OFD2, Penwyllt, South Wales

For Mark's first trip I decided to head up to Top Waterfall rather than just the tourist routes in Top. He coped quite well, seemed to enjoy it and will be joining as a provisional member.

Mark in the OFD II streamway heading to Top Waterfall.

Mark in the OFD II streamway heading to Top Waterfall.

See more OFD II photos here


Present: BMa, MRo & CWe

Hunters Lodge Inn Sink, Priddy, Mendips

A lazy start to the morning, followed by a crawl under the Hunters pub thanks to J'Rat and team's hard work during Foot and Mouth disease. This is an interesting cave with plenty of formations, significant bone discoveries and is very handy for pre and post trip liquid refreshments. 


Present: MCl, EPo, DeWi, DaWi

Ogof Draenen, Pwll Du, South Wales

A trip to the Waterfall Series - highly recommended, but certainly not a novice trip.

Dave in Knees up Mother Brown.

Gypsum flowers in the Waterfall Series.

Colin views aragonite formations in Seventh Heaven Chamber

Aragonite formations in Seventh Heaven Chamber

See more Ogof Draenen Photos here


Present: KEd, CJe, BMa, CWe & DaWi

OFD2, Penwyllt, South Wales

This was to have been a digging day, but the weather decided that this was not to be so - see dig page.  Adrian, Graham and John left to browse the bookshops in Hay on Wye and Brendan and Keith would have liked to have joined them, but the new boy pleaded with us to take him caving so a short trip in top entrance was hastily arranged.  The route included Big Chamber, Bagpipe Chamber, Arête Chamber, Edwards Short Cut, Frozen River,Shatter Pillar, Selenite Tunnel, The Trident and Judge.

Chris Webb in Bagpipe Chamber.

Chris Webb at the Frozen River.

See more OFD II photos here

Present: KEd, BMa & CWe

Brickworks Dig, Penwyllt, South Wales

The water slightly higher than 'normal level'.  Pumping took nearly all day.  When we got to the bottom of the extension passage it was noted that more infill had fallen out of the roof and had washed down to the dig face.  Also by this time the rain which had started when we started pumping had set in for the day and was falling heavily.  More .....

Present: KEd, BMa, GSm, JSm, ASt & CWe

Rescue Practice, Secret Underground Location in the Midlands

A scenario involving two causalities - both stretcher cases.  In total four awkward pitches needed rigging for rescue including a haul up a cliff face. A very successful day.

Present: PAn, MBa, DBo, RBr, MCa, MKa, ACr, KEd, AGr, BMa, MNo, EPo, GSm, JSm, Ast & CWe + Dave from Wolverhampton & members of SCMC

GCRG Rescue Practice, Miss Grace's Lane, Tidenham Chase, Chepstow

Several scenarios were investigated on the day mainly involving stretcher handling in the pitch bypass crawls. MCl & EPo worked on moving a stretcher from the first chamber through the connecting crawl and up the scaffolded climb, the rest of the DCC members investigated rigging the traverses below the third pitch and the pitch itself. 


Present: From DCC: - MCl, KEd, BMa, EPo + Dave from Wolverhampton