Snakes, Ladders and Tunnels, Dinorwic Slate Quarries

It has been far too long since I posted here so thought the new one better be a good'n.

Snakes and Ladders (and Tunnels)

A very optimistic weekend was planned to go and do some winter routes, but the snow  unfortunately melted before the plan was actioned so an alternative was needed.

We (Louis Duggan and Myself) had both chatted about doing Snakes, Ladders, and Tunnels, for a while, waiting for the weather to be pants. So on the grey, cold windy Sunday morning we set off from the Bus Stop in Dinorwic and headed for the quarry.  

Trespassers will be shot (with a lens)

 
Following the directions from a couple of internet sources we made are way behind Dali's Hole and into the first tunnel, to discover California. 

Overlooking California Bay, past Guillotine Block

 It was in the first bay of California, that the sense of scale, danger and adventure really starts to hit home, as the safety of having Llanberis and the horizon in view gets stolen from sight. 


Another tunnel (pictured) continues into the greater area of California home to the infamous chain. 


 
Decades gone by but the tests of time are no match for the industrial ingenuity of some of the old metal working in this quarry, the sheer weight of the snaking linkster permits it from its rapid decline to the slatey depths below. To instill confidence in any climbers, some old cord is tied in place to prevent any practical jokers, sliding the chain over it's over secure holdings.

Three Spikes of Relief

BombProof

A moment of panic set in when we realised the HMS karabiners we brought had gates slightly too small to fit around the links of the chain. We were planning a via-ferrata style ascent and using cows-tails to clip in on the ascent. Instead Louis braved it and led the chain using two quick-draws as protection. Although it was advised we used climbing shoes for the hobble up the chain we braved it in mountain boots and struggled to gain height. Once Louis had found the "Rhythm of the Chain" he made good progress and arranged a belay on the one peg which was advised against. Backed up with a cam this was still, to say the least, a bit dodge. 

A beastly haul up the snake we had safely passed the first of many ironmongery inclines of the day and continued back to Dali's hole.

Found It

Our trusty blog report of the route, had purposely been vague at the whereabouts of the next tunnel, to prevent any 'muggles' exploiting this playground. After a lengthy search and a couple of slate surfing moments we stumbled upon the small and awkward tunnel entrance, which led us to Tasmania.

The vast expanse of Australia looms over and the levels of the popular climbing slabs stand boldly proud. The oil drum glacier spreads up the back wall smoothing a gap between the sharp faces either side. Far up to the right the walls of the East Braich stare down on us mere mortals, ready to tackle its rusty veins. A steep scramble us loose scree brings us the small quarry of Vilcabamba where the emergence of green life is evident, and a glimmer of environmental hope shines through the wasted plateau.

And there it is the first of the ladder, hiding on the back wall, leaning lazily leftwards following years of quarry men fast-tracking the levels on it's feeble frame.
A weak looking chain supporting it disappears behind a bush hiding, hopefully, its true anchor.

The next three levels, house many retired huts and sheds, with varying purposes, from cabans to cutting and tileing to tolieting. Remains of the huge pulleys and cables hang suspended, shrouded in states of age. The levels life lines, worsensed by exposure, are clinging tightly to the steep sides, held together by rusty rungs and bent beams, all for the safety of their willing wanderers.  

The Zodiacal Zig-Zag

Onwards and upwards past the Botany bay, G'Day Arete and Far out levels transported us to another era, finding old quarrymens coats and boots (what was left of them, turns out some had been burnt by some flaming fools). 
 

In the Caban

We had spent a good 45 minutes having lunch in Tasmania and the clock was ticking towards 3 o'clock rapidly. Surprised to find out we were only half way gave us a kick up the arse and we stopped dawdling and went to find the lost world.

 A gaping hole partly carpeted with a rhododendron blanket appears as you approach the quarry top. It's whereabouts vaguely described we eventually found the abseiled anchors and proceeded into the abyss below.

The Lost World

The Abseil into the Lost World

As we descended into the jungle canopy we stumbled upon an unofficial bothy hosing some old machinery and signs of more modern inhabitance. 

The Jungle Bothy 4 *

 Bashing through the rhody bushes and through a small tunnel we arrived at Mordor, with dwarves tunnels disappearing in every which way.

The quarry areas are named after places the quarrymen wished they were other than in the grey wasteland and names such as Serengeti, Australia and California. Mordor and the Lost World don't seem to follow this ruling. 

Mordor

Around a thin ledge and up a ladder (complete with manky rope to replace the missing rungs) brings you into the Khyber pass. A short walk over to Twll Mawr (Big hole) draws you up a final ladder and over to the final element of the day.

(We had partially been pre-warned not to do it, and seen many reports of groups doing the whole S+L+T course but then skipping the bridge but we were there and it seemed a fitting finish to the day, if it were to be our demise, at least it would have been in style)

As we approached the 'Bridge of Death' a hail shower fell, so we sought shelter in a nearby hut and psyched up for the challenge, emptying water bottles and removing potential hooking accessories from our harnesses. 
And so it was, time to do the bridge. Louis went first as he is heavier (and if it held him, i would be OK). Starting off slow, he soon found his rhythm again and he made progress slowing for the bowing centre. He made it, which meant it was on me now. It felt exposed, with the blowing wind and i made my way across with the now failing light.
Louis attempted to scare me whilst halfway, by chucking a large block below the bridge but I was too focussed to succumb to his immature tomfoolery. And then it was done, i had made it too, a deep breath and it was over. 

  
 We had conquered the snake long ago, climbed the ladders and developed night vision in the tunnels.

Snakes, ladders and tunnels. Done.