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Landslip / Rockfall at Oxwich Quarry, Gower

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There has been a big slip at Oxwich Quarry which has obliterated some routes but deposited very large boulders at the top of the beach. The slip has also exposed 60m x 15m of new cliff.

I was out for a walk yesterday (19/12/09) around Great Tor when I noticed a huge scar in the forest just left of Oxwich's Sea Wall. I hadn't noticed it when out a week before so I'm assuming the slip occurred less than a week ago.

The slip is really huge. My poor photos (below) do not reveal the size of the boulders and the sheer volume of debris (rock, soil, mud and trees). If you know the area you'll have some idea of just how big this is.

The new boulders have stopped just short of the old Oxwich Boulders and completely dwarf them. Two of these boulders are the size of a small house.

I was reluctant to scramble up to the new exposed face as the debris is completely sodden and rather unstable. Perhaps it can be approached after some dry weather.

Definitely some new boulder problems and, if it proves stable, the new face should provide quite a few new routes. Unlike most of Oxwich Quarry these routes won't be shaded by trees.

Astonishingly, amongst the thousands of tons of debris, I found a shiny and smashed staple.

Tim Hoddy.

The BMC have an advisory note at http://www.thebmc.co.uk/News.aspx?id=3459

Oxwich slip
Oxwich slip
Oxwich slip
Oxwich slip