These photos have been passed on to me by someone who doesn't use this forum. They show holes drilled into the bedrock of Spare Rib, part of the original entrance series to Ogof Draenen. The holes apear to have loops of wire/cord of some sort sticking out of them. I've been asked to ask on here if anyone has any information about the holes and particularly about their purpose.
For those unfamiliar with the cave, Spare Rib is situated just after the breakthrough shaft, right at the start of a passage called Darling Rifts and forms part of the normal route into the cave. Spare Rib is a corkscrew route, the first part of which is a bit tight, although larger cavers do presumably use it frequently and have done since shortly after the breakthrough, nearly 30 years ago. Spare Rib was dug out by a couple of SWCC members, in the very early days of exploration in Draenen. It slightly shortened the route into the cave, which before then had been along Darling Rifts and then dropping down on the right at the end. The two routes rejoin at the base of the double cascade, which is a minute or less from Spare Rib.
The most obvious assumption is that they are shot holes, drilled in readiness to enlarge the passage here. Like I said, this is a trade route in the cave, that has been used by all for nearly 30 years so this brings up the moral question as to whether it's OK for an individual to decide if it's fine to modify a 'classic' bit of passage like this? Caving's anarchic side has always been celebrated so is it ok for an individual to do whatever they want, even if it's probably not what the majority of cavers would be happy with? Over the years, negotiating Spare Rib has become more difficult for me, mainly coming back up through it on the way out but personally, I wouldn't take it upon myself to enlarge it, without first trying to reach some sort of consensus within the caving community.
There are two alternative options for someone who cannot fit through Spare Rib, rather than enlarging it. One is to use a different entrance. That's obviously controversial when it comes to Draenen and may not suit the trip that someone wants to do. The other option is simply to go round via Darling Rifts, where the route rejoins the normal route at the base of the double cascade. It's not very far at all!
Someone taking it upon themselves to enlarge sections of cave, seems to have become a little more common in recent years. It happened in another part of Draenen a few years ago and questions were asked on this forum then. I've also come across this happening in other caves, such as Ogof Craig A Ffynnon and Llanelly Quarry Pot. Many years ago, John Parker decided to enlarge the tight bedding plane in Ogof Rhyd Sych, one of the classic features of the cave. Of course John was one of the people who originally dug and explored this cave but over the years had got too large to fit through. Since he was one of the original explorers, it could be argued that he had more 'right' to do what he did but I think most cavers at the time didn't want the bedding enlarged. The story was that the then Conservation Officer of the Cambrian Caving Council had a quiet word with John and he stopped after enlarging the first couple of metres.
Does anyone have any information on what's happening at Spare Rib and also what are people's thoughts on enlarging bits of passage that have been trade routes for many years?
For those unfamiliar with the cave, Spare Rib is situated just after the breakthrough shaft, right at the start of a passage called Darling Rifts and forms part of the normal route into the cave. Spare Rib is a corkscrew route, the first part of which is a bit tight, although larger cavers do presumably use it frequently and have done since shortly after the breakthrough, nearly 30 years ago. Spare Rib was dug out by a couple of SWCC members, in the very early days of exploration in Draenen. It slightly shortened the route into the cave, which before then had been along Darling Rifts and then dropping down on the right at the end. The two routes rejoin at the base of the double cascade, which is a minute or less from Spare Rib.
The most obvious assumption is that they are shot holes, drilled in readiness to enlarge the passage here. Like I said, this is a trade route in the cave, that has been used by all for nearly 30 years so this brings up the moral question as to whether it's OK for an individual to decide if it's fine to modify a 'classic' bit of passage like this? Caving's anarchic side has always been celebrated so is it ok for an individual to do whatever they want, even if it's probably not what the majority of cavers would be happy with? Over the years, negotiating Spare Rib has become more difficult for me, mainly coming back up through it on the way out but personally, I wouldn't take it upon myself to enlarge it, without first trying to reach some sort of consensus within the caving community.
There are two alternative options for someone who cannot fit through Spare Rib, rather than enlarging it. One is to use a different entrance. That's obviously controversial when it comes to Draenen and may not suit the trip that someone wants to do. The other option is simply to go round via Darling Rifts, where the route rejoins the normal route at the base of the double cascade. It's not very far at all!
Someone taking it upon themselves to enlarge sections of cave, seems to have become a little more common in recent years. It happened in another part of Draenen a few years ago and questions were asked on this forum then. I've also come across this happening in other caves, such as Ogof Craig A Ffynnon and Llanelly Quarry Pot. Many years ago, John Parker decided to enlarge the tight bedding plane in Ogof Rhyd Sych, one of the classic features of the cave. Of course John was one of the people who originally dug and explored this cave but over the years had got too large to fit through. Since he was one of the original explorers, it could be argued that he had more 'right' to do what he did but I think most cavers at the time didn't want the bedding enlarged. The story was that the then Conservation Officer of the Cambrian Caving Council had a quiet word with John and he stopped after enlarging the first couple of metres.
Does anyone have any information on what's happening at Spare Rib and also what are people's thoughts on enlarging bits of passage that have been trade routes for many years?
