Hi there, I’m really interested in exploring some old mines in Wales but could really do with a guide. I really like the look of the Croesor to Rhossyd through trip but they all look amazing to me . I’ve got experience traditional rock climbing, alpine climbing etc, so I have rope skills, just could do with someone more experienced to show me the correct way to explore safely. Many thanks, Neil
Does anyone offer paid guided trips in abandoned mines North Wales?
- Thread starter Smurf
- Start date
Hi Pete, thanks for getting back to me. I live down in Hertfordshire so don’t really have a club local to me but I suppose I could join somewhere and join in on any trips at the weekends. Have you got any clubs in mind that do regular mine trips around North Wales? I’m not too worried about the guide running a commercial business, so I wouldn’t require insurance but was really looking for someone to take me as a ‘friend’ and compensate them for their time.
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Mike's advice is good 
Be aware that people tend to join clubs either where they live (probably not so many in Hertfordshire
), where they work (for example if you work in central London there is a club there) or... a club in the area they want to spend time in.
So for things like CRTT, underground slate quarries and all the lead/copper/etc mines in N Wales UCET are the logical choice.
Be aware that people tend to join clubs either where they live (probably not so many in Hertfordshire
), where they work (for example if you work in central London there is a club there) or... a club in the area they want to spend time in.So for things like CRTT, underground slate quarries and all the lead/copper/etc mines in N Wales UCET are the logical choice.
Brains
Well-known member
Go Below offer a variety of underground mine experiences. The guides are all independently qualified. While the offerings may be considered sanitised they can give you a good introduction, and talking to the guides or the company may lead to further opportunities and an idea of the hazards found in slate and other workings. UCET as mentioned is also a good idea
paul
Moderator
The first caving club I belonged to was St Albans Caving Club which is in Hertfordshire... Sadly now defunct with remaining members joining another club. There are London based caving clubs which may be useful for you. Check out https://british-caving.org.uk/about-bca/caving-clubs/ . There may be no caves in London and the nearby area (caves in limestone anyway) but there are cavers who will meet locally and arrange trips elsewhere in the country.
And a quick Google search for London caving clubs produces:
And a quick Google search for London caving clubs produces:
Last edited:
Stuart France
Active member
Just join UCET
Westminster, Croydon and Chelsea all have club huts in SOUTH Wales
Other possibilities:
Greater London South Caving Club
sites.google.com
newburydistrictcavingclub.blogspot.com
Although their websites may not be up to date, they all are still paying subs to BCA
Other possibilities:
Greater London South Caving Club
Slough Mountaineering Group
Welcome to the SMoG website! Slough Mountaineering Group (SMoG) is a BMC* affiliated mountaineering club and a member club of the British Caving Association#. We are a group of people who like to get outdoors as much as possible... hill walking, climbing, scrambling, mountain biking, caving and
sites.google.com
Newbury & District Caving Club Trips
newburydistrictcavingclub.blogspot.com
Last edited:
AKuhlmann
Member
If you're North Wales based and want to get into it as a hobby then joining a caving club (https://british-caving.org.uk/about-bca/caving-clubs/) is a great idea. UCET (https://www.ucet.org.uk/) are fantastic! It'd also give you a good friends network and be cheaper.
If you definitely want to go down the commercial route then you need someone with the CIC with Mines qualification by the sounds of what you're asking for. Such a person will be limited in terms of the mines they can visit because they need to have been inspected for us to work in them but there are definitely places which are cool enough that you can be taken. That's not to say you won't learn loads and gain a real insight into mines hazards, underground ropework, geology, and history - because you definitely will!
To give you a few people to look at (in no particular order):
- Mark Richards (https://www.360outdoors.co.uk/adventures/)
- Sharon Rosser (https://www.lancashire.ac.uk/academics/sharon-rosser)
- Gethin Thomas (https://www.train4underground.co.uk/)
- Pete Knight (https://undergroundspecialist.co.uk/)
I think there may be a few others but unfortunately the ACI website is currently down so I cannot check this.
My personal advice would be to do both! Find a mate or two join you for a day or two with a CIC and join a club. Happy to answer any other N Wales related Qs.
If you've not been in Cwmorthin and fancy an adventure on a tourist style trip then I'd highly recommend joining Go below (https://www.go-below.co.uk/) for the ultimate Extreme trip. Full disclosure: I do work for Go Below but hopefully you will find a lot of high praise for our trips around on this forum.
Happy exploring!
