Croesor Rhosydd

[Smithers]

Hi all,

I'm meant to be going down to north Wales this weekend to do the Croesor Rhosydd through trip.  I haven't been down there in a couple of years and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what condition the place is in?

How worn are the fixed line ropes, have they been replaced recently?  How is the pitch where you abseil into the dinghy?  Has that rope been replaced, because it was very short the last time I used it.

Also I'm looking to get an inflatable boat, does anyone know where I could get one cheap and quickly online?

Cheers,

Chris

 

[langcliffe]

I haven't been down there in a couple of years and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what condition the place is in?

I was down there towards the end of March and all the fixed ropes were in excellent condition.

 

[SamT]

Its such a popular trip these days, that I imagine everything is in place. I bet there are numerous boats floating about in the lakes. You could just pick up an inflatable whale down in Porthmadog.

 

[ChrisJC]

I work on the basis that nothing is of known providence, therefore I take everything of my own kit that is needed.

A rescue from the inner reaches would be challenging.

Chris.

 

[Smithers]

Its good to hear the ropes are in fairly good condition, last time I went down there, someone had tied bypass knots on the rope where it was quite nicely worn. 

And as for the abseil into the boat, that was pretty hairy because the rope finished about 2-3 foot from the water level, which meant that you had to semi stand in a little dinghy whilst trying to either abseil off the end of the rope or take off your descender.

But like you said ChrisJC, I think I'll be going on the assumption that non of the gear is usable and will be taking my own ropes etc.

Is that you in that picture SamT?  Did it not worry you that you might have slid off that whale in quite deep water?  Obviously I can swim in my caving gear, but its not something that I particularly enjoy, especially in very cold water.

Chris

 

[langcliffe]

A rescue from the inner reaches would be challenging.

A lot less challenging than 90% of caves.

 

[mrodoc]

Where is this place - it looks amazing!

 

[Brains]

Where is this place - it looks amazing!

http://www.mine-explorer.co.uk/mines/Rhosydd_539/Rhosydd.asp
A fun place to be...

 

[bubba]

http://ukcaving.com/wiki/index.php/Croesor_Rhosydd_Through_Trip

 

[Les W]

Where is this place - it looks amazing!

I can't believe you haven't been there Pete, it is a classic through trip, very photogenic, quite sporty and exciting but not overly difficult for cavers. Two 80' abseils, two lakes to boat across (including one where you abseil into a dingy and some quite dodgy traverses across mostly collapsed bridges. Oh, did I mention the zip wire?

Good fun. 

 

[RobinGriffiths]

These days, do people still crawl over the bendy rails and nail infested beam, or is it a Tyrolean to the side ?

Robin

 

[SamT]

No - not me in the pic - see rob eavis's photos on Flickr for more of that trip.

Our trip was videoed, see Croesor - Rhosydd

I didn't even have the luxury of a whale, just a very small inner tube. It was quite cold!! (of course - you can just use the fancy zipline for wimps now!!)

 

[Les W]

These days, do people still crawl over the bendy rails and nail infested beam, or is it a Tyrolean to the side ?

Robin

Walk over the bendy rail (one has gone) for the first half, and then tyrolean/zip wire for the second half. The nail infested beam doesn't seem to be too stable now. 

 

[blakey]

What are the access arrangements?

 

[Brains]

Unusally for Wales, just turn up and do it. Dont park like a NMBTE and walk from the car parks, driving up will upset the farmers and landowners, especially from the Cwmorthin side.

 

[ChrisJC]

I would advocate parking on the Cwmorthin side as the return walk back to the cars is much easier than if one parks on the Croesor side.

Chris.

 

[blakey]

Has anyone got grid references for the entrance and exits??

 

[Les W]

Croesor - http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=265687&y=345572&z=115&sv=265687,345572&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=707&ax=265687&ay=345572&lm=0

Croesor car park - http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=263159&y=344687&z=115&sv=263159,344687&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=707&ax=263159&ay=344687&lm=0

Rhosydd - http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=266536&y=346207&z=115&sv=266536,346207&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=707&ax=266536&ay=346207&lm=0

Rhosydd (and Cwmorthin) parking at Tanygrisiau - http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=268273&y=345457&z=115&sv=268273,345457&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=707&ax=268273&ay=345457&lm=0

 

[ChrisJC]

It is also possible to exit Rhosydd via the West Twll which is a large crater 1km due South of the arrow Les has shown. There's only really one place that a climb out is sensible, and that's on the Eastern side.

Chris.

 

[langcliffe]

It is also possible to exit Rhosydd via the West Twll which is a large crater 1km due South of the arrow Les has shown.

But not recommended. The subterranean route is considerable quicker and more straightforward than the surface route.