Hi All
We are due in Snowdonia next week, looking to do some good walks and venture into a few levels to explore?
Am an experienced and seasoned underground explorer after 27 years caving and mining but had a break for some years doing other outdoor activities and work.
Now looking to re-explore old ground and introduce the missus who does caving and SRT etc.
Ideally some good walks to start with, carrying a rucsack with wellies and helmets/lamps in to start with.
Nip in a few levels and explore to get her used to the enviroment and see a few good things without getting lost.
Experienced in underground mines, recognising bad roofs/walls, false floors etc..
Know access has changed alot in recent years in snowdonia and wales?
Any thoughts on a few good walks, see good surface features, ruins and nice passages/inclines to explore?
Thought of..
Cwmorthin? used to visit alot many years ago.
remember access via large incline back then with winch cabin at the top, plus level near lots of ruins and workshops?
Believe it is it gated and locked now?
Dinorwic?
Idea`s greatly appreciated to settle back into some good but safe welsh slate exploration.
Thanks all
Andy

Cwmorthin? used to visit alot many years ago.
remember access via large incline back then with winch cabin at the top,..

Was that winch cabin raised over the rail lines with a row of windows looking down the incline by any chance?

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Cwmorthin? used to visit alot many years ago.
remember access via large incline back then with winch cabin at the top,..

Was that winch cabin raised over the rail lines with a row of windows looking down the incline by any chance?

Yes, but know i bet i got it wrong? 😞 i bet it wasn`t cwmorthin? and it was a different mine?;(
Back then we visited Gloddfa Ganol when it as a show mine and used to see the people touring through it before it shut, whilst hiding at the back of the chambers then visited again just before they blew it all up?
Mc Alpines wasn`t it? untopping all the caverns and pillars, remember visiting one weekend and looking down from outside into the mine with the roof blown in?
The cabin over the incline had lots of artifacts, books, paperwork, tags , everything then! like they just clocked off.
Must be 15 years ago now!
Plus workshops on the surface all complete and full of machines, tools etc? was great!
Can`t remember every location and name now?
Definately enjoyed Wrysgan mine, going in at the top and pull through abseiling all the way down and out the bottom just after they installed the steel cables?
Be good to do that again if its still possible?:tongue:
Andy

Cwmorthin has to be the best.gate code available via email.visit go-below website for the email address.enjoy

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Cwmorthin? used to visit alot many years ago.
remember access via large incline back then with winch cabin at the top,..

Was that winch cabin raised over the rail lines with a row of windows looking down the incline by any chance?

Yes, but know i bet i got it wrong? 😞 i bet it wasn`t cwmorthin? and it was a different mine?;(

It was indeed. Now off limits unfortunately.
But as Jona says, Cwmorthin's the best place to reboot your interest. There's certainly enough there to fill a couple of day's at least.

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Cwmorthin? used to visit alot many years ago.
remember access via large incline back then with winch cabin at the top,..

Was that winch cabin raised over the rail lines with a row of windows looking down the incline by any chance?

Yes, but know i bet i got it wrong? 😞 i bet it wasn`t cwmorthin? and it was a different mine?;(

It was indeed. Now off limits unfortunately.
But as Jona says, Cwmorthin's the best place to reboot your interest. There's certainly enough there to fill a couple of day's at least.

Is that Health and Safety these days? they stopped all access?
How come they give you the access code?
You have to give them insurance details, BCRA etc and prove anything before being allowed in? clubs etc?
Are you chapperoned? :lol:
Crikeys, everything was so untouched and open back then?
Sign of the times eh? shame!

Cwmorthin has to be the best.gate code available via email.visit go-below website for the email address.enjoy

Thanks.
You need to prove anythimng to get access?
Insurance, club membership etc?
remember the place well after looking through the pics on this forum!

Cwmorthin - no, you don't need to prove anything. Miles at Go-Below holds the lease as he uses the mine for his business. All he needs to know is who you are and that you are a genuine explorer. There have been quite a few instances of vandalism in recent months that has appalled most on here so we just like to know who you are before giving out the code.

http://cwmorthin.welsh-mines.org.uk/  - there's the map to download and 'I think' you can read the posts on the Forum (but can't reply without joining) so can find out about suspect areas to keep clear of and what's going on in there - quite a lot recently...

Enjoy!

Clive

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Welcome to the site Andy :)

Many options...

Cwmorthin is excellent, yes, get in contact witn Go Below on (01690) 710108 for the gate code. You won't have to prove anythimg to get the code.

There are however a lot of other slate mines in the area, although most will involve more of a walk.

Wrysgan - top to bottom abseil should be possible still, not been for a while, but it is not gated

Conglog - small but worth a visit, nice walk up past Llyn Cwmorthin

Rhosydd - some nice industrial remains to be seen (inclines, sheaves) and some good exploring if you look hard...

Croesor - worth a look, but you won't see a lot without SRT

Fron Boeth and Pant Mawr (and Pant Mawr tunnel), lots of short levels with some chambering on the lowest floor

Rhiwbach tramway takimg in workings alomg the route (Rhiwbach itself gated)

A few to be going on with :thumbsup:

And definitely Dinorwic. Little underground save a few short levels but probabky the best combination of walk / scenery / slate history. Apparently you're not allowed off the main footpath, but, whatever ;)

Your incline sounds a lot like Maenofferen.

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One or two useful docs on Cwm available on here too:

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/document/?ref=Cwmorthin-Slate-Mine&from=mine&name=Cwmorthin+Slate+Mine 

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Welcome to the site Andy :)

Many options...

Cwmorthin is excellent, yes, get in contact witn Go Below on (01690) 710108 for the gate code. You won't have to prove anythimg to get the code.

There are however a lot of other slate mines in the area, although most will involve more of a walk.

Wrysgan - top to bottom abseil should be possible still, not been for a while, but it is not gated

Conglog - small but worth a visit, nice walk up past Llyn Cwmorthin

Rhosydd - some nice industrial remains to be seen (inclines, sheaves) and some good exploring if you look hard...

Croesor - worth a look, but you won't see a lot without SRT

Fron Boeth and Pant Mawr (and Pant Mawr tunnel), lots of short levels with some chambering on the lowest floor

Rhiwbach tramway takimg in workings alomg the route (Rhiwbach itself gated)

A few to be going on with :thumbsup:

And definitely Dinorwic. Little underground save a few short levels but probabky the best combination of walk / scenery / slate history. Apparently you're not allowed off the main footpath, but, whatever ;)

Your incline sounds a lot like Maenofferen.

Great Info thanks!:thumbsup:
Maenofferen is the one! is it still accessable?
Doing lots of googling to remember locations, maps and jog the memory.
Will compile a list of good trips. maps and walks and see what the weather throws at us?:o

]Maenofferen is the one! is it still accessable?

No, Access is not permitted by the owners due to blasting at the Quarry above.

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