If you definitely want to go down the commercial route then you need someone with the CIC with Mines qualification by the sounds of what you're asking for. Such a person will be limited in terms of the mines they can visit because they need to have been inspected for us to work in them but there are definitely places which are cool enough that you can be taken. That's not to say you won't learn loads and gain a real insight into mines hazards, underground ropework, geology, and history - because you definitely will!
To give you a few people to look at (in no particular order):
- Mark Richards (https://www.360outdoors.co.uk/adventures/)
- Sharon Rosser (https://www.lancashire.ac.uk/academics/sharon-rosser)
- Gethin Thomas (https://www.train4underground.co.uk/)
- Pete Knight (https://undergroundspecialist.co.uk/)
I think there may be a few others but unfortunately the ACI website is currently down so I cannot check this.
My personal advice would be to do both! Find a mate or two join you for a day or two with a CIC and join a club. Happy to answer any other N Wales related Qs.
If you've not been in Cwmorthin and fancy an adventure on a tourist style trip then I'd highly recommend joining Go below (https://www.go-below.co.uk/) for the ultimate Extreme trip. Full disclosure: I do work for Go Below but hopefully you will find a lot of high praise for our trips around on this forum.
Happy exploring!
caving_fox
Active member
Depending on which bit of Herfordshire if it's NEish you might find the CCCC a useful (friendly) club. Based in Cambridge, do weekend trips to all the main caving areas, and have arranged N Wales trips from time to time. Have been a bit quiet lately but a few trips scheduled for this year. Also lots of climbing.
Pete K
Well-known member
Yes.
The BCA's LCMLA award scheme is for cave and/or mine leadership. It has 2 levels, horizontal (+simple scrambles) and vertical leader (ladder and lifeline).
The CIC, Cave Instructor Certificate, is the UK guide equivalent and covers all caving including SRT. A mines bolt on can be added to extend its remit beyond caves.
Leadership Awards
Qualifications management system The BCAs Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) manage a range of Nationally recognised leadership awards appropriate for those wishing to evidence their competence…
british-caving.org.uk
Pete K
Well-known member
They are UK specific. Usually the CIC travels okay for caving, if the country or the overseas organisation in mind will recognise the award.
Mining may be different, as manmade features are legislated for differently in the UK and that might be the case overseas too. For instance, as a CIC I can work in any cave in the UK where access is permitted. I can only work in specific abandoned mines where I am in possession of a legit mine inspection report done by a mine engineer. That's part of the framework set out between the BCA and HSE/Mine Inspectorate for the use of abandoned mines with groups.
Mining may be different, as manmade features are legislated for differently in the UK and that might be the case overseas too. For instance, as a CIC I can work in any cave in the UK where access is permitted. I can only work in specific abandoned mines where I am in possession of a legit mine inspection report done by a mine engineer. That's part of the framework set out between the BCA and HSE/Mine Inspectorate for the use of abandoned mines with groups.
Last edited:
caving_fox
Active member
Presumably it's the entrance that counts as a mine? Or the original purpose? P8 is at least partly mined. Water Icicle etc, almost all the Derbyshire caves break into mines somewhere?
Pete K
Well-known member
It's hard to pin it down to one set of requirements, but I'll try.
Caves with some short (as safe as a cave) old mined bits fall under cave categories, e.g. Carlswark Gin Entrance. Digging that opened a cave is still classed as a cave.
Mines are proper abandoned mines with more mine than cave, and they all present hazards typical of mines. Jugholes, being predominantly cave, has sections of mine with plenty of hazard to be managed, and hence it goes on the mine list for the LCMLA scheme.
Most places are more clear cut, and there is a specific list of all possible mine sites (and caves) that award holders can potentially have listed on their award on the JustGo system for registered award holders. Oh, I suppose I should also mention to those that don't know, that LCMLA holders can only lead in sites they have listed on their award and have specifically done local knowledge or practical assessments in. It's only CICs with the ability to work in any cave or approved mine without the need for it to be named on their award certificate.
Caves with some short (as safe as a cave) old mined bits fall under cave categories, e.g. Carlswark Gin Entrance. Digging that opened a cave is still classed as a cave.
Mines are proper abandoned mines with more mine than cave, and they all present hazards typical of mines. Jugholes, being predominantly cave, has sections of mine with plenty of hazard to be managed, and hence it goes on the mine list for the LCMLA scheme.
Most places are more clear cut, and there is a specific list of all possible mine sites (and caves) that award holders can potentially have listed on their award on the JustGo system for registered award holders. Oh, I suppose I should also mention to those that don't know, that LCMLA holders can only lead in sites they have listed on their award and have specifically done local knowledge or practical assessments in. It's only CICs with the ability to work in any cave or approved mine without the need for it to be named on their award certificate.
Similar threads
