Hi all, there’s been some updates in how staff may need to access the boat in Rhiwbach. If you’re working in the mine it’s worth having a chat with the provider you’re working for.
Gethin
Mines
Bit of work in Rhiwbach
There’s been a bit of work done clearing the wall in the boating chamber. Consult whoever you’re working for for more details
Rhiwbach Anchor Testing Report
On the 18th of March 2016 the majority of the anchors in Rhiwbach mine were inspected and tested. This work was requested and funded by Go Below Underground Adventures Ltd who engaged Pete Knight to undertake the testing.
The anchors were tested to 6kN for 15 seconds using a Hilti HAT-28 anchor tester with a current calibration certificate. All anchors that passed (showed no movement, deformation or rock failure) were marked with a green cable tie. Anchors that were deemed to have failed (moved, deformed or detached from the rock) and could not be removed from the mine were marked with several red cable ties. No failed anchors remain attached to fixed rigging. Unmarked anchors were installed after the 18th March and remain untested.
There are no plans to retest any anchors on a regular basis as it is a concern that the resin bond may be damaged by regular high load testing. No Petzl P38 Longlife anchors were tested in Rhiwbach.
Tyrolean Area
All anchors were tested in this area. One Petzl Collinox anchor was removed from the wall under the test load. It detached with a section of slate that showed a hidden area of quartz weakness. This anchor was not replaced as it was immediately adjacent to another which passed the test.
Pool Traverse in next chamber
The final anchor in the chain appeared to have been hammered into the rock to prevent use. It could not be tested or removed but was tagged as a failure. All remaining anchors passed.
Climb and Traverse to Abseils
All anchors passed.
Waterfall Climb
The lowest of the Collinox anchors had a small amount of spalling under test. It was tested to 10kN as a precaution and passed. This anchor should be checked regularly by users to identify any further rock degradation.
Airshaft
3 Collinox anchors failed in this section of the mine. One was removed completely but the other 2 are awaiting removal/destruction but have been tagged as failures and removed from the rigging.
1 Collinox was removed from the rock along with its resin. The hole appeared to have not been cleaned prior to installation. A second Collinox was removed because the section of rock it was in split apart. The third anchor was another Collinox, which began extracting with its resin. Replacement anchors have been installed already but will not have been tested.
Summary
The testing does not diminish or remove the important requirement for all users to inspect the anchor and overall safety system on each and every use. The nature of the rock and the type of use these anchors receive may mean that an anchor can become suspect or even fail in the future. This can happen without warning and cannot be predicted by this testing. All fixed rigging attached to the tested anchors remains the responsibility of the installing organisation and all users are reminded to inspect for safety prior to each and every use.
Peter Knight 3/5/2016
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.
Wrysgan bolting/cable
Information for users of Wrysgan mine.
On Monday the 1st Feb myself Jim and Andy paid a visit to do some stabilisation work on the alternative route between floor 1 and 2. There was a rough route up almost immediately inside the first chamber on floor 1. Half way up this rubble slope there was a large step with a very dodgy pack wall. We reduced this to a slope and spent some time stabilising the path and moving it closer to the chamber wall. Being close to the wall, the slope should hold up to downhill traffic better than the original route. It will require some traffic to bed it down so take a little care for the time being.
On Monday the 8th Feb a visit was made by me to the mine to place some new anchors and remove the old cable on floor 3.
2 new Collinox resin anchors were placed on the rising traverse from floor 1 to 2, one near the floor and one near the top. These 2 Collinox bolts split 2 of the longer sections of the traverse and make it slightly less exposed rigging uphill and reduce potential slide distances for clients. To make use of these, pack an extra couple of karabiners or maillons and allow a metre or so of extra rope. All the Goujons in the area were checked and tightened where required.
Up on floor 3, near the dressing sheds entrance, a new Collinox anchor was placed close to an existing one to create a compact and high anchor pair for rigging abseils and lowers. It should also be possible to use the 2 bolts as pull through anchors.
Some of the older, more corroded anchors were cut out in these areas to try to de-clutter the mine. There remains a number of Petzl stainless steel plate hangers attached to regular steel spit sleeves with very corroded bolt heads. These anchors should probably not be trusted and there are nearby resin anchors to use in preference in most cases anyway. It is always best to keep steel or alloy types consistent in sleeve, bolt and hanger anchors in fixed rigging to prevent accelerated corrosion.
The cable on floor 3 was also removed during this piece of work, it now being redundant as the traverse can be rigged bolt to bolt at a higher level.
Any feedback is welcome on the new rigging or guides.
Pete
New anchors in Rhiwbach
Following the discussions on Friday, I placed 2 new anchors in Rhiwbach today. One midway along the traverse on floor 1 around the deep pool, so if you feel the fixed traverse rope is too slack for your group you could clip a krab to the anchor and raise it.
Another anchor has been placed on the left (as you’re looking up) of the waterfall climb not far above the initial steep section, so you can create a belay (using one of the anchors midway up the manway as well) in the middle (or wherever you choose) of the climb, if you choose to belay groups up the short steep section.
Gethin
Some movement in Rhiwbach
There’s been a report of a rock fall on floor 3 (there’s a reason that floors not an approved route!) in the chamber above the bore-hole. It’s unlikely to have effected the approved route, however worth remaining vigilant. Please let us know if it’s effected the approved route.
Gethin
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
Bwlch y Plwm
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
Rhiwbach Entrance
Hi all,
Just had a message that the entrance to Rhiwbach had a bit of a mud and rock slide in yesterday’s damp spell! Who knows what other mischief the water may have got up to yesterday. Would be worth highlighting to staff the need to move swiftly through the entrance/exits of the mines as well as being extra vigilant when underground, particularly around the brows of cross-cuts or areas highlighted within the inspection reports as needing monitoring.
We should also remind folk to avoid spending to much time in large chambers (as highlighted in the last few mine inspection reports) as it’s difficult to properly inspect the roofs.
All the best
Gethin Thomas
www.train4underground.co.uk