Croesor - Rhosydd (25/01/26)

[Cantclimbtom]

How do you control your speed then? I haven't done it for a couple of years, but there always used to be a rope alongside the zipline to clip your long cowstail to and to keep a hand on to slow you down. Otherwise you would hit the far bank at a fair speed. Hope folk haven't been resorting to running their hand on the wire...

The first time I went on it was when zip was very new, I had a Petzl Fixe pulley (bad idea, obvious with hindsight!) which slightly damaged the pulley and was too fast but no injury to me. Next time was a tandem type pulley which was way too fast but I had some tatty old 7mm cord over the cable (trailing the pulley) I could use as a brake. Advise having something as brake especially if you've not been on it before.

Clearly not CRTT but have you seen this terrifying video. Thankfully the person wasn't badly injured but no idea how, it was amazing luck not to have been their last zip line. Have a brake people!!!

 

[PaulW]

bad use of zipline, if you look there is a shackle on the cable as they wanted to stop there to base jump.

full video

 

[Occasional Borderer]

How do you control your speed then? I haven't done it for a couple of years, but there always used to be a rope alongside the zipline to clip your long cowstail to and to keep a hand on to slow you down. Otherwise you would hit the far bank at a fair speed. Hope folk haven't been resorting to running their hand on the wire...

Was basically flat when I did it, took effort to even move a pulley along the wire, pull along with hands and feet

 

[ChrisJC]

How do you control your speed then? I haven't done it for a couple of years, but there always used to be a rope alongside the zipline to clip your long cowstail to and to keep a hand on to slow you down. Otherwise you would hit the far bank at a fair speed. Hope folk haven't been resorting to running their hand on the wire...

With difficulty. I have seen plenty of folk crash into the wall at the end of the zipline, miraculously not damaging themselves too badly.

Chris.

 

[paul]

The Royal Marines used to do it differently:

 

[Chris Curry]

Was basically flat when I did it, took effort to even move a pulley along the wire, pull along with hands and feet

Hm, it must have been re-rigged then unless you're thinking about one of the other ziplines in there.. this was one of our group arriving in style back in 2021

 

[wellyjen]

Hm, it must have been re-rigged then unless you're thinking about one of the other ziplines in there.. this was one of our group arriving in style back in 2021

One on our trip in 2023 had a similar impactful arrival. Not helped by taking a leap off the takeoff!

 

[ChrisJC]

Hm, it must have been re-rigged then unless you're thinking about one of the other ziplines in there.. this was one of our group arriving in style back in 2021

Yes, that is exactly how I remember it.

Chris.

 

[Brains]

iOne on our trip in 2023 had a similar impactful arrival. Not helped by taking a leap off the takeoff!

Had a similar experience with Darren and co years previously, I had to stand in as a crash mat! My first crossing was on a petzl fixed, quite slow as it was being destroyed Also heard of people using steel crabs without a pully and having to walk/ rock across...

 

[cavemanmike]

I’ve been doing Crtt when you had to take your own inflatable in and since the zip line was installed there has always been a rope safety line in place

 

[Occasional Borderer]

Hm, it must have been re-rigged then unless you're thinking about one of the other ziplines in there.. this was one of our group arriving in style back in 2021

Looks to be the same?, but descent was pretty controlled to the midpoint since we didn't trust the wire and I had a "haul me back in" rope since there was no in-situ safety.
Probably due to that

 

[cavemanmike]

Looks to be the same?, but descent was pretty controlled to the midpoint since we didn't trust the wire and I had a "haul me back in" rope since there was no in-situ safety.
Probably due to that

Irresponsible use of a zip line if you ask me. Not controlling your speed. What do you expect

 

[langcliffe]

Irresponsible use of a zip line if you ask me. Not controlling your speed. What do you expect

More likely a lack of knowledge on how to negotiate the obstacle correctly, which was my excuse the first time I went down it.

