North Wales Mines Weekend. Anglesey. 13-14 May

Team: Bill Buxton, Graham Christian, Brian Clipstone, Howard Dare, Peter Dennis, Kevin Diffey, Andy Dobson, Dave Dobson, Spencer Drew, Andy Freem, Antonia Freem, Mark Hampson, Barbara Lane, Fred Levett, Malcolm Lloyd, Harvey Lomas, Dave Mullin, Angie Peacock, Allan Richardson, Claire Vivian.

First of all, thanks to Allan for organising this! We stayed at the Anglesey Outdoor Centre, the weather was amazing and it was Brian's 70th birthday. All this provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with mine exploration and good company. 

Anglesey Outdoor Centre

Saturday we all arrived bright and early at the Parys Mountain carpark. Three members of the Parys Underground Group (PUG) had kindly agreed to take us all in to the mine - no mean feat with almost 20 people wating to go underground! We divided in to 3 groups, one group would do Parys-Mona, the second would do Mona-Parys and the third would explore the upper levels of Parys. I did the Mona to Parys trip and it was a goond one. This was a pretty active trip with a couple of ladders, hand-lined climbs, crawls and wading through water. And plenty to see in the form of Copper Sulphate crystals, snotites, snotite curtains and Bronze Age workings.


The team muster at the entrance to Parys mine

For modern day Parys Mountain, it all began on 2^nd March 1768 when a large vein of copper ore was discovered there. Copper was mined at Parys Mountain and then taken down to Amlwch Port where it was processed further before being shipped to Swansea and also around the world. Indeed, the mine later developed into one of the largest copper mines in the world, the largest, some might argue. Apparently, so influential was Amlwch and Anglesey copper that the British navy under Lord Nelson used the metal for sheathing its ships and for use in manufacturing cannons. Incredibly, it seems as far back as 4,000 years ago, during the Bronze Age, local people had discovered traces of copper here and on the trip we were shown evidence of Bronze Age workings (dug out using pebbles).

The through-trip was mainly dry, but there were some sections of water that were waist deep and the connection itself, which was the drainage level between Mona and Parys mines, was constricted and the water was slightly higher here. I was bending at the waist to walk through the passage and the water was a couple of inches below my face. We were told that the water level varied here and at times it was necessary to remove your helmet as there would be only a few inches of air space. The water in the mine was also incredibly acidic (pH of 2 in places; tap water would be around 7) and there were regular wash stations to clean eyes if any happened to splash in your face. I know this doesn't sound good, but it didn't cause us any problems in there. 

Above ground is a surreal, alien, landscape with red, yellow and brown hues of ochre. When the light catches it, it is radiant and almost pretty really.

The Great Opencast

Angie crawling through some workings

Fred wading through the lower levels

Bill, Howard, Malcolm and Harvey near a very acidic pool (Photo: Barbara Lane)

Interesting formations. (Photo: Barbara Lane)

Copper Sulphate crystals

Some of the team in Parys Mountain (Photo: Barbara Lane)

Spencer on the summit of Parys Mountain

Trip time: 4 hours.

The afternoon saw us head off to the coast for some exploration. Several of us went to South Stack to look at the lighthouse. It was then time to help Brian celebrate his birthday! How many people can see they had their birthday meal in a yurt with 20 of their friends!

Angie and Claire near South Stack lighthouse (photo: Barbara Lane)

Happy Birthday Brian! (Photo: Angie Peacock)

Sunday
Road trip to Llandudno and the Great Orme! The morning saw us head in to Ty Gwyn mine, which was right on the seafront. We had some very strange looks from people as we were standing there in caving kit and then disappeared down a manhole in the middle of the promenade! Members of the Great Orme Exploration Society were generous with their time and helped us out by leading trips, or providing advice and a survey. This was a nice short trip, around 1 1/2 hours. Plenty of artifacts to look at and mud to stomp about in.

Getting ready to enter the mine.

