Caves of South Wales Dragon

Llygad Lwchwr Two

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Overview
Llygad Llwchwr 2 is essentially an oxbow in the main flow of the Llygad Llwchwr waters. The main flow of water runs through the slot beyond Chamber 7 of Llygad Llwchwr, but in wet weather this cannot take all the flow and the excess water flows through the main passage of Llygad Llwchwr 2. The passages are generally high level fossil passages with fine formations and sediments that have been well protected by extensive taping by the digging team.
Length 333m
Altitude 248m
Grid SN 67073 17764
History
Llygad Llwchwr 2 was discovered in 2002 when Martyn Farr temporarily dug out a gravel filled sump beyond Chamber 5 of Llygad Llwchwr and dived through to reach Llygad Llwchwr II, with some 300m of passage discovered. The sump refilled with gravel and it was only in 2010 following a surface dig in a large shakehole by Tony Donovan that this section of cave was re-entered.
Location
The cave is located in the base of the left hand shakehole beside the path to the main Llygad Llwchwr resurgence and cave.
Black Mountain Western Google map showing the location of Llygad Llwchwr 2 and other caves in the area.
Location map - click marker to show entrance photo
Access
The cave should be approached by parking in the layby of the nearby road, further up the road is a stile leading to a field with two large shakeholes in. Cross this field, pass between the two shakeholes and follow the footpath to the left. A gate is located in back corner of the left hand shakehole fence.
Description
The 8m covered entrance shaft drops vertically to intersect a wide cobble floored river passage, that flows in wet weather. The passage starts low and wide but gradually increases in height to reveal a stunning section of passage. The cobble floored passage can be followed by through a low section to reach an impressive junction with a finely decorated ramp on the right leading to higher passages. The main passage continues past the junction quickly reducing in height to reach the sump and original entry point to this cave as a low cobble floored crawl. Back at the junction a narrow taped slot in the floor of the ramp leads up into the higher level passages. At the top of the ramp a gully in the roof above leads to a chamber with lots of dangerous large loose boulders at the top that are poised ready to fall. Continuing below the gully the passage narrows to a slot and can be followed as it meanders upwards. There are may fine formations in these sections, great care is needed. There are a number of oxbow passages that contain fine formations. these are taped off, but the formations can be viewed from either end of the taped passages. The cave although short is well decorated and fragile, so should only be visited by small groups of experienced cavers.
Tackle
None required
References
Cambrian Cave Registry for Llygad Llwchwr 2
UK Caving Wiki Entry for Llygad Llwchwr 2
Llygad Llwchwr 2 Survey | Chelsea Spelaeological Society Newsletter | March 2011 | John Stevens
Warnings
The entrance is a scaffold shaft though boulders in the centre of a shakehole. This leads directly into boulder filled passage that carries a stream in wet weather. Care should be taken as the bottom of the shaft in time may be undermined by the flow of water. The climb up the gully to the Upper Chamber is full of very large, very loose boulders and is very dangerous.
Disclaimer
The photographs and information of this page has been provided to help cavers planning trips. Caving can be a dangerous activity, if you are interested in exploring caves please join a caving club so you can enjoy a safe introduction to this sport. Local caving clubs are listed on the links page or you can visit the 'New To Caving' website for more options.
If you feel that any of the information is incorrect or should be updated please contact us.