OFD fixed aids updates

[andrewmcleod]

I did this a while ago, but went on expedition (and a week and a bit later got expedition plague). Another resin anchor installation in OFD from Ogofa Cymru/Caving Wales:

These are pitches that can be accessed from the top of the Skyhook (please take care on the route between the Skyhook and these pitches to protect vulnerable formations). The Skyhook is still a work in progress (resin anchoring is complete but a complete solution for an 'up' pitch is not yet finished). There was a fixed rope on the Skyhook last time I was there (which may or may not have been moved onto the newer set of resin anchors that were installed there).

As usual, rigging topos for OFD can be found here:
https://swcc.org.uk/joomla-swcc/rigging-topos

or (for resin anchor installations) on the Ogofa Cymru/Caving Wales website.

 

[andrewmcleod]

Another installation by Ogofa Cymru/Caving Wales, this time adding new resin anchors to the Crevasse. Note that this route incorporated existing 12mm stainless throughbolts that are not 'approved anchors'. Also note that the rope lengths for the Poached Egg climb are probably a little conservative, while you might need to rig efficiently to get all the way across the Crevasse with a 35m rope (but it definitely can be done).

 

[andrewmcleod]

And one more... These pitches are on the way to Northern Lights if you don't want to do the squeeze up into Vault Chamber at the end of Lavender Way. The short pitch up is not new (and neither is the abandoned rope currently on that pitch); many people choose to free-climb this pitch by going slightly beyond it, climbing up and then traversing back (and using the rope to help swing into the passage).
The anchors on the traverse are new (replacing very dubious single-spit anchors) and again there is a currently an abandoned rope on these anchors currently which many people use as just a handline while making the big step across.
Obviously any ropes you find on these routes are not approved and cavers using ropes they find in caves do so at their own risk blah blah blah...
(although you also use any 'approved' anchors at your own risk as well, so basically it's all at your own risk anyway so do your own inspections and dynamic risk assessments)

 

[andrewmcleod]

A few more updates:

As usual, all OFD/Tunnel Top rigging topos are on the SWCC website at https://swcc.org.uk/joomla-swcc/caving/rigging-topos and Caving Wales installations can also be found on their website.

Cwm Dwr 2 has been anchored. This previously has a ladder pitch with two ageing anchors that did not give a clean hang for SRT. There is now a protected out to a Y-hang giving a clean hang (this was surprisingly awkward to find without being too close to the water. This is a relatively short cave but well worth the trip down a pleasant streamway requiring only a brief wet crawl and this pitch to access.

Edwards Shortcut (both the chimney and the traverse) have been anchored. An existing drilled thread on the traverse (on the Gnome Passage side) was enlarged and used rather than placing an additional anchor so a thin sling or cord may be required (some parties may choose to start the rope here as the traverse is not that high at this point).

We also have a new topo for an existing pitch on spits, which gives an excellent clean hang from near Frozen River (hence the nickname 'Frozen River Pitch'). It does not provide a significant shortcut to the standard route down the rubble slope and towards the 'Elephant Trap' ladder, but is a very pleasant pitch.

A true OFD SRT aficionado could now do a bit of an SRT grand tour something like this:
Top Entrance
Bedding Chambers (pull-through into Gnome Passage)
Edwards Shortcut chimney (pull-through)
Edwards Shortcut traverse (rig/derig)
Frozen River pitch (cannot be pulled through as there are no in-situ hangers)
Midnight Chamber
Skyhook up pitch (currently in-situ fixed rope)
Great Oxbow p20 and p8 pitches (pull-through probably possible)
then either return via Marble Showers and the streamway/Cwm Dwr, or:
Mutiny Junction pitch up (fixed ropes, no topo at present)
Merthyr Vale p6/p5/p11 down (fixed ropes, no topo at present)
Return to Midnight Chamber via Haydn's Dig
(and then if required return via Frozen River pitch to derig)

 

[andrewmcleod]

 

[Babyhagrid]

Is it possible to use the new bolts in Edwards shortcut traverse to drop the pitch in the floor?

 

[Huge]

Just a note that two of the spits on the Frozen River Pitch aren't in great condition. Unless they've been cleaned out somehow?

 

[Huge]

I popped this image of the Frozen River Pitch on the Welsh Wezzit, last year

 

[andrewmcleod]

Just a note that two of the spits on the Frozen River Pitch aren't in great condition. Unless they've been cleaned out somehow?

They seemed OK for me? (as much as old spits ever are, of course). We did have some trouble with someone's slightly longer bolts that bottomed out.

If people wanted this pitch resin anchored, then they know which regional council to ask...

 

[andrewmcleod]

Is it possible to use the new bolts in Edwards shortcut traverse to drop the pitch in the floor?

It would definitely not be ideal, might require some fairly unpleasant angles and/or additional deviations etc. and you run the risk of landing on the wrong side of the tape at the bottom.

 

[me]

It would definitely not be ideal, might require some fairly unpleasant angles and/or additional deviations etc. and you run the risk of landing on the wrong side of the tape at the bottom.

Is there another way of getting there (to the bottom of the pitch under Edward's shortcut) ...?

... of course there is silly this IS OFD

... Okay I will go and look at the map

 

[tdobson]

Edwards Shortcut (both the chimney and the traverse) have been anchored. An existing drilled thread on the traverse (on the Gnome Passage side) was enlarged and used rather than placing an additional anchor so a thin sling or cord may be required (some parties may choose to start the rope here as the traverse is not that high at this point).

I only just read this thread, so didn't have an opportunity to join the voices beforehand, but I just wanted to express my personal gratitude to you, and any other installers and volunteers involved, for sorting this one out. I'm hugely in favour, and I wish it'd been in place about 8 years ago.

About 8 years ago, a much meeker, and milder version of myself was taken through Edwards Shortcut, and my memory of the trip is mainly still trauma from the climb, followed by the traverse. I've never been back to that passage - why would I want to repeat it?

At the time when I did it, I was vocalising angry frustration at essentially being committed to a greater risk acceptance than I wanted to accept at that point in my life. I couldn't understand (at least as a Northern caver) why there weren't aids on it.

Well now I've a reason to return, and it'll be nice to return to maybe one of the last locations someone's had to coach me through avoiding having a meltdown (on the traverse).

I actually think I'd find it fine now - and I suspect rigging it will be a breeze, but the rigging will allow me to share it with others whom I wouldn't want to traumatise in the same way I was traumatised.