A walk in the dark

The Rhosydd slate mines above Blaenau Ffestiniog have stood abandoned since their closure in 1948, but are a popular destination for mine enthusiasts and other adventurous explorers. We had been planning a through trip for a while and the opportunity arose on the Sunday of our visit.

A pleasant walk through the hills above Blaenau leads to the mine entrance. On the way we pass plenty of reminders of the departed human presence here, including a row of barracks right outside the entrance to the mine itself.

Barracks and junk outside the mine entrance.

We waterproofed and helmeted up, switched on our headtorches and waded in. The mine entrance is via an adit, which is a straight and very gently sloping shaft cut into the hillside to allow for water to flow out. No specialist equipment or skills are required, although we were thankful for gaiters and helmets for low ceilings.
 

The first steps into the tunnel. How do you lose a boot here!?

 For the first few hundred feet the water was ankle deep and each time we looked back, the entrance appeared smaller and dimmer. To either side of the main tunnels were entrances into huge excavated chambers which are never touched by daylight. Eventually the main tunnel forked where the adit reaches the main part of the mine, and here there was more evidence of mining equipment; a set of tracks for mine carts, and various old axles and cogs.

An ancient axle looms out of the darkness

We followed the left fork. The entrance to the tunnel could now no longer be seen, and we were able to peer down into flooded lower levels. We passed by several collapsed chambers before our progress was halted at a point where the tunnel itself was completely caved in.

We retraced our steps and took the other fork instead. Not far along we reached a steeply sloping ramp which was piled with loose slate. This option looked unenticing enough without the ominous 'DANGER' daubed on the wall next to it in big yellow letters.

In case you needed it spelt out for you

 Instead we went through a narrow gap and found ourselves in the largest chamber we'd yet entered. We found ourselves on a narrow bank, next to a vast underground lake which filled most of the cavern. In the opposite wall across the lake was a doorway leading into another tunnel. However none of us fancied finding out how deep the lake was, or what might lurk in it, so we turned our backs on and headed back towards daylight and fresh air.

A boat might come in handy here!

Hint - For other would be explorers, the ramp was in fact the correct route to take to reach the exit! And according to this resource, a longer excursion is possible which includes crossing the lake in a boat! Note that more gear and skills appear to be necessary for this trip, so don't blame me when a member of your party gets themselves killed!

http://ukcaving.com/wiki/index.php/Croesor_Rhosydd_Through_Trip

Our return to the cars took us past various openings to other parts of the mine network, some horizontal and some vertical. Not a place to go blindly stumbling around in the dark. Plenty more to explore on some rainy day!