2010 Club trip reports
| Date | Trip |
| 5th January 2010 | Craig a Ffynnon |
| 7th February 2010 | Agen Allwedd |
Agen Allwedd - 7th February 2010
The group met in the car park at Crickhowell where a good bit of wheeler dealing took place. Hay, horse radish swedes, prices were good and there were some good bargains to be had. We then moved on up to the farm, changed and climbed the hill up to Agen Allwedd. Through the entrance series, we squeezed, boulder hopped, and counted numerous bats, before emerging into Barons Chamber. We paused for the obligatory photo, before proceeding down and along Main Passage, appalled at the new graffiti that had appeared on the walls and ceiling. (There were even arrows scratched on to the walls of the entrance series). Arriving at the Music Hall, Darren sang a very commendable version of ‘American Pie’ with lyrics that were quite unknown to the rest of us. Scurrying along the top of the Cliffs of Dover, some Tom-foolery somehow left Ann and Pauline giggling with delight. (I (Jan) was too busy pointing out the finer points of the cave to Darren and Sam than to participate in such high jinks!!!!!!!!!!
At the cairn that signified the start of the Aven series we left Kingsley to have 40 winks while the rest of us squirmed up and into a large chamber. Here we encountered yet more bats. Had they got there the same way as ourselves or did they come by a different route?
We split up and went exploring. Ann and myself found a mature passage that draughted well at a boulder choke. Barry and his team followed other blind alleys. A lot of activity had taken place in this area in the way of digs since we were here last. As yet the way on is still a mystery. Re-grouping back at the cairn, Ann and Kingsley decided to head out. Barry took a group up to The Ace of Spades, before we too made our way back to the entrance.
Craig a Ffynnon – 3rd January 2010
With the cold overnight weather, we were all expecting the side road up to Blackrock to be ice covered, but as it happens, the council must had gritted it, so we all made it up to the limekilns safely and on time. Then came the task of getting out of our warm vehicles and stripping off in freezing conditions on snow covered ground – what fun. Anyway once kitted up we made our way up to the entrance, where we found the lock to be frozen solid, but luckily enough we had already thought about this and brought along a flask of hot water to pour on the lock, this worked successfully and we soon had the gate open. We were then in the firing line of a roaring cold draught as we crawled along the entrance series, and with the logbook filled in we continued inwards, where we noticed quite a few bats including one which was hibernating on the end of a straw, anyway we were soon up the fixed ladder pitch and then the crawl where water levels were normal.
Looking up towards North West Inlet, there was air space, but only just (could had been fun). So onwards to the main pitch, where Ann ascended first in order to get it rigged, once ready Ann belayed everyone up, then we started on the boulder choke, once through it was into the muddy section and then the nice formations and gour pools, after a brief stop looking at the formations we continued onwards to Hall of the Mountain Kings. At this point Paul and I returned back down the main passage to take photos and do a bit of filming whilst the others went exploring, after about 30 minutes the rest of the group came back down the main passage where we were standing on a high spot just below the gour pools, it was really nice just watching the lights appearing as reflections in these pools, which we saw for ages before the we saw the group itself. Anyway once regrouped we started our way back out. At the top of the pitch I belayed the group down, whist me and Ann descended ourselves. Once back at the entrance Kingsley was awaiting our arrival and we were greeted by some nice winter sunshine (but it was still cold). Not a terribly long trip, but still very nice.