United Cavers Exploration Team

Location
SH 742 463

Directions
Go through Penmachno to Cwm Penmachno (which is a giant mountainous horseshoe) and as you arrive in Cwm Penmachno you will see a whole lot of spoil (halfway up the mountainside) with a layby at the bottom. Park in this layby.

Walk up the obvious footpath (marked as a public footpath) keeping the stream to your left, through a gate at the top (right at the top!) and through a short stretch of woodland.

The entrance is a very obvious giant gate within a quarry just through the woodland.

The exit adit (or drainage adit) is on the otherside of the same woodland halfway back down the hill and is also gated.

Access
Gated. Permission required from Dena Proctor 01766 510200. It is understood that green card BCA insurance is required.

Suggested Equipment
None

Length
Total length of passages and chambers is thought to be around 1.5 miles to 2 miles

Flood risk
Not known

Mine Attributes
Slate

Description
An interesting slate mine with several levels and the usual array of slate chambers but although on a smaller scale than it’s illustrious neighbours (Llechwedd, Cwmorthin etc.)

Central to the interior of the mine is a rough incline carrying water. Access to the various levels proves easiest using this waterway as a focus point.

A number of the chambers have some remaining artefacts left and are interesting to see although virtually none of the machinery now survives even in ruin.

The lowest level (drainage level) appears to be significant longer in terms of passages than the upper levels. This level is also home to several deep chambers sumped with water as well as some passages cut through limestone that have benefited from significant mineral intrusion producing some rather fine decorations.

Digs
None Known

Links
http://www.mine-explorer.co.uk/mines/Rhiw-bach_531/Rhiw-bach.asp

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/photo/Rhiw-Bach-Slate-Mine-User-Album-Image-006/

http://www.mineinfo.co.uk/view_picture_from_member.asp?id=2145

http://www.walkersonwales.fsnet.co.uk/Rhiw%20Bach%20Mine.htm

(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3413.jpg&hash=8c608d94e51d2373b54f557c0aa5869de2d3121e) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=848&u=13401959)

One of the "lakes"



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3414.jpg&hash=d4d74854c47ebfc8617b312535f92ddb69c9bd5f) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=849&u=13401959)

A typical passage being smaller than the norm




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3515.jpg&hash=0810322cc76aeb6aaec0df1be6b60e8eb9ba99c1) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=850&u=13401959)

Passing by a flooded chamber




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3516.jpg&hash=f3560d96410b0af28c06c5ca813741964e28efe7) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=851&u=13401959)

A strange array of drill holes



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3517.jpg&hash=0095d567d131967bc11f7a23ca92a1149fc29c41) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=852&u=13401959)

Some tools



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3518.jpg&hash=ac185be31e0583ac5b5d4168ae54b82c1ab1ca49) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=853&u=13401959)

The remains of the railway line after it was zapped by the Daleks




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3519.jpg&hash=8736f345b36c400ba7fcca2dea1c59d0e76d6399) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=854&u=13401959)

The water in the central incline




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3520.jpg&hash=fd232f11607b8d4aabdefbde67b12eca14e7584a) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=855&u=13401959)

Passing between two chambers on the lower level




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3521.jpg&hash=696e5cbc8f62e91dbf297b449c048415b5d74d67) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=856&u=13401959)

The drainage adit



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3522.jpg&hash=65c71abd7f50a016937ddcc7b2cc71c80e7e8913) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=857&u=13401959)

Passing by another flooded chamber




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3523.jpg&hash=6fcbf41dde84a3578131551c1163d0b06224e15c) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=858&u=13401959)

The mineral intrusion begins ....



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3524.jpg&hash=5f21466e1492bce9df1f51df7201b5d518f795d5) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=859&u=13401959)



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3525.jpg&hash=8cd12dfc2f9365531309293771d5c0c62d2cc7e7) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=860&u=13401959)



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3526.jpg&hash=e6d4ccf12ec1a3a00d2c7ccd0537fbc30332fcf2) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=861&u=13401959)



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3527.jpg&hash=b82305ebc072c20c2ee8b57669a979fdd1c51dac) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=862&u=13401959)



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3528.jpg&hash=5bdb0c1891f7f32e44c4d98a31892c540ec81d16) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=863&u=13401959)



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3529.jpg&hash=9de0256f420164b8849dc9e60f508aaeb978d066) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=864&u=13401959)



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3530.jpg&hash=b642323be5f0cd83007018a2fdadb67f60c99196) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=865&u=13401959)



(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3531.jpg&hash=2940becff5a43fd1c4fb450b4cea7071d79d6588) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=866&u=13401959)

More tools in a chamber in the main level




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3617.jpg&hash=57a0db52ef8b6fb3c63cec894cc91958b013d52a) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=867&u=13401959)

A mining cart left in the drainage adit




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim3618.jpg&hash=c08001af5599d94c4ec019e7bc4a08fe52359ce6) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=868&u=13401959)

The exit

(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim4810.jpg&hash=d28f9d63bb61ad8d2454b4b06916f78d46be853f) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=869&u=13401959)

The main entrance




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim4811.jpg&hash=d3910d5646f63c9668a40de297cd32425b012d9d) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=870&u=13401959)

The top of the water incline running central to the mine




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim4812.jpg&hash=6b088079989ffc552efd92b86c1753c4ac066c09) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=871&u=13401959)

Lines left in on the uppermost level




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim4813.jpg&hash=59bd6e75b0982ccda50783699f33b80991c3471a) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=872&u=13401959)

One of the flooded chambers




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim4814.jpg&hash=0a24d1d48ea32dd3c20eb78515fb62fb4ad02771) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=873&u=13401959)

A ladder left behind by the old man




(https://test.anduin.org.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.servimg.com%2Fu%2Ff60%2F13%2F40%2F19%2F59%2Fhpim4815.jpg&hash=70b85b01c2dc2fe36150ab13f3bbd8b2a39e7fb9) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=874&u=13401959)

One of the few piccies of the mine that actually came out which was took with zero patience or competence