Andy Sparrow
Active member
Saturday 7th July
Ogof Pwll Swnd
Andy, Rachel, Neil, Judi and Megan
Caves of South Wales says OPS is not difficult to find and has a cairn at the entrance. Neither statement is correct. Actually we didn't too bad considering we found the cave within about thirty minutes or arriving in the approximate location zone but, be warned, it's one very small entrance in one very big moor. We only had time to visit the 'old' series but found it quite pleasant and worthwhile. The passages are mostly quite spacious and pleasantly decorated in places. We left the '71 extensions for another time after 2 hours in the cave. The view across the Black Mountain from the entrance has got to be one of the wildest and most panoramic that any UK entrance can offer. We enjoyed the walks, both ways, taking only an hour to get back. A very pleasant day on and under the finest wilderness in S Wales.
Sunday 8th July
Ogof Pasg/Foel Fawr
Andy, Judi and Neil
The link between the two caves is a squeeze not passable by anyone over 'average build' according to Caves of South Wales. I know I've put on a bit over the years so thought it prudent to recce the squeeze on a quick solo from the FF end first. So, there I was stripped down to my fleecy, trying it this way, that way, on the front, on the back, feet first, head first without any success. Oh well, I thought, maybe it's easier in the other direction so we set off into OP. What a nice cave! How can I have caved this long in S Wales and not done this before? The pitch was rigged which meant an easy escape route for me if I couldn't get through. The canal is wonderful and the even the crawls beyond are pleasantly arched and decorated. It didn't take too long to reach the squeeze where I repeated my stripping off and various tactics to no avail - guess I'm not average sized anymore. Neil and Judi, of course, slipped through without touching the sides. It was a pleasant solo out for me and some fun and games getting back up the rope armed only with a tibloc and a prusik loop. A great little cave - well worth another visit soon to see who else in the club is 'average' size. About an hour.
Andy Sparrow
Ogof Pwll Swnd
Andy, Rachel, Neil, Judi and Megan
Caves of South Wales says OPS is not difficult to find and has a cairn at the entrance. Neither statement is correct. Actually we didn't too bad considering we found the cave within about thirty minutes or arriving in the approximate location zone but, be warned, it's one very small entrance in one very big moor. We only had time to visit the 'old' series but found it quite pleasant and worthwhile. The passages are mostly quite spacious and pleasantly decorated in places. We left the '71 extensions for another time after 2 hours in the cave. The view across the Black Mountain from the entrance has got to be one of the wildest and most panoramic that any UK entrance can offer. We enjoyed the walks, both ways, taking only an hour to get back. A very pleasant day on and under the finest wilderness in S Wales.
Sunday 8th July
Ogof Pasg/Foel Fawr
Andy, Judi and Neil
The link between the two caves is a squeeze not passable by anyone over 'average build' according to Caves of South Wales. I know I've put on a bit over the years so thought it prudent to recce the squeeze on a quick solo from the FF end first. So, there I was stripped down to my fleecy, trying it this way, that way, on the front, on the back, feet first, head first without any success. Oh well, I thought, maybe it's easier in the other direction so we set off into OP. What a nice cave! How can I have caved this long in S Wales and not done this before? The pitch was rigged which meant an easy escape route for me if I couldn't get through. The canal is wonderful and the even the crawls beyond are pleasantly arched and decorated. It didn't take too long to reach the squeeze where I repeated my stripping off and various tactics to no avail - guess I'm not average sized anymore. Neil and Judi, of course, slipped through without touching the sides. It was a pleasant solo out for me and some fun and games getting back up the rope armed only with a tibloc and a prusik loop. A great little cave - well worth another visit soon to see who else in the club is 'average' size. About an hour.
Andy Sparrow