A new event has been added to the Events page.

Event name: Cwmorthin for Beginners

Date & time: 11/04/2009 at 10:00

Details: The first of a series of "easy" trips that were so well received in 2008 we are running them again (with variation) in 2009.

This is intended as a relatively easy day out to Cwmorthin slate mine, for those who haven't been there before. The trip will take about 4-5 hours and will not involve ropework. You may, however, get wet!

Cwmorthin is one of Wales' largest underground slate workings and the trip will pass through areas first worked in the nineteenth century and include some of the last sections worked in the 1930s before the mine closed at the start of World War II.

The trip will pass along underground haulage inclines and pass by abandoned bridges, trucks and the Cabans where the workers gathered to eat and share stories.

This trip is open to all, but is intended or those who have either not visited Cwmorthin before or who wish to have a relatively gentle introduction to mine exploration.

Depending on the group we may take a look down the Old Vein incline to see the stone steps and the 'floating' bridges, possibly one of Cwmorthin's best sights.

There will be plenty of opportunity on the day to learn some snippets of Cwmorthin's history and why it became known as the 'slaughterhouse' by the men who worked there.

Event added by: simonrl

Full event: http://www.aditnow.co.uk/events/?uid=48 

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I think I have talked the Mrs into seeing some friends over the Easter weekend. If that is agreed, the I hope I will be able to get up (from Bournemouth) for this event.

I have been hoping to see Cwmorthin for a while now. And am not terribly fit at the monet (pints and pies) so this should be ideal.

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if i can blag a lift there may be 3 off us, all relative newbies from lancs. Marty and Miles speak so highly of this place its a must see really sooner the better.

pace

Bah - I will not be able to be in NW over the Easter weekend. Hopefully should be up the weekend before that. So near and yet so far.

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Sorry to hear that Andy, when you're around drop the usual suspects a line if you want to look at anywhere specific and want somebody to go exploring with.

pace - all 3 of you more than welcome.

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Just a gentle reminder of this upcoming trip.

Still a few spaces available for anybody who wants an introductory look at Cwmorthin.

The basic trip is all a walkaround, there is one short ladder and a manway with a knotted rope for assistance. But it can be extended as the group wishes, and could take in the floating bridges, arguably one of Cwmorthin's finest sights.

As Vanoord is keen on pointing out, a fantastic introduction to this important Victorian slate mine... although you may get wet feet 😉

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Looking forward to Sat, where do we park and meet up? I'm a rookie!!

Sorry for delay in responding Stig (and everybody else on the trip).

We'll aim to meet up at 10am at the car park just above Tanygrisiau, see a Google map here:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Tanygrisiau&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=18.514185,41.791992&ie=UTF8&ll=52.9899,-3.963404&spn=0.004592,0.010203&t=h&z=17 

Tanygrisiau is on that map, zoom out a bit and you'll see the pushpin, it is about a mile and a half from Blaenau Ffestiniog along the A496.

Drive into Tanygrisiau, then up the hill passing under the Ffestiniog railway, keep going up hill passing some more houses, then bear right and continue up to the obvious car park by the slate tips (visible on that Google map).

It is about a 15 to 20 minute walk up to the mine from the car park.

If it's anybody's first time underground here is a quick run down of the equipment you'll need:

- Helmet with lamp (reply here if you need to borrow one)
- Spare torch
- Camera if you want to take photos (tripod if you have one)
- Wellies
- Boiler suit / overalls if you have them, don't worry too much if not, just wear something reasonably warm (it isn't particularly cold underground so layers are best) that you don't mind getting mucky
- Gloves, cheap gardening style gloves are ideal (slate is sharp)
- Food and drink

I think the group is a mix of a few people who have not been underground before and some more experienced who have either not seen much of Cwmorthin or have never visited. So we'll work out an itinerary on the day once we've worked out what suits everybody best.

Will be either myself or merddinemrys or both of us showing you around.

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Bump - for anybody on the trip who didn't see yesterday's posting about meeting time and place.

See you all there.

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