Ogof Ffynnon Ddu 2 - Edward's Shortcut and Moonlight Passage

Trip Report to be added later.

Present: John Smith, Graham Smith, Chloe Burney, Carl Knott, Ben Marklew and Grant Wilkes

Ice Station Penwyllt

As ever, when we organise club weekends to South Wales Caving Club we always seem to pick the worst possible weather. This weekend was to prove to be no exception with overnight temperatures at minus 10 in the week below to ensure that the water supply at the club was frozen solid. With no showers, no flushing toilets and barely enough drinking water to keep the teapot filled, we had to melt snow for washing up.
The fire in the long common room lifted our spirits and two days of introductory trips were run for the benefit of the newer members. On Saturday a search for an overdue party and then on Sunday one of our groups nearly being locked in the cave when a gate lock failed added to an eventful weekend.

Top Entrance in the snow

Present: Keith Edwards, Mark Burkey, Jessica Harding, Dominik Mokrzecki, Mel Wakeman, Philip Lester, Brendan Marris, John Smith, Graham Smith, Chloe Burney, Carl Knott, Ben Marklew and Grant Wilkes

Ogof Ffynnon Ddu 2 - Pendulum Passage Helictites

Over a Christmas meal the idea of searching out and photographing an amazing array of helictites, last seen by Clive Westlake in the mid 70s was discussed. A trip was planned for January in the hope that Richards upper arm, broken in an August fall in Daren Cilau would have healed enough to allow him to go caving once again. With cakes baked, photo gear packed and video gear prepared we headed off to OFD2 and Pendulum Passage. Rachel was sporting a super bright DIY lamp and Richard was feeling fit enough to make this his first caving trip since the accident. The trip went like clockwork and we were soon climbing out of the OFD main Streamway and up into the lower reaches of Pendulum Passage. Some interesting climbs and routes through boulder collapses led to an area of long but mud encrusted helictites that we had photographed on a previous trip to this area in 2007. Alas on the previous trip we had not found our way through the boulder collapses beyond this area.
Keith pioneered the route and we were soon in the last 30m of passage where the finest arrays of helictites are located.

Keith viewing some of the helictites

Richard viewing some of the helictites

We split into two groups to photograph and video the helictites as the delicate formations are contained in narrow rifts and alcoves, after an hour, film had run out, batteries were dead and memory cards full, it was time to make our way back.

Keith viewing some of the helictites

Keith viewing some of the helictites

See more photos of OFD 2 here

Or watch the video


Present: Keith Edwards, Clive Westlake, Rachel Dearden, Richard Dearden and Brendan Marris

Eldon Hole - Derbyshire

Despite the horrendous gales on Saturday morning, the intrepid trio Graham, Mike & Em descended into Eldon Hole (although someone, who will remain nameless, got his north and south mixed up!). At times it was like being in a wind tunnel as we hung on the rope, but being a small team meant that we could at least move quicker. Afterwards, we headed to the new Derbyshire CRO HQ for a meeting and have got lots more ideas now!!

Present: Emma Porter, Mike Clayton and Graham Smith

Derbyshire Weekend

Had a good weekend with Shepton Mallet CC (including Jo C and Keith B, ex-DCC members) in Derbyshire. A quick visit down Rowter Hole for us, Knotlow for some on Saturday, followed by training at Total Access on Sunday.

Emma Porter & Mike Clayton

MCRO Rescue Practice

A great turnout of 35 at the MCRO rescue practice held on Sunday. Thanks to everyone that attended the event and a big thanks to those who provided the training.

Emma Porter

Maskhill Mine

This trip was 2 years in the planning.  A Maskhill/Oxlow exchange trip was the proposed Christmas trip for 2009, but on arriving in Buxton it started to snow heavily and we only just managed to escape home before the roads became impassible.

This time 10 members, or was it 11, signed up for the experience, but on the day the excuses came thick and fast and no better excuses had been heard since the infamous Jim Durr came up with the, "I can't go caving because I have to hang up a plate rack", excuse.  So the 10, or was it 11, became a mere 5.  The exchange was abandoned and the Maskhill only trip was agreed.

The videos tell the story.

Video Trailer

The Complete Video

The Team: Mark Burkey, Keith Edwards, Jessica Harding, Graham Smith and Steve Wallis.