Fantastic photograph Roy, do you have any idea how old it is?

Photograph:

🔗Llanberis-Copper-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-002[linkphoto]Llanberis-Copper-Mine-Archive-Album-Image-002[/linkphoto][/link]

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I've seen this photo before. I'm sure it's also reproduced in the "Caernarvonshire Historical Society Transactions", I'll dig it out tonight and see if it gives an date.

I'm sure you already know this but quite a good site with PDF here.

http://www.mine-explorer.co.uk/mines/Llanberis_630/Llanberis.asp 

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There's a few photos here as well:

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/album/Llanberis-Copper-Mine-08-01-2006/  http://www.aditnow.co.uk/album/Llanberis-Copper-Mine-08-01-2006/ 

Going back to Llanberis copper mine has been on the cards for a while, there is apparently a lot more to see on lower levels, but by all accounts it needs re-bolting.

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It is from the Gwynedd Archives Service and is in the late David Bicks "Old Copper Mines of Snowdonia" as well as being reproduced elsewhere.
In the 1980s Eldon Pothole Club did a complete exploration and I have the write up which I will pdf as soon as I have time. Unfortunately, it tells us very little as it is written in 'cavers' speak even to re-naming the actual mine as "Dragon 1" and "Dragon 2"! It is full af references to "avens" etc. At the end it casually mentions as almost as 'aside' childrens clog prints and artifacts etc that we 'real' explorers get off on.
As most will know, there are 2 lodes, north and south. The working in the picture are on the north lode and the adit is buried somewhere on the shore of Lynn Peris. It may however be possible to reach the lower workings by descent of the open workings higher up. A potentialy suicidal occupation.
The south lode workings are all explorable, although there is a very daunting pitch of over a hundred feet, and exit from the south lode adit is impossible due to a grill over the portal. The hacksaw brigade appear to have missed this one!
The last edition of "Old Copper Mines" did not sell very well, maybe as a result of picture of me appearing in it putting people off. So it may be posible to pick a copy up at a knockdown price somewhere, first port of call should be Mike Moore.
RF

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Doh! I've got two copies of Bick! I should have known.
I'll still dig out the transactions 'cos theres a lot of info about the history of vthe mines. I also remember seeing an old copy of Ogofa (Gwynedd Caving-Potholing Club) that had a plan and section of the south lode along with a trip report, sadly I don't have a copy.

I realised as soon as I sent the message I should have first looked in your data base. I really must stop trying to teach granny to suck eggs. 😞

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I talked to olly about this place a while ago. The acid tends to eat the bolts. There are defiantly no hangers.

The acid tends to eat the bolts.

That's a rather worrying thought! :confused:

So it's a bolt as you go, use an old rope and destroy it afterwards sort of trip then?

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I got that impression yes.

According to "The copper mines of Llanberis and Clogwyn Goch" by Peter Crew (pages 58-77 Transactions 37 1976). The photo dates to roughly 1875. It shows the Dol Ithel works, apparently the octagonal building was known as Offis Gocyn.

The two lodes seem to have different names.
In 1760 they were known as Smithy works and Bridge works (N & S respectively).
In 1873 they were known as Llanberis mine and Dol Ithel mine.

Just uploaded the EPC account, 1983. Best of luck making sense out of it.

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is this the one thats opposite (ish) electric mountain?

yes

Courtesy of the "Way back machine" (Internet archive) I found the Ogofa article on
http://web.archive.org/web/20010625074539/www.anchor.co.uk/home/rob/ 
GwyneddCavePot/Ogofa/Ogofa4/Llanberis.htm

I have just looked this, it does not tell you much. The Eldon report does more if you can translate it.
I have descended part way on the south lode but had to turn back due to lack of gear. Its a steep climb on ones own carrying all the ropes etc needed for this. The first and second pitches can be done on one rope but a fair length of about 150 feet is required. The second pitch starts immediately below the first, there is a stout timber to rebelay to. This is if memory serves me correct as its been a few years.
It seems from the account that the north lode adit was grilled probably at the same time as the south, however there is no sign of it now, burried somewhere on the shore of Llyn Peris.
I do feel that this mine would repay a determined effort. The grill on the south adit has had a nibble because nuts are missing and one of the studs has been partially hacksawed, so there is some interest somewhere.

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the grill at road level links to the adit above the car park, third level up. The main working ae entered via an open stop above Ben's bunk house to the left. These are a vertuelly verticle working with serveral adits, all but one were intentionally collapsed in the fifties. Have descended about 150 ft to large ledge. Have also explorde side tunnel that would have exited from abvious collapse of walled adit to left of stop by about 100 feet.
Despite local stories the mine does not link to the llyn peris by pass flood tunnel, i have been and had a look myself.

This has got to win the longest thread revival ever at more than nine years?

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This has got to win the longest thread revival ever at more than nine years?

Lol, yes :)

I believe CATMHS did some extensive exploration at Llanberis. Have to admit it's one I've always wanted to drop, bring on the doorstep and all.

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probably. and my keybourd is knackered so keeps spelling things like a red neck. Besides that, the mine is big enough to warrent a descent investigation.Hopefully will complete this year. There are quite a few mines around here with little or no interest shown. Aim to sort that out.