Event name: Cwmorthin Dig

Date & time: Sunday 24th February at 10am

Details: The plan is to make a start digging out the smoke flue in Cwmorthin to maintain the "emergency" access to the mine. Access is possible to both sides of the collapse, so work can be carried out from either side and there is a pile of spoil at the entrance that could be moved if the weather is clement.

As this is an 'inside' activity, it doesn't matter if the weather is poor!

It is not intended that there will be any work done to shore up the roof collapse at this stage, although that may be possible in future.

Mince pies will be provided to all attendees, providing Vanoord does not eat them before then!

Event added by: Vanoord

Full event: http://www.aditnow.co.uk/events/?uid=14 

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A quick update:

Tools - if you can bring your own, that would be helpful: picks and shovels are the order of the day.

Wheelbarrows - there are two on site already.

Scope of work - opening out the blockage in the smoke flue to improve access, clearing the collapse at the mouth of the smoke flue and (if there are enough people) clearing out some of the material which is on the floor of the lake level adit.

Any queries or questions, feel free to ask!

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I would imagine the mince pies have got a bit mouldy by now. Unless they have been in a freezer since christmas.
Will report for duty at 10 with a somewhat rusty pick and shovel. Will bring a few strong plastic bags in case they are needed.
By the way are the tyres of the wheel barrows inflated. I can bring a footpump if need be.

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By the way are the tyres of the wheel barrows inflated. I can bring a footpump if need be.

They should be ok, but best take a pump just incase! as they do go down over time.

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend on Sunday as I have managed double book myself and not wanting to let my prior commitment down.

Please remember guys, NO vehicles are to drive up to site please.

I've been looking at the FlashEarth map (Microsoft Labels) and see there's a road aptly named Cwmorthin Road that ends in a car park with several red vehicles, accessed by some ***** Terrace. Is that the meeting point??
Lat 52deg 59min 24.1sec
Long 03deg 57min 49.3sec

May I attend, please?
Where and at what time are you meeting?
I assume dress is hardhats, overalls and steel toecaps.
If the answer is yes, I'll bring some tools!

I've been looking at the FlashEarth map (Microsoft Labels) and see there's a road aptly named Cwmorthin Road that ends in a car park with several red vehicles, accessed by some ***** Terrace. Is that the meeting point??
Lat 52deg 59min 24.1sec
Long 03deg 57min 49.3sec

I think that sounds like it, the coordinates match the ones I found! For anyone who doesn't know, this is the one: http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=52.990001&lon=-3.963635&z=17.3&r=0&src=msl 

May I attend, please?
Where and at what time are you meeting?
I assume dress is hardhats, overalls and steel toecaps.
If the answer is yes, I'll bring some tools!

You'll be more than welcome! :)

If you could bring along some tools, that would be very handy - it's basically picks and shovels, although if anyone wishes to have a go at cutting up a fallen tree, a saw would be appreciated!

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One thought that occurs is that if we get a good turnout, then that's likely to mean we get through things quicker. In which case, if anyone would like to take a short wander through the workings then I'm sure we can find the time to do so?

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Great! Thank you.
Exactly where are we all meeting? I saw comments on cafe!
What kind of shovels? Square, taper or navy?
I can certainly bring a handsaw/axe/deal with a tree!
How much of a walk, with tools, is it?
I trust the wheelbarrow wheels have inner tubes and can thus be re-inflated with ease!

I've found the site, thanks to the link! Sussed. Didn't think there was such a large car parking facility up there!........
So where's the cafe and is their coffee any good?

The car park is no where near that bad, yes it has its trouble but so does every out the way car park.
Its much better than it used to be and I have not seen any trouble there in a long time.
Just make sure you don't leave anything on display and you will be fine.

I think it is only fair to point out to people intending to park at the carpark on that link given above is that cars are broken into there on a regular basis, and on at least on occasion a car was "torched"!

If that is the case where is the best place to park and then meet??

I've parked in that car park probably 25 times over the last 3 years and never had a problem! I wouldn't leave a car there overnight but during the day there are plenty of people walking past and there are often people climbing on the slabs that look down on the car park.

It's about a 10-15 minute walk up to Cwmorthin, not a dreadful strain even with a shovel and pick - we've carried the stupidly heavy Hilti drill from there up to Croesor, which is about 5 times the distance and perhaps 8 times the vertical gain, so anything is possible!

