Site to assist in the management of the North Wales Mine Inspections for the LCMLA
80m of rope has been put instu within Bwlch y Plwm to replace the damaged rope reported earlier this year. Some additional anchors have also gone in to hopefully reduce the rub points although some sections have clear plastic tubing over the rope to protect it.
We’ve also left about 2m of rope either end of the traverse so should a section be damaged we’re spare rope to cut out damaged sections (please don’t trim it!)
A few weeks (maybe months!!) ago we had reports that the bridge in Bwlch y Plwm (top of the stope) was dead…
Good news it its now been fixed! The new bridge has yet to be secured to the floor so please be careful if you’re using it (the exit at that level was flooded when we looked at it last week (19th Oct, 2022). We’ll look to bolt/tie it down soon. There’s also no mesh on the top so it may become slippery over time; we’ll need to monitor this and sort it out if it’s problematic. Please do let us know!
The padlock (and cable) for the canoes in Bwlch y Plwm has been replaced. The new code is 2116
Please lock up the boats after use
Yesterday, on our way out from a rather wet through trip in Bwlch y Plwm mine, we encountered a damaged section of rope on the last traverse on the bottom floor, the one that takes you across the left wall over a flooded stope when heading out-by. The rope was worn through to the core in 2 places where it had been rubbing on the rock face (probably rigged a bit too tight IMO).
Anyway, not knowing who this rope belonged to we did not want to remove it but did re-rig it so that the damaged could be isolated with alpine butterfly knots.
Perhaps the owner (if one of this group) could remove this damaged rope now, even if they do not replace it.
On another note, I was pleasantly surprised by the effort that has gone in to bolting this place up. Good work to whoever it was. If no one has any objections, at some point in the future, I plan on taking my battery grinder in and cutting off as much of the now defunct old rusty gear as possible; seized maillons, wobbly P38’s etc….
Offers of help / company are most welcome!
Pete Knight
www.undergroundspecialist.co.uk