 

[Occasional Borderer]

Irresponsible use of a zip line if you ask me. Not controlling your speed. What do you expect

Surely that would be controlling speed too much

 

[mikem]

From aditnow FB page:
CRTT (Croesor-Rhosydd Through Trip) update 10th Feb 2026.
The zip-line over the first lake has been replaced and the classic trip is open as usual.
The initial 2 abseil ropes were in reasonably good condition earlier in January. Although I have not inspected the rest of the equipment in the classic route, I am aware that the 'Ladder Bridge' (immediately after the zip-line) is in need of attention due to main cable ware and tear. The anchors also require upgrading at some point.
The boat crossing in the Chamber of Horrors also needs some form of updating due to the continued problems it has caused for the unwary and unprepared. This has been a problem for ever, as the fun part is the difficulty, but this is also what results in issues. It is a dilemma of leaving it fun and exciting but keeping the risk or finding ways to make it less risky, but remove part of the adventure.
Unfortunately, if too many people require rescue or someone gets seriously hurt (or worse), the land owner will have no choice but to close off access permanently.
It is an ongoing problem.

I want to remind anyone attempting this trip to check all equipment before deciding to use it. If in doubt, do not use it. You are fully responsible for yourselves in choosing to undertake the trip or enter the mines.

The High Level Extreme Route is currently closed while the existing cables and equipment are being assessed following the failure of the zip-line cable a few weeks ago being all of the same age. Although the first 3 cables appear to be in reasonably good condition, the last 2 cables are suffering with a degree of corrosion and will need replacing before any consideration can be given to reopening this route. All of the cables require replacement regardless, ideally with Stainless Steel Cable for longevity. One issue is funding for this work as SS cables will be expensive.

I am looking at the option of a GoFundMe page to help towards funding for the ongoing maintenance and will advise on that progress in due course
.

 

[speedycaver]

Ah, thank you 'mikem' for posting this here.
To verify, the zip-wire has ALWAYS had a safety rope along side. If someone hasn't got the sense to hold on to it as a break, then it is amazing they got this far in life! They are the reason we have to put so much effort in to making things as safe and simple as possible.

My suggestion for the zip is to try it first,.. with caution, to gauge the speed of your pulley. Then cross back over the double cable crossing and have another go with a bit more feel for the correct speed. NO-ONE needs to throw them selves off the top, it is already at the best angle to get you all the way across at a fun speed!

The intention is to eventually replace the existing, newly relaced Galvanised Cable with a Stainless Steel cable. As the new cable has just gone in and the previous one lasted 5 years of heavy use, we know we have a few years before we need to worry, but it will be replaced ASAP anyhow. The associated safety rope also needs replacing soon for security as it is ageing.

Each cable in the High Level Route has TWO independent safety ropes running along side the cables. Although the plan is to replace all five cables with Stainless Steel, all of the ropes, connections and anchors appears to be in fine condition. I am looking at prices and the logistics of sourcing new SS cables.

Due to the cost of Stainless Steel cable I have started a GoFundMe page to try and raise some money towards the maintenance work on both the Classic route as well as the High Level route, both of which see an enormous and increasing amount of traffic nowadays. It is either that or a consideration into removing the High Level route completely due to maintenance costs and liability, which I really don't want to have to do.

Below is a link to the GoFundMe page:

Donate to Maintenance of CRTT fixed equipment., organized by Tony Pritchard

The CRTT (Croesor -Rhosydd Through Trip) as been a popular adventure for cavers an… Tony Pritchard needs your support for Maintenance of CRTT fixed equipment.

gofund.me

Here is a QR code too:

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Below is a link to the GoFundMe page:

Donate to Maintenance of CRTT fixed equipment., organized by Tony Pritchard

The CRTT (Croesor -Rhosydd Through Trip) as been a popular adventure for cavers an… Tony Pritchard needs your support for Maintenance of CRTT fixed equipment.

gofund.me

Here is a QR code too:

View attachment 25219

You might want to copy/paste your excellent update here?

 

[speedycaver]

As of 24th Feb 2026

The last two cables for the high level route have been replaced. I have reopened the H/L route with the plan of returning in April (as I am in USA all March) to replace the remaining 3 cables, all of which are still in perfect working order, just require replacement for ongoing serviceability.

Once the cables are done, the next project will be re-rigging the ladder bridge entirely, which will be interesting