Slate was first discovered at here by two men in 1830 and after a court battle to properly determine boundary lines work began to create the first working adit in 1840.By 1852 the operation would go commercial with a five way partnership being established. The mine by now was 4 levels deep with multiple adits on different levels and horses were being used to transport the mined slate to the nearby railway.
A few years later the transportation of slate would improve with the opening of a tramway and the steepest single pitch incline in wales descending more than 750ft. The peak year for the quarry was in 1885, when 6,484 tons of finished slates were produced by the 207 men. However, profitability declined and then in 1900, a large section of the underground workings collapsed in what was known as the "Great Fall".
The quarry would later shut down in 1914 as it was deemed a 'non essential industry' and re open after the great war. After more years of struggle the pumps were finally turned off in 1948 and the equipment removed for scrap. The quarry was purchased by McAlpine in the 1990s, but quarrying was not resumed. Since then it has remained an impressive reminder of this once great industry that dominated North Wales.
Explored last year with @MotionlessMike after checking out some top side stuff on the way we arrived at Cwmorthin lake car park late afternoon to find it chaotic with most vehicles blocked in by one another, i decided to head back down and park out the way whilst Mike decided it was wise to drive his weekend rental car straight into a barrier in an attempt to park.
We then started the slog up the steep incline to the lake where we was met with pleasant views and good weather, we has a quick look round what remained top side of Rhosydd side before enter the mile long adit.
Annoyingly this adit always seems to be just over wellie depth but refusing to wear waders in a slate mine which is mostly dry i wisely opted for neoprene socks.
Having done the CTRTT a few times i thought wed head to the boat and explore/shoot on the way back but after struggling to find the way on we settled for the open chambers.
These are some of the most impressive chambers ive seen underground and climbing up out of the chambers it feels as if your in the head of a volcano with the surface being close but difficult to reach.
A cracking place that's worth getting wet feet for.
A few years later the transportation of slate would improve with the opening of a tramway and the steepest single pitch incline in wales descending more than 750ft. The peak year for the quarry was in 1885, when 6,484 tons of finished slates were produced by the 207 men. However, profitability declined and then in 1900, a large section of the underground workings collapsed in what was known as the "Great Fall".
The quarry would later shut down in 1914 as it was deemed a 'non essential industry' and re open after the great war. After more years of struggle the pumps were finally turned off in 1948 and the equipment removed for scrap. The quarry was purchased by McAlpine in the 1990s, but quarrying was not resumed. Since then it has remained an impressive reminder of this once great industry that dominated North Wales.
Explored last year with @MotionlessMike after checking out some top side stuff on the way we arrived at Cwmorthin lake car park late afternoon to find it chaotic with most vehicles blocked in by one another, i decided to head back down and park out the way whilst Mike decided it was wise to drive his weekend rental car straight into a barrier in an attempt to park.
We then started the slog up the steep incline to the lake where we was met with pleasant views and good weather, we has a quick look round what remained top side of Rhosydd side before enter the mile long adit.
Annoyingly this adit always seems to be just over wellie depth but refusing to wear waders in a slate mine which is mostly dry i wisely opted for neoprene socks.
Having done the CTRTT a few times i thought wed head to the boat and explore/shoot on the way back but after struggling to find the way on we settled for the open chambers.
These are some of the most impressive chambers ive seen underground and climbing up out of the chambers it feels as if your in the head of a volcano with the surface being close but difficult to reach.
A cracking place that's worth getting wet feet for.
biggg ol chamber
back light tingg
slippy slippy slate
3...2...1... run
moments after this shot the wind blew my tripod over sending the camera flying.
luckily survived but was the last trip the monfrotto saw.
This was a b*tch to walk on
Not looking forward to the rain ahead also pissed off with the excess on his rental car hes gunna have to fork out
like being inside a volcano with no way out.
well there did look like a few ways out each slightly more sketch than the other.
