I am grossly offended by the shear bare faced cheek of whoever removed my ropes from the ladders up to the 14 fathom level in this mine.

Frongoch mine is private property and access is on private land, everything inside the mine is private property and all the ongoing maintenance and re access work is with the support of the landowner.
The ropes were left in situ for the purpose of hauling timbers and other materials up to the 14 as part of a project to push the fall blocking progress to the east.
From the report of Thomas Garland we know that there is a hugh zinc stope inbye of Engine Shaft that is cut by the 14 and extends down to deep adit. I expect substantial blockage at this area in deep adit which reinforces the futility of my early attempt at pushing deep adit. However if access to this stope can be gained at the 14 an abseil route would be possible with a further possibility of the inbye workings at deep adit being gained.

The issues raised by the theft of this tackle raises wider implications as the value of it is insignificant but the issues far greater.

Many mines in the area are the property of either individual farmers or landowners or otherwise owned or administered by Cambrian Mines Trust or me as an individual such as at Frongoch where I have taken responsibility for maintaining the mine and extending the accessibility where possible, and with the full support of the landowner.

The taking of minerals, artefacts or equipment used to maintain or extend the workings is common theft and culprits if identified will be prosecuted.

A rope has gone missing at Cwmystwyth, this is of minor importance but in view of what’s happened at Frongoch I have iterate the situation regarding ownership. All of the mines in which I have a hand are currently unlocked bar Goginan where there are tools etc as well as a potentially unsafe situation at the forehead of the ongoing dig.

It’s not difficult to see why places are kept locked.

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Following some discussion with a fellow CMT director we have decided to take this matter seriously an attempt to identify the culprits.

I would like anyone who has visited the mine and can recollect the approximate date to please PM me with details so as to try and identify the time of the theft. It may then be possible for the landowner to recollect cars seen parked around that time.

My last visit was June when the photographs were taken, so thee is a 6 month timescale to fill in. There were two climbing ropes one green and one gold, plus a white Edelrid Superstatic 11mm. The gold and white are shown in the photo below.
I might appear to be making a fuss but there is a basic principle involved.

🔗Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-94809[linkphoto]Frongoch-Mixed-Mine-User-Album-Image-94809[/linkphoto][/link]

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I might appear to be making a fuss but there is a basic principle involved.

Don't blame you one bit Roy. This is sickening. You sort access and maintain mines; and in return somebody steals kit. Wish I could help with info.

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Indeed, its sickening when anybody steals your stuff, whether underground or elsewhere. But mid-Wales? It barely gets the footfall of scrotes that you might expect in other places, would have thought that most going underground in those parts would have a genuine interest & care which makes it even worse I suppose.

That gives the slightly sickening thought that the culprits are known to members of this site...
:(

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The problem with this sort of person is that the probably don't know or care if someone is relying on the rope for a way out!

Probably worth someone cross posting this onto UK Caving for a wider circulation (I can't.) :angel:

I might appear to be making a fuss but there is a basic principle involved.

No Way Roy, find them and string them up.

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Ban from my mines, name and shame, and prosecute in that order.

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I might appear to be making a fuss but there is a basic principle involved.

No Way Roy, find them and string them up.

What he said.

But mid-Wales? It barely gets the footfall of scrotes that you might expect in other places, would have thought that most going underground in those parts would have a genuine interest & care which makes it even worse I suppose.

This mine, (and the one a few miles East) are easily accessed from Aberystwyth, I would suggest interested scrotes are quite abundant?

STUDENTS! :guns:


:angel:Only joking:surrender:

Yes, I know the area. What I meant was that the mines in mid-Wales do not probably quite thankfully receive the masses of visitors that those to the north do, many of whom aren't mine explorers.

Definately not students!
There is an Aberystwyth Caving Club which may be based at the Uny and they hold me in high regard, I have met some of them. They're OK

Its a funny thing though thinking about it, stainless hangers were left alone, with no aparent attempt being made to loosen them with a rock or whatever in absence of the correct spanner.

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Roy, you have a PM.

I have been informed that the takle is cleaned and bagged and back in the mine for me to pick up.

As far as I am concerned this closes the matter.

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Excellent news :thumbup:
Someone obviously felt guilty.

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Has it been happily resolved? Great news if it has!

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