Megaman
Active member
I have had a few outings but not really had enough time to report so hopefully I will be clearing the backlog in the next few weeks
This was an arranged visit down this cavern with a qualified cave leader. The slate mines are everywhere around the Snowdonian Hills and I certainly recommend if you get the opportunity to get down there. This labyrinth was approximately 800mtrs below the peak and the network of tunnels is just astonishing (hence the need for a guide).
The history of these mines is extensive but those who are interested please follow this link:
Slate industry in Wales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Breathe taking access & egresses:
DSC_0218 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0107 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0111 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
Remnants of the original workers still surface after floods & digs:
DSC_0176 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0171 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
Old tracks, old trolleys & mechanics only contribute to the time capsule feel:
DSC_0210 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0213 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0201 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0129 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
Some of the caverns, underground lakes and environment:
DSC_0192 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
This wall was built to store waste materials in the cavern at the rear:
DSC_0183 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
The straight lines are actually holes drilled by hand. The holes would then have explosives threaded through and ignited to release large chunks of slate:
DSC_0182 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
Some water features:
DSC_0145 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0132 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0117 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
The exit is in sight:
DSC_0116 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
It was a great day, thanks for looking!
This was an arranged visit down this cavern with a qualified cave leader. The slate mines are everywhere around the Snowdonian Hills and I certainly recommend if you get the opportunity to get down there. This labyrinth was approximately 800mtrs below the peak and the network of tunnels is just astonishing (hence the need for a guide).
The history of these mines is extensive but those who are interested please follow this link:
Slate industry in Wales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Breathe taking access & egresses:
DSC_0218 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0107 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0111 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
Remnants of the original workers still surface after floods & digs:
DSC_0176 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0171 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
Old tracks, old trolleys & mechanics only contribute to the time capsule feel:
DSC_0210 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0213 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0201 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0129 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
Some of the caverns, underground lakes and environment:
DSC_0192 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
This wall was built to store waste materials in the cavern at the rear:
DSC_0183 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
The straight lines are actually holes drilled by hand. The holes would then have explosives threaded through and ignited to release large chunks of slate:
DSC_0182 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
Some water features:
DSC_0145 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0132 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
DSC_0117 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
The exit is in sight:
DSC_0116 by Kevin McAughrey, on Flickr
It was a great day, thanks for looking!