Blog Post 15th January 2013

The view from Whitewalls caving hut as we set off for Porth Yr Ogof

Rich and I headed over to South Wales for a spot of caving and the plan was to dive Porth yr Ogof the next day and get some data and photos. Unfortunately we completely broke ourselves in the dry cave the day before, so we were strictly on surface duties at Porth Yr Ogof!


Finches look for scraps

It was a chilly but beautifully sunny day. We were gutted to see that cinditions in the cave were perfect for diving - but we were very sore after our caving the day before and it was a sensible decision to give it a miss and concentrate on the surface data and photos.
I spotted a grey squirrel as we pulled up in the van and there were several finches scrounging food in the snow. The surface flora and fauna here is every bit as much fun as the underwater work.



Rich gets to work taking photos of the river
levels from site 6.

We began sorting out photographic points for surface observations. Porth is so infrequently divable due to rain, that the surface data can still be collated even if conditions are not suitable for underwater observations. Or if the divers are too knackered to get into the water!!
Rich managed to get up the river bed to visit Top Entrance, but not without getting his feet wet. He seemed to have forgotten the perfectly good pair of welly boots in the van!
We used Uwatec D-Timers to measure the water temperature in Tradesmans. We also measured the river water temperature at site 6 in the Mellte and also the surface air temperature.


Rich measures the water temperature in
Tradesmans entrance

The water temperature as it emerged at Tradesmans, was 6 degrees centigrade. This water sinks 1 mile away at Church Sinks and although there is a dye connection, a physical connection has not yet been made. Even so, it has warmed up a whole degree in its passage underground, because the river water temperature was 5 degrees. the surface temperature was a chilly 4 degrees centigrade.

We've been learning a little more about the flora which surrounds the entrances of Porth Yr Ogof cave. This fern is a Harts Tongue fern and created a lot of interest when I asked after it on Facebook! Many of my caving friends are a fan. they like limestone rock and are often seen adorning cave entrances. The latin name is Asplenium scolopendrium.

Rich and I set off walking along the path which follows the underground course of the Mellte. there are several entrances to the cave along this path, which leads to the resurgence.



We noted several items of litter along the way - the most bizarre of which were 2 pairs of wellington boots in the deep pool just upstream of the main entrance!!
We collected the litter we found and discarded it properly. What a shame the people who dropped it didn't think to do that.

Someone went to quite some lengths to try and hide this one:




It was beginning to get dark so we headed over to Church sinks to get some observation data and photos in the village of Ystradfellte, where the water sinks underground. It doesn't re-emerge again until 1 mile downstream at Porth Yr Ogof cave






Panorama of the Tradesmans entrance and river Mellte.

Chris on the bridge at Ystradfellte

Data: Porth yr Ogof 15/01/2013 Christine Grosart. Not Dived.

Your name:	Christine Grosart	Observation date:	15th January 2013
Site Visited	Porth yr Ogof

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Church Sinks Observations
The river water was Flowing under the bridge
Church sinks flora: Catkins on tree, possibly an Alder tree.
Church sinks fauna: Sheep (on east riverbank)
Church sinks water temperature: Not known
General Church Sinks observations: None.

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Top Entrance Observations
Accessible by walking up the riverbed?: Yes
Top Entrance Flora: None noted.
Top Entrance fauna: None noted.
Top Entrance water temperature: Not recorded.
Top Entrance general observations: Small Landslide by entrance (not affected). Plastic farm debris in the river. Cwmbran entrance sinking and 'gurgling'.
Dives done into Top Entrance?: No

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Top Entrance Dive Log
Top Underwater Visibility:
Top Water flow:
Tope entrance underwater fauna:
Top Entrance other observations:

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Tradesman's Entrance Observations
Tradesman's flora: Ferns – Harts Tongue Fern or Asplenium scolopendrium "The plants grow on neutral and lime-rich substrates, including moist soil and damp crevices in old walls, most commonly in shaded situations but occasionally in full sun; plants in full sun are usually stunted and yellowish in colour, while those in full shade are dark green and luxuriant". Wikipedia.
Tradesman's fauna: None noted.
Tradesman's water temperature: 6 degrees centigrade
Tradesman's water level: 30cm below the step.
Did you dive at Tradesman's Entrance?: No

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Tradesman's underwater visibility:
Tradesman's water flow:
Tradesman's underwater fauna:
Tradesman's general observations:

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Main Entrance Observations
Main Entrance flora: Harts Tongue Fern or Asplenium scolopendrium
Main Entrance fauna: None noted.
Main Entrance water temperature: Not recorded
Main Entrance general observations: Litter; chewing gum on 'walkway'; hairband; 1 piece plastic; 2 pairs of wellington boots in pool (daylight); plastic tape coiled up on rocks outside entrance.

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Resurgence Observations
Resurgence flora: None noted
Resurgence fauna: None noted
Resurgence water temperature: Not recorded
General resurgence observations: Deep water warning sign missing

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Little Neath River Cave Observations
LNRC Observations:

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Final Observations
General Observations: Observation data: Christine Grosart & Richard Walker. Weather: Snow on higher ground, icy and sunny, good visibility. Surface temperature 4 degrees centigrade. Arrived at car park 14:45 pm Fauna: Grey squirrel, Bullfinches, Robin. Litter; chocolate wrapper found by Tradesmans (cavers) entrance.