Ogof Ffynnon Ddu I Main Streamway trip 08/05/2022
Unless otherwise stated, camera, setups, lighting, edits and gallery effects by Tarquin. Modelling and lighting at various points will be Becci Wilton-Jones.
Pluto's Bath, the place where anyone who does not know how to traverse will earn a dunking.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Phreatic tube in the Main Streamway, where it is joined by the passage from Pluto's Bath.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
The water level monitoring aparatus in the Main Streamway. This feeds data up to the caving club hut, and can be used to predict flooding events.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Upstream of The Step.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Water chute.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Traversing the edge of a pool.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
First Pot, a very deep scour in the streamway, with a scaffolding bar to avoid a dunking.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Second Pot, shallower than the first.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
The river was running very low. In these conditions, it manages to pass under this section upstream of Second Pot, emerging from a fracture in the floor of the pool. Normally, it flows over the rock bridge.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
The cascade climb, the only significant climb in the Main Streamway. Those agile enough can scramble up the middle, but those unable to do so need to slither up the rock nearby, earning a full soaking.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Maypole Chain, one of the emergency escape routes that can be used if there is a flood pulse, to escape from the Main Streamway.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Some deep holes that need to be carefully stepped over or traversed around.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Third Pot.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Immediately upstream is another deep slot that is destined to catch out anyone who is not paying attention. When heading downstream (as shown here), it is often easier to accept a soaking rather than trying to step over it.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Fourth Pot, immediately upstream.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Approaching The Slide.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
The Sump - what an imaginative name. This sump has never been passed, though it has been pushed towards its inevitable connection with Hush Sump (which was passed to originally find OFD II).
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Fossil coral in Upper Flood Passage. This appears to be a Syringopora species.
For scale.
Modelling by Becci
Another fossil Syringopora.
Upper Flood Passage. Normally, this passage carries a small stream from Waterfall Series. However, in flood, this pulses with the water overflowing from Hush Sump.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Boulder Chamber, the end of Upper Flood Passage. The immense choke is made from the crater in the floor of Starlight Chamber in Rawl Series. The way to Hush Sump and the dry connection to OFD 1½ starts on the right side of the choke. In the floor is a very large slab of rock, balanced perfectly so that it see-saws when you stand on it, creating loud booming sounds which can be used to frighten anyone in the choke. The sound is quite similar to those made by a flood pulse in Hush Sump.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Pluto's Bath, the place where anyone who does not know how to traverse will earn a dunking.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Phreatic tube in the Main Streamway, where it is joined by the passage from Pluto's Bath.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
The water level monitoring aparatus in the Main Streamway. This feeds data up to the caving club hut, and can be used to predict flooding events.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Upstream of The Step.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Water chute.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Traversing the edge of a pool.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
First Pot, a very deep scour in the streamway, with a scaffolding bar to avoid a dunking.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Second Pot, shallower than the first.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
The river was running very low. In these conditions, it manages to pass under this section upstream of Second Pot, emerging from a fracture in the floor of the pool. Normally, it flows over the rock bridge.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
The cascade climb, the only significant climb in the Main Streamway. Those agile enough can scramble up the middle, but those unable to do so need to slither up the rock nearby, earning a full soaking.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Maypole Chain, one of the emergency escape routes that can be used if there is a flood pulse, to escape from the Main Streamway.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Some deep holes that need to be carefully stepped over or traversed around.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Third Pot.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Immediately upstream is another deep slot that is destined to catch out anyone who is not paying attention. When heading downstream (as shown here), it is often easier to accept a soaking rather than trying to step over it.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Fourth Pot, immediately upstream.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Approaching The Slide.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
The Sump - what an imaginative name. This sump has never been passed, though it has been pushed towards its inevitable connection with Hush Sump (which was passed to originally find OFD II).
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Fossil coral in Upper Flood Passage. This appears to be a Syringopora species.
For scale.
Modelling by Becci
Another fossil Syringopora.
Upper Flood Passage. Normally, this passage carries a small stream from Waterfall Series. However, in flood, this pulses with the water overflowing from Hush Sump.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci
Boulder Chamber, the end of Upper Flood Passage. The immense choke is made from the crater in the floor of Starlight Chamber in Rawl Series. The way to Hush Sump and the dry connection to OFD 1½ starts on the right side of the choke. In the floor is a very large slab of rock, balanced perfectly so that it see-saws when you stand on it, creating loud booming sounds which can be used to frighten anyone in the choke. The sound is quite similar to those made by a flood pulse in Hush Sump.
Modelling by Becci, lighting by Tarquin and Becci