Re: "Waterfall to stay shut for months"

Bill Grey wrote:

If the local MRT's hadn't had so many calls to accidents in the
waterfalls region then perhaps the national park people wouldn't be so
touchy - we all know what the state of things are as regards suing
etc!

I think that's the main problem, the inclination to blame someone and sue.
So basically, they're just covering themselves. But in so doing, I really do
think they are creating a bigger potential danger.

Let's say someone parks at the Angel Inn in Pontneddfechan, and sets off up
the Nedd Fechan to do a circuit of the waterfalls, a minimum of 7 miles, 9
if you include Porth yr Ogof or 12 if you include Cwm Pwll y Rhyd. Near the
end of the walk he encounters the "closed" Sgwd yr Eira. He's tired, it's
not much further to go to get back to his car, he's looking forward to a
pint in the pub. What's he going to do? Backtrack? Or risk a river crossing?

I know what I'd do, I'd either risk a river crossing or more likely, climb
over the barriers and walk under the waterfall. The former would actually be
safer IMO.

The area isn't just reserved for the experts in this NG,and loads of
other, less well equipped folk visit the place. It's a wonder that
there aren't more accidents occurring.

This is very true. If someone is just doing a short stroll to Sgwd yr Eira
then they probably will turn back, but someone setting out to do the entire
circuit isn't so likely to do so, especially if they encounter this problem
near the end of the walk. It could involve quite a few extra miles of
backtracking, and I for one wouldn't do that.

I think the NP is failing to look at the bigger picture here. Sgwd yr Eira
is a *critical* crossing point. It's not just a tourist attraction to walk
to and walk back from, it's the only safe place to cross that river (unless
the water level is low). There's just no other way to get across that river
without fording it, there are no bridges for miles in either direction. This
is not a big deal during dry weather, but how much of that have we had
lately? After a lot of rain those rivers can be very dangerous.

This problem should be dealt with quickly, or closing the fall could
actually cause an accident IMO.

How long does it take the army to set up a pontoon bridge in wartime?
Something temporary could easily be arranged quickly, if they really wanted
to.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk/
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk/weblog/
Latest Blog Post: Porth yr Ogof Caves
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