A brave group of intrepid explorers celebrated the Great Weekend of Welsh Adventure (April 2-3) by spending 15 hours exploring, scrambling and climbing their way around a former slate mine in Mid Wales.
After an evening meal in the historic Slaters Arms, the explorers entered the abandoned Braich Goch slate mine at Corris, near Machynlleth with Corris Mine Explorers at 8.30pm ahead of a five hour exploration.
This adventurous trip included many challenges for the group before reaching the cavern where they would spend the night. After hot drinks, snacks and late night chatter, candles were blown out at 2.30am.
More exploration followed the next day which took the explorers deeper into the mine and to “off-piste” areas. In these parts of the mine the miners’ original clog prints can be seen in the mud.
Areas deep in the mine, such as this, are not visited on normal trips as they are just too far away to reach. The underground sleepover adventure allowed more time for new territory to be explored.
After more ledges, scrambling, climbing, mud and water the epic explorers emerged mid-morning to a full Welsh breakfast in the adjoining Y Crochan Café.
Mark Waite, the underground sleepover guide, said: “The group of explorers were really tested, physically and mentally, with adventurous challenges coupled with very little sleep! They celebrated the Great Weekend of Welsh Adventure with an epic and unique underground sleepover adventure.”
During the Year of Adventure, Corris Mine Explorers opens daily for explorations of between one and four hours. Advance booking essential.
