Ogof Gelynnen/Ogof Capel, Clydach Gorge, South Wales

Ogof Gelynenn now connects to the far side of sump 2 in Ogof Capel making the system accessible to those of us who prefer to keep our heads above water.  However this still leaves the Ogof Capel boulder choke to be negotiated and all of us didn't like the look of it so opted for an early exit and afternoon tea in Luigi's.

Present: KEd, BMa & CWe

Ogof Nant Rhin, Clydach Gorge, South Wales

A cave renowned for having a profusion of formations and a very tight entrance series.  The resurgence has now been dug out making the cave more accessible.  It's still not a roomy cave, but is worth visiting to look at the formations - see below.

Chris Webb in the Garden of Delights.

Chris Webb at the PF formations.

Keith Edwards approaching the Garden of Delights.

Chris Webb in the Garden of Delights.

See more Ogof Nant Rhin Photos here.

Present: KEd, BMa & CWe

Wharf Mine, Derbyshire

SRT practice for Chris.  We had intended to do the climbing shaft and had packed the rope for this, but when we arrived at the mine another group was about to set off to do this.  A swift change of plan ensued and we decided to do the engine shaft.  Unfortunately we needed a 50m rope and the longest club rope we had was was 45m.  However Brendan had thoughtfully packed 50m of 9mm rope so the trip was on.

Remind me never to to use 9mm rope again!!!!!!

Chris in one of the passages that lead off from the Engine Shaft.

Present: KEd, BMa & CWe

Burrington Combe Caves, Somerset

Chris had promised Sarah a novice trip, but when we arrived at Burrington Combe and saw the minibuses labelled with the names of scout groups we decided to abandon the plan to do Goatchurch Cavern and instead made our way to Lionel's Hole.  After about 20 minutes of squeezing and grovelling we decided that perhaps Lionel's Hole is not a good place to take novices on their first trip so we made our way out and did Goatchurch instead.

Sarah seemed to enjoy her first experience of caving so we must have done something wrong.

Sarah in Lionel's Hole.

Keith at the coffin Lid in Goatchurch Caverns.

Sarah in the Drainpipe - Goatchurch Caverns.

Present: KEd, CJe, BMa & CWe + Sarah (a friend of Chris's)

Brickworks Dig, Penwyllt, South Wales

We started pumping operations at 12:45 and the pumping went very well indeed. Everything performed as we had predicted/hoped for and we were shifting the water at over 6 gallons per minute.

More ...

Present: KEd, BMa, ASt & CWe + Thomas (a relative of Adrian's)

OFD 1, Penwyllt, South Wales

The standard round trip in OFD 1 to introduce feature writer Sarah to the joys of underground exploration.  Her article appeared in the Express and Star on Thursday 26th October.

Did she enjoy her caving taster trip?  Has she been put off for life?  What did she think of caving and cavers?  Read the paper to find out!

Emma in Gothic passage.

Emma and Sarah at The Step.

Sarah crossing one of the pots in the streamway.

Keith Edwards on Lowes Climb.

See more OFD 1 photos here

Present: MCl, KEd, BMa & EPo + Sarah Lefebve from the Express and Star

Otter Hole Near Chepstow

A over-tide trip to the camp beyond the Hall of Thirty for members that had not visited the cave before - so why was Keith on the trip?  Well the 4th place was reserved for Jason, but in order to get out of the trip Jason deliberately broke a finger karate chopping a piece of wood.  What some people will do to get out of a caving trip.  A very enjoyable, but very exhausting trip.

Present: CJe, KEd, BMa & CWe