Saturday - 29th September 2001
People present - Duncan Jones, Pete Dale, Rob Kenning, Ian Lawton, Liz ?, Dave Foxton, Helen Bltyh, Beardy, Malcom Starkings, Sam Leiberman, Phil Underwood
GCC Leaders : Mick Murphy, Dave Merchant

After a previous visit earlier in the year we wanted to return to Milwr Tunnel to undertake a bigger trip, I had seen the Limestone workings last time and this time I wanted to see Powell's Lode Cavern. After reading descriptions of the area I realised a round trip with climbing and abseiling was possible and after discussion with Mick about it we had a big trip planned.

Meeting at the GCC hut we found out that the water levels were ok for our planned trip, Mick wasn't sure about the water levels a few days before but it had stayed dry enough for our round trip. We soon found ourselves back at the parking area getting changed a straggled out group made its way over to the entrance.

A short while after entering the mine we were down in Milwr Tunnel itself, the going was easy (being downstream) the only obstacles encountered were the missing sections of floor that were negotiated by standing on the rails. After quite a distance we arrived at Powell's Lode Branch. More walking led us past some rooms off to the left used for ammo stores back in the war years, eventually we stopped for a break and broke into small groups for the ascent of the incline.

The incline has a bit of loose material on it so we stayed out of the way of the bottom, I was last but one to go up and whilst waiting for Pete to ascend Dave told me stories of strange goings on in the mines, particularly the story of one of the rooms where when exiting the room you get hit in the face by a strong draught and hear footsteps behind you but they never get closer… Anyway I was soon on my way up, the incline is fairly steep but is easily climbed using the fixed ropes. At the top Dave pointed out some acid battery charges, which Rob decided to inspect closer with his carbide lamp - not the best thing to use Rob!

An easy passage eventually led us to the pump shafts, which we abseiled down without incident, from there a further short passage leads to another pitch down to Barclays Lode. Whilst at the top of the pitch Dave, Rob and Pete heard a strange tapping noise, I was on the pitch at the time and I heard it but we never did find out exactly what it was that caused the noise.

In Barclays Lode we all had a look at the very nice crystallised solution cavity before making progress towards Powell's Lode. A straightforward connection to Powell's is not possible due to collapse so you have to go up an electron ladder then along and up another ladder which then leads you to the maypole climb down - this is basically a scaffold pole with stemples attached to it, very much like what you find on telegraph poles. The view from the top is stunning and at this point the 'ladder' is stable, half way down you have to turn 90degrees and carry on descending, it's at this point that the ladder starts to wobble, most entertaining.

At the bottom you are in the very impressive Powell's Lode Cavern, my jaw picked up off the floor I went to take a closer look at the lake, wow, its a large cavern with a lovely clear blue lake occupying the floor, superb!! After a short break we made our way back out, reaching the main tunnel we found the going somewhat harder being against the flow, it's a fair slog but the floorless sections add interest along the way.

At the bottom of Olwyn Goch we split up, some people decided to exit via the Limestone Workings as they hadn't seen them before but having only been there a couple of months before I opted to go for the direct ascent.

Well, my second trip into the Milwr/Halkyn system and certainly not the last, it may be a mine which some people think is boring but this place is different, its well worth visiting. Numerous possibilities exist for SRT, the limestone workings are big and impressive and Powell's Lode Cavern is excellent - definitely places you should make sure you visit - have a look at Sub-Brits Milwr Tunnel pages, lots of pictures and info.