Wapping mine / Cumberland Cavern, Derbyshire

It's not often that experienced cavers end up looking like idiots, but that is what happened to us when we took 'Mell' who had never been underground before on a taster trip into Wapping Mine/Cumberland Cavern.

We decided she could lead – big mistake and she was off like a whippet leaving Pete and me puffing and panting like a pair of old steam trains.
So just to get our own back we took her to Jug Holes to practice SRT on the 40ft shaft – s**t that still never slowed her down.
Well done Mell you can come again ????

Mell in Wapping Mine

Present: PAn & AGr + Mell

OFD 2, Penwyllt, South Wales

A tourist trip into Top Entrance taking in the Big Chamber, Salubrious, Cross Rift, Shatter Pillar, Selanite Tunnel, Trident Judge and Swamp Creek.

Derek viewing the Judge formation in OFD2.

Harriet viewing the Judge formation in OFD2.

See more OFD2 photos here

Present: JDu & BMa + from WMCEG Bill + Ed's friend Derek + Dee & Harriet from Bill's sword fighting club

OFD 1, Penwyllt, South Wales

A novice trip mainly for the benefit of Bill's sword fighting chums.  As the water in the streamway was sportingly high we decided to go up the Escape Route instead.  Some of the party made it as far as Pi Chamber while the rest of us had a rest in the small chamber before the chimney climb.  Back at the streamway we found that the water level had dropped so we had a little play in the water before coming out.

Dee at the end of the Escape Route

See more OFD 1 photos here

Present: JDu, KEd & BMa + from WMCEG Bill & Ed + Ed's friend Derek + Dave, Dee & Harriet from Bill's sword fighting club

Dan Yr Ogof

A photographic trip to the crystal pool.  We also attempted the climb to Dali's Delight, but came to the conclusion that we needed prussic gear.  On the way out we explored some of the side passages in the lower series.

Jason Cashmore at the Crystal Pool.

Jason Cashmore traversing around the Crystal Pool.

See more Dan Yr Ogof Photos here


Present: JCa, KEd & BMa

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