I'd considered offering to push people up the hill in a wheelbarrow, but I've reconsidered as I'll need the energy for digging! 😮

Anyway, I and SimonRL (fed and watered at Vanoord Towers beforehand, otherwise his rumbling tummy can upset people!) shall be in the car park at 10am on Sunday morning.

Anyone know what time the cafe opens? It's here by the way: http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=52.985583&lon=-3.965528&z=17.3&r=0&src=msl 

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I still reckon it would be better to postpone it until access can be got properly, either to lake level or smoke flue area.

Given the number of times this has been postponed, it's not being postponed again unless there is some act of God at the scale of direct strikes from meteors, Yankee spy satellites; or floods of biblical proportions!!

Or would it be possible to park where the smoke flue road diverges? Or is that area part of the "problem area" too. I know the main problem is near the lake because of the fishing peoples.

I doubt it, given what SimplyEx has said!

John, if you're not happpy with carting stuff up, I'd suggest that you could still come along and instead, take a look around the mine - I think you had mentioned bringing some other people along and it might be nice to introduce them to mine exploration on a day when there a few other people around so they get a trip of the mine with you and a much better look around inside, which would probably be of more interest to them anyway?

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I know for a fact that Mr Williams of Croesor the quarry and landowner is very sensitive about access to his and the angling area land mainly because of off road motorbikes as they make deep ruts in the fields. They also create ruts in the track to Cwmorthin. He is often there especialy on weekends in his silver Mercedes jeep. And I know for a fact it would be unwise to pee on his chips so to say.
A pick and shovel is not heavy, perhaps bring one or the other. Besides the walk up will aid circilation of the blood in readyness for some digging. 😉

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Cambrian Angling has expressed specific concern about vehicles being taken upto Cwmorthin. They own all the land around the lake, including the track that goes past it and up around the smoke flue area too.
FoC is in negotiations with Cambrian Angling over various things which makes the issue all the more sensetive, we have been asked to stop/limit vehicles being taken up there so thats what we have done and are asking people to abide by their wishes.
Given that we want to be able to take heavy equipment and timber up there again (hopefully in March if all goes well) to continue the timbering work in Lake Level we are trying not to rock the boat and keep everybody happy.
Keeping various farmers, quarry owners and fishing societies happy is not an easy task but is essential for the long term future of Cwmorthin.

Consequently we are asking that vehicles are only taken up there when absolutely necessary for FoC organised works. Even then it will only be veicles being used to transport timber and heavy equipment like generators etc.

Just a quick note to say a big thank you to all who attended today - we achieved a lot lot more than expected and it's made a great improvement to the smoke flue area.

I've got some pictures to upload later, but aside from now making it possible to get emergency access through the blockage in the smoke flue, the access to the adit has been hugely improved.

Having had a bath and relaxed the tired muscles, I think a wee dram is called for - and well deserved by all. Many thanks! 😉

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:thumbsup:

Agreed, many and sincere thanks to everybody who attended, it was a very succesful day and a lot of fun.

Gwyn
Hymac580c
Ladder Monkey
Ladder Monkey Jnr
SteveM
Toadstone

Plus Elwyn and his group.

My arms and hands ache so much now that it's an effort to lift a G'n'T 😉

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[tweak]I have pruned some of the posts in this topic which may include the removal of posts that were later answered. I've attempted to leave the information there and remove the discussion about this particular trip. Apologies to anyone who feels hard done by![/tweak]

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I had a very enjoyable day and judging by the photos it looks as though a lot was achieved. Enjoyed the mince pie BTW.

Got the kite up but wind was too fickle to carry camera rig. Gives me an excuse to come back when its sunny :thumbup:

Peter.

I had a very enjoyable day and judging by the photos it looks as though a lot was achieved. Enjoyed the mince pie BTW.

Got the kite up but wind was too fickle to carry camera rig. Gives me an excuse to come back when its sunny :thumbup:

Peter.

If you are popping back, do let me know - I'd be interested to see it in action!

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Thanks everyone.
Had a really nice day.
Looks great on the pictures as well...such a difference.

Stomach ok...no food poisoning...but I never did see Vanoord eat his own mince pies :glare:

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