Ty Gwyn was first opened in 1835 and during its working life produced over £100,000 worth of copper. It finally closed in 1853 after many years of continuous flooding. Copper still lies below sea level there and is perhaps awating a future mining enterprise.

Cleaning up in the sea after Ty Gwyn (Photo: Angie Peacock)

Following this trip, the groups split in two. Some of us headed home and others went on to visit the Roman Shaft on top of the Great Orme and enjoy ice cream in the sun.

Getting ready to go! (Photo: Angie Peacock)

Angie getting comfortable before the abseil.

Fred on his way underground.

Thanks to members of the Parys Underground Group and the Great Orme Exploration Society for giving up their time and arranging trips for us.

Ogof Marros update

Just a mini update to say the second choke is still going and has got decidedly muddier!

With the help of several new members to the digging team we have been pushing the second choke in three locations during many visits over the last year.  We have also found a couple of profusely decorated chambers in other parts of the cave, as light relief!

Unusual twisted formation in an area known as the China shop.

Over the Easter weekend three of the digging team had a crack at "dig 3" within choke 2. 

All very exciting stuff poking boulders in the ceiling of a confined chamber with a metal rod and then retreating at a speed that even a comic super-hero would be impressed with! 

Phil, Duncan and Antonia relieved to be back on the surface after a nerve shattering session within Ogof Marros.

Sun, Sand and Caves

My first official SWCC trip

A new member’s perspective by Barbara Lane 
Mallorca, Port de Pollensa. 4th-11th March 2017

I was very kindly invited to spend a week caving and sight-seeing in Mallorca.

The thought of spending a week living with people you hardly know can be nerve wracking. As a new member of SWCC, I only know a small number of members.  But after meeting Lel, Iain and Paul with Claire at a pre-trip evening meal, I felt a lot less apprehensive about the trip.

As everything had already been organised, all I had to do was pay up and turn up.

The week consisted of a mix of caving, walking and sightseeing and we managed to clock a lot of miles up that week. The guys did all the driving and us ladies enjoyed being chauffeured around.

*Highlights of the week*

Fabulous weather

Fabulous ice cream

Fabulous walks

Beautiful caves

A wicked curry night

Meeting a wild tortoise

An endless supply of photography material

Formentor




Sa Calobra

Getting totally lost and having to escape from a posh hotel complex

And last but not least, Great company



Iain, Claire and Paul getting ready to explore Cova des Moro




Eating in at the apartment




Paul, Allan and Malcolm near Soller

 Lel and Malcolm at Valdemossa

*Lowlights of the week*

It was only for a week!

Thanks to Claire Vivian, Lel Davies, Paul Tarrant, Allan Richardson, Iain Miller and Malcolm Craik for making my first official SWCC Caving Trip a very enjoyable and memorable week.

From Claire:
A great time was had by all of us in Mallorca! We arrived very late on Saturday night, then had a quiet Sunday looking for shops so we could stock up on food and drink and visiting the local market in Pollenca as well as going for a look around the seafront at Port de Pollenca, only a few minutes' walk from the apartments.





Paul and Barbara in Port de Pollenca

We were split in to two groups. Lel, Iain, Barbara, Paul and Claire were in a 6 bedded apartment and Allan and Malcolm stayed  just around the corner in another apartment. Monday saw us drive out to Formentor for a walk and to see some spectacular views and we then went over to Calle Saint Vincent for a walk and a brief dabble underground in a mine. The weather was fantastic and around 16-20 degrees, so we were all happy and enjoying the sunshine. On Tuesday we went for our first taste of Mallorcan caves near Manacor., around 1 hour's drive away. We visited Cova des Moro and Cova des Pirata. Both were very impressively decorated and plenty of time was spent photographing the formations and just generally admiring all the formations. Wednesday saw us head out to the region near Soller and search for some mine adits (unsuccessfully, unfortunately). We then went for a walk around Soller and had a look at the town. Next day we were to take a train from Palma to Soller and then have a tram ride out to Port de Soller.

