Several carloads of us trekked over the Burren, Co. Clare, for the new year celebrations. Gary, never one to miss a party (even if it is 1500 miles away) was his usual keen self and didn't make it down any caves at all. Simeon, still limping, was helping the musicians by attempting to play the Euphonium at McDermots (Doolin).
The Coolagh River Cave was wet and miserable (what do you expect from a RIVER cave?) and the old chestnut St. Catherines to Fisherstreet made an appearance. Cullaun 2 was selected for an easy afternoons caving. Jill decided that waist deep water was not really her preferred place to be.
Photos by Simeon Warner: top right Cullaun 1 (115 K), Fisherstreet (117 K).
A bumper turnout! Most people had fun finding the pub in Crickhowell on Friday, particularly Wendy who went via Newport (not on the way really). He then proceeded to take 45 minutes longer than everyone else to find the Chelsea hut. (It took us long enough in the fog following Ray's trusty sense of direction and detailed knowledge of hut finding routes in South Wales.) Wendy complained of remodeled roundabouts and bus stations where they shouldn't be!
Saturday arrived, along with Wingnut, and most people went on the trip down Aggy. However, Nick and Wingnut went for a walk in the mist, explaining they'd grown out of caving. The entrance series of Aggy proved to be slightly more squalid than anyone remembered it but the stomping stuff made up for that. Whilst several folk were heading out, Grovel, Wendy and I had a nose round some of the more interesting side passages. By the time we arrived back, the hardened drinking team had left for Crickhowell to queue outside the pub for 5 o'clock opening time. Seven hours later they were all still going. As Ray said "We're not going to out-cave anyone so we may as well out-drink them".
Sunday, only three of us went caving: Bob, Andy Pringle and myself. We had a look at Eglwys Faen, which was jolly going for a couple of hours.
Saturday morning saw a cast of millions turn up at the DCC hut opposite the Wizard Inn, Cheshire. Our guides duly arrived and a quick change later we were off to the mines. And jolly pleasant they were too, up gallery and down chute. Photo by Simeon Warner (128 K).
The trip got off to a bad start when everyone went down a pitch at the entrance and couldn't find very much to look at, except Tony playing with some wobbly rocks! On the way out, the way on was spotted and more mine was explored over the next couple of hours.
The guidebook description is just about right "a much underated system". It was a fine trip, except that every time you dug out through the snow in one of the six entrances the weather appeared to be deteriorating (more snow). I had contrived to leave my inflatable, squeeky hammer (for emergency use in case of rock fall and light to carry!) at a major junction in the low squalid bit so we had to go out the resurgence end which was unfortunately barred by icicles, bbbrrr. A quick stop at the Crown in Horton to warm up and then it was off to the dinner.
Keith would like to know whether anyone's been down Snorkel since he did it in 1977. (And he means anyone, not just MUSS people.) He's also interested in what happened to the Maypole and where the old log book is. The new log book, by the way, needs brightening up with some photos. If you've any good ones send them to Jill.
CUCC are out in the Totes Gebirge, Austria again this year. 1.5k of walking passage discovered last year + a new entrance - this year promises to be a good one. Expo dates from 6th July to 11th August. Call me (Sam) if you're interested.
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JS