Ogof Draenen Poetic Justice trip 28/04/2024
Unless otherwise stated, camera, setups, lighting, edits and gallery effects by Tarquin. Modelling and lighting at various points will be Steph Andrews and Pete Bolt.
Two-pronged bristletail that has lost its tails (cerci). The species found in this cave is Campodea cf wallacei.
Modelling by Wally
The early part of Megadrive North, with the characteristic deep canyon in the floor.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Peeling ceiling in Megadrive North.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Just before the terminal choke of Megadrive North.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Start of Gone In The Years South.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The stunning grotto in Blorens Inlet. Sadly, this chamber does not photograph very well, but the individual clumps of straws and helictites are very impressive in person.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Blorens Inlet's grotto. I have photographed the formations better on a previous trip, so will not repeat it here.
Modelling by Pete, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Start of Poetic Justice, the most significant side passage in Blorens Inlet.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Helictite-covered stalactite in a rift linking Poetic Justice with Blorens Inlet.
Helictites.
Helictites offsetting a straw.
Helictites.
Helictites.
Second grotto in the rift.
Second grotto.
Second grotto, and a column with shrimp claws.
Poetic Justice Extensions start as a fairly large chamber on the side of Poetic Justice.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Looking back from the far end of the chamber. The way back to Poetic Justice is at the far end on the right, the main way on is at the far end on the left, and Swinging Climb is the passage in the roof.
Modelling by Pete and Steph, lighting by Tarquin, Pete and Steph
The main way through the Poetic Justice Extensions is this wide passage, but a rift runs parallel to it on the right, with several connections between them. It also has a few connections to the left, to Poetic Justice III. The main way weaves around rock pillars, remaining as a rocky phreatic tube.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Cryostal in Poetic Justice III.
Cryostal.
Cryostal.
A heart with a hole in it.
To the right, Poetic Justice III becomes really awkward, with this squeeze over a rock in an otherwise crawling sized passage.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The survey data shows the passage reaching a dig, but it was really tiny, so we left it alone. An awkward side passage looped around to the end of the parallel rift, and back into Poetic Justice, but we had seen it twice already at different points, and it was small both times, so we decided not to follow it.
Modelling by Tarquin's wellies
Poetic Justice III, named because it was recorded on the third surveying trip. We passed a low bedding almost opposite the normal way in, which climbed up to a choke. A ledge beside the choke appears to be the way into Satanic Verses, but we were all quite uncomfortable about crawling beside the choke, and decided not to until we were sure of the location. So instead, this is the left direction, as it passes its last connection back to the main way through Poetic Justice Extensions; a squeeze down through the rocks on the left.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Passing through the nostril holes to reach a junction. To the right is the only passage that goes, but it passed through a tight squeeze over a rock, which only Steph was comfortable passing. It reached a very rusty ladder and traverse line, with the sound of Blorenge Inlet's water roaring below. We decided to come back another day with tools to remove the rock, since it refused to be easily removed. However, there should be about 200 metres of streamway beyond here.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Continuing along Poetic Justice beyond the junction with Poetic Justice Extensions.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Pete
Mud drapes in Poetic Justice.
Drip pockets.
Heart shaped drip pocket.
Last of the climbs needed to get into Tombstone, guarded by rocks.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The main chamber in Tombstone. The passage chokes in the distance, with the survey showing a short, choked passage above the choke.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Ridiculous tower of rocks used to access a choked side passage in Tombstone. The tower has almost nothing to support it, and everything moves when you touch it. Whoever climbed this had a death wish.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Ochre stained rock in the chamber.
The second section of Blorenge Inlet starts very large, but immediately shrinks at a cascade, guarded by a deep pool. It was possible to keep dry feet at the edge. The beautifull laminated sediment bank on the left has a short side passage, but since getting into it means damaging the sediment bank, we left it alone.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
After passing Mn Mud Inlet, Blorenge Inlet shrinks signifigantly, and it takes careful footwork to avoid a foot soaking in the relatively deep pools. It then grows to this more respectable size.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Short side passage on the left that runs towards Mn Mud Inlet, but fills with mud.
Deep drip pocket in the side passage.
The next side passage is filled with mud formations, with raised drip pockets appearing like little volcanoes.
Lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The second section of Blorenge Inlet then enlarges significantly, and slams into a choke. This is only a short distance from the streamway we had heard in Poetic Justice Extensions. At the right edge of this picture is an aven, which has a tiny passage visible at the top, heading back over the passage. At the left edge is a flat out crawl under the wall, which we ignored.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Mn Mud Inlet (Mn being the scientific symbol for manganese) has a very small stream, and starts off walking size. The mud is on the sides, while the channel in the middle has an almost solid floor. A small side passage on the left reaches a very muddy rift which closes down. The stream comes from a very narrow side passage with glutinous mud, that becomes a crawl in the mud to the terminal chamber. Meanwhile, the main passage passes through a comfortable crawl to reach the terminal chamber.
Modelling by Pete, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The manganese mud flow in the chamber, which gives the passage its name.
