Wrysgan fall and Rhiwbach Parking

Wrysgan fall and Rhiwbach Parking

Hello folks, 
We’ve had some reports of a possible rockfall in the upper floor of Wrysgan, just beyond the “eased block”. This possibly form the area highlighted by Les a few years ago as a potential loose area. If you’re in the mine and able to check it out/photograph the fall please get in touch. 


Also there’s road re-surfacing work taking place in Cwm Penmachno this week. The work starts tomorrow and is programmed to go on until the 18th of Oct. The road will be closed during this work so access to Rhiwbach is unlikely from the Cwm carpark


All the best

Gethin

Users meeting & Wrysgan

Users meeting & Wrysgan

Thank you to all who’ve contributed to the poll looking at peoples availability for a users meeting. If you’ve not done so feel free to let us know: CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE POLL

We’ll look to fix a date this Monday.

Anyone looking to use floor 6 of Wrysgan should have a discussion with whoever you’re working for as there has been some changes noted within the mine.

Gethin

Inspection (Wrysgan and Geironydd) update, March 2017

Inspection (Wrysgan and Geironydd) update, March 2017

Inspections are going well. Today we looked at Wrysgan and the Geironydd trials.
There was very little of concern in both, however our mine engineer has suggested we monitor the brow of the adit that leads outside on floor 5 of the mine (the wet way out) as there looked to be some blocks that look like they may fall at some point, although there’s no evidence of a fall on the floor. This is the exit directly next to the eased block that fell several years ago (photo attached) directly above the solid ladder, and potentially somewhere groups may gather having scrambled up the ladder.
Also within Geironydd the frequently used trial (opposite the waterfall that drops into a short adit) had several bats in the back of the stope. There is a circular route that follows the back of the stope around several timbers and drops down via a short slide/slab. It may be prudent to avoid that section of mine in the Winter as the bats are hibernating.

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Wrysgan Rock fall

Sounds like there’s been a small (but worth taking note of!) rock-fall above the traverse on floor 3 of the mine:

Hi Gethin,

Picture attached of a recent rock fall in Wrysgan. Abseil stance at the end of the L3 traverse, after the island!

Obvious missing bits from the roof but I couldn’t see anything hanging….waiting to drop!!

Couple of pieces managed to make it down to L2 at the bottom of the pitch!!

Regards

Jim.image002.jpg

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

Wrysgan & Rhiwbach update

Quick heads up that there’s been some reports of further (small) rock fall on floor 2 of Wrysgan. This is the same area we’ve been monitoring. If anyone has more info could you let us know?

Also the raft in Rhiwbach has been damaged, as has the traverse rope around the flooded pool on floor 1. The fray in the ropes been isolated and raft possibly fixed. Again if you’ve more info please let us know.

Cheers

Gethin

Update: Wrysgan Rockfall and warning regarding the slate following heavy rain

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Dave Baines has managed to have a look at the area where Storm noticed some rockfall on floor 2 within Wrysgan. It would appear that some rock has fallen from above the exit of the first tunnel through a pillar on floor 2 of the mine. We’d suggest groups take care in this area, moving through it swiftly, possibly one at a time.

Please continue to monitor the area and let us know if you notice any further movement.

Dave was also keen to pass on some feedback from a mining engineer regarding the possible effect on the slate following the rainfall over the last few weeks. It is likely that the water ingress may have weakened roofs and walls, please stay vigilant, particularly around the entrances/exits to the mines were ingress is likely to be more significant.

Report of some movement in Wrysgan

I’ve just had this report from Lledr house: 

I’d also like to report a fresh rock fall in Wrysgan.  This is on the approved route.  After ascending from level 1 to Level 2, you turn right through the first tunnel.  As you enter the next chamber, you walk over the debris. 
 
There has also been a rock slide onto the path that descends from the cutting shed area down to the level 1 entrance.  The surrounding slopes generally need to be kept an eye on.

Worth keeping an eye on