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Interactive Survey

Dan yr Ogof is now featured on the South Wales Cave Project website. This includes a fully interactive survey of the cave with information on the hydrology, surface features, history and lots and lots of pictures. Not to be missed!

Flooding

On the 15th March 2008, two experienced wardens became trapped in the cave by flood water. After an uncomfortable 24 hours waiting for water levels to drop, they were rescued unharmed - but not without the involvement of large numbers of rescuers and extensive media coverage. Although this is the first such event for many years, we'd like to draw wardens' attention to a few points:-

Under certain conditions, the water levels in the cave can react very quickly to rainfall. It doesn't take a major storm to make the cave impassible: "normal" steady rain will cause the lakes to sump after a few hours if the ground is already wet.
Although the water levels can drop quickly once the rain stops, it is not unusual for the lakes to remain sumped for days at a time. Despite the survival equipment provided in Boulder Chamber, it's quite clear that being trapped there for more than a short period would be very unpleasant and potentially life-threatening. Apparent trends towards a wetter and more extreme climate suggest that long-duration floods are becoming more common.
Divers were able to pass lakes 2 & 3 whilst the cave was flooded - but the Cascades beyond were completely impassable due to the huge flow of water and potentially lethal stopper-waves. If you become trapped by high water, there is no magic escape route.
Heed the advice of local cavers and showcave staff. If in doubt, come back another day.

Entrapment Camp

Based on the experience of last year's incident, a fully-equipped Entrapment Camp has been installed in Wigmore Hall. This includes food, camping equipment, warm clothing and a communications cabinet with telephone to the showcave and 110V mains supply for lighting (and a small kettle!). All of the equipment has been funded by the showcave company and is a reflection of Dan yr Ogof's unique position as a major tourist attraction.

For wardens who may not have been there, Wigmore Hall is adjacent to Boulder Chamber and on the same level. It can be reached from the old WBCRT rescue dump by going in the opposite direction to the main route into the cave. The exposed move around the corner at the end of Boulder Chamber can now be avoided by a short crawl indicated by red and white marker tape (visible from the WBCRT dump).

Kept dry in airtight drums, equipment is expected to last many years. Please do not touch any of the equipment unless there is a genuine emergency. Opening the door of the communications cabinet sets off an alarm in the showcave and will result in a cave rescue callout.

Tunnel Cave / Cathedral Cave Through-Trips

As last year, through-trips can be made now that the showcave complex has re-opened for the Summer season. Access rules for the connecting airlock have been agreed with the Showcave Management and are available here. Please note that Tunnel Top Entrance is owned by SWCC and that a separate key is required, available from the Duty Officer at Penwyllt.

Online Trip Reports

Wardens are reminded that they need to provide a report after each trip into the cave. Apart from providing essential statistics on quantities of visitors to different parts of the cave, trip reports can be used to alert us to conservation or fixed aids issues requiring attention. By far the simplest method of filling a trip report is using the online form on this website. A paper form is also available and can be downloaded from here.

Access

The showcave is now open for the Summer season and access will be available during normal opening hours without a key. You are, however, advised to get a key to the cavers' entrance if there is any possibility of returning after the showcave has closed for the day. A list of current key holders is available here.