Eglwys Faen without kit?

[VWScully]

Hiya everyone;
I usually cave in the Mendips with my friend and all my Caving kit is stored at his. I am planning to go hiking in Bannau Brycheiniog next week and perhaps have a mooch about in Eglwys Faen but won't have much kit! I have a head torch, gloves, and wellies as well as my hiking kit, but can I explore some of the cave with just that?
Please let me know.
Thanks!

 

[PeteHall]

You can do most of the cave without kit; I've done quite a bit of it in shorts and t-shirt on a number of occasions.
You could probably do several through trips with just a phone for lighting, but you'll obviously see more with a proper light.
You can download the survey from the CSS website, or just have a look around.
It's a great little cave. Enjoy!

 

[Pitlamp]

Many, many years ago a hungover party of CDG members went for a walk to sober up and "did" Eglwys Faen, the day after an AGM and dinner. From memory the only "lamp" was one cigarette lighter and everyone was surrounded by that typical aura of beer fumes. Some of those involved were regarded as the creme de la creme of British caving at the time. There was also an instructed party of children in there and the instructor proceeded to give the group a major telling off. There was much subdued giggling but no-one let on. The instructor left the scene entirely satisfied that he'd been able to put the "idiots" right.

 

[bagpuss]

Hiya everyone;
I usually cave in the Mendips with my friend and all my Caving kit is stored at his. I am planning to go hiking in Bannau Brycheiniog next week and perhaps have a mooch about in Eglwys Faen but won't have much kit! I have a head torch, gloves, and wellies as well as my hiking kit, but can I explore some of the cave with just that?
Please let me know.
Thanks!

Yup just let someone know where you are going and have a change of clothes for the car. Have visited a few times on hikes. We had a good Easter egg hunt in the main chamber with friends last year.
Survey and description https://chelseaspelaeo.org/caves/other-llangattock-caves/eglwys-faen

 

[VWScully]

Many, many years ago a hungover party of CDG members went for a walk to sober up and "did" Eglwys Faen, the day after an AGM and dinner. From memory the only "lamp" was one cigarette lighter and everyone was surrounded by that typical aura of beer fumes. Some of those involved were regarded as the creme de la creme of British caving at the time. There was also an instructed party of children in there and the instructor proceeded to give the group a major telling off. There was much subdued giggling but no-one let on. The instructor left the scene entirely satisfied that he'd been able to put the "idiots" right.

So I've nothing about which to worry, then? I can wear my Horse riding hat with a head torch, waterproof over-trousers and my Barbour, and that's me sorted.

Yup just let someone know where you are going and have a change of clothes for the car. Have visited a few times on hikes. We had a good Easter egg hunt in the main chamber with friends last year.
Survey and description https://chelseaspelaeo.org/caves/other-llangattock-caves/eglwys-faen

It's already downloaded and on my Phone . Thanks!

 

[MarkJ]

Knee pads are nice for some bits, but also okay without

 

[bagpuss]

So I've nothing about which to worry, then? I can wear my Horse riding hat with a head torch, waterproof over-trousers and my Barbour, and that's me sorted.

It's already downloaded and on my Phone . Thanks!

If you like outdoor swimming there's a nice swimming spot around there which isn't far too hike, did nearly step on an adder up there once though!

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Showed a young family around the main area a while ago. The children loved it. Photo with their permission.

 

[bagpuss]

Showed a young family around the main area a while ago. The children loved it. Photo with their permission.

Great photo!

 

[VWScully]

If you like outdoor swimming there's a nice swimming spot around there which isn't far too hike, did nearly step on an adder up there once though!
View attachment 25663

Ack I only like Outdoor Swimming in Summer when it's above 25'c!

 

[VWScully]

Knee pads are nice for some bits, but also okay without

I actually do have those with me!

 

[Duncan Price]

Many, many years ago a hungover party of CDG members went for a walk to sober up and "did" Eglwys Faen, the day after an AGM and dinner. From memory the only "lamp" was one cigarette lighter and everyone was surrounded by that typical aura of beer fumes. Some of those involved were regarded as the creme de la creme of British caving at the time. There was also an instructed party of children in there and the instructor proceeded to give the group a major telling off. There was much subdued giggling but no-one let on. The instructor left the scene entirely satisfied that he'd been able to put the "idiots" right.

A through trip between the Oval Entrance and Main Entrance without any lighting and in whatever you are wearing at the time is a pretty standard morning after trip. Just follow the right hand wall...

 

[VWScully]

I'm actually going next week (not this week).

 

[VWScully]

So I had a mooch about in there today . I went through the squeeze/crawl to the Inner Chamber, back as far as up the Ladder but not into the Warren, back through into the Main Chamber then had a little explore to the Western series as far as the Boulder Tumble (though I did squeeze through the left passage until I thought; I don't know where I'm going ), then exited through the Eastern Series at the Oval Entrance. I didn't go via the Waterfall as there is a 10ft drop that I didn't want to do by myself and the Waterfall was very wet today!
It's not a very well decorated cave, but it's a good one to see the effects of how Caves are formed; stream passages, scalloping and small avens and phreatic tubes are obvious.
The only downside is that because it's so well trodden, it's extremely muddy!
My makeshift kit did all right, but whilst crawling on my belly, really wished I had my caving oversuit .
It was still a fun day . Enjoy a few pics:

 

[VWScully]

Oh and when I was just starting out from Whitewalls, men a very nice bloke called Dave from CSS. Hiya if you're in here!

 

[VWScully]

Oh and when I was just starting out from Whitewalls, men a very nice bloke called Dave from CSS. Hiya if you're in here!

oops that should say MET a very nice bloke. Bah my fat fingers .

 

[VWScully]

Video:

It has just occurred to me that I probably should have just done this as a Trip Report, but oops, next time.

 

[mrodoc]

That is at least one cave you have been in that I haven't. By the time I started caving in Wales everybody had moved on to longer trips and never got round to it.