This years mine inspection reports for North Wales have now been issued to all who bought into a full year of the scheme, time to bug providers to get a look at the new reports!
Gethin
General Updates
Rhiwbach
There is a loose rock high on the right side wall of the rising traverse climb chamber on floor 1 in Rhiwbach.
(as you are looking at the climb towards the window, look high and right half way along the chamber wall to your right)
I have raised a maintenance ticket to have it removed. However, it is very high on the wall, and whilst not very big, will be difficult to remove safely.
I will send another mail out when the work is complete.
Thank you.
Chris Phillips
Operations Manager
Go Below Underground Adventures Ltd.
Inspections for 2016 (important update)
This years round of inspections is nearing its end, having had some very long days out!! Thanks to all who’ve come out to help out and share your thoughts, and particularly Les for managing such a busy schedule!
There has been some changes which anyone visiting either Rhiwbach or Cwmorthin must ensure they are familiar with, more details have been forwarded to the registered email addresses of those who’ve bought into last years reports.
The full inspection reports will be made available to those buying into the scheme as soon as they’re ready.
Gethin
New venue…
Damp pitch in ByP
Tell tale
Formations in ByP
Tell tail
Morris
New venue…
Wrysgan floor 1 (no go)
Damp pitch
Corris
North Wales Mines Users meeting summary
Thank you to everyone who came along to the meeting on Friday, it was really valuable to get such a broad range of opinions chatting about the use of the mines in such a positive way.
I’ve sent out a summary of the action points to the mine reports group. If you want a copy get in touch and I’ll send a copy out (I don’t want to publish it online as it lists all attending and has a few email addresses in it)
Gethin
North Wales Mines Users Meeting; 29th January 2016, 10am. Oaklands OEC
Friday, 29th January, 2016
Oaklands OEC
10am-1pm
Just to confirm we’ll beholding a meeting for those who regularly lead groups underground in the mines of North Wales. The aim of the meeting is to try and discus a range concerns that some users have expressed over the last few months, as well as other topics such as access, bolting, radon and this years round of mine inspections. Can I just highlight the concerns expressed have not been targeted at one user group in particular but broadly!
This is an open meeting to anyone who leads groups underground in North Wales, if you are free please do call in.
Rough Agenda
- 10am Welcome/Introductions
- Access
- Chat from Dave Tyson, representing CAL (Cave Access Ltd) who are now managing access to some of the mines owned by National Resources Wales (previously the Forestry Commission)
- Recent rockfalls underground
- Rhiwbach & Wrysgan
- Use of the northwalesmines.worpress.com website & Facebook?
- Rhiwbach parking
- Concerns expressed about the number of vehicles parked in Cwm Penmachno
- Group sizes underground
- Concerns expressed about the number within individual parties being led underground
- No-go areas
- Groups continuing to lunch in large chambers for example
- Anchors underground
- Results of the BCA supported testing of anchors in slate; should we have a preferred anchor?
- Funding of anchors
- Future placements
- Level 1 traverse on floor 1 in Rhiwbach
- Steep step in Wrysgan
- Others?
- Radon testing this year
- Mine Inspections for this year (programmed for 11th-15th of April
- Any additional sites people would like to have inspected & are people available to accompany Les
- Do we need a more formal users group or an annual users meeting such as this one
- Look at what’s being done in the Peak District
- AOB
I’d hope we could rattle through this lot in a few hours, hope you can make it. Directions to Oaklands can be found here: http://oaklands-centre.co.uk/index.php/contact-us/how-to-find-us/
Gethin
12 January 2016
North Wales Mine Leaders user group meeting
Hi All,
I’d like to organise a meeting for those who regularly lead groups underground in the mines of North Wales. The aim of the meeting is to try and discus a range concerns that some users have expressed over the last few months, as well as other topics such as access, bolting, radon and this years round of mine inspections. Can I just highlight the concerns expressed have not been targeted at one user group in particular, but broadly!
