Not to sure if this is in the right section but please move it.
WEnt down the spa mine last night and was astonished st the amount of mine that the lowering of the water level has opened up.
We walked quite a way along the railway track until we reached a partial collapse where there where some roof support from girders and planks, its obvious that people have passed this but we where reluctant as there was only 2 of us. How far does the mine go beyond this?
BTW the planks are spongy, having been underwater for so long, you can push your fingers into them!
Looking overall now I'm certain that the steep incline (the one you get to by abseiling through the little hole near the area that was rigged for training) levels off beyond the collapse and joins the mine where the divers line is. Speaking of which, why is the winder near to the current access? I would have thought that if it had been dived from this point the winder would be the other end of the mine?
Next time I go down I'm goint o take my vario (paragliding gadget ..measures altitude) to check this.
However some smart ar*e may have already worked this out.
Does anyone know of any person who worked down the spa mine as I'd be interested to listen to them.
Past the collapse you met, the tunnel travels a further good distance - I can't remember how far along the collapse is but we reckoned the tunnel was around 700m long ;)
Blimey it felt 700 mtrs to the collapse!!
Has the water level 'bottomed' out yet? I've been holding off on this one till it bottoms out.
someone please feel free to correct me.
to my memory that collapse is at about 60% distance to the 'end'.
its been a good few weeks though so I might be way out!
[quote="Suboffender" post=3441]Has the water level 'bottomed' out yet? I've been holding off on this one till it bottoms out.[/quote]
FRom the bottom of the 'normal access' to the lower level if you go to the right its dry going left (or some may say straight on) the water seems to get progressively deeper. I got to waist height then came back (probably 75 yds)cos it was freezing.
Definietly worth a look though.
I'm intrigued as to which way the water drained out. Any suggestions?
As you get to the bottom if you go left the water gets deeper and eventually reaches another decline, were all hoping that it will drain as well but is taking longer than I expected. Me and Ev had a look a month ago and are due for another look so may go again this week if he's allowed
If you decide to go I'd like to come along.
me and boydy swam it as far as we could go but it 'sumped' out. old divers line took a serious downward slope at this point and vanished into got knows what depth. my feet were nowhere near being able to touch the bottom.
[quote="frankthesurf" post=3450]I'm intrigued as to which way the water drained out. Any suggestions?[/quote]
The general consensus on other forums seems to be that the water may have drained into the Milwr tunnel through a rift that may have opened up.
The real truth however, still remains a mystery. I'd like to drop down Gareg Boeth shaft on the next club trip down to Hendre. This shaft is very close to Hendre spar mine, and I'm interested to see if the water levels have been affected in the shaft.
[quote="Suboffender" post=3459]I'd like to drop down Gareg Boeth shaft on the next club trip down to Hendre. This shaft is very close to Hendre spar mine, and I'm interested to see if the water levels have been affected in the shaft.[/quote]
good call - :-)
[quote="TimWatts" post=3461][quote="Suboffender" post=3459]I'd like to drop down Gareg Boeth shaft on the next club trip down to Hendre. This shaft is very close to Hendre spar mine, and I'm interested to see if the water levels have been affected in the shaft.[/quote]
good call - :-)[/quote]
You away this week? :( Going to drop it on Thursday.
Have spoken to Leachy and Wee Man last week and suggested to both that a return trip to Garreg Boeth was in order because of the water level however i'll probably go to Hendre for a little photography session, so will suggest this weeks trips to the Hoss as hes coming to see me in a minute or ten.