|
| |
Out and about with Dudley
Caving Club
Some
trips and events which took place in October, November and December 2005
|
Otter Hole Near
Chepstow
Sunday 2nd October 2005
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 |
|
OFD 1, Penwyllt,
South Wales
Sunday 9th October 2005
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 Porter in Gothic Sump Passage |
Emma Porter and Sarah Lefebve at the
Step |
Sarah Lefebve crossing a stream pot |
Keith Edwards on Lowe's climb |
Present: MCl, KEd, BMa & EPo + Sarah Lefebve from the
Express and Star |
|
Brickworks Dig,
Penwyllt, South Wales
Weekend 29th/30th October
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) |
|
Burrington Combe
Caves, Somerset
Sunday 6th November 2005
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 top of the Coffin Lid,
Goatchurch Cavern |
Sarah in the Drainpipe, Goatchurch Cavern |
Present: KEd, CJe, BMa & CWe + Sarah (a friend of
Chris's) |
|
Wharf Mine,
Derbyshire
Saturday 10th December 2005
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!!!!!!
Present: KEd, BMa & CWe |
Chris in one of the passage leading off
from the bottom of the engine shaft |
|
|
Ogof Nant Rhin,
Clydach Gorge, South Wales
Wednesday 28th December 2005
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 in the Garden of Delights |
Chris in the Garden of Delights |
Keith near the Garden of Delights |
Chris at the PF Formations
|
Present: KEd, BMa & CWe |
|
Ogof Gelynnen/Ogof
Capel, Clydach Gorge, South Wales
Wednesday 28th December 2005
Ofog 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 |
Photographic Credits: All pictures by
Brendan Marris.
|
