Wednesday 18th February
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Buckshaft Iron Ore Mine, Cinderford
Chris Castle, Nicky Dennis with Greg Jones and various RFDCC members.
I'd spent the day cycling in the Forest and Nicky had been on a commercial trip to Ogof Clogwyn so afterwards we met in a nice residential street on the outskirts of Cinderford and got changed discretely. A short walk up the hill behind the houses brought us to the entrance to the mine in a deep scowl (opencast working). The Foresters hadn't been there for about 6 years as they said after the last visit they never wanted to go there again. When we asked why they said we'd find out.
A short way inside was a gate which took considerable swearing to open, then a ladder pitch of about 7 metres. Immediately we found out what the fuss was about - it was a horror of loose rocks, HDs everywhere. Greg said you wouldn't want to be there if there was an earthquake, I said I wouldn't want to be there if someone sneezed. We had a few route finding problems which was a bit tense, but eventually we got into a hading rift which was solid on the left and loose on the right. We eventually came to a sizable chamber with a load of modern rubbish in it so I guess there is a run-in entrance somewhere. We spent some time looking for the supposed way on but couldn't find it so made our way gingerly out.
Thanks to the Foresters for letting us join another trip.
Chris