Present: Adam, Cathryn, Andrew, Peter, Phil, Ben
It was snowing when we reached the OFD caving hut. We were glad to have the luxury of caving inside. While Duncan and co. readied themselves for the terror of OFD3, we set off for the confusing maze that is OFD2.
Into a bracing wind we trudged up the hill through the snow to the Top entrance.
A bit of snow blindness meant we were shrouded in blackness when we entered the cave, the metal door clanging shut behind us. After our eyes adjusted we set off along the spacious passage. We found it pretty hot in the cave, soon sweating in our caving suits.
After some deviation we made it into Gnome Passage, admiring the rock formation. Plenty of red tape stretched around parts of the cave protecting the formations. We continued along the passage, passing Edwards shortcut (not going down it) to find dead end. Adam was hoping to find a passage at the end but we didn’t see it. The passage on the map apparently doesn’t connect? [Bit of a fuck up. Forgot to read guide book – passage does connect. Adam]
We retraced our steps to the junction at the end of Gnome Passage and clambered over some awkward boulders into Chasm Passage. We finally halted at the huge shear drop down into the Shakehole. We experimented with echoes, started a sing song and contemplated a Durham caver’s choir. A bit difficult to bring in recording equipment however.
We retraced back along Chasm Passage and found our way to Arete Chamber, here we met the stream. Wading downstream we tracked along Salubrious Passage. We took a side route to view some superb formations at the Trident, the Judge and the Nave. A gigantic stalactite that with its orange colour looked like a huge carrot hanging down from the roof of the cave.
Back in Salubrious Passage we reached the crossroads and entered the Maze. In parts of the stream passage you have to climb up the rock. The surface can be slippy and mud covered, a bit tricky sometimes. At one point Peter took a fall from about 8 foot, crashing into the stream beneath. He didn’t do any serious damage however, just some bruises, some grazes, bruised limbs and spectacularly torn gloves.
In the Maze we slid down the clay coated passages, good fun. Cathryn and Adam started a mud fight and we discovered the taste of mud.
We could hear and just about catch a glimpse of the main stream passage. The so called staircase however cannot be climbed down without rope or ladder and we had neither. We also failed to find the fixed ladder marked on the map. So we decided to make our way back, unable to make it to the main stream passage.
Adam nominated me (Andrew) to lead the way and I wished I had taken more attention of the route on the way down. With only a couple of short deviations we made our way back up. It was about five o’clock when we reached the Big Chamber Near the Entrance. We decided to take the tight crawl through boulders at the far end of the chamber, confusing to find. This side route curved round and re-met the main passage.
We exited the cave into the snow and started a massive snowball fight on our way down. A superb end to an excellent cave.
Andrew Webber