Cold, dark confined spaces are not what
I would class as one of those areas of ‘Hidden Beauty’ previously referred to, neither are they places that I have a desire to frequent.
With this in mind, you would think that
a day trip for mine exploration would be the last thing on my ‘holiday’
itinerary. It is something, however,
that in August last year (2013) I was somehow persuaded to take part in.
Although not a confined space it was cold and dark; somewhat intimidating and
fear imposing with a traverse that left me suspended in a void of epic
proportions (exaggeration or not that’s how it presented itself to me!). The
trip’s only appeal was the fact that I was entering this experience not on my
own but with a number of other people, who unlike me, seemed to be seeking the
‘thrill’ of the ‘underworld’!
Returning to Wales this year, it was
suggested that an underground trip should be included on the list of activities
to offer. With our ‘Community Holiday’
underway, and with a day to spare, Mal and I found ourselves heading for Cwmorthin
Slate Mine; time to dig deep, take a deep breath and compose the tremble
within.
The limited light of our head torches
didn’t help much to illuminate the relatively spacious entrance tunnel or the
descent along the incline plain; the darkness was appearing ever more
threatening and overwhelming. Not far
into the mine, having passed over our first very modest traverse, we landed at
the head of a chasm of nothingness; before us a 60ft abseil to ‘nowhere’; my
mind-set in tatters!
Irrespective of Mal's gentle
encouragement and reassurance of safety, I could go no further, the elements
had beaten me and I urgently needed to retreat.
Retracing our steps the smell of air and the light of the outside was
welcoming and comforting.
Pondering on the content of our hour’s
activity, conversation was deep. We likened the situation to those times in
life when worlds are shattered by events beyond our control and we find
ourselves in those difficult, ‘dark’ places of life with seemingly no-where to
go, no-where to hide and very little hope.
Those times when we need to rely on the ‘light’ to help us understand our
surroundings and to see the steps forward clearer, rather than allowing the
darkness to absorb us.
I needed to ‘happen’ to Cwmorthin rather
than Cwmorthin ‘happening’ to me!
The week rolled on, and with new
visitors joining us on camp looking for an ‘extreme’ experience, I found myself
bringing the idea that they might find the challenges of Cwmorthin enough to
fulfil their desires; could I believe I was saying these things? No, but
sometimes you have to be determined to achieve, so to Cwmorthin we were headed!
As the 6 of us kitted up there seemed to
be a buzz in the air, for me encouragement and strength in numbers; although
the mine opening would have been better served with less of an ascent, here was
potential for enthusiasm to abate.
The walls of the mine seemed much more
visible as we made our way through. This could only mean that the gaping voids
would also be more apparent; as the 60ft abseil loomed my only option was to
close my eyes and hope for the best!
Pushing away from the ledge I was launched into the chasm that just 2
days before I had ‘run’ from. The
contact with solid ground brought a sigh of relief, but there was no time to
feel comfortable as a short distance away, in the dim light of the head
torches, could be seen what is known as the ‘catwalk’. With a sickening feeling
beginning to develop in the pit of my stomach it was my turn to interact with
the 6 inch planks of wood that perched on the old miner’s metal spikes in the
middle of an approx. 90ft chamber. Encouraged
greatly by those around me, making sure ‘cows tails’ were in place, I tentatively
started my ‘walking in the air’ journey; the sickening feeling increasing as
the planks ran out into footholds of only metal spikes!
Half-way through, with a broken bridge
to be negotiated and two more abseils to be conquered I was thankful for the
continued quiet words and inspiration of those who went before me. Finally
landing deep in the mine, I was ready to lead the ascent up the incline plane
back out into the warmth and brightness of the sun.
Feeling accomplished in the ‘happening’
to Cwmorthin, my mind took me once again to ‘moments of life’ and how in those
areas victory too can be known as we surround ourselves with the right friends
who can bring light and encouragement to see us through. For me that has
included ‘chatting’ with my friend Jesus, who directly and through other people
helped me to see the ‘opportunities’ of life in a new light,
to find and reach that warmth and beauty once again.
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