Getting there on the bus is certainly going to be more pain than pleasure 😞

I suspect we may be able to find something closer to home in a couple of months' time! :flowers:

The forecast for Saturday is not good: http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/7days.asp?zipcode=LL40  currently suggesting -2 on Saturday morning!

On the basis of this, what do people want to do:
- go ahead, bringing gloves and thermals!
- give it a miss this time and postpone until an indoor location can be found
- visit a mine instead (either with or without SRT)

If anyone is on the list of attendees, comments would be welcome as it would be handy to sort this out sooner rather than later!

Apologies for the last minute "issues", however I suspect that SRT practice in sub-zero temperatures may not be at all pleasant and if it needs to be postponed, then best to make that decision from a warm room than under a chilly bridge! 🙂

---

My own feeling is that this time of year is not ideal for this sort of thing. Considering that it will involve a lot of standing about (to say nothing of hanging about), people are unlikely to feel at their best for practising SRT or giving mutual advice and assistance.

Unless someone can suggest a nice dry and draft-free underground venue with a clear hang of around 30' and easy access to both the top and the bottom of the pitch, my inclination would be to postpone the event.

Dave

I'd rather be sheltering from the bleak midwinter underground, either learning SRT (if I can still borrow some kit) or just having a wander around.

Perhaps it might be a good idea to go on a underground trip somewhere in this weather.
To be perfectly honest I have been having a bit of a practise on the railway bridge at 'Teilia halt' as I know the farmer that lives quite well. I just used the Italian hitch on a a 13mm rope. Walking back up was a pain in the butt though.
Any sugestions or ideas??

---

Let's do something else underground then 🙂 Either with or without an element of easy SRT. Mr V? Ideas?

---

sounds good to me ! 😉 😉

---

At risk of suggesting somewhere many people have been.... yet still going for somewhere relatively central.

Cwmorthin: there a couple of very easy pitches up and down - I've not been down there in a while and there's also a couple of other parts we missed on the last visit which can include a bit of ropework, yet easy enough for absolute beginners 🙂

---

Fine by me. I have a spare harness if anyone needs one.

---

Cwmorthin sounds good - if it's possible I will need a harness.
If enjoyed then I can see a visit to the Caving Supplies website though ...

---

Cwmorthin is fine by me too. Already getting some kit together via Ebay, I have a harness, rope, carabiners & chest croll but still waiting on chest harness & hand ascender if I can borrow someone elses ::)
...Lister;~)

---

CONFIRMED LOCATION IS NOW CWMORTHIN

Location: Cwmorthin Slate Mine http://www.aditnow.co.uk/mines/Cwmorthin-Slate-Mine/ 
Meet at the car park in Tan-y-Grisiau http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=52.990054&lon=-3.963723&z=19.4&r=0&src=msa 

Time: 10.30am

Details: a look around Cwmorthin involving basic SRT and suitable for beginners. This will also include time to have a look around some of the darker corners of the mine and will not cover much of the ground previously visited on the beginners trips.

Duration: likely to be about 4 hours but this may well be extended if people are happy with basic ropework and wish to see more.

Standard equipment: helmet & cap-lamp; spare lights; wellies or boots; oversuit or similar; food and a thermos strongly advised! See this http://www.aditnow.co.uk/community/viewtopic.aspx?p=6213#msg6213  for further details and discussion.

SRT equipment: harness; descender; ascenders; cowstails advisable. The two main pitches are sloping slabs and are relatively easily dealt with, albeit you will need to have footwear with a decent grip as wet slate is slippery!

Need equipment? Not a problem - if anyone who needs anything could reply with what they're lacking, then we can try and bring additional kit along, and given the location, kit can also be shared if required.

Transport queries? If anyone has requirements, please shout, for example if you need a lift from the station or similar :)


If people could confirm their attendance or otherwise by replying, that would be much appreciated. :flowers:

davel - Confirmed
hymac580c - Confirmed (above)
Lister - Confirmed (above)
robnorthwales - Confirmed
simonrl - Confirmed
skimble - Confirmed
towim
Vanoord - Confirmed

---

Bits required

RobNW - everything (I think)
Lister - Hand ascender and chest harness*



* Just you wait 'til you see what I'm using... ::)

---

Vanoord - yes, everything required apart from normal u/g kit. Thanks

If anyone wants a lift or car share, I'm coming from St Asaph - PM me if you do, or post on here

---

davel - Confirmed
hymac580c - Confirmed (above)
Lister - Confirmed (above)
robnorthwales - Confirmed
simonrl - Confirmed
skimble - Confirmed
towim
Vanoord - Confirmed

I don't have any kit of my own, but am hoping to share davel's if there isn't a spare set available.

Will see you at 10.30. I will bring a couple of spare full harnesses from work. I have an 80 ft 13mm rope if required. I have not got a descender nor ascender, but I should be ok on a slate chamber with what I have.

---

Bits required

RobNW - everything (I think)
Lister - Hand ascender and chest harness*



* Just you wait 'til you see what I'm using... ::)

Chest harness arived today, YAY Happy to share anything.

Vanord just what are you using? Levitation device perhaps!

---

The temperature's already dropped below zero here in north Wales!

The BBC forecast suggests a chance of snow on the mountain tops, so Cwm Cwmorthin may be a lovely sight in the morning - bring a camera!

---