Cairn's cache Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Parys Mountain is one of only three sites in Wales which have evidence of copper mining during the Bronze and Roman Ages. However, its history dates back much further, to the Ordovician times. About 450 million years ago, the foundations for the mountain were laid down as mud on the ocean floor and mixed in with metal ores created by volcanic activity.
Current scientific thinking is that during the Caledonian Orogeny, a mountain building episode about 400 million years ago, the rocks were folded and the minerals within them were re-dissolved and re-precipitated, resulting in the ore deposits becoming increasingly concentrated. As these have weathered and broken down they have turned the mountain striking shades of red and brown.
The acidic spoil has attracted unusual plants and lichens. Bats have made the mine workings their home, and jackdaws and choughs can also be seen flying over the opencasts. It is easy to see why the site has been used as a set for various sci-fi movies, including Dr Who.
For many years the depth to which mines could be dug depended to a great extent on the amount of water flooding into the mines. During the early part of the 18th century the mine depths were limited to those which were accessible to removal of water by buckets and windlass. A winding engine was erected here some time after 1865.
A 5 sailed windmill was erected in 1870 to assist pumping the shaft when it became clear that the Carreg y Doll pumping engine could not dewater this part of the mine on its own.
Eventually a new pumping engine was also erected near the Cairns shaft. This was of a differential compound type manufactured at the Sandycroft foundry and steamed for the first time on 8th December 1880. The pumping engine was eventually connected to the windmill by flat rods to assist pumping.
The cache is located near the remains of Cairns Mill. It isn’t in or on the mill and please take note of the warning signs warning people not to go near the building itself. Also please note that there is no need to go off the path apart for the last 5 yards. We managed this with 2 little kids, the paths are probably not suitable for a wheelchair or buggy although the all terrain buggies would be ok. Wear a sturdy pair of walking shoes as the path is very rough/rocky/stoney.
The mountain is littered with old abandoned shafts and therefore sticking to the path is essential. The cache is a plastic clip lock box and contains all the usual swap items, log book and pencil plus 2 Trackables at the time of placing. I can see the Mill from my house and can see my house from the hill near the mill hence why I have chosen this spot
While here why not attempt GC1ZFA7, GC1FXNQ, GC1BZ4Y
congrats to GEOGOONERS for being FTF
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n pbeare obhyqre