Friday was our last full day. A group of us had intended to go caving today, but ended up visiting the Torrent de Pareis instead after getting stuck in traffic and caught behind cyclists meant we had a much later  start than we had hoped to have. Torrent de Pareis was amazing! Apparently it can take up to 6 hours to traverse the full length of this, so we didn't have enough time to do the whole thing, but the section we did was great fun. Plenty of scrambling and climbing and squeezing through rocks. An ideal replacement for a caving trip!

Paul making light work of some challenges in the Torrent de Pareis

 

Claire in the Torrent de Parreis

Valdemossa

While the others were walking up the Torrent de Pareis Lel, Malcolm and myself (Barbara) decided to take a trip to the much recommended little mountain town called Valdemossa.

Famous as Chopin’s winter retreat, this beautiful, picture postcard town more than lived up to its description. Each of the small stone houses in the (I don’t think I can call them streets, they’re far too small) little roads had plant pots placed outside. The effect was magical. As small as these roads were, it didn’t stop the cars zipping up and down them. At one point, we had to go into someone’s doorway to let one pass.

Although it has lots of shops and restaurants, it’s been described as a fine example of early Spanish culture.

The weather was beautiful and we spent a couple of hours visiting the monastery, walking around the busy streets taking photos and eating lunch alfresco in the main street. All in all, an absolutely lovely chilled out afternoon.

Travelling back, Malcolm stopped off in Soller town so that we could visit the cathedral. Although we’d gone through the town on the tram, we didn’t have time to have a good look around. Dozens of photos later, we headed back to the apartment via a supermarket, armed with San Miguels for the evening get together.

Saturday finally arrived, but fortunately our flight wasn't until early evening so we still had time to do something during the day. Allan, Malcolm, Barbara and myself (Claire) opted to visit the Caves of Drach whilst Lel, Iain and Paul opted for a walk and a nice lunch in the North of the island. The Caves of Drach were well worth a visit. The caves were well decorated and well-lit. There was even a small concert there by a floating quartet and a short boat trip. What's not to like?

Keep your eye out for the return trip! There are plenty of caves left to visit plus a trip down the Torrent de Pareis and walking in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains that need to be done!

Caves of Drach

Provisional Members do their thing

In recent weeks we have had many enquiries from people who would either like to try caving for the first time, or established cavers who would like to join SWCC. As ever, we are keen to introduce people to caving and the club and show them around the spectacular underground world that we as a club all love to explore. This is a sport that is open to all ages and abilities.

The past 6 weeks have seen us introduce 5 new club members to caving on a variety of different trips within the Ogof Ffynnon Ddu system. It is incredibly satisfying to show people around, see how they react to the cave and then watch them progress from beginners to becoming experienced cavers in their own right. The smiles say it all. Once the caving bug bites, it stays with you! 

If you would like to come and join us then please do get in touch. We are a friendly bunch and always welcome new people who are interested in discovering what caving and SWCC can offer them.

Our next organised Provisional Members'/ beginners weekends are: 3-4 June and 4-5 November. Email Claire to join in: assistant_meets_sec@swcc.org.uk    We can also arrange trips outside of those dates, so if you are interested in caving, just get in contact. 

Paul, Adrian and Steve introduce Dave to SWCC and OFD

Jenny and Jamie enjoying their first visit to OFD1

Jamie in a bedding plane

Jenny traversing high above the streamway

Getting up close and personal with a stalagmite

A few weeks later we were also joined by Glenys, Tom and Ian who were introduced to Top Entrance (OFD2) and some very pretty formations.

Ian, Tom and Glenys raring to go.

Tom at the Wedding Cake

Ian sampling a crawl

Tom in Swamp Creek

Glenys having fun learning to traverse

All of our new members then joined a number of our local members at a curry night. There were 20 cavers at the meal, so they all had plenty of chances to meet people and make more caving plans.