United Cavers Exploration Team

Cave and Mine Exploring => Trips and Events => Topic started by: Ian A on Jun 12, 2018, 05:57 PM

Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Ian A on Jun 12, 2018, 05:57 PM
UCET Trip Advisor

Hi Folks,

There is a Sunday trip this coming weekend;

Location : Cae Coch Sulphur Mine
Meet Place : Fairy Falls Pub Car Park â€" Trefriw (LL27 0JH)
Meet Date : Sunday 17th June
Meet Time : 10:30am
Requirements : Wellies, overalls, helmet, lamp.

Notes : As well as being a sulphur mine, fool’s gold was mined here (900 tons) for use in the war to make tanks (they painted them dull green/grey before you get any odd ideas!).

There are two parts to the mine (upper and lower). The upper has no water (some puddles) and is very photogenic with a great number of pretty formations. The lower has the fabled red water and is a fantastic sight to behold. The transparent deep red colour turns milky red as you walk through it disturbing the sediment on the floor.

Water is thigh deep at the lower entrance but quickly drops to wellie depth.

The water is acidic (sulphuric acid oddly enough) but it is very weak. You may sense a minor tingling sensation. After exploring the mine you should take a shower (preferably when you get home) and throw your oversuit and clothes into the wash (so the weak acid does not rot them).

It’s been a while since I have been to this mine so the first challenge will be finding it!

 ;)

Ian
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Ian A on Jun 12, 2018, 06:01 PM
Cae Coch Sulphur Mine ....









Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: mike leahy on Jun 12, 2018, 06:22 PM
i'm a possible . depends on my efin builder
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Doug Thompson on Jun 12, 2018, 07:32 PM
[quote="mike leahy" post=33607]i'm a possible . depends on my efin builder[/quote]

Why would you want to build an Efin.
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Gregory Collins on Jun 13, 2018, 06:49 AM
Won't be able to make it, already have plans for this weekend.
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Andrew Farrow on Jun 13, 2018, 10:17 AM
i is already committed to a training event - so cannot attend

however - i has GPS locations - on my home comp

i can post laters [ if you want to take the fun out of the approach hike navigatyyion ]

oh and the stopes north of the main level entrance were chock full of bats last visit we mmade
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: adrian morris on Jun 13, 2018, 10:43 AM
Mike

I think I heard of a builder called Murph works in this area - has some spare cement going !!!!!!
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Richard Timms on Jun 13, 2018, 11:48 AM
Not definite yet but might turn up :cheer:
Went there a bit over a year ago and unless I was in completely the wrong place the lower adit was blocked by a land slip.
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Ian A on Jun 13, 2018, 02:23 PM
[quote="Andrew Farrow" post=33620]
 i has GPS locations - on my home comp

i can post laters [ if you want to take the fun out of the approach hike navigatyyion ][/quote]

No fanks!  It will be fun to try to find it. Although ….. if memory serves, taking the designation public footpath at the top (which literally goes through a garden) I think you just follow it down and you come to the mine?



[quote="Andrew Farrow" post=33620]
oh and the stopes north of the main level entrance were chock full of bats last visit we mmade[/quote]

We are out of the bat season … they shouldn’t be there ;)



[quote="Richard" post=33623] Went there a bit over a year ago and unless I was in completely the wrong place the lower adit was blocked by a land slip.[/quote]

That would be a serious arse. There are numerous adits scattered around and I hope it was one of them. The “proper” lower entrance has water running out â€" over a flat bit of ground (about 6 metres) then it hoofs over a large cliff. It’s a pretty spot to be looking out over the Conway valley.



Ian
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Richard Timms on Jun 13, 2018, 04:05 PM
Sounds like the one, plenty of red water still coming out.
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Ian A on Jun 13, 2018, 04:26 PM
[quote="Richard" post=33627]Sounds like the one, plenty of red water still coming out.[/quote]

Well .... can we get in?

 :S

Ian
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: adrian morris on Jun 14, 2018, 08:10 AM
If its still on I can make Sunday
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Ian A on Jun 14, 2018, 08:12 AM
We are defo still on .....   B)
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: adrian morris on Jun 14, 2018, 08:14 AM
okay, I am not out tonight so if you can keep the forum posted with trip details, would appreciate it.

thanks
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: ilt on Jun 14, 2018, 11:54 AM
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Richard Timms on Jun 16, 2018, 09:38 PM
Sod it!
See you in the morning  :)
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: mike leahy on Jun 16, 2018, 09:42 PM
Good lad rich see you in the morning
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Ian A on Jun 17, 2018, 04:22 PM
Disappointing that the lower level is now inaccessible (well, you can get at it from the level above but the adit is sumped at the exit so gawd knows what gas there will be in there ....)

A few "old" piccies ....


underwater flash bulb going off in the passage (lower level). This has NOT been photoshopped.



Selenite



Prettie ....



Copper .... ?
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Ian A on Jun 17, 2018, 04:28 PM
Blood droplets (ceiling)




Pre-collapsed entrance




Pre-collapse view



Martian pool (upstairs)
Title: Sunday Trip (Cae Coch Sulphur Mine) 17th June 2018
Post by: Ian A on Jun 17, 2018, 04:31 PM
The Pipe Organ (circa 2011)