Ogof Agen Allwedd facts for kids

Ogof Agen Allwedd, also known as Aggy, is one of the longest cave systems in Wales. It stretches for about 32.5 kilometers (20.2 miles)! This amazing cave is found on the Llangattock escarpment, which is a long, steep slope of rock. It's the longest cave system in this area.

Exploring Ogof Agen Allwedd

Early Discoveries

People first started exploring Ogof Agen Allwedd in 1949. Brian Price and his team were among the first to investigate. However, the main part of the cave was not found until 1957. That's when the Hereford Caving Club managed to get past a tricky section called the First Boulder Choke.

Further Adventures

More explorers continued to discover new parts of the cave. In 1971, John Parker and J Phillips, along with others, explored even further. They even dived through underwater passages called sumps to find more of the cave. Sadly, during an exploration in 1973, a sad accident occurred. A section of the cave was later named the "Remembrance Series" in memory of what happened.

Inside the Cave System

Ogof Agen Allwedd is the longest cave system on the Llangattock escarpment. It has over 32.5 kilometers (20.2 miles) of passages!

Navigating the Passages

To enter the cave, you go through a short entrance area. Then you reach the First Boulder Choke, which is a passage blocked by rocks. You need to crawl through some long entrance passages. However, most of the cave has large stream passages. These are easier to move through and don't usually need special equipment.

Popular Routes

There are several "round trips" you can follow inside the cave.

• The Grand Circle goes along the Main Stream Passage. This passage has four boulder chokes, which are places where rocks block the way. It also includes the Southern Stream Passage, which is long and wet.
• The Outer and Inner Circles include Turkey Streamway. Here, you can see some cool formations. These include gour pools, which are small pools with natural rock edges.

Time and Flooding

Each round trip can take more than six hours. Some parts of the cave can flood quickly, especially after heavy rain. For example, the sump at the 3rd Boulder Choke fills with water. In very bad flood conditions, it becomes impossible to get past the 2nd Boulder Choke. Other areas like the narrow part of Turkey Streamway also become difficult. Maytime and the Lower Main Stream can also become unreachable during floods.

Cave Formations and Bats

Generally, Agen Allwedd does not have many fancy rock formations. However, it is very important for bats! Many bats use the cave as a place to rest and live. Bats are protected by law, so it's against the rules to disturb them. Cavers must be very careful not to bother the bats.

How to Access the Cave

Entrance Rules

The cave was first entered through the Agen Allwedd entrance. Now, you can get in through the Ogof Gam entrance. This entrance has a gate and helps you avoid a difficult section. That original route is now blocked.

Permits and Safety

To enter, you need a special permit and a key. You must sign a book when you go in. This book helps people know which route you plan to take. It's important not to use carbide lamps in the cave. If you want to camp inside, do research, or use explosives, you need extra permits.