A report from a visit back in June which I could only just be bothered to write up now.
I have tried to visit before but there was 5 feet of snow on top of the mountain and it was getting dark so I gave up. This time we went during storm Hector which surprisingly turned out to be a 10mph refreshing breeze. After a 2hr drive we walked up and first visited Penarth slate mine which is worthy of its own report (didn't walk straight up the incline this time.) Continuing on we walked around the edge of the Ceiriog forest eventually finding a way in to it - it is a fair distance to Moel with a fair bit of height gain! During the walk between them we saw the only 2 people since leaving the car. Walking for another mile or so out of the forest you reach the top and Moel Fferna is spread out in front you.
After arriving we had a wander around the building remains, now little more the heaps of slate with chunks of twisted metal. There are a few information boards around telling you about the buildings and illustrations of the tramway. Next task was finding the entrance, I knew it was by a tree and that was it, I chose some random clump of trees up hill from us and begin to climb the incline. Walking along the top level of the incline we found the remains of the adit entrance which has been filled in but there is still a slight breeze emanating from the portal.
Eventually the entrance shaft was found and it was my job to set up the ladder - which was £30 on Ebay. For a change I made the right decision to buy a sling to wrap around the tree and hang the ladder of that. Then my fear of heights came back, not good when you are on the edge of a 10m hole! After about 10 mins I plucked up the courage to go down, which is not as bad as I first thought.
We had a good wander around some of the levels and the Incline which is still in very good nick; Wagon bodies, rollers and the drum still remain. The main aim was to find the underground bridge which we did find and was too chicken to cross, at least without some safety gear.
Very Brief History:
Mine was opened in 1860s and most of the slate was mined rather quarried. The mine was served by the Deeside tramway which was gravity worked the three miile down to the Ruabon - Dollgelau mainline at Glyndyfrdwy, horses returned the empties daily. In 1898 184 men were employed, in 1937-8 100. The mine closed in 1960.
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/308669/details/moel-fferna-slate-mine
Now for the interesting bit: the photographs.
Starting of with some exteriors.
This show the incline down to the Deeside tramway, there was originally a bridge over this.
On to the underground part. First of is the room directly off the ventilation shaft.
Not sure what this shaft was for but I threw a stone down it and it goes a fairway down.
Gate which my mate climbed through even though it was unlocked
There is plenty of graffiti around the mine.
Next up is the impressive roof support which is in the style of what you would see in a coal mine. (also spooky ghosts)
My friend decided to vape inside, could is probably still there.
I couldn't get a photo with the bridge and the floor in as the camera wouldn't focus
and finally my mate going almost going arse over tit down a trip.
Will have to head out again soon for a revisit without tiring myself out in penarth first.
I have tried to visit before but there was 5 feet of snow on top of the mountain and it was getting dark so I gave up. This time we went during storm Hector which surprisingly turned out to be a 10mph refreshing breeze. After a 2hr drive we walked up and first visited Penarth slate mine which is worthy of its own report (didn't walk straight up the incline this time.) Continuing on we walked around the edge of the Ceiriog forest eventually finding a way in to it - it is a fair distance to Moel with a fair bit of height gain! During the walk between them we saw the only 2 people since leaving the car. Walking for another mile or so out of the forest you reach the top and Moel Fferna is spread out in front you.
After arriving we had a wander around the building remains, now little more the heaps of slate with chunks of twisted metal. There are a few information boards around telling you about the buildings and illustrations of the tramway. Next task was finding the entrance, I knew it was by a tree and that was it, I chose some random clump of trees up hill from us and begin to climb the incline. Walking along the top level of the incline we found the remains of the adit entrance which has been filled in but there is still a slight breeze emanating from the portal.
Eventually the entrance shaft was found and it was my job to set up the ladder - which was £30 on Ebay. For a change I made the right decision to buy a sling to wrap around the tree and hang the ladder of that. Then my fear of heights came back, not good when you are on the edge of a 10m hole! After about 10 mins I plucked up the courage to go down, which is not as bad as I first thought.
We had a good wander around some of the levels and the Incline which is still in very good nick; Wagon bodies, rollers and the drum still remain. The main aim was to find the underground bridge which we did find and was too chicken to cross, at least without some safety gear.
Very Brief History:
Mine was opened in 1860s and most of the slate was mined rather quarried. The mine was served by the Deeside tramway which was gravity worked the three miile down to the Ruabon - Dollgelau mainline at Glyndyfrdwy, horses returned the empties daily. In 1898 184 men were employed, in 1937-8 100. The mine closed in 1960.
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/308669/details/moel-fferna-slate-mine
Now for the interesting bit: the photographs.
Starting of with some exteriors.
This show the incline down to the Deeside tramway, there was originally a bridge over this.
On to the underground part. First of is the room directly off the ventilation shaft.
Not sure what this shaft was for but I threw a stone down it and it goes a fairway down.
Gate which my mate climbed through even though it was unlocked
There is plenty of graffiti around the mine.
Next up is the impressive roof support which is in the style of what you would see in a coal mine. (also spooky ghosts)
My friend decided to vape inside, could is probably still there.
I couldn't get a photo with the bridge and the floor in as the camera wouldn't focus
and finally my mate going almost going arse over tit down a trip.
Will have to head out again soon for a revisit without tiring myself out in penarth first.
Any dead sheep at the base of the shaft?
