Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Thanks, I'll be driving from Merthyr in the morning, so that direction suits me perfectly
Daren Cilau - Through Trip - Daren to Cnwc
- Thread starter AndyP
- Start date
Stuart France
Active member
The Ogof Cnwc connection with Daren does not flood to the roof. Its 'sump' is a u-tube that is lower on the Daren side than its entrance within the scaffolded shaft. So it always drains out into the Daren side. There is no way the sump bypass can flood, unless you know better. Besides which it's been dry for ages and underground water levels are currently really low - until the storm forecast for Friday 24th that is.
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
So it'll be perfect for Saturday morning then...?
David Rose
Active member
The halfway road was just about ok - just one awkward steep bit. No terrifying steep hairpins. The swim was short but unexpected - but there was still loads of airspace. I mean, like 1.5 metres. As for the crawl, we knew we were ok because the draught was so strong.Thanks David! The knowledge that the longer way is less steep is very useful in itself during frost/snow
but which way is that? Hafod Road all the way to other end from Brynmawr/Pontygof, or via half way along Hafod Road from Llanelly?
Antler swim sounds "fun" I wasn't expecting anything deeper than chest deep water... thanks for warning that swim is possible, and that Cnwc crawl could be an ear-wetter in bad enough conditions.
Watch out for the potholes on the tram road - not the usual potholes we may be interested in but the ones likely to puncture damage tyres especiallly if wet as puddles obscure the true extent of the holes.
Interesting to hear about the Antler Swim. Was there a few weeks ago following the “big” flood and it was obvious the muddy section had seen some serious water with not a footprint to be seen….
Interesting to hear about the Antler Swim. Was there a few weeks ago following the “big” flood and it was obvious the muddy section had seen some serious water with not a footprint to be seen….
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
One last (hopefully) question if I may... The public car park on Hafod Road, obviously depends on network etc, but is it likely to have phone signal? (text message for going in and back out for call out person) Or do any "going in now" messages need to be sent before arrival. Thanks
Edit: Giffgaff/O2
Edit: Giffgaff/O2
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Thanks everyone for all the advice above. Epic trip yesterday (although I'm not in a huge rush to go back for a while).
White company, Urchins, Antlers etc were very impressive, but for me Price's Prophecy was absolutely phenomenal. Not sure why that's not mentioned in first place system with Antlers etc afterwards. Maybe too many people just want to find the exit at that point
The muddy area that was a swim recently was pretty much dry and Cnwc crawl had a few puddles but no more than that... so water levels change very quickly.
Thanks again all!
White company, Urchins, Antlers etc were very impressive, but for me Price's Prophecy was absolutely phenomenal. Not sure why that's not mentioned in first place system with Antlers etc afterwards. Maybe too many people just want to find the exit at that point
The muddy area that was a swim recently was pretty much dry and Cnwc crawl had a few puddles but no more than that... so water levels change very quickly.
Thanks again all!
Last edited by a moderator:
I'd agree that water levels seem to change quickly, both up and down, on that route.
I did the Cnwc to Daren through trip with my 12-year-old son on Saturday 4th Jan, and there was hardly any water in Antler Passage. I see that David Rose did it the next day (after all the snow melt) and had to swim through Antler Passage. I'm glad we did our trip on the Saturday now!
I did it Daren to Cnwc on 5 January. It had been raining on and off for a few days, and when we went down there was a lot of snow on the ground - we only just made it up the hill to Whitewalls, although we drove the less steep, longer way round. While we were underground it rained heavily and all the snow melted. The Daren entrance crawl was cold and wet, especially in the Calcite Squeezes, but afterwards we soon warmed up. We had to swim for about 5 metres in Antler Passage through a very slippery, mud floored phreatic bit and there was a lot of water coming down the scaffolding through the Cnwc dig. The low entrance crawl beyond was half full of water, to the point where in places we each got an ear wet. The hillside on the way back to the car was running with water everywhere. I think 30mm of rain fell that day, and on top of that there was the snowmelt. So I doubt it would ever get much wetter other than in truly extreme weather. However, while sporting, it was always perfectly passable, and all in all, a good day out. That said, if Cnwc ever does sump, it would be rather tiresome to have to retreat all the way back to Daren. We didn't bother with harnesses, just belts and cows' tails. And plenty of food.
Daren Cilau - Through Trip - Daren to Cnwc
Just after some advice on this through trip. I've been through the Daren Cilau entrance series previously ( many years ago...) but have never done the through trip. Are there any issues with water levels or flooding at this time of year and is it still possible to exit out via Cnwc without...ukcaving.com
Rhys
Moderator
I discovered this morning that the Hafod Road level tramway route from Brynmawr is closed off for repair, so I had to detour via the twisty steep lanes.
PeteHall
Moderator
Were there any signs up saying how long it is expected to be closed?
Rhys
Moderator
I didn't spot any. Somebody more local may have an idea.
BigDyl
Member
Think this might be it, may be wrong though:
publicnoticeportal.uk
Notice near NP7 | Public Notice Portal
Traffic & Roads Notice near NP7 to read, save and share
publicnoticeportal.uk
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Bloomin Eck. I thought it was for fixing the potholes (much needed) but that link said "... 10th February 2025 and 5th May 2025..." "...due to landslips..."
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Actually no... I think that notice (I mentioned above) is a different road. Trying again with the postcode of Thomas Waste Management just when you are getting onto Hafod Road, I can't see the closure notice announced?
publicnoticeportal.uk
Notices near NP234GU | Public Notice Portal
Local public notices within 5 miles of NP234GU
publicnoticeportal.uk
Sorry Rhys, I suppose I could have let people know about the Hafod road closure! We went to Aggie last Sunday, which was the last day the road was open. Then again, maybe a Chelsea member could have posted something.
The state of most of the road is very bad, with all the potholes. The bit they are repairing doesn't look much worse than it has for years but it's good they've got around to it.
alanw
Well-known member
Is this the closure?
one.network
Causeway one.network
One platform to plan, monitor, communicate and analyse traffic disruptions.
one.network
Rhys
Moderator
Is this the closure?
View attachment 21848Causeway one.network
One platform to plan, monitor, communicate and analyse traffic disruptions.
Yes. That's it.
Similar threads