If you’re available please let me know by following the link: http://doodle.com/poll/57hb9nby7ad6ht6b with your availability, we can then make a decision on a date & venue. The link is also available on the North Wales Mines website: www.northwalesmines.worpress.com
Rough Agenda
- Welcome/Introductions
- Access
- Chat from Dave Tyson, representing CAL (Cave Access Ltd) who are now managing access to some of the mines owned by National Resources Wales (previously the Forestry Commission)
- Recent rockfalls underground
- E.g. Rhiwbach & Wrysgan
- Use of the www.northwalesmines.worpress.com website & Facebook?
- Rhiwbach parking
- Concerns expressed about the number of vehicles parked in Cwm Penmachno
- Group sizes underground
- Concerns expressed about the number within individual parties being led underground
- No-go areas
- Groups continuing to lunch in large chambers for example
- Anchors underground
- Results of the BCA supported testing of anchors in slate; should we have a preferred anchor?
- Funding of anchors
- Radon testing this year
- Mine Inspections for this year
- Any additional sites people would like to have inspected & are people available to accompany Les
- Do we need a more formal users group or an annual users meeting such as this one
- Look at what’s being done in the Peak District
- AOB
To make this worth while it would be great to get a broad range of input, so if you are available please let me know ideally here: http://doodle.com/poll/57hb9nby7ad6ht6b. Also let me know if theres anything else you’d like to discuss.
All the best
Rhiwbach Entrance
Hi All,
As I’m sure everyone is aware there was a small(ish) land slide at the entrance to Rhiwbach a few weeks ago. Last week I managed a good look, and as well as some topsoil and smallish gravel sliding out of the bank on the left of the entrance there also appears to have been some movement/clearing off of surface vegetation and rocks from the entrance. There’s some photos of the entrance here:
One thing to keep an eye on is a large block above and left of the entrance which has got some cracks running along the bottom, side and back of it. It’s probably worth keeping an eye on, and, as with all entrances/exits, best to gather groups away from the entrance and move people through quickly.
Worth being particularly vigilant given the rain over the last few days/weeks (feels like months…) Please do let us know if anything changes in the mines.
Last week we had to inflate the front of the boat, if you find it the same could you let us know; it may need a repair. When the water levels go up significantly the boats been known to wander off down the entrance adit, so it may be worth tying it up at the far end of the boating pool if you’re one of the last groups in the mine.
Gethin
Rhiwbach rockfall
Comment: Rhiwbach Fall.
Yesterday (19th July 2015) our staff reported a fallen block in the ‘Caban’ chamber of the drainage level in Rhiwbach slate mine. The fall occurred in the rear of the chamber, an area not normally visited by groups or staff. If you were to stand with the caban on your immediate right looking inbye, this is the area of the chamber directly in front of you. The staff member was in the chamber when the fall occurred, and based on his experience as a slate quarryman and quarry blaster, he estimated the fall to be in the region of 1 to 2 tons. We have had the chamber roof inspected by a CIC holder today, who has reported back to us that the roof and chamber walls in the immediate area used by staff going to get the boat are not affected by this fall. Misty conditions due to the wet weather today did not allow for a totally clear view of the rearmost reaches of the chamber, so at this point we have been unable to establish the exact location and extent of the fall. Another inspection will be done tomorrow, hopefully with better visibility in the chamber. I am aware that some users take their groups to have lunch near the caban in this chamber, and would urge all users to exercise extreme caution in this area. We will inspect this chamber and the surrounding areas on a daily basis for the next few weeks and report any updates or further changes here.
Chris Phillips Operations Manager, Go Below Underground Adventures Ltd.
Rhiwbach Gate Code changed
For those who’ve not picked this up yet, the gate code for Rhiwbach was changed on the 1st of May. The new gate code has been passed on to those who’ve bought into this years reports and the Cambrian Caving Council. Gethin
2015 Mine inspection repors now available
This years inspection reports are now available to download. Please get in touch with the 2 email addresses you’d like to register with the scheme to gain access to the reports.
This years reports are likely to cost a little more than previous years as we’re planning some Radon tests over the Summer months. The results of the tests will be made available as soon as we have them.
Gethin