie at the foot of the entrance pitch. All that lay ahead now was the long walk back to the cars.

Present: Mark Burkey, Jess Burkey, The Late Loz Appleby, Chloe Burney and Brendan Marris

Caving Under a White Moon on the Black Mountain

After a slightly delayed start we drove to Herbert's Quarry, changed in the driving rain and then trudged across the mountain to Foel Fraith. After about 50 minutes we arrived at the tiny shakehole that contains the entrance and after removing the cover descended the very short entrance drop to enter a comfortable crawl that rapidly turned to a rift passage and reached the head of a pitch. We only needed one ladder as it was shorter than described in write-ups and descending it we landed on a large pile of enormous boulders in an impressive passage. This choked quickly both ways, but a route led off on the left down a pile of boulders. This led into a tall passage that reached a rock pillar at a T junction. This was a loop route and we dropped the gear and completed the loop passing the drop down to the Lower Series. Grabbing the gear we dropped down the rifty tube rigging a short ladder for the last 3m which drops into open passage. We then headed off to explore all the passages in the Lower Series, heading down into some unpleasant tubes and crawls, to ensure that nothing was missed. One route was nearly the undoing of us as we came upon a squeeze that was not very tight but certainly awkward. We struggled getting through, but hey these things are always easier going back aren't they? This one was certainly not and we really had to fight going back through.
Some photos were taken in the lower series before we headed back up to find the turning to the 21m high Canyon Passage with an impressive choke and natural rock bridge at the end.

Mark in the Lower Series - Ogof Dan Y Lleuad Wen

Mark in the Lower Series - Ogof Dan Y Lleuad Wen

Mark at the Lower Series climb - Ogof Dan Y Lleuad Wen

After all our exploring of the smaller passages and tubes we were running low on time and made our exit with a couple of areas still left to explore another time.

Present: Mark Burkey and Brendan Marris