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Cwmorthin Quarry 24/06/2007

A successful trip in Cwmorthin. Finally making the descent from the previously bolted manway leading off lake level (floor 1) down into the unexplored sections of the back vein on floors C and D.

When Cwmothin was closed in 1902 the back vein slowly filled with water. This section would have remained flooded until 1937 when Lefel Ffrench was driven from Oakeley to dewater Cwmorthin and release millions of gallons of water from areas above working Oakeley chambers.

To the best of our knowledge nobody has accessed these chambers since 1902.

Thanks to Miles for the research that led to working out the link.

24/06/2007


Bridge Hanger?
Chamber 31, Floor DE Oakeley
Abandoned wheelset, Lefel Ffrench
Air receiver, Lefel Ffrench
Looking down to E floor, chamber 8 E
Bridge over Chamber 10E
Bridge over chamber 10E
Powder keg, floor C, Cwmorthin back vein
Wall holding backfill, floor D, Cwmorthin chamber 6E
Looking across Chamber 9 East, floor C
Small wooden box, Cwmorthin back vein floor C
Looking down Chamber 10E to floor E
Looking up Cwmorthin back vein chamber 10 East
Chamber 10 East, C floor Cwmorthin back vein
B floor bridge viewed from Cwmorthin chamber 7E C floor
Bucket on back vein floor C
Chamber 5E, floor C
Chamber 6E, floor C
Chamber 7E back vein, floor C
Fuzz again
Rigging
Starting the descent from lake level to C floor