On a recent trip to Cwmorthin we crawled through the little portal in the very nicely made drystone wall adjacent to the haulage mechanism at the top of the chamber 34 incline on floor DE, to find a way through across chamber 35 where you can look down at the caban on G floor way below. The route goes on a little further, until you look across chamber 36 with no way on. On the opposite wall can be seen what looks like an original vertical ladder (dating from the 1930's?) up to the tunnel on DE, presumably an extension of the cat walks way below.
I am wondering where this ladder goes and why. The Cwmorthin plan is a bit unclear at this point and shows an odd passage beyond with what looks like a right angled turn and the annotation “clay slant” clearly marked.
(I think I posted a photo in the album but can't seem to find it)
Anyone any ideas?
'I wonder how many breakfasts, and other meals we have missed inside that nasty clockless, timeless hole?'
'The Hobbit'
J R R Tolkien.