A new event has been added to the Events page.

Event name: Moel Fferna Trip May 2010

Date & time: 02/05/2010 at 10:00

Details: It's already been over a year since AN last visited Moel Fferna, and if you're familiar with this impressive slate mine you'll know that's far too long!

Moel Fferna is situated to the west of Llangollen and was worked on seven levels. It is notable for the relatively flat vein and the long chambers which span many levels.

The mine also shows some influence of coal mining techniques, with the presence of a 'cog' roof support, believed unique in the slate industry.

Note: SRT is required for this trip as it involves a descent into a shaft and an ascent out.

We will rig this with electron ladders and everybody will be lifelined, but you will need a harness and it would be best to bring ascenders and descender.

Event added by: simonrl

Full event: http://www.aditnow.co.uk/events/?uid=70 

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A space has come up on the Moel Fferna trip in 2 weeks if anybody wants to bag it?

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Just a quick bump for this trip.

Firstly, a space has come up on it, one person has had to drop out.

I think a couple of people from last weekend's North Henblas trip also said they were interested - please feel free to come along :)

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Meeting up point

Meeting at 10am Sunday morning, in the pub car park http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=52.97516&lon=-3.274061&z=15.5&r=0&src=msl  at Glyndyfrdwy.

It's on the left hand side of the road travelling in the Corwen to Llangollen direction and is a couple of hundred yards from the turning up to the mine.

From there we'll go up part way to the mine in as few cars as we can fit in and then it's a bit of a walk from the end of the driveable road.

Equipment needed

(This for anybody on the trip who haven't done much underground, the rest of you don't need telling ;)) helmet, cap lamp, torch & backup, suitable clothing (including gloves - slate is very sharp), wellies (preferable) or boots. Food and drink.

SRT equipment

The entrance will be rigged with an electron ladder, but there will be a rope as well. Bring full SRT kit if you want to use the rope, harness and cowstails as a minimum if you prefer to use the ladder (it will be life-lined). Last time there was a mix of people using the ladder for both, or down on the rope and up on the ladder - takes your pick :)

If anybody hasn't used an electron ladder before (and again apologies to the regulars) you'll find it easier with wellies than with boots since boots lace loops can get snagged in the wires of the ladder.

Duration

Likely to be around 6+ hours until everyone is on the surface. We will probably split into two groups to get out, to avoid too much of a logjam and also to give a bit more time to the photographers.

If anybody is a real glutton for punishment it's been suggested nipping round the hill a bit for a look at Penarth, although please consider this completely optional.

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at mo the weather is not very good up there ,is trip still going ahead if it lashing down..

Yes, it'll just incentive for us to rig the pitch faster :)

On a more serious note, ta for the info, sounds like it'll be worth packing waterproofs!

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ok see you in morning .

See you all in the morning.

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sorry i didnt turn up ,i had last minuit crisis .if this caused problems sorry again..

Another brilliant trip with a good crowd, thanks to Simon.
It always fascinates me seing how good condition the mine is in, with not many roof falls except level 1 & 2 and the adits. Considering the slate is of poor quality and much softer than Ffestiniog slate mines which are riddled with roof falls. Would be interesting to see how good a block of slate that is underground would split. Next time perhaps... :thumbup:

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sorry i didnt turn up ,i had last minuit crisis .if this caused problems sorry again..

No worries. Sorry you couldn't make it. Didn't cause any problems, by the time we'd finished talking we realised something had probably happened to prevent you coming so headed up to the mine.

A good day was had by all I hope. Have just uploaded a few photos now.

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Great photos Simon, i particularly like the view looking up at the bridge! :thumbup:

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Forgot to add to this...

Regarding the ladders, can confirm that a 10m electron ladder just touches the bottom if rigged off one of the big sections of the tree tunk.

The steel ladder that's been put down there makes it even easier - good work chaps :thumbsup:

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