This Virtual Geocache originally was set up by owner the day clan to take you on a tour of the Glynneath Gunpowder Works, Dinas rock Silica mines and workings and to tell you a little about its history.
You will need to answer 4 questions listed below and on the waypoints and take 2 photos.
Then Email the answers or use the message-center - do not post here even if encrypted.
The two photos at waypoints 4 and 5 are mandatory to log the Virtual Cache as a find, but additional photos are very welcome.
The route is set out as a circular walk but does involve some scrambling down rocks. the day clan's 6 year old managed this in 2017 with some help but the rocks can be wet and slippery. There is no need to walk across broken or dilapidated bridges or go into tunnels or the mines. The waypoints are near the coordinates, just look around a bit, what you'll do anyway in this area, you'll find them. If you can't answer a question, no problem, just write it in your email or message and explain why. I'll handle it with discretion and be lenient. If I determine that someone wasn't actually there and/or that the photos have been faked or manipulated, I will delete the log without comment.
The Glynneath Gunpowder Works
were establish on the site in1857 to produce black powder for use in mining and quarrying, and operated until the early 1930s, although the works had many different owners over this time. Initially you may think that this steep sided valley seems like a strange place to build and operate a manufacturing business, however, the location was actually well suited to the manufacture of gunpowder. The manufacture of gunpowder is a very dangerous process and there is a very high risk of explosion, however the site is large and remote, stretching over a mile and a half along the north bank of the River and covering an area of 180ha. This provided plenty of space between each factory building to allow any explosions to be localised.
The silica rock
was discovered in the 1780s and exploited thereafter, in 1807 a tramway was installed to take the product to the Neath canal. The first large scale mining at Dinas was by a William Weston Young. Young was born 20 April 1776 into a devout Quaker family. Educated at Gildersome Quaker boarding school in Yorkshire, he gained a rudimentary knowledge of science which he was to apply in his invention of the silica firebrick. Visitors should note that the silica mines and the surface area surrounding is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and should be respected as such.
Your work:
N 51° 45.619′ W 3° 34.781′ Parking:
You can park here, then follow the road/track behind the village hall to question at stage 1
(If this parking lot is full, please drive to the other parking lot at Stage 6 and walk the short distance over.)
N 51° 45.835 W 003° 34.071 Stage 1: At the start of the bridge you should see a sign. What are the numbers on the sign. If you don't find the sign, count the rectangular elements of the railing on one side of the bridge instead.
Now cross the bridge and follow the path uphill to the area around N 51° 45.658 W 003° 34.289. Find your way to the following waypoints.
N 51° 45.621 W 003° 34.278 Stage 2 places you near the entrance to the mines. You should be able to feel the cold air leaving the mines.
What are the two words on the red sign. If you can't find the red sign, estimate the height of the entrance.
N 51° 45.589 W 003° 34.267 Stage 3: At the end of the footbridge nearest the tunnel find a plaque. Which two words are either side of the & (...&...)
N 51° 45.619 W 003° 34.360 Stage 4 (photo): This will take you to a very large overhang in the cliff face. Popular for climbers. Take a photo with the overhang behind you. You do not have to show your face. Alternatively, you can also show a piece of paper with your geocaching name and the date of the visit.
N 51° 45.608 W 003° 34.444 Stage 5 (photo): Standing by the start of the metal train tracks take a photo of yourself with the waterfall/gulley behind you. You do not have to show your face. Alternatively, you can also show a piece of paper with your geocaching name and the date of the visit.
Finally go to
N 51° 45.562 W 003° 34.709 Stage 6: Looking at the sign/notification board there is a plaque on the right hand leg. What is on the plaque?
Your fieldwork is now complete. Later, please send me (KARL) the four answers via email or message-center. Then you can log your find immediately, if I'm missing something, I'll let you know. Please don't forget to upload the two required photos.
Thank you for your visit and I hope you had a good time.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.