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
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
Formations in ByP
Damp pitch in ByP
New venue…
New venue…
Morris
Wrysgan floor 1 (no go)
Tell tail
Tell tale
Damp pitch
Corris
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
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
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