Ogof Draenen Beyond A Choke trip 05/06/2022
Unless otherwise stated, camera, setups, lighting, edits and gallery effects by Tarquin. Modelling and lighting at various points will be Ali Garman.
The climb up to Bit Of A Dive, on the right side of Beyond A Choke Streamway. This is situated just after a cascade, which is beyond a narrow section after the two chokes.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The climb reaches an upper level continuing downstream on jammed boulders above the streamway.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The entrance to Bit Of A Dive is high up on the right wall. Getting up there needs a lasso on the little flake above head height, then a second lasso onto rock projections at the mouth of the passage. It is very exposed (which is why I have never visited the passage).
Lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The Soap Bar (or the Bar Of Soap), a particularly lethal rock in Beyond A Choke Streamway, with an incredibly slippery surface. There are a few other white rocks like this that are slippery, but this one is worse than the others. At least one of these rocks (this one?) was responsible for an injury where one of the surveyors slipped and ruptured their spleen, but managed a self-rescue!
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Beyond A Choke Streamway, immediately downstream of The Confluence with Agent Blorenge.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The downstream end of the cave is much wider than the rifts that precede it. The majority is very comfortable, with a gravel floor.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The Rhino, a rock flake in a narrower section of the streamway.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Taller section of streamway.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Wide keyhole section, a beautifully shaped piece of passage.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Large phreatic section, with phreatic domes.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Fallout, a 100 metre long high level tube that one of the original explorers (Huw Jones) fell out of, during the exploration. This presumably forms an oxbow, but the far end has not yet been connected.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Now with its former grandure lost to Fallout, the streamway then feels like it is going to sump.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
However, the ceiling slowly lifts again, and the water starts to get deeper.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
One of the deeper sections.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
One of the deepest pools.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Rippled sand, disturbed by our bow wave.
The deepest pool, at about 2 metres deep. It is possible to traverse the right wall with some difficulty, but a fall results in a complete soaking.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The left side is more reliably shallow, as long as you stay close to the wall.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Much of the streamway beyond has a boulder floor, and is much less comfortable.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Rifleman's Chamber, the end of the streamway. The rope is of ancient vintage, and accesses a blind rift heading eastwards. This is situated under Elgam Fish Bar in Blaenavon, 130 m southeast of the Rifleman's Arms.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The lower fixed ladder leading up into the chamber above the choke.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The upper ladder.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The chamber above the Rifleman's Chamber choke, looking southwards. The right wall follows the line of the passage. The left wall has some digs, but the main one is in the corner ahead, overlooked by the giant poised boulder. The chamber itself has no prospects, as it is just a chimney failure. The continuing passage is thought to be ahead, back down to the level of the river. Perhaps the choke is formed by the junction of the Beyond A Choke streamway and the Big Country or Into The Black streamways. (There is the alternative theory that it is formed where the streamway is joined by a feeder from Pwll y Cwm in the Clydach Gorge, however, this is unlikely due to the development order of the surrounding valleys.)
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Heading down into the Morgannwg Caving Club dig.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The lower part of the dig down.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
At a depth of 14 metres below the chamber, the dig heads forward through boulders. This is still 4 metres above the Rifleman's Chamber balcony, and 10 metres above the stream.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The main dig face, which is still sporadically dug by Morgannwg Caving Club members.
The climb up to Bit Of A Dive, on the right side of Beyond A Choke Streamway. This is situated just after a cascade, which is beyond a narrow section after the two chokes.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The climb reaches an upper level continuing downstream on jammed boulders above the streamway.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The entrance to Bit Of A Dive is high up on the right wall. Getting up there needs a lasso on the little flake above head height, then a second lasso onto rock projections at the mouth of the passage. It is very exposed (which is why I have never visited the passage).
Lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The Soap Bar (or the Bar Of Soap), a particularly lethal rock in Beyond A Choke Streamway, with an incredibly slippery surface. There are a few other white rocks like this that are slippery, but this one is worse than the others. At least one of these rocks (this one?) was responsible for an injury where one of the surveyors slipped and ruptured their spleen, but managed a self-rescue!
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Beyond A Choke Streamway, immediately downstream of The Confluence with Agent Blorenge.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The downstream end of the cave is much wider than the rifts that precede it. The majority is very comfortable, with a gravel floor.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The Rhino, a rock flake in a narrower section of the streamway.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Taller section of streamway.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Wide keyhole section, a beautifully shaped piece of passage.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Large phreatic section, with phreatic domes.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Fallout, a 100 metre long high level tube that one of the original explorers (Huw Jones) fell out of, during the exploration. This presumably forms an oxbow, but the far end has not yet been connected.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Now with its former grandure lost to Fallout, the streamway then feels like it is going to sump.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
However, the ceiling slowly lifts again, and the water starts to get deeper.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
One of the deeper sections.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
One of the deepest pools.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Rippled sand, disturbed by our bow wave.
The deepest pool, at about 2 metres deep. It is possible to traverse the right wall with some difficulty, but a fall results in a complete soaking.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The left side is more reliably shallow, as long as you stay close to the wall.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Much of the streamway beyond has a boulder floor, and is much less comfortable.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Rifleman's Chamber, the end of the streamway. The rope is of ancient vintage, and accesses a blind rift heading eastwards. This is situated under Elgam Fish Bar in Blaenavon, 130 m southeast of the Rifleman's Arms.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The lower fixed ladder leading up into the chamber above the choke.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The upper ladder.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The chamber above the Rifleman's Chamber choke, looking southwards. The right wall follows the line of the passage. The left wall has some digs, but the main one is in the corner ahead, overlooked by the giant poised boulder. The chamber itself has no prospects, as it is just a chimney failure. The continuing passage is thought to be ahead, back down to the level of the river. Perhaps the choke is formed by the junction of the Beyond A Choke streamway and the Big Country or Into The Black streamways. (There is the alternative theory that it is formed where the streamway is joined by a feeder from Pwll y Cwm in the Clydach Gorge, however, this is unlikely due to the development order of the surrounding valleys.)
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
Heading down into the Morgannwg Caving Club dig.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The lower part of the dig down.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
At a depth of 14 metres below the chamber, the dig heads forward through boulders. This is still 4 metres above the Rifleman's Chamber balcony, and 10 metres above the stream.
Modelling by Ali, lighting by Tarquin and Ali
The main dig face, which is still sporadically dug by Morgannwg Caving Club members.