Alerts

Thanks to Juliet Parker-Smith for the following report:  “Leaders using the upper entrance to Cwm Pwll Y Rhyd need to exercise extreme caution. Yesterday a huge boulder detached from the wall at the top of the climb down into the cave. We managed to hold it back until group members were clear of the base, … Read more

“As you can imagine water levels are currently very low in the Wye (and the Usk). Whilst there is still no launching from the Bont in Glasbury, canoeists [launching elsewhere should] be extra careful in these conditions and avoid damaging recovering Ranunculus beds in shallow water, reported to be 6 to 9 inches deep. Shallow … Read more

One of our members has reported that there is a dipper nest in the large tree river left at the large pool below the wooden footbridge on the Sychryd. Please take care not to disturb these sensitive birds.

BBNPA has informed us that the toilet block at Cwm Porth will be re-opening today and has asked us to pass on thanks to providers for their understanding and patience while the work was being done, which did over run a bit due to extra work being identified. The good news is, there will now … Read more

The owners of Llwyn Cilsanws Farm have requested that people refrain from accessing Ogof y Ci through their farm, as they are finding this intrusive and they gain no benefit from cave users. Staff at Parkwood Outdoors Dolygaer are in discussions with them to try to find a mutually acceptable solution for all users, but … Read more

We’re sure that most of our Members will by now have seen the latest news about the canal – that CRT has agreed short-term to fund water top-ups following NRW restrictions on abstraction from the Usk which threatened the canal’s imminent closure (see Emergency water supply for at-risk Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal – BBC News). … Read more

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has now advised us that the works at Usk Reservoir, which will see the northern launch site closed (as advised in our recent post Usk Reservoir works at ‘slipway’ launch – starting April 2025), will start on 7 April and last until August next year. This means there will be no … Read more

Not for the first time, we’ve recently received from one of our members a report of poor water quality in the Sychryd gorge: “The pool was distinctly cloudy and had a bluey green tinge. On those levels it should have been completely clear with our favourite peaty brown tinge. Visibility was zero. Conversely we could … Read more

Following our recent Waterfall Country Update regarding the Sgwd y Pannwr path, we have received the following additional information from NRW: “Following successful helicopter operations last week, the plateau by Sgwd y Pannwr Waterfall (marked in blue on map below) is now covered with helicopter bags full of block sandstone for upcoming path works commencing … Read more

One of our members has reported “a polite conversation with a farmer with a pick-up and trailer going through the gate at the top of the track down towards the Torpantau tunnel. He, and others in the past, have had difficulty opening the gate due to there being buses parked on the downhill side of … Read more