Trips & Reports 2007

Providence Pot explored to a little downstream of the connection with Dowbergill Passage, Dow Cave explored to upstream of the duck. Admittedly the bit in the middle is the hard bit. Anyone up for a crack at the through trip while the memory of both ends is fresh? Lots of death defying (hopefull) traversing across rifts with no holds 20m up in the air. Fun fun fun :)

My second attack at this cave, though to begin with it looked like it was a no go until we noticed the hole we were in was actually Low Dow Cave! We made excellent time, taking no notice of formations etc until we came to the canal - the same place my original trip had ended. We persued this a fair way until the water level was just below the point of the male body that makes it feel all the... read more

This was a superb end to our Wales week, with a bright sunny day by the river a few of us had scouted a couple of days earlier. A slightly awkward climb up the side of water cascades keeps most tourists at bay, and leads after ten minutes walking to a lovely grassy area in the sun right outside the old mines of Pontneddfechan. Below, some waterfalls and deep pools provided opportunity for jumping into water from great... read more

Laid-back Caving I really enjoyed this trip because we didn't rush anything. I gave this one 4 krabs faffage due to our incredibly slow changing/sunbathing/looking at dinosaurs. This trip was even more relaxing because Kevin and I let Charlie and Matt lead the trip.

In case you weren't aware, Dan is a Showcave which requires a leader to take you around (Unless you want to pay a fiver and stick to concrete paths). Sitting in the cottage on a Wednesday night enjoying a quiet beer was interrupted by a knock at the door. A random caver who appeared to want a cup of tea dropped by. Her name was Helen and she claimed to be a Dan leader! Names were drawn from a hat... read more

A superb caving trip! After the showcave bit, a short (50m) swim brings you back to dry land, and some stompy bouldery passages eventually brings you to the long crawl. Prior to that we were lucky enough to see a waterfall from the roof, which only flows every couple of hours or so depending on the weather (the flow is due to an overflow valve of some sort on the surface somewhere). The long crawl isn't too bad, took only a... read more

This was my second crack at the round trip. I was expecting it to take 6 hours but it turned out to take 7 1/2. Getting changed should have scored 5 krabs but I lowered it to 4 because we had DR Jones by aqua blasting out across tthe valley. The first half of the cave was rather uneventful. I was staggered at how small and unimpressive megadrive was compared to what I had remembered. Still, caving with your oversuit... read more

My welly got sucked off :(

Third time I\'ve looked up this report in the last few months for various reasons, and though I\'m sure we should have finished writing it up properly, I\'m sticking the jist of it here. ---------- Once upon a time there was a girl called Debbie, a caveman called Kevin, an odd chap with a strange NZ accent and a cuddly munchkin with a car of Mary Poppins proportions. They set about the greatest task they had ever undertaken. Before Dom’s pasta. 8p... read more

A very long day caving! I was really excited about the trip, as this was my third year at Wales and I had never done the OFD system. After a quick change we went down to Cwm-Dwr entrance and made our way inside. Navigation was fine, and we made it through the crawl and to the boulder choke quickly. We then spent the best part of an hour at the boulder choke, attempting to find a way through, and the... read more

I'm sooooo sorry!!!! But at least I can now do Cwn Dwr to the end of the stremaway with my eyes closed!!

Bastard of a walk up to this cave, and I do mean up... 200 metres of bloody up. Took a while to find it, due to ignoring the directions saying that the cave is in a large shakehole. We spent a while checking every scrotty little depression we could find. The shakehole is easily 15 metres across! First thing to do upon arriving: repack the first tacklesack cos I'd put the first rope at the bottom. :s More rigging practice for... read more

The change gets a very high grade due to the fact it was raining and the layby venue necessitated changing in front of an elderly couple who had pulled over for a sandwich and another bloke also enjoying a peaceful sandwich. Pretty sure we could have been arrested, thus the grade reflects the risk factor. The cave wasn't too hard to find, there was a certain amount of checking every hole (having been told it was a grassy shakehole there... read more

I loved this trip far to much... we're thinking of running off to Gretna Green together. My plan to take Jimothy (my unicycle) with me was vetoed by the others, due to one of them having to drag it down the cave since I would be rigging. Tackle sacks were packed, slings retied, and the journey to Ingleton made, where huge breakfasts were had by all, and I managed to get free light hire from Steve. Off to the cave. The walk... read more

I think this was a brilliant trip! Lots of fun and not too much faff surprisingly! Our route down was very quick and not too difficult, making good time to the wonderful traverse that is the battleaxe - i have to say it certainly got my heart pumping!! And then valhalla was really cool. Wandered downstream for a bit and turned round at the dead frog and thick foam, and then journeyed our way back out. Met... read more

A surprisingly efficient trip! Juniper Gulf is best found by following the path from where you park, through gate and then bearing left up the vague path up the slope. This path bears right at the top towards a 'no vehicles' sign (as if that were REALLY necessary!). Continue left along the path, which after a considerable walk, reaches a wall on the left hand side, followed soon by a stile. Climb over and head forwards bearing left... read more

I was on this trip, even though photographic evidence may show otherwise! :( But throroughly enjoyed it! Thank God for Charlie chatting me through minor headache towards the end! That still didn't dampen the spirits!