The terminal chamber has very deep, glutinous mud. On the other side the passage has been dug without success.
Two-pronged bristletail that has lost its tails (cerci). The species found in this cave is Campodea cf wallacei.
Modelling by Wally
The early part of Megadrive North, with the characteristic deep canyon in the floor.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Peeling ceiling in Megadrive North.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Just before the terminal choke of Megadrive North.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Start of Gone In The Years South.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The stunning grotto in Blorens Inlet. Sadly, this chamber does not photograph very well, but the individual clumps of straws and helictites are very impressive in person.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Blorens Inlet's grotto. I have photographed the formations better on a previous trip, so will not repeat it here.
Modelling by Pete, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Start of Poetic Justice, the most significant side passage in Blorens Inlet.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Helictite-covered stalactite in a rift linking Poetic Justice with Blorens Inlet.
Helictites.
Helictites offsetting a straw.
Helictites.
Helictites.
Second grotto in the rift.
Second grotto.
Second grotto, and a column with shrimp claws.
Poetic Justice Extensions start as a fairly large chamber on the side of Poetic Justice.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Looking back from the far end of the chamber. The way back to Poetic Justice is at the far end on the right, the main way on is at the far end on the left, and Swinging Climb is the passage in the roof.
Modelling by Pete and Steph, lighting by Tarquin, Pete and Steph
The main way through the Poetic Justice Extensions is this wide passage, but a rift runs parallel to it on the right, with several connections between them. It also has a few connections to the left, to Poetic Justice III. The main way weaves around rock pillars, remaining as a rocky phreatic tube.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Cryostal in Poetic Justice III.
Cryostal.
Cryostal.
A heart with a hole in it.
To the right, Poetic Justice III becomes really awkward, with this squeeze over a rock in an otherwise crawling sized passage.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The survey data shows the passage reaching a dig, but it was really tiny, so we left it alone. An awkward side passage looped around to the end of the parallel rift, and back into Poetic Justice, but we had seen it twice already at different points, and it was small both times, so we decided not to follow it.
Modelling by Tarquin's wellies
Poetic Justice III, named because it was recorded on the third surveying trip. We passed a low bedding almost opposite the normal way in, which climbed up to a choke. A ledge beside the choke appears to be the way into Satanic Verses, but we were all quite uncomfortable about crawling beside the choke, and decided not to until we were sure of the location. So instead, this is the left direction, as it passes its last connection back to the main way through Poetic Justice Extensions; a squeeze down through the rocks on the left.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Passing through the nostril holes to reach a junction. To the right is the only passage that goes, but it passed through a tight squeeze over a rock, which only Steph was comfortable passing. It reached a very rusty ladder and traverse line, with the sound of Blorenge Inlet's water roaring below. We decided to come back another day with tools to remove the rock, since it refused to be easily removed. However, there should be about 200 metres of streamway beyond here.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Continuing along Poetic Justice beyond the junction with Poetic Justice Extensions.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Pete
Mud drapes in Poetic Justice.
Drip pockets.
Heart shaped drip pocket.
Last of the climbs needed to get into Tombstone, guarded by rocks.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The main chamber in Tombstone. The passage chokes in the distance, with the survey showing a short, choked passage above the choke.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Ridiculous tower of rocks used to access a choked side passage in Tombstone. The tower has almost nothing to support it, and everything moves when you touch it. Whoever climbed this had a death wish.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Ochre stained rock in the chamber.
The second section of Blorenge Inlet starts very large, but immediately shrinks at a cascade, guarded by a deep pool. It was possible to keep dry feet at the edge. The beautifull laminated sediment bank on the left has a short side passage, but since getting into it means damaging the sediment bank, we left it alone.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
After passing Mn Mud Inlet, Blorenge Inlet shrinks signifigantly, and it takes careful footwork to avoid a foot soaking in the relatively deep pools. It then grows to this more respectable size.
Modelling by Steph, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
Short side passage on the left that runs towards Mn Mud Inlet, but fills with mud.
Deep drip pocket in the side passage.
The next side passage is filled with mud formations, with raised drip pockets appearing like little volcanoes.
Lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The second section of Blorenge Inlet then enlarges significantly, and slams into a choke. This is only a short distance from the streamway we had heard in Poetic Justice Extensions. At the right edge of this picture is an aven, which has a tiny passage visible at the top, heading back over the passage. At the left edge is a flat out crawl under the wall, which we ignored.
Modelling by Steph and Pete, lighting by Tarquin, Steph and Pete
Mn Mud Inlet (Mn being the scientific symbol for manganese) has a very small stream, and starts off walking size. The mud is on the sides, while the channel in the middle has an almost solid floor. A small side passage on the left reaches a very muddy rift which closes down. The stream comes from a very narrow side passage with glutinous mud, that becomes a crawl in the mud to the terminal chamber. Meanwhile, the main passage passes through a comfortable crawl to reach the terminal chamber.
Modelling by Pete, lighting by Tarquin and Steph
The manganese mud flow in the chamber, which gives the passage its name.
The terminal chamber has very deep, glutinous mud. On the other side the passage has been dug without success.